Program Expansion for the First Responder Alliance

MANHASSET, N.Y., Feb. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tuesday's Children is pleased to announce that three new staff members have joined Tuesday's Children's First Responder Alliance, a program for 9/11 Responders and their families.  In October 2010, Tuesday's Children was again the recipient of a year long Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) grant made possible by U.S. Representative Peter King.  This grant award in the amount of $750,000, has expanded Tuesday's Children's comprehensive programs designed to provide much needed mental health counseling and programming to the underserved Rescue and Recovery workers and their families.  

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110216/NY49599 )

As Rep. Peter King stated recently, "Tuesday's Children is one of the most well respected, innovative and trustworthy organizations providing unparalleled support systems for the 9/11 families.  Now, Tuesday's Children's First Responder Alliance provides broad based life-changing programs for the 9/11 Responder community.  I stand behind the mission of Tuesday's Children and will continue to support their work as they address the evolving needs of families and responders.  The suffering of these heroes has compounded the tragedy of September 11, 2001."

The First Responder Alliance team will be directed by Tamara Smith JD, LMSW, who has served as a 9/11 Responder advocate for over five years.  Ms. Smith has held positions including; Social Worker at The World Trade Center Health Effects Monitoring and Treatment Program at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Services Coordinator with New York Disaster Interfaith Services, Public Health Analyst for NIOSH/CDC WTC National Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program and Assistant Director of World Trade Center Environmental Health Center at Bellevue Hospital.  With a law and social work degree, Ms. Smith will be building partnerships, advising on program expansion, supporting 9/11 Responder advocacy and seeking other funding opportunities.  

Anne Marie Baumann and Dennis Healy have also been hired to serve as Outreach Coordinators for the First Responder Alliance.  Ms. Baumann and Mr. Healy will be recruiting 9/11 Responders into the program through a variety of sources, including their contacts in the Responder community.  As the wife of a 9/11 Responder, Ms. Baumann has many long standing connections with other Responders and their families.  Mr. Healy is a retired NYPD Emergency Service Detective who worked at the World Trade Center Site after September 11th .  Mr. Healy provides firsthand knowledge of the concerns of 9/11 Responders and will introduce the First Responder Alliance to new avenues for outreach.

Terry Grace Sears, Executive Director of Tuesday's Children, said, "Tuesday's Children is thrilled to expand the core team of the First Responder Alliance to further develop and address the needs of the 9/11 Responder community. As true advocates and leaders, Ms. Smith, Ms. Baumann and Mr. Healy will add tremendous value to the Tuesday's Children First Responder Alliance and the 9/11 community as a whole.  Tuesday's Children mission continues to be vital and relevant and is supported by a team that is dedicated to finding solutions and building resilience in this community that needs our help."

With more than nine years of experience in outreach, family engagement and programming, Tuesday's Children delivers a family centered, future oriented approach to rebuilding the lives of 9/11 Responders and their families.  The First Responder Alliance offers counseling, programs in career guidance, financial management, parenting, health and wellness as well as family weekends focusing on resiliency, communications and support of those who are dealing with chronic illness, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder and other disorders.

Please call The First Responder Alliance at 516 562-9000 to register or view our website www.tuesdayschildren.org.

SOURCE Tuesday's Children

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