SCO News
4th Annual Westbrook Prep Turkey Bowl
November 24, 2014 / SCO News
Brisk temperatures were no match for the spirit and enthusiasm of Westbrook Preparatory School students and staff at the 4th Annual Westbrook Prep Turkey Bowl football game Nov. 20th. The blue and green teams battled to a 28-28 tie in a game filled with big plays and lots of fun.
Read MoreTheresa Paplin School Open House
November 24, 2014 / SCO News
The solar system, Coney Island and Orca whales were all on display at Theresa Paplin School’s Open House on our Ottilie campus Nov. 20th. Students proudly showed off their artwork and science projects to their equally proud parents.
Read MoreNational Adoption Month – SCO Forever Families Updates
November 20, 2014 / SCO News
November is National Adoption Month and we’re celebrating by catching up with some of the adoptive families we’ve featured in the past year. Noah and Brigid Mehegan Noah Joshua Mehegan, age 6, has been Brigid’s son since he was 2 years old. On February 24, 2014, Brigid adopted him. While everything was the same as far as Noah was concerned, that day gave Brigid a feeling she will never forget. “It didn’t really hit me until the judge said ‘You are officially Noah Joshua Mehegan,’” Brigid said. “It took my breath away. It was amazing. I’d like to relive that feeling over and over.” From that point on, Noah would have only one name. Brigid would be able to make all of the medical and other decisions regarding Noah without needing consent from someone else. It took away all of the uncertainty Brigid had lived with as a foster mom.
Read MoreSupport SCO at Champions for Charity holiday shopping benefit
November 19, 2014 / SCO News
Click here to register for your CHAMPION CARD!…
Read MoreIn Memoriam: Brentwood’s Heriberto “Pete” Torres
November 7, 2014 / Uncategorized
A message from Doug O’Dell to SCO staff, 11/6/14 We are mourning the sudden death Wednesday morning of Heriberto “Pete” Torres, a longtime, beloved maintenance worker known to many as “Everybody’s angel” at the Brentwood office in Long Island. We understand how upsetting and traumatic this is for staff who…
Read MoreNurse-Family Partnership Graduation – November 2014
November 7, 2014 / SCO News
SCO celebrated the 27 newest graduates of the NYC Nurse-Family Partnership program in a graduation ceremony November 5th. Congratulations to the families, nurses and staff! See photos below. Nurse-Family Partnership is a nationally recognized, evidence-based program for first-time mothers. Registered nurses provide in-home visits for expectant mothers during the early stages of pregnancy through the child’s second birthday, offering the counseling and support needed to deliver healthy babies and become good parents.
Read MoreSCO’s Parent Advocates Engage, Advocate & Support
November 4, 2014 / SCO News
Rhonda Frazier Johnson was a victim of domestic violence when her children were placed into foster care 25 years ago. While she worked to meet the requirements for reunification, Rhonda was left to figure out the court’s multiple demands by herself. “It was pretty much, ‘Go, do all these things and good luck. Come back when you’ve got it all together,’” Frazier Johnson recalls. Fortunately for families whose children are in care with SCO Family of Services, there are Parent Advocates – including Frazier Johnson – who can help.
Read MoreGoodbye and Good Luck, Gail!
October 31, 2014 / SCO News
SCO staff gathered at the Glen Cove headquarters Thursday to honor departing Executive Director Gail B. Nayowith with gifts, flowers, lunch, two cakes (with SCO logos) and a staff newsletter dedicated to her accomplishments – along with many speeches and thank-yous for her four years of dedicated and visionary service. "Gail took us into the future," said Interim Executive Director Doug O'Dell. O'Dell lauded Gail's respect for all aspects of SCO's work – from administrative functions to programs. "She fought for us privately and publicly. She brought advocacy, respect, a great sense of humor and a great smile. And we love you for it."
Read MoreZombieland at The Christopher School
October 30, 2014 / SCO News
Are you scared yet? You should be! In honor of Halloween, The Christopher School turned into “Zombieland” yesterday – and everyone enjoyed a scary good time at the Bronx-based school and residence for youth with developmental disabilities.
Read MoreSCO Family of Services Elects Lee Vance to Board of Directors
October 28, 2014 / SCO News
(October 28, 2014 – Glen Cove, NY) SCO Family of Services, one of the oldest and largest human service nonprofits in New York, has named Lee Vance, a retired general partner at Goldman Sachs and the author of two financial thrillers, to the SCO Family of Services Board of Directors. Mr. Vance will assume his position on the Board immediately. “As chair of the SCO Board of Directors, I am very pleased and proud to have Lee join our Board,” said SCO Board Chair Kelly L. Williams. “He brings financial and management expertise to our organization, along with compassion for the vulnerable New Yorkers we serve. His experience will help tremendously as we work to ensure SCO’s continued success as a leader in the nonprofit sector.”
Read MoreFamily Dynamics Mentoring Benefit Draws More Than 100 Supporters
October 27, 2014 / SCO News
Ensuring a fun-filled year full of adventures for Family Dynamics mentors and mentees, more than 100 mentors, friends and supporters turned out to the 2014 Family Dynamics’ Youth Mentoring Program Benefit at Gilded Lily in Chelsea on October 23rd. Proceeds support the Mentoring Program’s annual activities, including monthly outings to recreational and cultural sites in New York City. The benefit was organized by the mentors, including event hosts James Maher, Katie Koh, Matt Sussman, Jeremy Harper.
Read MoreSCO “Reads for the Record” to Celebrate Literacy
October 22, 2014 / SCO News
Parents, staff and guests including Sophia Pappas, Executive Director of Early Childhood NYC Department of Education, read the children’s book Bunny Cakes to the kids at our four Early Childhood Education Centers yesterday as part of Read for the Record – a national campaign to celebrate literacy. Bunny Cakes, by bestselling author Rosemary Wells, features bunny siblings Max & Ruby as they attempt to create the perfect birthday cake for grandma. Jumpstart's Read for the Record annual literacy campaign started in 2006 and has mobilized millions of children and adults to participate in the largest shared reading experience in the country.
Read MoreFamily Dynamics Mentoring Program builds relationships that matter
October 16, 2014 / Independent Youth News
Jada Wade was eight when she took her first field trip in Family Dynamics’ Mentoring Program. She was paired with volunteer Ray Siegel, a first-time mentor, and the two –now ages 11 and 30 – have been inseparable on every trip since. Family Dynamics’ Mentoring Program matches 25 children in its school-based programs with adult professionals who accompany the young people on monthly outings to recreational and cultural sites in New York City. It gives the kids a chance to establish relationships with their mentors while enjoying new experiences. On Oct.23rd, SCO will hold the annual Youth Mentoring Program fundraiser at the Gilded Lily in Manhattan – please join us!
Read MoreSCO Family of Services Announces Gail B. Nayowith to Step Down and Douglas O’Dell to Become Interim Executive Director
October 10, 2014 / SCO News
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 10, 2014 - The SCO Family of Services Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Chief Program Officer Douglas O'Dell to serve as its Interim Executive Director, effective November 1st, 2014. The Board has formed a search committee and has engaged Korn Ferry to conduct a national search for the next Executive Director, which will begin immediately. After serving with distinction as SCO’s Executive Director for four years, Gail B. Nayowith began discussions with the Board during the summer about not renewing her contract and has been actively working with the Board to ensure a smooth transition. “The Board wishes Gail great success in all her future endeavors,” said Board Chair Kelly L. Williams. “We appreciate her leadership during a period of extensive change and growth, and her commitment to achieving excellence in all that SCO does for the people we serve. I know she will be missed.”
Read MoreSCO Receives COA Reaccreditation
October 2, 2014 / SCO News
SCO has received official notice of reaccreditation from the Council on Accreditation (COA), the independent nonprofit child and family service and behavioral healthcare accrediting organization. Reaccreditation is “a tremendous achievement that demonstrates that your organization is recognized as a provider that continues to successfully implement high performance standards and,…
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96%
of 12th graders in Family Foster Care graduated high school; 61% are enrolled in post-secondary education
88%
of young adults in foster care (18+) are enrolled in school or working