Non Profit ::
Colonial Youth and Family Services
1235 Montauk Hwy, Mastic, NY 11950
PO Box 391, Mastic Beach, NY 11951
phone :: 631 281 4461
fax
:: 631 281 4258
Program Outline
| Who are we? |
Adolescent Services | Clinical Services |
Family Services | Child Care |
Colonial Youth & Family
Services, Inc., a not for profit community based youth agency located in
Mastic, NY, has been in existence since 1973. The primary catchment area for the
organization is the William Floyd School District, which encompasses the hamlets
of Mastic, Mastic Beach, Shirley and Moriches. However, the agency's
incorporation enables it to offer services throughout Suffolk County. Colonial
is the only comprehensive human service organization in the area and provides
formal individual, group and family counseling for youth and their family
members, linkage with community agencies, information and referral,
presentations, teen parent services, child care, summer day camp and family
assistance for those in need of emergency services such as food, fuel, etc.
Colonial is funded by the New York State Division for Youth, the Suffolk County
Youth Bureau/Office of Children, the Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau, the New
York State Dept. of Social Services, Suffolk Network on Adolescent Pregnancy,
the United Way of Long Island and the William Floyd School District. The agency
sponsors two self sustaining programs. One is our School Age Child Care which
includes a before school, kindergarten interim, after school, vacation and
parent/teacher conference programs for working parents; the other is our Summer
Day Camp that starts at 9:OOAM and ends at 4:OOPM with extended care available.
Additionally, the agency runs an annual golf tournament, now in its 21'~ year,
which generates unrestricted revenue that is utilized in part for a matching
grant and also to offset program expenses.
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The agency has an established working relationship with the William Floyd School
District. This partnership has existed for more than 25 years and is mutually
beneficial to both institutions. Colonial provides specially tailored services
within each school building based upon the goals and needs expressed by the
administrators. Agency staff work cooperatively with school personnel and are
treated as integral members of the interdisciplinary team within each school.
This relationship has solidified over the years and provides a safety net and
support system for youth, their family members and school personnel. The
National Association of Counties and the National School Boards Association
presented Colonial with the School County Cooperation Award in recognition of
exemplary partnerships between school districts and county governments. Colonial
also received the Eleanor Roosevelt Community Service Award in 1985, which
celebrates the enduring partnership between the public, private and voluntary
sectors.
In 1989, Colonial was featured in the Suffolk County Legislature's Contract
Agency Analysis, Project 8709, which stated in part that "the center appears to
be a mode/ for youth program/school district cooperation in the delivery of
services to the target population": In addition, Colonial has been designated by
the United Way of America 3s a provider of comprehensive, wrap around services
for high risk children and their `families.
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Adolescent Services
Peer Leadership
The Peer Leadership program is designed to provide
training to students who wish to help others and to assist in building
leadership capabilities. The group works on self determined projects throughout
the year. The group meets every Thursday during the school year at William Floyd
High School. Referrals come from school personnel or group participants, and
students must have parent's permission. Youth utilize the late bus to get home.
Summer Employment Colonial works in
conjunction with the Suffolk County Department of Labor (if funds are available)
in order to provide students the opportunity to work. There are specific
guidelines through DOL for youth who work in this program. Students must be
income eligible or special ed.
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Community Development The community
development project is designed to promote and develop leaders/participants
sense of civic responsibility and to increase the sense of community membership
and feelings of self worth by providing opportunities to engage in service to
their communities. The group will participate in completing ten community
service projects. The group meets every Wednesday evening at the high school to
discuss projects such as graffiti removal, help at a local food pantry,
tutoring, working with younger students, and much more.
Teen Parent Program Weekly educational,
support groups is offered in the evening for pregnant and parenting teens under
the age of 21. Transportation provided.
TASA Case management services are
available to pregnant and/or parenting adolescents who are under 20 upon their
first referral to us and who reside in one of the following locations: Bellport,
Brookhaven, Center Moriches, East Moriches, Eastport, Mastic, Mastic Beach,
Moriches, Remsenberg, Shirley and Speonk. TASA clients must be Medicaid
eligible. Non custodial parents and siblings living in the home of a TASA client
are also eligible for TASA case management.
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Clinical Services
School‑based Program
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The agency offers a wide range of short‑term
supportive counseling services for youth and their family members residing
within the William Floyd School District. Counseling focuses on issues and
behaviors that impact upon youth's academic achievement and emotional needs.
Emphasis is placed on
stabilizing the family system in order to succeed at school. Our goal is to
enable children and adolescents to develop the appropriate skills, which will
allow them to experience a level of success in both the home and school setting.
Our philosophy of short‑term counseling, allows our fully qualified team to
provide care to the greatest number of students.
Community Counseling Program
We provide individual, group and family counseling
on a short term, on going counseling basis. Referrals come from community
agencies, schools, self referrals and from clients utilizing the services in
other departments at Colonial Youth Center. Evening hours are by appointment
only.
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Prevention
After school preventive groups are
available for youths 11 16 who may be at risk of early pregnancy (males and
females). Risk factors include but are not limited to low self-esteem, physical,
emotional or sexual abuse (self or family members), as well as premature sexual
activity. Individual group and family counseling also available for adolescents.
Family Services
Emergency Food
Colonial obtains the bulk of our food from Long Island Cares Food Bonk. Other
sources of food are SNAP, community donations and food drives. Emergency food is
available to families in the William Floyd School District once a month.
Office of the Aging
Colonial works in conjunction with the Office of the Aging.
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Holiday Assistance
One of the largest segments of the Family Services Department is its annual food
and gift program. Colonial would not be able to do this project without the
support of the community. We receive donations from local businesses, community
members and school personnel. The Girl Scouts collect food at area supermarkets
and the Lioness Club assists by sorting food and preparing boxes. The school
district assists by placing food collection boxes in their buildings. During the
Christmas season, community members, classes and groups adopt families and
provide them with gifts and food. This project is agency wide. Everyone
participates in the preparation of boxes as well as handing them, out. Families
are referred through the school as well as coming in and signing up themselves.
e Family Services Department
runs several in school and afternoon groups for elementary students of the
William Floyd School strict.
Boys & Girls Group
This group meets on a weekly basis after school on Tuesdays. The group is held
at Colonial's little red schoolhouse on Montauk Highway. Colonial provides
transportation from each of the elementary schools to Colonial and parents
provide transportation home. The group is recreational and designed to assist
children with the development o f socialization skills. These groups are limited
to 12 participants (grades 3 6). Referrals are accepted through school
Camp Opportunities
Colonial works in conjunction with Camp Kiwanis and Camp Vacamas to send
children to resident camp far 1 3 weeks. Referrals are accepted through school
personnel.
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Child Care
School Age Child Care
Colonial provides before and after
school child care for grades K 6.
Interim Kindergarten
A much needed program that provides continued educational
experiences and child care for those children attending half day kindergarten.
Vacation Program For those children enrolled in our existing program during
selected times of vacation when the school district will be closed.
Parent/Teacher Conference Days
Child Care far children enrolled in our existing program during parent/teacher
conference days.
Summer Day Camp Colonial operates a summer camp program that runs for eight
weeks during July and August. Children in grades 1 6 are eligible for this
program. Various activities are planned such as crafts, sports, games, films,
swimming, theme days and field trips. The program runs from 9:00AM 4:OOPM,
Monday through Friday, but we are flexible. We also have before and after care.
We accept 055 camperships and use a sliding scale.
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