By: Robert Remler
As a first step in this new partnership, the health system has transferred oversight of the LIJ Early Childhood Development on Marcus Avenue in Lake Success to AHRC, creating a new tax-exempt organization called the Marcus Avenue Early Childhood Development Program, Inc. Although it will be run by AHRC as a subsidiary corporation, the program will continue to be affiliated with the North Shore-LIJ Health System. The program offers clinical, educational and therapeutic and support services for infants and children up to age five with developmental disabilities, as well as day care services for all children up to age five, regardless if they have a disability. With the addition of 300 children enrolled at the Marcus Avenue site, AHRC now serves more than 800 preschool and school age children with developmental disabilities. With an educational budget of $20 million, AHRC is Long Island's largest program for children with disabilities.
Nasal flu vaccine an option
More than 100,000 people are hospitalized each year for influenza - don't be one of them. Flu season is quickly approaching and physicians at Winthrop-University Hospital urge all individuals to protect themselves against the virus now before the season is in full swing. Flu outbreaks typically occur in late December or early January, reaching its peak in February. This year, a new, viable alternative to the flu shot has been made available to the general public. The recently FDA approved nasal vaccine requires only a simple squirt of the vaccine into the nasal passages to elicit an effective immune response to the virus. The nasal vaccine appeals to people who don't like injections, and while it may be more comfortable, it typically costs more than an injection. The nasal vaccine has only been approved for healthy people between the ages of five and 49. Winthrop was one of the sites of pediatric testing for the nasal spray. For more information on flu vaccination, call 1-866-WINTHROP.
South Nassau support groups
South Nassau Communities Hospital's Behavioral Health Services provides free support groups and mental health screenings for adults and children. At the hospital's Mental Health Counseling Center in Baldwin, a professional staff offers the latest in mental health therapies, including individual, group, marital, family, trauma and behavioral health counseling, as well as art and expressive therapy. Award-winning mental health services are provided to the community by an interdisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses and art therapists.The counseling center also offers special programs to cope with life issues and chronic illness. Each group features guest speakers on selected topics, informal discussions and emotional support.The following meetings, which are free and open to the public, are offered during November. Free anxiety/depression screenings are also offered every Monday throughout the month, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. All meetings are held at South Nassau's Mental Health Counseling Center, 2277 Grand Ave., Baldwin. New members are welcome. For more information, call 516-546-1370.
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Bereavement Support Group, an eight-week series starting Monday, Nov. 3 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Call to register.
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Divorced and Separated Group, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. First and third Wednesday of each month.
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Mood Disorder Support Group. Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. First and third Wednesday of each month.
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Families of the Mentally Ill. Thursday, Nov. 6, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. First Thursday of each month.
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Well-Spouse Support Group. Thursday, Nov. 13 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Second Thursday of each month.
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Chronic Pain Support Group, Tuesday, Nov. 18 from 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. Third Tuesday of each month.
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Support Group. Thursday, Nov. 20 ** Fourth Thursday of each month from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. **Date reflects schedule change due to Thanksgiving holiday.
