Community Education
Information, referral,workshop, classes and conferences.
Director: Janet Caruso, M.S.L.S.
Educational programs are planned according to the needs of the community and with input from our participation surveys. Some of our past speakers incude Jacki Lyden, Meri Nana-Ama Danquah, Mark Ragins, MD, Kathleen Sciacca, MA, and Kenneth Minkoff, MD.
Depression Screenings are held for the public to educate and raise awareness that "treatment works"...after viewing a short video and completing a survey to screen for depression, anxiety, substance abuse and post traumatic stress disorder, participants met with a trained counselor to discuss the results. Information on local resources is distributed. There is no fee to participants.
Parenting Classes
Increase Your "Parent Power"
Parenting Teens in 2012
6 Week Course
The course material is based on the book, LETTING GO with
LOVE and CONFIDENCE: Raising Responsible, Resilient, Self
-Sufficient Teens in the 21st Century, by Kenneth Ginsburg and
Susan Fitzgerald.
Click Here For Complete Course Details
Parent Well-Being
3 Week Course
Keeping yourself healthy while parenting, working and
experiencing other life stressing circumstances.
Click Here For Complete Course Details
The P.E.A.C.E Program
("Parent Education and Custody Effectiveness")
Divorce and separation can be a painful for adults and children.
The P.E.A.C.E. Program can help parents help their child through the adjustments and challenges they may face.
P.E.A.C.E. is a child centered educational program for separating and divorcing parents who do not have a history of domestic violence or abuse. P.E.A.C.E. examines children's and parents' responses to divorce and separation.
P.E.A.C.E. gives parents information about the emotional and psychological challenges that they and their children may experience as a result of the restructuring and reorganization of the family. P.E.A.C.E. helps the separating or divorcing parents, or step parents protect the well being of their children during the separation process.
The P.E.A.C..E. program helps parents to safely and constructively find ways to problem solve and minimize conflict.
Click Here For Complete Course Details
For further information, contact the Education and Training Coordinator.
Phone: 845-473-2500 x1309 Fax: 845-473-4870
“P.E.A.C.E. is not mediation or therapy. The Program does not aim to resolve individual disputes.
The P.E.A.C.E. Program is solely educational.”
“A Certified Parent Education Program meeting the guidelines of the New York State Parent Education and
Awareness Program of the New York State Office of Court Administration.”
Educational Programs and Conferences
Kids on the Block
Free Kids on the Block puppet performances for pre-K through middle school children are available. These performances promote mental health, prevent substance abuse, address gang involvement and teach conflict resolution.
Volunteer puppeteers present plays in a safe, fun and entertaining environment in which children learn healthy life skills.
For more information, please call the number below.
Phone: 845-473-2500 x1309 Fax: 845-473-4870
Information and Referral
Library
Schools, agencies and individuals in Dutchess County can borrow numerous videos, pamplets and books, to research on mental health related topics, access a private referral list of approximately 200 psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers, and obtain information on local support groups and agencies.
The MHA Library is located on the second floor of the Dutchess County Mental Health Center, 230 North Road, Poughkeepsie.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday through Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; closed Tuesday
Phone: 845-486-2896 Fax: 845-486-2897