Uncategorized

Giving Thanks to Our Team This National Social Work Month

Nick* had been through tough times, but his case workers, Mackenzie and Taya, were with him every step of the way. They spent countless hours with him, learning his personality and what makes him special. They helped him with his coping and flexibility skills so he could adapt to different living situations. After living in…
Read More

Keeping an Open Dialogue with Youth – February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Just like domestic violence, teen dating violence is happening in all communities. One in three teens in the US will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by someone they are in a relationship with before they become adults. In addition, 43% of college women reported experiencing violent and abusive dating behaviors, according to love is…
Read More

Teacher Finds Ways to Manage Stress with EAP Screenings

Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Amy* is a teacher who was anxious due to staffing shortages at her school, which also led to unease in her personal life. Knowing that she wasn't feeling like her normal self, she came to one of Employee Assistance Program’s (EAP) recent screening events. With the world seeming to move…
Read More

Lillian Martinez Wins Jim Purcell Excellence Award

“Compassionate.” “Dedicated.” “Hardworking.” These are just a few of the words that co-workers used to describe Lillian Martinez, which is why it is no surprise that she was recently honored for her outstanding work. On Thursday, the Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies (COFCCA) presented the first-ever Jim Purcell Excellence Award to Lillian, a…
Read More

Bills Mafia Continues to Give to C&FS

Bills fans have now raised over $12,000 for Child & Family Services! "We were saddened to hear that Steve Tasker was not selected for consideration into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In our eyes he’s a Hall of Famer," said Lara McKee, VP of the Bills Mafia Babes. Always looking to utilize the region's…
Read More

Buffalo Bills Visit Residential Services for the Holidays

“Jaquan! Jaquan! Here!” Jaquan Johnson of the Buffalo Bills threw the ball across the gym into a crowd of young boys, who all leapt as high as they could to be the one to catch it. One came down with the ball, while the others collided and fell into a pile of laughter on the…
Read More

Talking “Gratitude” with Children in Residential

What are you grateful for? With Thanksgiving approaching, Certified Recreation Therapist Elizabeth Kasimu asked the kids in C&FS’ Residential Services Program if they knew what the word “gratitude” means. They nodded and told her that it means to be thankful for something. Elizabeth then asked the children, “What are you grateful for?” The kids gave…
Read More

The Everlasting Influence of a Teacher

“Mrs. Sanchez was one of my favorite staff at Falk,” wrote Falk graduate Christian States. “She was like a second mother to me and [every student] at Falk.” Kelly Sanchez passed away in November 2019, but is remembered as a bright light at the Stanley G. Falk School. Working at the Rossler Campus, Mrs. Sanchez…
Read More

New Partnership to Promote Mental Health Services for LGBTQ+ Youth

Child & Family Services is proud to partner with GLYS Western New York, Inc. to provide LGBTQ+ youth support! Our counseling team recently participated in the training session, “What You Should Know When Working with LGBTQ+ Youth.” “I am really looking forward to our partnership with GLYS,” said Gretchen Szymanski, Director of Clinical Services at…
Read More

Building Confidence and Relationships with Reading

“I read this one to Hazel, and she fell right asleep," said Daniel* with great pride. Hazel is a cat in shelter at the SPCA. She is fortunate enough to have one of the children in care in Residential Services read her a bedtime story. Daniel participated in a program at the SPCA called "A…
Read More

Heather Gennuso and Morgan Schumacher Recognized as “Permanency Superheroes”

Child & Family Services has our own Dynamic Duo! We are proud to announce that the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) recognized Heather Genusso, Residential Clinical Manager, and Morgan Schumacher, Supervisor of Foster Care and Adoption, as “Permanency Superheroes!” “They work equally as hard with both our Residential and Foster Care programs, they…
Read More

Tips to Prepare for Back to School

Starting a new school year can create extra challenges during a pandemic. Child & Family Services is here for parents and children to help ease into in-person learning. We asked two of our Counseling experts, Iana Lal and Esther Kaul, what advice they have for parents to help the start of the school year go smoothly…
Read More