Hicksville, NY - May 2, 2016 - Demonstrating commitment to the treatment and recovery of Long Island residents facing mental health and substance use disorders, the New York State Office of Mental Health has granted $50,000 to nonprofit CN Guidance & Counseling Services. The funding expressly enables replacing 51 of the community-based organization’s oldest computers.
CN Guidance is a local leader in delivering behavioral health services to individuals and families, helping over 3,000 people annually. The computers to be replaced were more than 8 to 10 years old.
“This grant from the New York State Office of Mental Health means that dozens of staff will be able to work much more efficiently and effectively to serve Long Island residents facing conditions ranging from depression and anxiety to heroin and prescription opiate addiction,” said CN Guidance CEO Jeffrey Friedman.
“At a time when technology is such a pivotal tool in delivering health care, we cannot overstate the importance of having up-to-date computers across our services delivery system. These computers provide a platform for our social workers, psychiatrists, nurses, and substance abuse specialists to work collaboratively towards each client’s recovery and independence, in unprecedented ways.”
The new computers, to be installed at CN Guidance’s main Hicksville clinic/facility and in special residential-program satellite locations, will enable clinicians to take and search notes electronically in real-time; to review notes securely and easily with specialists; and to maintain more timely patient and client appointment schedules, with more efficient processing of insurance, including Medicaid.
CN Guidance is one of the few community organizations on Long Island licensed by both the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Treatment Services (OASAS). The nonprofit is known for its decades of expertise in serving people with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
About Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Services
Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services has supported residents in both counties of the Long Island community since its inception more than 40 years ago. In recent years, it has been a leader in providing outreach, supports, and counseling to community members during traumatic events, including 9/11 and the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. CN Guidance provides services to individuals and families living in Nassau and Suffolk Counties who face a variety of mental health disorders, including serious mental illness; a range of disabling substance use disorders, including addiction to heroin and opiate pills; difficulty finding housing; medical conditions associated with major illness and premature death; and unstable personal and employment relationships stemming partly from lack of personal relationship-building skills. CN Guidance leads and manages multiple programs—via an integrated model—to serve each client and family holistically.