Last Updated:

 10/03/11 11:19:48 AM

 

Community Based Services 

St. Catherine's Community Based Services program serves families where children are at risk of foster care placement, or have been placed into foster care and the goal is to return children to a stable home.  The Community Based Services program strives to equip families with new skills in parenting and functioning as families.  The focus of services is on the whole family and to address problem areas in a respectful and confidential manner.
The Community Based Services program provides a variety of therapeutic and support services designed to encourage the development of mutually satisfying and growth enhancing family relations.  Many of the services are home based.  Services include:
  • Clinical assessments of children, adults and families
  • Parent skills training
  • Individual/marital/family counseling
  • Parent support groups
  • Parent aide service
  • Parent care service (provides developmentally disabled parents very specific and intensive aid in organizing and executing daily family life and parenting activities)
  • Home aide service
  • Respite care
  • Permanency planning consultation
  • Case management
The Community Based Services program serves residents of Albany County.  Families involved suffer from a variety of stresses that impede functioning and risk foster care placement of children.
All referrals to The Community Based Services program come to us through the Albany County Department of Social Services.
General Information:
Mailing Address and Service Location:    40 North Main Avenue, Albany, NY 12203-1425

Telephone Number:  (518) 453-6700                                  Fax Number:  (518) 453-6712
Hours and Days:   Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (with on-call coverage for after hours).  Weekend services: respite, visitation, and parent training. 
 

Respite Program

What is Respite?

Respite is care provided by skillful adults, specially trained to manage the intensive needs of seriously emotionally disturbed children.  The purpose of Respite is to provide a child’s caregivers and other family members with a short period of relief to become refreshed and re-energized so they may continue the day-to-day responsibility of parenting. 

  

Benefits of Respite:

Parents/guardians who utilize Respite services experience a sense of relief from the intense demands placed upon them.  Family members develop a more positive attitude about family life.  The child feels more positive about his/her family and develops a greater sense of self-esteem and independence.  Respite allows a family the break it needs to work on achieving family stability.
 

How do I utilize Respite services?

Each respite program has specific criteria that the family must meet in order to be eligible.  Referrals come through service providers who are involved with a family in need.

 

Description of Respite Services
 

Recess Recreation Program

The Recess Recreation Program is provided through Albany County Intensive Case Management (ICM).  Children who are receiving ICM services are eligible.  During school holidays and vacations, eligible children spend up to 3 days/week on an all day recreational activity.  25 “Recess Recs” are provided each year.

 

Prevention Respite

The Department of Children, Youth, and Family refer families in Albany County.  Respite is provided to 8 children, each for 2.5 hours/week.  Prevention Respite is a support service to help families work on their goals to avoid foster care placements and remain together

 

Other

Long-term respite is available with other, smaller programs.  Referral information varies based on the referral source.  Respite visits vary from 2.5-5 hours/week.  The amount of days/week and hours of operation also vary.  Please contact the program director for further details.

 

General Information:

Dave Schrepper, Coordinator of Respite Services

St. Catherine’s Center for Children

40 N. Main Ave.

Albany, NY 12203
 

phone (518) 453-6723      fax       (518) 453-6712