Thursday, August 9, 2012

Increased Percentage of Adolescents Seek Counseling


Community Concern of WNY Sees Jump In Teens Seeking Counseling
Reports 184% Increase is Adolescent Mental Health Treatment
Derby, NY.  The Mental Health Clinic at Community Concern saw a 184% jump in teens seeking behavioral healthcare.  Jerry Bartone, executive director, reports that 92 adolescents age 14-18, and their families, have requested counseling and psychiatric care this year. 

“There are so many factors affecting teens.” says Bartone.  “With the struggling economy making it difficult for families these days, many teens feel alone and often have a difficult time resisting negative peer pressure and avoiding dangerous situations. At the same time, the abuse of prescription pain medications has been growing among teens at an alarming rate.  With only a third of teens saying they feel they have adequate family support, readily available teen oriented counseling services are more critical than ever.” 

There is good news.  “More adolescents are seeking professional help, and they are involving their parents.” reported Bartone. “The biggest barrier to accessing mental health services has always been the cost.  Thanks to funds from grants provided by Evans Bank Foundation and New Era Cap, Community Concern of WNY has been able to make available group and individual counseling at no cost to Lake Shore High School students referred to our Agency.  Although these grant funds are limited, they make services available to underinsured families .” says Bartone. 

“These grants have saved lives.” says Jennifer Burt, a licensed clinical social worker who provides counseling in the high school.  “They say that the opportunity to be in counseling allows them to say what they feel without fear of punishment or judgment.  Teens more readily use advice from someone other than their teachers or parents.  They tell me counseling allows them to concentrate better on academics.” said Burt.    

For additional information, call Community Concern of Western New Work at 947-5025 or visit their office at 6722 Erie Road (Rt. 5), Derby, NY  14047.   Community Concern is a non-profit agency that depends upon financial donations and volunteer efforts to provide these critical services.  Save lives, make a donation today to Community Concern of Western New York.

Community Concern Welcomes Personal Care Aid Program


Community Concern Welcomes Personal Care Aid Program for Seniors

Derby, NY:  Community Concern is very excited to be expanding their Senior Care Management Services to now include a Personal Care Aid program. This program was developed to help relieve the stress that seniors and their caregivers face, due to the current lack of home care agencies in this area.

Seniors aged 60 and above who are in need of personal care, such as bathing/showering and toileting, will be able to utilize this service. Trained and certified Personal Care Aids will come into your home and help with these needs as well as meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands, etc.  “The benefit of this service to caregivers is that we do the legwork in researching qualifications, criminal history and monitoring the quality of work”, says Jerry Bartone, executive director. 

Outreach Director for Senior Care Management, Jessica Hughey, talks about the Personal Care Aid Service

This is a private pay service and is available in the towns of Evans, Brant, Eden, North Collins, Collins and Hamburg. 
If you are interested in more information or receiving a Personal Care Aid, please contact Jessica Hughey at (716) 927-5025.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Going Green

Community Concern is now Solar Powered! Solar Panels were installed this week by Solar Liberty of Buffalo.