annual review 2008 - Westchester Jewish Community Services

10 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & STAFF TRAINING
Through the WJCS Educational Institute, we offer an extensive network
of courses, workshops and training opportunities to promote skill and
career development. Our pursuit of best practices and evidence-based
treatment has drawn local and national recognition.
Educational Institute
Training for Home Health Aides
Training for Community Residential Care Staff
Psychology Pre-Doctoral Internship Training Program
Psychology Externship
Social Work Internships
Forensic Psychiatry Fellows from Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Evidence Based Training
Extensive Parent Management Training, Dialectical Behavior Training and training in multiple
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy treatment models are conducted through the Educational Institute
and implemented in several programs.
Train staff in Second Step, an evidence-based national social skills development and violence prevention
model applicable to various child settings. WJCS trainers are available to train professionals in-house or
in sister agencies. Implemented the Hardy Girls/Healthy Women curriculum that encourages girls
to build individual and collective strengths in projects that fulfill meaningful community needs and
develop positive relationships.
Collaborations with many educational, medical and research institutions provide training and
professional development expertise. Among those are:
Colby University
Columbia University
Fordham University
Mt. Sinai Medical Center - Seaver Center of Excellence
New York Presbyterian Weill-Cornell Medical Center
New York University
Westchester Community College
Yale University Child Conduct and Parenting Clinic
IN 2008:
• The 16th Annual Kurz Conference featured Kenneth Hardy, Ph.D. on Resilient Youth.
• The 4th Annual Dr. Samuel Kahn Memorial Lecture highlighted “Bipolar Disorder in Children” with
Candida Fink, MD.
• Hosted the East Coast Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Training for WJCS clinicians and
professionals from sister agencies to become proficient in the comprehensive treatment model which includes
individual psychotherapy, skills training and telephone consultation.
• A comprehensive series was offered by the Yale Child Conduct & Parenting Clinic.
SOCIAL & SELF HELP SUPPORTS
Community-based mutual support groups, workshop presentations
and telephone connections educate and encourage people experiencing
challenging life transitions and situations.
Center for Women’s Issues
Connections telephone support groups linking homebound adults
Fresh Start assistance to women transitioning from incarceration (terminated 9/08)
Latino Peer Education Project (Eng/Sp)
Social Clubs and COMPEER companionship for people recovering from mental illness
Self-Help Clearinghouse assistance and referrals to mutual support groups
SIDS Support & Education Program
Young Parents Achieve! and School-Based Adolescent Parenting Program
IN 2008:
Collaborated to present a forum on “Women in the Corrections System: Incarceration and Return to the Community.”
COMMUNITY EDUCATION & VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
Family Life Education presentations
Family Forums
Volunteer Programs:
Have-a-Heart for the Holidays Gift Drive*
Back-to-School Clothes for Kids*
Book, toy and clothing collections
Volunteer placements for nearly 200 individuals, corporate and community groups
IN 2008:
* School supplies and clothing were
distributed to nearly 450 students
for the 2008-09 school year and
1000 holiday gifts were delivered to
needy clients through the generosity
of individuals, corporations and
community groups.