FCS welcomes clients from Easterseals clinics

Rochester, NY… Catholic Charities Family and Community Services (CCFCS) is welcoming clients from Easterseals NY’s mental health clinics for children and adults.

Easterseals NY serves individuals with all diagnoses of disability or special needs. Catholic Charities Family and Community Services has been providing mental health and substance use treatment to individuals 5 and older since 2008 and, with this collaboration, will further build out its practice to more holistically serve individuals regardless of diagnosis or concern.

“The opportunity to better serve this population was made possible as Catholic Charities Community Services and Catholic Family Center came together,” said Lori VanAuken, President and CEO of CCFCS. “With over 40 years of history serving the I/DD community, and decades of experience providing mental health support and medication management, together, we are the natural home for these individuals to come for the services they need.”

“Since 1922, Easterseals New York has been providing services to ensure all individuals with disabilities may live with dignity and independence,” says Lora Winghart, Regional Director. “It was so important to ensure a simple and direct transition for our patients and their families to continue their care, and Catholic Charities has provided a healthy, easy path to so many.”

As part of this collaboration, Elizabeth Caton-Burm, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, joined Family and Community Services, providing an easy transition for individuals currently being served.

“Elizabeth brings a solid and current practice of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner experience,” says Yvonne Peters, Director of Nursing. “She is able to provide stability to our I/DD Individuals at a time when emotions and fear of the unknown can be overwhelming for some. We are all looking forward to working with her.”

A special intake process has been developed to support the transition of care to Family and Community Services. Many of the affected individuals are already connected with Catholic Charities for other supportive services, making this transition even more natural. Services will be provided in Family and Services’ clinics at 87 N. Clinton Avenue and 79 N. Clinton Avenue in Rochester.

About Catholic Charities Family and Community Services: Catholic Charities Family and Community Services provides housing, employment, and coordination of care to help people of all ages and all walks of life live independently with dignity, while facing the challenges of addiction, aging, mental illness, HIV, poverty, developmental disability, and immigration.

About Easterseals New York: Easterseals New York provides exceptional services to ensure all individuals with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play in their communities. Since 1922, Easterseals New York has been at the forefront of providing services that enable individuals to live with equality, dignity, and independence