Nassau Notebook, Part I: Assessment and Referral Center, Nation's First Gay PTA

Assessment and Referral Center Established

Nassau County announced Wednesday the establishment of an Assessment and Referral Center (ARC) to assure that those in need of assistance receive easy access to mental health, chemical dependency and physical health services in an outpatient setting as an alternative to seeking help through emergency room or hospital visits.

The program, coordinated by the Office of Mental Health, Chemical Dependency and Developmental Disabilities Services in partnership with the Department of Social Services (DSS), identifies DSS clients who will benefit from receiving outpatient behavioral health care. 

The newly established ARC program will be staffed with mental health and chemical dependency professionals who will conduct assessments, as needed, and when appropriate, connect individuals to Health Home providers who will assure that the client's behavioral health and physical health care needs are effectively addressed on an outpatient basis. 

In addition to making referrals to Health Homes, when indicated, staff will be directly involved in assuring that the client is connected to a community based behavioral health provider.  It is also planned that the staffing pattern of the ARC will include Peer Specialists and Family Advocates. Other partners in this project include the lead Health Home agencies in Nassau County, which began the agency FEGS, and North Shore/LIJ Health Systems.

Nation's First Gay PTA Will Hold Charter Meeting on Long Island

Long Island is now home to the nation's first offiical gay PTA group, which will hold its charter meeting in Garden City South next week.

Despite initial concerns, the National Parent Teacher Association and its New York State branch granted permission Thursday to the Long Island Gay Parent Teacher Student Association to join its official PTA network.

Click here to read more on the group's first meeting.

2012 RXR Long Island Marathon Weekend Announced

On Monday, Mangano joined RXR Realty Chief Executive Officer Scott Rechler, Nancy Mariano, Regional Director of Friends of Karen and Long Island Marathon runner Brian Ihm, who has been running with the Friends of Karen team for 4 years, inside the winter garden at RXR Plaza in Uniondale, to announce the 2012 RXR Long Island Marathon Weekend, which will be held May 4-6.  The Long Island Marathon has grown to include a full and half marathon, 10k, 5k, one-mile run, and Kids Fun Run. 

The festivities begin on Friday, May 4 at 3 p.m. with a vendor expo at Mitchel Athletic Complex, followed by a Pasta Party at 6:30 p.m. courtesy of the Main Event Restaurant and Sports Bar. The races begin on Saturday, May 5, with the one-mile run starting at 8 a.m. Shortly thereafter, the 5k commences at 8:30 a.m. Both the one-mile and the 5K races start on Charles Lindbergh Boulevard and finish at Mitchel Athletic Complex. The last race of the day, The Kids Fun Run, will begin at 10:30 a.m. on the Mitchel track.

On Sunday, May 6 the marathon, half marathon and 10k will take place. All participants will assemble at the starting line on Charles Lindbergh Boulevard for an 8 a.m. start.

Registration for the 2012 RXR Long Island Marathon Weekend is available online until April 20. Costs are as follows: Full Marathon $65; Half Marathon $55; 10k $35; 5k $30; one-mile $18.  Late registration will be accepted May 4-5 at the Marathon Expo for an additional $10 charge. For any additional information or to register, please visit www.thelimarathon.com or call (516) 986-5537.

Drug Prevention Workshop Wednesday

Citing a 52 percent increase in prescription drug and heroin related deaths from 2010 to 2011, the county is hosting a Drug Treatment, Prevention and Education Workshop from 7-9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18 at the Morrelly Homeland Security Center in Bethpage for parents and family members of drug abusers. The workshop is intended to provide information and education to parents of children and others dealing with the problems relating to heroin and prescription painkiller addiction.

Reservations are required as space is limited. Contact Eden Laikin at elaikin@nassaucountyny.gov or call (516) 571-6105.