FCA has served Long Islanders since 1884 through some difficult and challenging times and we continue to do so today in ways that limit health risks to clients, staff, volunteers and vendors. We recognize that in times of crisis, community needs increase and we are called to do even more. That's why all programs remain open and functional with program activities modified in line with government restrictions and public health guidelines. FCA is considered an ESSENTIAL business under Governor Cuomo's Executive Order.

We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and will continue to adjust our response in the days and weeks to come. We are receiving regular bulletins from the state and county health departments and regular updates from NYS OFA, OMH, OASAS, OCFS and the federal government. Based on what we have heard from them, we have listed below the current modifications to our normal programs. Also, the full FCA COVID-19 Statement is available on our homepage or in the Press Release section of our site.

Essential Worker Support Line (516)281-0202
Immigrant & Refugee Support Services COVID-19 Crisis Helpline (516)546-0357

ADDICTION, PREVENTION, TREATMENT & RECOVERY DIVISION

Family Treatment and Recovery Centers remain OPEN

• Hempstead and Hicksville will be open with virtual services for normal business hours
• Hempstead will have limited staffing onsite 9:00 – 5:00, Monday – Thursday; Hicksville will have limited staffing onsite 9:00 – 5:00 Monday – Thursday and 9:00 – 3:00 Friday
• 1:1 counseling and group counseling available via phone and ZOOM, please work with your primary counselors to coordinate participation or contact the site directly
• We are encouraging individuals to utilize phone sessions in order to reduce the number of individuals on site.
• Peer Recovery Advocates and Care Coordinators will be available for peer support and to provide assistance with coordinating any community-based needs.
• For Health and MAT appointments call the office to schedule an in person or telehealth appointment with the Doctor

Hempstead Family Treatment & Recovery Center (516)486-7200

Hicksville Family Treatment & Recovery Center (516)935-6858

Prevention Services

• Prevention team is available for individual counseling via phone. Please email efungkhee@FCALI.org to schedule a session with one of our counselors today.
• Active Parenting and Strengthening Families groups will be facilitated via ZOOM and phone. Please email efungkhee@FCALI.org today for the schedule and registration.
• Educational and support materials are being posted on the Prevention Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/substanceusepreventionsupport
• Please contact Hempstead Family Treatment & Recovery Center at (516)486-7200 to speak with an onsite clinician for immediate assistance.

SHERPA

• Sherpa teams will be working remotely at this time.  We will continue taking community and hospital referrals via phone.
• Certified Recovery Peer Advocates are available to provide recovery support assistance and linkage to treatment and support services remotely.

Please contact Sherpa at (516)592-7385.

THRIVE Everywhere/THRIVE Nassau/THRIVE Suffolk

• Both THRIVE Nassau and Suffolk sites remain open with limited staff available onsite. We continue to have Recovery Coaches and groups available during normal business hours via virtual platforms, such as ZOOM and telephone.
• THRIVE has moved all services primarily to remote, virtual platforms - all upcoming groups and activities will be posted to THRIVE's Facebook page
• Visit www.thriveli.com for updated information
• Limited staff sessions available onsite: Nassau 12-4pm & Suffolk 2-6pm

Please contact THRIVE Nassau or Suffolk with any questions.

THRIVE Nassau (516)765-7600

THRIVE Suffolk (516)631-822-3396

THRIVE@FCALI.org

CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS DIVISION

The following modifications have been made to service delivery within our Care Management, Health Home Care Management, Children & Family Treatment & Support Services (CFTSS), HCBS Children’s Waiver, Youth & Family Integration (Y-FI), Family Center Family Support and Family Center Respite programs.

• All staff are working remotely.
• Telehealth services are being used in place of face to face contact. This includes telephonic and video.
• Group events will occur digitally. Families should continue to RSVP to events and further instructions will be provided by Family Peer Advocates.

For questions on any services or to reach your counselor of advocate call 516-485-5976 As always, if you are experiencing a mental health emergency please call 911.

PREVENTION & FAMILY SUPPORT DIVISION

• FCA’s 31 Main Street location is not currently accepting walk-ins. Client meetings will be taking place via scheduled appointments only.
• All Lutheran Church Pantry referrals can call (516)485-4600 ext. 1221. All calls will be answered within 24 hours. Lutheran Church currently accepting electronic referrals only. At this time, the pantry is stocked and FCA is in daily communication. Should the status of the pantry change, FCA will be notified.

Credible Messenger:

All staff are providing virtual workshops and individual sessions with the youth.  All youth have access to contact their FCA and CCMI workers Donna Raphael, Senior Director (516) 644-7528

Family First:

Clinicians are working remotely providing services and resources to students and families in the Great Neck North and Great Neck South High Schools and North Shore School District. Clinicians are working with the mental health teams of each school district to strengthen information being sent to parents and to connect school districts with FCA programs and services. Family First’s clinical psychotherapy services are being provided via telehealth and emergency appointments will be made with the approval of the Clinical Director, Marc Fernandez at 516-804-1010. Se habla Español.

Lynn Vanderhall Nursery Co-Op:

• The Coop Nursery is closed until April 1as per the rest of the Nassau County Executive and the NYS Governor.
• Staff are available to parents via phone to disseminate information and assess for needs. Ana Arriaza, Nursery Co-op Program Coordinator (516)213-0005 Donna Raphael, Senior Director (516)644-7528

PACT

All staff are providing virtual workshops and individual sessions with families with focus on parenting stressors and prevention measures in dealing with COVID-19. Monica Chuchon, Program Coordinator (516)329-5275 (Hablo Español)
Donna Raphael, Senior Director (516)644-7528

SNUG

The SNUG Team are providing virtual individual sessions with all participants with focus on prevention measures in dealing with COVID-19. Lionel Charles, Program Manager (516)293-4194 Desann Brown, OVS Supervising Social Worker (516)712-4718 Donna Raphael, Senior Director (516)644-7528

Step Up to Opportunity

All staff are providing virtual workshops and individual sessions with the youth.  All youth have access to contact their SU2O worker. Donna Teichner, AVP (516)485-4289 ext. 1223
Messages responded to daily.

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES DIVISION

The Residential Services division continues to work together to ensure only essential staff is on site and that all programs are fully equipped with supplies

Detention Diversion

Program continues to provide services via telehealth.

Margaret Doherty, Program Coordinator mdoherty@fcali.org (516)-724-0076

Lakeview House

• All current residents are remaining in the program with daily programming put in place to include a focus on distance learning schoolwork and recreational activities on site. Staff continues to follow CDC cleaning procedures and is monitoring residents closely for any COVID-19 symptoms in accordance with CDC guidelines.
• All external visitors are limited to specified family members, medical personnel and behavioral health specialists.

Sarah Constantinou, Program Coordinator sconstantinou@fcali.org (516)678-5991

Nassau Haven Emergency Youth Shelter – remains OPEN

• Our Emergency Youth Shelter continues to operate and is screening all youth for COVID-19 symptoms in accordance with CDC guidelines prior to entry into the program.
• All current residents are remaining in the program with daily programming put in place to include a focus on distance learning schoolwork and recreational activities on site.
• Staff continues to follow CDC cleaning procedures in the program and is monitoring residents closely for any COVID-19 symptoms in accordance with CDC guidelines.

Margaret Christy, Program Coordinator mchristy@fcali.org (516)221-1310

Walkabout for Young Men and Women

• All current residents are remaining in the program with daily programming put in place to include a focus on distance learning schoolwork and recreational activities on site. Staff continues to follow CDC cleaning procedures in the program and is monitoring residents closely for any COVID-19 symptoms in accordance with CDC guidelines.
• All external visitors are limited to specified family members, medical personnel and behavioral health specialists.

Andrea Kerr, Program Coordinator akerr@fcali.org (516)379-8251

West Nassau Residence

• All current residents are remaining in the program with daily programming put in place to include a focus on recreational activities on site to keep residents engaged. Staff continues to follow CDC cleaning procedures and is monitoring residents closely for any COVID-19 symptoms in accordance with CDC guidelines.
• All external visitors are limited to specified family members, medical personnel and behavioral health specialists.

Cheryl Jenkins, Program Coordinator cjenkins@fcali.org (516)285-1151

SENIOR & ADULT SERVICES DIVISION

The FCA Senior Division is deeply concerned for the community at this time and are dedicated to supporting older adults throughout this crisis. We will continue to provide services in a modified way that protect the safety of each senior. Although we will not be physically in the office we will be responding to messages in real time, offering phone support and assisting with resources whenever available and possible. We will continue to provide up to date information and guidance.

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Program

All support, counseling, education and services will continue via telephone or teleconference. If you need assistance or information please contact the program at: 516.292.1300 ext. 2264 or contact Regina Anderson, program coordinator via email at: randerson@fcali.org

Join FCA’s Memory Café every Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. via Zoom. Call Kristen at 516-551-2610 or email khaire@fcali.org for more information.

EISEP Case Management and In-Home Assistance Program

• Clients should continue to call the regular EISEP phone number 516-292-1300 and either dial their case manager's extension or for new clients they can leave a message by dialing “0”. Calls will be returned as soon as possible between 9AM-5PM Mon - Fri.
• Although there will be no face-to-face visits, FCA Case Managers are conducting regular phone calls and will continue to make appropriate referrals as indicated.
• FCA is working with the Home Delivered Meals programs to continue providing service. If someone needs Home Delivered Meals or shelf stable food a case manager will perform a short phone assessment to confirm eligibility. Call the number above.
• Every effort is being made to work with home care agencies and the Nassau County office for the Aging to provide in home services and support to the seniors of Nassau County.

Friendly Visiting

Friendly Visiting volunteers will continue to offer telephone assistance to clients. If you are in need, or know someone in need of social support, please contact Jessica DiCarlo at (516)743-2389 or jdicarlo@fcali.org.

Join our weekly Senior Zoom Chat Thursdays 11:00AM-12:00 pm. Be home but not alone! For more information call Jessica @ (516) 743-2389 or email: jdicarlo@fcali.org

HIICAP

The HIICAP hotline and volunteer counselors are available to provide information on all aspects of health insurance including Medicare Parts A, B, C & D and EPIC.

Pauline Andrews, Coordinator Phone: (516)485-3425 ext. 2322, Email: PAndrews@fcali.org

Barry Klitsberg, Assistant Coordinator Phone: 516-485-3425 x 2324 

HIICAP@fcali.org (516)485-3754

Should you not be able to immediately reach HIICAP personnel, your call will be returned within 24 hours.

Ombudservice Program

• COVID-19 has had major effects regarding Long Term Care Ombudservice Program (LTCOP) ability to provide advocacy services to our residents. In order to protect our volunteers and the residents we serve in long term care facilities, LCTOP has decided to have all volunteers cease visits to their assigned facilities until further notice.
• FCA Ombuds staff will continue to take calls and manage information, assistance and any grievances as usual.  If you have any questions or need to speak with the Ombudsman office for any reason, please continue to call (516)466-9718 ext. 1 or ext. 2.
• In addition, it is state law that every facility post the NY State Ombudservice program number 1-800 855-582-6769 for assistance.

OMH Linkage Project

The following program modifications have taken affect:

• Client assessments are being completed over the phone
• Intakes are being completed over the phone
• RN Nursing Assessments will be conducted over the phone
• Providing case management & counseling via phone

Please contact Melissa Vasquez, Program Coordinator, at (516)292-1300, ext. 1245. Should you not be able to immediately contact our staff, please leave a message and someone will return your call within 24 hours.

Senior Financial Services

Any questions regarding senior financial services should be emailed to mmata@fcali.org. Messages left on our voicemail will be returned within 24 hours. Although there will be no in person meetings, we will be able to answer questions and offer guidance via phone in regard to taxes, budgeting, reverse mortgage and other financial concerns.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) staff helps Nassau County seniors and persons with disabilities to apply for federal home heating grants. Eligibility for this once-a-year assistance is based on household income. Each year, benefit amounts and income guidelines are determined by the New York State Office for Temporary and Disability Assistance. The program runs from mid-November until funding is exhausted. Cooling assistance is offered during the summer, based on funding, for income-eligible households with a medical need for air conditioning.

Clients in need of home energy assistance can continue to contact our phone number and a case coordinator will return your call within 24 hours (516) 227-7386.The dates of operation for the Regular and Emergency benefit components will be extended from April 24, 2020 through June 30, 2020 or until the funds allocated to these components are exhausted, whichever occurs first. Additionally, effective April 24, 2020, a third Emergency benefit will be available to eligible households experiencing a crisis or life-threatening heat or heat-related energy emergency.

SOS Elder Abuse Prevention and Support Programs

If you have been the victim of a scam or think you might be a victim of financial exploitation or crime please contact Manda Kristal at (516) 485-3425 ext. 2333 (mkristal@fcali.org). FCA’s Safe Observant Seniors Program staff will continue to provide uninterrupted assistance to victims of elder abuse. Although services will not be conducted face-to-face to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our clients, our staff will be available to provide support, education, guidance and connection to available resources by phone and email. If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to call Nancy Burke at (516) 485-3425 ext. 2332 (nburke@fcali.org), or Anne Kilarjian at (516) 485-3425 ext. 2228 (akilarjian@fcali.org).