EHCCI

• Mental Retardation And Developmental Disabilities Services (MR/DD)

Family and Children

Mission
Our Department of Family and Children Services (F&CS) aims to provide strength-based family support to the immigrant and underserved populations in the East Harlem and Harlem Communities. Our primary goal is keeping children safe in their homes with their biological parents, preventing the placement or re-entry of these children into the foster care system.

Overview
F&CS is inspired by the idea of a cohesive family unit that can adapt to the ever-changing priorities, relationships and individual needs that characterize lower-economic communities.

We believe that it is important for families to stay together in times of crisis and that stronger families can be achieved through social participation. Our programs are staffed with caring, Spanish/English bilingual professionals and include services such as individual and family counseling, case management and food and financial help, all with the hope of solidifying families and preventing children from entering into foster care.

Programs and Services
General Preventive Programs -
We offer general preventive assistance at the El Faro/Beacon Youth and Family Service Center and the East Harlem Family Service Center. Both programs are funded by the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) and the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD). “The Beacon Program” has been in operation since 1993 and can accommodate up to ninety families. The East Harlem Center has been in operation since 2000 and can accommodate up to sixty families. All of our services are free.

Services Include:
- Case Management
- Group, Individual and Family Counseling
- Parenting Classes
- Advocacy and Entitlement Assistance
- Adult ESL Classes
- Social, Mental and Medical Referrals
- Psychological Evaluations
- Academic Tutoring

El Faro/Beacon Teen Enhancement Program -
The Teen Enhancement Program focuses on youth ages 12-17 years old who are at high risk of foster care, voluntary placement or replacement into the foster care system. The program also works with youth designated as “Persons in Need of Supervision” (PINS) due to parent/caretaker abuse or neglect or the teen’s own behavior problems. The program can accommodate up to 30 families.

Services Include:
- Group and Individual Counseling
- After School Activities
- Group Outings and Social Events
- Teen Mentoring
- CASAC Substance Abuse Counseling
- Psychological Evaluation & Mental Health Services

Food Pantry -
Families in need of sustenance receive weekly packages of meat, fruits, vegetables and dried foods from our Food Pantry. This program is funded by the New York City Food Bank, United Way and The Emergency Food Assistance Program.

Contact

East Harlem Family Services
413 East 120th St., Suite 401
New York, NY 10035
(T) 212-860-9700, (F) 212-860-8337
El Faro/Beacon Youth and Family Services
2351 First Ave., Room 153
New York, NY 10035
(T) 212-410-4363, (F) 212-410-4885

EHCCI’s Department of Family and Children’s Services is only one way that we, at Promesa Systems, Inc., fulfill the promise; we offer a multitude of programs that revolve around the well-being of our clients and the community at large.

For general information call: 718-299-1100

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Mental Retardation And Developmental Disabilities Services (MR/DD)

Mission
At EHCCI/PROMESA, we strive to improve the quality of life for individuals diagnosed with mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities (MR/DD) and their families through educational and recreational programs, service coordination and community residences where MR/DD individuals can live more independently and with access to needed services.

Overview
EHCCI/PROMESA provides after-school and weekend programs for individuals diagnosed with MR/DD that afford them a chance to interact with one another and promote their integration in the community. All programs are supervised by compassionate, Spanish/English bilingual professionals who warmly engage the individual in a variety of activities that range from swimming to storytelling.

Our residential programs include an Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) and the Individual Residential Alternative (IRA). In accordance with the Willowbrook Consent Decree of 1975, we offer more intimate, “Home Like” environments to the MR/DD population affected by the decentralization of larger institutions.

Programs and Services
Convent Avenue ICF -
This 10 bed facility features round-the-clock supervision and cooking, laundry and maintenance services for MR/DD adults. Program staff is comprised of doctors, nurses, psychologists, a nutritional specialist, a pharmacist and even a cook- all of whom work together to ensure the comfort and care of the individuals. Equally important, the individuals are engaged in recreational activities in the residence, as well as through field trips to places of interest.

105th Street IRA -
This facility consists of three apartments with a total of seven beds for MR/DD adults. Our expert staff provides round-the-clock supervision, nursing, behavior management, recreational activities and fieldtrips.

After School Youth Recreation Respite Program -
Mondays and Wednesdays, transportation is provided to and from the El Faro/Beacon Community Center where individuals aged 8-21 can enjoy staff-supervised recreational and educational services from 3-6 PM. Favorite activities include swimming in the Beacon’s Olympic size pool, basketball, arts and crafts, movies, dancing and table games.

Weekend Respite Program -
Every Saturday, from 8:00 AM-2:00 PM, parents or guardians of MR/DD individuals can safely entrust their loved ones with our caring staff. We provide transportation to and from the El Faro/Beacon Community Center where individuals partake in morning aerobics and flexibility exercises, followed by lunch and a fun afternoon playing games or even going to the movies or another destination of choice. The program can accommodate up to 30 MR/DD youth and young adults.

Medicaid Service Coordination -
EHCCI/PROMERSA offers MSC services under contract with the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD). Qualified MSC coordinators help MR/DD individuals throughout the New York Metropolitan region gain access to support and services that correspond to their needs.

Program Highlights

1988, EHCCI MR/DD services began with the Weekend Respite Program.
1989, EHCCI assumed responsibility for the Convent Avenue ICF from the Manhattan Developmental Services Office.
1994, The After-School Recreation Program was launched at El Faro/Beacon Community Center.
1995, The development of the East 105th Street IRA Facility was completed.
2007, EHCCI/PROMESA received approval to open a new 7-bed IRA facility in the Bronx.
2007, EHCCI/PROMESA received approval from OMRDD to convert the Convent Ave. ICF to a 10-bed IRA.

Future Vision

Develop new residential programs for individuals with MR/DD throughout the New York Metropolitan region.
Modify the Medicaid Services Coordination Program to ensure that our clients, their families and their significant others always receive outstanding support.
Expand the Respite Program to serve MR/DD youth and adults 7 days a week and provide further relief for their families and loved ones.

*** EHCCI’s Mental Retardation/ Developmental Disabilities Services are only one way that we, at Promesa Systems, Inc. fulfill the promise; we offer a multitude of services that revolve around the well being of our clients and the community at large.

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New York Bilingual Institute

History and Mission

The East Harlem Council for Community Improvement (EHCCI) has been in the training and employment assistance business for over 25 years as a not-for-profit community based organization.

The New York Bilingual Institute Registered Business School, licensed by the New York State Department of Education, is the training and employment division of EHCCI. The School offers programs of study that target those individuals who are looking for comprehensive vocational training along with quality employment assistance.

EHCCI's New York Bilingual Institute Registered Business School is only one way that we, at Promesa Systems, Inc., fulfill the promise; we offer a multitude of services that revolve around the well being of our clients and the community at large.

Programs and Services of NYBI

COMPUTERIZED OFFICE APPLICATiONS/CUSTOMER SERVICE
IN SCHOOL YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
ADULT SPECIAL POPULATIONS
PROGRESSIVE ADOLESCENT VOCATIONAL EXPLORATION (PAVE)
NCLR ESCALERA PROGRAM: TAKING STEPS TO SUCCESS
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

COMPUTERIZED OFFICE APPLICATIONS/CUSTOMER SERVICE
This program is designed for those individuals who are seeking entry-level training and preparation for employment in retail and office related positions such as:

Customer Service Representative
Administrative Assistant
Office Aide
Sales Associate/Clerical
Office Operations and related positions

The curriculum focuses on providing a solid framework of theory and skill from which a graduate can then expand once they are on the job. Students who choose to attempt to acquire the Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) Certification, will find that this course provides the necessary preparation for the Beginner Level Test.

Students enrolled in this program complete the following courses:

Keyboarding A to Z (KAZ), Introduction to Computers, Internet Explorer 6.0:
Basic, Excellence in Service: Basic — Advanced, Career Development, Grammar Skills, Business Writing, Microsoft Word Version 2002 Module I and II, Microsoft Excel Version 2002 Modules I and II, Microsoft Access Version 2002 Modules I and II, and Microsoft PowerPoint Version 2002 Modules I and II.

COURSE SCHEDULE AND DURATION:

9AM to 5PM, Monday through Friday, 7 hours daily, 35 hours weekly 175 Hours for Total Program Completion.

IN SCHOOL YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
NYBI provides education and employment related services to in-school youth between the ages of 14 and 18. At minimum, NYBI provides the following services: outreach, objective assessment, registration, orientation, individual educational and employability planning, counseling, case management, work-readiness skill building activities, basic skills attainment instructions and activities, summer youth employment, leadership development activities, supportive services, and follow-up and post- placement counseling.

This program also provides work experience opportunities to 600 youth during the summer via a paid internship at local not-for-profit organizations.

Youth receive access to and assistance with college admission, career exploration and advanced training options.

ADULT SPECIAL POPULATIONS
Under the Workforce Investment Act, NYBI provides education and employment related services to 3300 eligible adults. In addition to core services, NYBI provides: outreach, testing, objective assessment, enrollment orientation, job development, job placement supportive services and post-placement counseling.

Participants who are interested and qualify for training can join one of five training components — Customer Service, Short-Term Computer Training, Personal Care/Home Health Aide, English as a Second Language with Customer Service, or English as Second Language paired with a vocational training component. Training programs have a five-week maximum, and operate on a rolling admissions basis.

Students seeking training in areas not offered in-house can apply for an Individual training Account (ITA) voucher for up to $2,500 towards private or public training vendor citywide.

Placement goals are for full-time positions, of not less than twenty (20) hours per week, in a variety of industries.

NCLR ESCALERA PROGRAM: TAKING STEPS TO SUCCESS
Promesa/EHCCI in collaboration with NCLR and PepsiCo through the Escalera: Taking Steps to Success Program provides an intensive 15 month comprehensive learning and mentoring program that encourages at-risk Latino high school students to graduate from high school, prepare for college, and explore and take advantage of career opportunities in fields in demand.

Promesa/EHCCI has a history of helping youth and families eliminate barriers to employment and encourage economic mobility, particularly for those at risk of dropping out. The NCLR Escalera participants can take full advantage of a network of programs and services available while taking the steps to success.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Career Development and Readiness Training is an integral part of each of the New York Bilingual Institute's training programs. During this training, students learn how to effectively complete the tools needed for a job search (resume, cover letter, references, etc.) as well as strategies for employment interview success, dressing appropriately, and how to be able to conduct an independent job search. Job retention strategies are also taught. Site job developers establish relationships with employers to secure participants opportunities in a wide array of industries.

Furthermore, NYBI's Career Resource Room is open and available to all students for training and job related services. The staffed resource room is equipped with Internet-enabled computers, fax machine, telephone, copy machine, and a career development library of materials. Here students can look up labor market information, research potential careers, and actually make connections to employers directly for job interviews.

Affiliations and Funders

Dress for Success New York
National Council of La Raza (NCLR)
New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals
New York City Department of Small Business Services
New York City Department of Youth and Community Development
New York City Employment and Training Coalition
New York State Department of Labor

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