CoveCare Center has received a $20,000 grant to continue its mental health services to youth in crisis in Putnam County. This grant was made possible by the Westchester Community Foundation, a division of The New York Community Foundation.
Through the Children’s Crisis Response Program, CoveCare Center serves children and adolescents throughout the county who are in an emotional crisis and need a behavioral health assessment. The emphasis of the Children’s Crisis Response Program is always on the safety, treatment and well-being of the child as well as their parents and caretakers. Trained clinicians are available at CoveCare Center during all hours of operation to assist local schools and families with an immediate assessment and evaluation when a crisis arises.
“There is no shortage of stress for youth these days. The amount of pressure put on kids is unparalleled in my memory, and often that pressure can build to a moment or moments of emotional crisis. It is a special thing for a community-based organization like CoveCare to be provided resources so we can be available to children at those times, and we are grateful for the support of the Westchester Community Foundation,” comments Eric A. Toth, Chief Executive Officer for CoveCare Center.
Children and adolescents face considerable challenges in a rapidly changing world where social conditions, educational expectations, and current events place more and more stress on them every day. School violence and bullying, rising alcohol, heroin and opioid use, and increases in the number of children who are experiencing anxiety, depression and other mood disorders indicate the need for programs like CoveCare Center’s Crisis Response.
Liza Szpylka, CoveCare Center’s Vice President of Behavioral Health Services, shares, “This is an extremely important program for our youth. It is essential that the young members of our community have a safe place to turn to in a time of need.”
The Westchester Community Foundation’s mission is to connect generous people to the causes they care about and invest in transformative ideas and organizations to improve lives and strengthen our community. WCF is a division of The New York Community Trust, one of the largest community foundations in the country, with assets of approximately $2.6 billion.