Mental Health, Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities Alcohol/Substance Abuse
Westchester County's "Come Do Business With Us" Program
The county offers an outreach program for women and minority-owned firms interested in doing business with Westchester County. Business owners sign up for free seminars that simplify the government contract process and show participants how to compete for jobs.
The program has allowed the county to increase the pool of contractors eligible to do business with government. Thousands of minority and women-owned businesses are now on a list of those who have expressed interest in county projects and a new on-line database is being created of those who become certified.
An additional program shows attendees how to get certified as a minority or women-owned business - a first step in opening other doors in both the public and private sectors.
Please call Symra Brandon at (914) 995-2934 for more information. NOTE: This program is currently only available in English.
Women's Enterprise Development Center
The Women's Enterprise Development Center (WEDC) offers entrepreneurial training programs and services to the following groups of socially and economically disadvantaged women who reside in - and/or are interested in starting a business in - Westchester County or the lower Hudson Valley.
Ø Low-income women, including women transitioning off public assistance, working closely with Westchester County Department of Social Services to recruit for the program. Classes are held in Yonkers.
Ø Displaced homemakers, in partnership with Project Transition at Westchester Community College. A displaced homemaker is someone who has lost her main source of income through divorce, widowhood, separation or the disability of a spouse. Classes are held in Valhalla.
Ø Women of Latino or Hispanic descent, in partnership with Westchester Hispanic Coalition. This program is offered in Spanish. Classes are held in White Plains.
Ø Child care providers, in collaboration with the Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. Classes are held in Yonkers.
Recruitment is now underway for the classes for displaced homemakers and Latinas. Interested parties should call right away at 914-948-6098 x34 or email wedc@westchester.org. Callers who want to leave a message in Spanish should dial ext. 52 for Irma Rodriguez, coordinator of the program for Latinas. The Latina program is tentatively scheduled to begin in early April.
Westchester
One Stop Employment Center
If you’re
looking for a job or a career change, the Westchester One-Stop
Employment Center can help. And all the services are free!
Job seekers
can use computers (and the Internet), telephones, fax machines, copiers
and other resources. A library offers helpful information on job search,
labor market and community resources.
Employment
counselors are available to guide customers through the job search
process. Clients can take advantage of computer training, practice
interviews, career counseling and job preparation
workshops. Job listings are also available, both in the office
and on the center’s website.
Spanish-speaking
personnel are available.
The White Plains office is located at 143 Grand Street and is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Satellite offices are in Mount Vernon, Yonkers, Peekskill and Carmel in Putnam County. Customers must be either citizens or have the legal right to work in the United States. For more information, call (914) 995-3910 or visit the website at www.westchestergov.com/wplwis.
Anyone who wants to learn English in Westchester has a number of
options. Several programs are even free!
The Rochambeau School in White Plains offers English- as-a Second- Language classes in both the day and evening. For information call (914) 422-2351.
The Educational Opportunity Center of Westchester in Yonkers offers free training programs in the day and evening to help students learn English, acquire a GED, enter college, or develop job specific skills. The center also provides support services such as counseling, referrals, and employment readiness programs. For more information call (914) 966-6810.
Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES offers free English-as-a-second- Language classes during the day and evening in Mt. Kisco at the library, St. Mark's Church and Neighbors Link. Call (914) 248-2416.
Westchester Community College offers Saturday or evening classes, specialty programs, and an intensive course that meets 15-18 hours a week. Some courses are offered at extension sites in Mount Kisco, New Rochelle, Ossining, Peekskill and Yonkers. For information call (914) 785-6656. Classes for English as a Second Language .
Southern Westchester BOCES Center for Adult and Community Services offers adult literacy and English-as-a-Second-Language classes at multiple sites throughout Westchester County. The center also offers occupational and career classes on the Valhalla campus. Prices and class schedules vary.
Programs include basic to advanced English-as-a-Second Language classes taught in both English and Spanish, basic education courses, citizenship preparation classes and basic computer literacy classes. The program is for adults 21 and older and students must register in person at the sites where classes will be attended. Classes are held in the morning, afternoon and evening at the different sites. Registration fee is $10. Purchase of books is optional.
Services Sites: New Rochelle (St. Gabriel's), Sleepy Hollow (St. Teresa's), Bronxville (Bronxville Reformed Church and High School), Port Chester (Carver Center, Port Chester High School and the Edison School), White Plains (White Plains mini-mall), Greenburgh (RJ Bailey School), Elmsford (Alice Grady School) and at the Valhalla Campus (65 Grasslands Road).
For more information or to request a brochure call 761-3400 or visit <www.swbocesadulted.org
Manhattanville College also offers Saturday and evening courses, business English, computer skills and punctuation. Specialty classes include conversation, customs and culture and writing skills. Call (914) 323-5271.
Mercy College offers English-as-a-Second-Language programs in Dobbs Ferry, Yorktown, Yonkers, Bronx, and Manhattan. Call (914) 674-7361 or (914) 246-6100 ext. 2239.
Westchester County Health Department
Family Planning Clinics
For women of reproductive age (teens to mid-40s): Clinics provide comprehensive history, physical examination with pelvic exam and Pap smear, screening for sexually transmitted infections, HIV counseling and testing, hepatitis B vaccination, and contraceptives including oral contraception, IUDs, Depo-Provera injections and barrier methods.
Medicaid is accepted, and cost to women without insurance is based on a sliding fee scale depending on income.
White Plains clinic: call (914) 995-5804 for an appointment.
Yonkers clinic: call (914) 231-2504 for an appointment.
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening
For women over the age of 40 with no health insurance: For the early detection of breast cancer, women receive a free clinical breast exam and a screening mammogram once a year. If other testing is required after screening, such as ultrasound, diagnostic mammogram, or surgical consultation, these services are also provided at no charge. Women receiving mammography through the program may also receive a free Pap smear at specified locations with a referral.
Screening is provided at several locations throughout the county.
To call for an appointment: (914) 813-5260 (Spanish speaking available)
Colorectal Cancer Screening
For men and women over the age of 50 with no health insurance: For the early detection of colorectal cancer, men and women receive a free-take home test with instructions. The test involves collecting stool specimens (called a Fecal Occult Blood Test) on cards at home, and mailing them to the laboratory in the mailer provided. If the take home test is abnormal, a colonoscopy is provided, also at no charge.
Screening may be provided through a telephone interview with mailing of the test and instructions.
To call for screening: (914) 813-5256 (Spanish speaking available)
Healthy Beginnings Program
For low income pregnant teens and women and families with young children, living in Yonkers, Greenburgh/White Plains, and Port Chester: Community health workers work with pregnant women and families with small children to assist with enrollment in eligible benefits such as PCAP/Medicaid, Child Health Plus, WIC and accessing appropriate medical care. Workers make home visits and assist with visits to social service agencies and health centers to assure proper nutrition and health care for moms and babies. All workers are bilingual in English and Spanish.
Referral are accepted by calling (914) 995-4391. (Spanish speaking available)
Hudson River Community Health Center
This community health center provides quality health care services to families throughout the Hudson River Valley. Offices are located at 1037 Main Street in Peekskill.
Services provided include dentistry, gynecology, optometry, mental health, substance abuse and alcohol treatment. Residents can register for Child Health Plus; Family Health Plus; and Women, Infant and Children benefits (WIC). A teen pregnancy prevention program is also available. Spanish speaking personnel are available. Fees for services are based on a gross income and family size sliding scale. To make an appointment or for more information call (914) 734-8800.
The Open Door Family Center
Open Door offers medical care in Ossining, Sleepy Hollow and Rye Brook at affordable prices. The amount that you pay is determined by your income. Open Door also has special insurance programs, discounted fees and reduced Medicare co-payments. For more information visit or call:
* 165 Main Street, Ossining (914) 941-1263
* 80 Beekman Avenue, Sleepy Hollow (914) 631-4141
* 90 South Ridge Street, Rye Brook (914) 937-8899
Are you interested in knowing more about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant? Are you looking for an apartment? Do you need cash assistance in securing an apartment? Or do you want to know more about how to become a homeowner? If you answered "yes" to one of these questions, perhaps we can help you learn about what is available in your community.
Westchester County works with not-for-profit agencies addressing the following issues::
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Tenant's Rights and Responsibilities
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Homebuying
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Predatory Lending
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Homelessness Prevention
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Fair Housing
For more information contact the following agencies:
County-wide Organizations
The Bridge Fund
171 East Post Road, Room 200
White Plains, New York 10601
Veronica Parks, Executive Director
Assisting the community with loans and/or grants, this organization helps individuals and families at risk of eviction by offering no-interest loans. A social service agency, church and/or a synagogue must refer participants.
Cluster
P.O. Box 1248
Yonkers, New York 10702
(914) 963-6440
This agency assists Yonkers as well as other Westchester communities. Assistance includes helping individuals and/or families with Eviction Prevention programs, tenant education, organizing and housing renovation programs.
Community Housing Innovations (CHI)
100 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, New York 10601
(914) 683-1010
Alex Roberts, Executive Director
Learn all about the home-buying process. Find out if you are eligible to receive a down payment from the New York Division of Housing and Community Renewal. This agency offers first time home-buying counseling assistance.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester
29 Legion Drive
Valhalla, New York 10595
(914) 285-4630
This agency assists families and/or individuals with information relevant to the home-buying process including the financial aspects for purchasing a home.
Housing Action Council
55 South Broadway
Tarrytown, New York 10591
(914) 332-4144
Rosemarie Noonan, Executive Director
This county-wide organization assists the community by informing them about the different programs and/or policies related to home ownership. Working with individuals and/or families, this agency helps the community with information related to budgeting, credit history ,and how to apply for a mortgage.
Westchester Residential Opportunities
470 Mamaroneck Avenue, Room 410
White Plains, New York 10532
(914) 428-4507
Tony Downes, ACSW, Executive Director
This organization assists the community with the following issues:
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Senior Citizen Housing Assistance - help is given to those needing information regarding tax exemption, rent abatements and rent subsidies
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Fair housing - assistance is given to people in need of information related to discrimination and negotiation
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Homelessness Prevention - provides the community with grants and relocation assistance for the homeless
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First-time homebuyer counseling and education - Learn about the different aspects required to purchase your first home. Counseling includes down payment assistance for qualified buyers through First Home Club.
Other assistance includes rental opportunities, tenant/landlord mediation, and mortgage default counseling.
Community-based Organizations
A-Home
185 Kisco Avenue, Suite 4
Mount Kisco, New York 10549
(914) 666-0740
Joan Arnold, Executive Director
This organization develops and maintains affordable housing for older adults, people recovering from mental illness, and single parents.
The Family Resource Center (FRC)
156 North Division Street
Peekskill, New York 10566
(914) 739-0411
Vera McCorvey, Executive Director
Operates 27-unit Supportive Housing Program. This agency offers affordable housing to Section 8 holders. In addition 10 units are set aside as temporary emergency housing.
Greyston Foundation
27 Park Avenue
Yonkers, New York 10703
(914) 376-3900
Concentrating on Southwest Yonkers, this agency has built over 170 units of housing for former homeless people, low-income families and artists.
Habitat for Humanity of Westchester
527 Main Street
New Rochelle, New York 10801
(914) 636-8335
Jim Killoran, Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity builds and rehabilitates homes throughout Westchester County. Habitat creates a partnership with the prospective owner by having the family invest labor-sweat equity.
Human Development Services
P.O. Box 110
Port Chester, New York 10573
(914) 939-2005
Gordon Albert, Housing Director
Assistance is provided to low and moderate-income residents. Emphasis is given to individuals recovering from mental illness.
IFCA
138 Spring Street
Ossining, New York 10562
(914) 941-5252
An organization based in Ossining that has been involved in the rehabilitation, ownership, and management of housing for low and moderate-income people. IFCA assists the community by:
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Purchasing, rehabilitating and managing low and moderate-income housing
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Supporting local community neighborhood improvement initiatives
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Providing professional social services and related support to its clients
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Initiating opportunities for economic development.
Interfaith Council for Action (ICARE)
740 West Boston Post Road 3rd Floor
Mamaroneck, New York 10543
(914) 777-2007 or voice mail (914) 833-4816
Patricia Doyle, Executive Director
In addition to owning six two-family homes in Larchmont and Mamaroneck, this agency works to acquire, rehab and preserve affordable housing.
Mount Vernon United Tenants
P.O. Box 2107
Mount Vernon , New York 10551
(914) 699-1114
Dennis Hanratty, Executive Director
Based in Mount Vernon, this membership organization assists the Westchester community with issues relevant to homelessness prevention, tenant rights and first time home-buying assistance. If you are interested in becoming a member and/or knowing more about different housing campaigns, call (914) 699-1114. Services provided in Spanish as well.
New Rochelle Neighborhood Revitalization Corp. (NRNRC)
400 North Avenue
New Rochelle, New York 10801
(914) 633-7092
Charles DePasquale, Executive President
Developers of more than 1,000 housing units in New Rochelle ranging from starter homes to senior housing. This agency also offers property management services to subsidized rental properties.
The Preservation Company
1037 Main Street
Peekskill, New York 10566
(914) 734-8828
Jeanette J. Phillips, Executive Director
This organization assists the community with information related to first time home buying including credit, budget, and mortgage counseling.
The Sharing Community, Inc.
P.O. Box 657
1 Hudson Street
Yonkers, New York 107702
(914) 963-2626
Provides emergency housing to the homeless, ill and hungry in Yonkers. In addition to their shelter they provide more than 100 units of transitional housing to previously homeless people.
Washingtonville Housing Alliance
136 Library Lane
Mamaroneck, New York 10543
(914) 698-4299
Assisting the community with tenants' issues, this agency develops and rehabs housing for low and moderate-income families. Other services include providing information related to first-time home buying.
Westhab, Inc.
85 Executive Boulevard
Elmsford, New York 10523
(914) 345-2800
Robert Miller, President
Rehabilitating more than 3,000 units in Westchester, this agency has been able to provide permanent housing for more than 2,500 families. It offers assistance with development, construction, property management, social services and technical issues.
Yonkers Community Action Program, Inc. (YCAP)
164 Ashburton Avenue
Yonkers, New York 10701
(914) 423-5905
Linda Heyward, Executive Director
This organization offers the community workshops on first-time home-buying, i.e. assisting the community with credit counseling, budget, mortgage pre-approval, etc.
Mental Health, Mental
Retardation/Developmental
Disabilities
Alcohol/Substance Abuse
Psychiatric Emergency call: (914) 493-7075
Suicide/Crisis Hotline: (914) 347-6400
Depression Information/Referral Line: (914) 231-2925
Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health
Mental Health Services
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Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities Services
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Services are available for both children and adults who have a developmental disability. An individual is considered developmentally disabled if their disability is attributable to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, neurological impairment or autism that originated before the age of 22. The disability is expected to continue indefinitely and constitutes a substantial handicap. For further information and help please call (914) 995-5244. |
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Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services
The
Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health Office of
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services offers alcohol/substance abuse prevention, early intervention,
treatment and rehabilitation services. This is done
in cooperation with a large system of not-for-profit agencies and
with advisory groups comprised of consumers and providers. Programs
for "special populations" such as pregnant women,
adolescents, criminal justice referrals and for individuals with a
mental illness and chemical dependency are available
in locations throughout the county. Many
agencies offer treatment services in Spanish and other languages.
Most programs offer evening hours.
Treatment availability is not based on ability to pay -
sliding fee scales are available in determining client fees.
Treatment and rehabilitation services for alcohol and substance abuse may involve inpatient detox and/or rehab, outpatient treatment, methadone maintenance and community long-term residential care. For more information call (914) 995-5258 or click here for listing of services.
Westchester County Office for Women
Many women caught in abusive relationships can be confused and desperate, not knowing where to go or what to do. In Westchester County, however, they can always turn to Martha Anderson.
As a domestic violence liaison to the county's Hispanic community, her job is to assist Spanish-speaking women who are in controlling or abusive relationships. Anderson can help file police reports, obtain orders of protection, seek custody and child support, petition for legal status and even help women go into a shelter or find new housing. Women can also receive safety planning, domestic violence counseling and legal education, financial planning and referrals. Martha Anderson can be reached at (914) 995-6581. For inquiries in English call (914) 995-5972.
Domestic Violence Resources and Hotlines
The following organizations and agencies offer 24-hour phone numbers for information and referral services regarding counseling, shelters and domestic violence services:
(800) 298-SAFE
Northern Westchester Shelter
(888)438-8700
Family Abuse Services of the Mental Health Assn.
(914) 347-4558
Stand Together
(888) 997-1010
Putnam/North Westchester Women's Resource Center
(845) 628-2166
New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
(800) 942-6906 (English)
NYS Spanish Domestic Violence Hotline (V.I.P.)
(800) 942-6908 (Spanish)
Rape Crisis Helpline, Victims Assistance Services
(914) 345-9111
NYS Child Abuse and Maltreatment Registry
(800) 342-3720
Shelters
The following offer secure residences for women and their children who need refuge from abusive partners:
My Sisters' Place
(888) 298-SAFE
Northern Westchester Shelter
(888) 438-8700
Putnam/Northern Westchester Women's Resource Center
(845) 628-2166
Rockland Family Shelter
(845) 634-3344
If no availability at the above shelters call:
New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
(800) 942-6906 (English)
(800) 942-6908 (Spanish)
Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence
(800) 282-7899
Family Court
To get assistance with orders of protection, custody, and support orders, contact the following:
My Sisters' Place Legal Center
(914) 683-1333
Northern Westchester Shelter
(914) 747-0828 Legal
Pace Women's Justice Center
(914) 287-0739
Westchester Putnam Legal Services
(914) 949-1305
White Plains Family Court Domestic Violence Legal Center
(914) 995-7400
Westchester County Probation Dept.
(914) 995-3529
Yonkers Family Court Domestic Violence Legal Program
(914) 231-2886
Support and Advocacy in Family Court
Family abuse services, Mental Health Association
(914) 995-4020 White Plains
(914) 813-5649 New Rochelle
(914) 231-2883 Yonkers
(NOTE: Family Court serves only persons related by blood or marriage or who have a child in common)
Criminal Court
Support and Assistance
Domestic Violence & Child Abuse Bureau Westchester County D.A.'s Office
(914) 995-3000
Victims Assistance Services:
(914) 995-3347 White Plains
(914) 965-0217 Yonkers
(914) 665-2539 Mount Vernon