PEDERSON-KRAG C.I.R.C.L.E. PROGRAM CELEBRATES 15TH ANNIVERSARY Numerous Suffolk County Kids with Severe Emotional or Behavioral Problems Helped

NEW YORK, September -- For the last decade and a half, children in our area who have severe emotional or behavioral problems have finally found what we all want -- a stable and supportive home -- through a family-based treatment program offered by the CIRCLE Program of the Pederson-Krag Center, in Smithtown. On Friday, September 12, participants, supporters and friends of CIRCLEs efforts, including Senators Marcellino and Flanagan, will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the New York State Office of Mental Health-sponsored program at the Islandia Marriott at 12:00 noon.

NEW YORK, September -- For the last decade and a half, children in our area who have severe emotional or behavioral problems have finally found what we all want -- a stable and supportive home -- through a family-based treatment program offered by the CIRCLE Program of the Pederson-Krag Center, in Smithtown. On Friday, September 12, participants, supporters and friends of CIRCLEs efforts, including Senators Marcellino and Flanagan, will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the New York State Office of Mental Health-sponsored program at the Islandia Marriott at 12:00 noon.

The treatment program provides these children, aged 5 to 18, with a therapeutic foster-care regimen, licensed by the New York State Office of Mental Health, by placing them in a family environment with trained professional parents" who provide individualized, highly structured care. These foster parents receive intensive training in specific parenting skills to help the children behave more appropriately and to reinforce positive change. The parents also work closely with the other members of the CIRCLE (Children in Request of Caring, Loving Environments) support team.

If it werent for this special care, the children very likely would be sent to a more restrictive, less personal setting," explains Anita Fleishman, Executive Director of The Pederson-Krag Center. This is a tremendous program that offers foster parents a chance to have a huge, positive impact on an individual child and his or her future. Most important, for the children, CIRCLE provides an almost unhoped-for opportunity to receive treatment and counseling in a family environment where they can work to overcome their difficulties and have a loving and supported life."

Among the heroes honored at the celebration are Diana Anastasiou and her son, Anthony. An eight-year veteran of the CIRCLE program, Ms. Anastasiou focuses on her foster childrens individual strengths to help them grow and conquer their emotional and behavioral difficulties. The first child she took in was Anthony, who was 12 at the time. After trying for many years to reunite him with his biological family before recognizing that it would never happen, Anastasiou adopted Anthony. Since then, Anastasiou has been a professional parent" for several more children, for whom Anthony has served as a positive model.

Attending the celebration will be Edward and Jewel Jones, who began with CIRCLE in 1992. Since then, they have made room in their hearts for a multitude of children in need who were seeking a place of comfort, security, guidance and understanding. The couple, who display a keen understanding of childrens emotional and behavioral difficulties, skillfully break down negative barriers and defenses that children often build to keep others from getting close or helping them. Parents of four children of their own, the Joneses uncover the special and unique attribute that each foster child has, and they tirelessly work with children to help them realize their own potential and value.

To be eligible for the CIRCLE foster program, children have to meet certain criteria:

·   They must have been treated previously in more restrictive settings or are at risk for being sent to such settings
·   They do not need 24-hour awake level of supervision
·   They are capable of forming relationships and are willing to accept the responsibilities of being in a new family unit
·    They may not function well in a group setting
·   The have the capacity or potential for functioning in the community

Far too many children have parents who are unable to care for them at home due to economic, social or psychological circumstances," said Dr. Kyla Blattberg, Deputy Executive Director of The Pederson-Krag Center. As a result, these children often are placed in foster care, residential facilities or other institutions, where they never feel truly safe or secure. We hope to change this disintegration through the family-based treatment program CIRCLE."

The Pederson-Krag Center provides comprehensive behavioral health services to Long Island residents, regardless of their ability to pay. It offers a full spectrum of services to meet the needs of the most vulnerable in communities, both adults and children. The Center focuses on providing treatment opportunities, raising funds and forming strategic partnerships that help support and implement the many critical programs that make Pederson-Krag a vital part of the Long Island community.