Counseling and Programming Offered for 9/11 First Responders and Their Families

MANHASSET, N.Y., March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Tuesday's Children and Dr. Thomas Demaria, Director of the Psychological Services Center, C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University have joined together to offer clinical services to the Tuesday's Children's First Responder Alliance program.  Tuesday's Children, in partnership with C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, has been the recipient of a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) grant facilitated by U.S. Rep. Peter King.  This SAMHSA grant has enabled the first comprehensive program designed to provide much needed mental health counseling and programming to the underserved Rescue and Recovery workers and their families.  "Tuesday's Children and C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University have been there for the responders that were there for our nation after a time of great tragedy. These men and women deserve nothing but our appreciation and support for their service to our country.  I applaud both Tuesday's Children and C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University for their allegiance to those that were so dedicated to the families of 9/11," said U.S. Rep. Peter King.  This program is both federally and privately funded.

Tuesday's Children with more than eight years of serving  9/11 families with experience in outreach, family engagement and programming and Dr. Thomas Demaria's extensive clinical experience with this population, will offer a family centered, future oriented approach to rebuilding the lives of 9/11 responders from Ground Zero and Fresh Kills Landfill and their families.  Presently, the available support provided to responders typically focuses on physical and mental health issues for individual responders with little support for the family in the areas of building and maintaining relationships, parenting, employment and quality of life. The First Responder Alliance will offer counseling, programs in career guidance, financial management, parenting, health and wellness.  It will also provide family weekends focusing on building resiliency, improving family communications and helping family members support responders who are dealing with chronic illness, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder and other post 9/11 disorders.  Terry Grace Sears, Executive Director of Tuesday's Children, said "Tuesday's Children is thrilled to continue to expand programming for the underserved Responder population.  Tuesday's Children has worked for many years to support the Responders and their families and is dedicated to ensuring  a long term commitment of programming and support."  A recent study showed that 62% of Responders met the criteria for substantial stress reactions.  Family engagement activities will also be provided as a means to create community for responders, their children and their spouses.  Dr. Demaria is joined by a team of two C.W. Post doctoral students.

The First Responder Alliance provides counseling for the entire family as well as academic and achievement testing for all ages, ADHD testing and behavioral and social assessment as well as other support services.  All are fully confidential and at no cost.  Program and events are schedule throughout the year.  Please call The First Responder Alliance at 516 721-9001 to register or view our website www.tuesdayschildren.org.

SOURCE Tuesday's Children

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