Shalini’s Story

Shalini is a young woman who knows exactly where she’s headed. A chance experience tutoring young children as a high school student while in SCO’s foster care program ignited her passion for teaching, and now guides her every step.

With a razor-sharp focus on achieving her goals, Shalini has mapped out her immediate and long-term plans. First, she’ll graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree in early education. And then it’s off to graduate school to earn her master’s in teaching. A few years ago, these might have been considered lofty goals, but with the right supports in place, Shalini is well on her way.

Shalini was placed in SCO’s Foster Care program after the death of her father 9 years ago. While safe and well-cared for by her foster family, she was angry and worried about the future. “I needed a team to support me and advise me, and give me the right tools to succeed,” she reflects.

And a team is exactly what she received. SCO provided the resources, services, and guidance she needed to become her best self. During high school, a team of education and mental health specialists helped Shalini overcome obstacles and helped her to realize she “did not have to transition to adulthood alone.” She participated in mentoring programs, made new connections, and built relationships with other young adults in care. As her confidence grew, Shalini began tutoring children from a nearby elementary school as part of her program with SCO. That was the “aha” moment that shaped her future. She fell in love with teaching!

When it was time for college, SCO’s staff helped Shalini complete applications, navigate financial aid, and apply to the Dorm Project, which enables her to live in a college dorm all year round. Her SCO coach remains a constant presence and is even helping Shalini work towards getting a driver’s license.

Today, Shalini is a rising junior at Hunter College, and we have no doubt she will achieve all she sets out to accomplish.

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Family Treatment and Rehabilitation – Queens

Family Treatment and Rehabilitation is an intensive program that provides supportive services for families with a caregiver or child with severe substance abuse or mental health issues. FTR programs offer the same basic services offered by Family Counseling and Support Programs, but these services are modified and/or intensified to meet the family’s specific needs. The programs make active efforts to link family members to substance abuse and mental health treatment programs or self-help groups. In addition to being assigned a Case Planner, each family works with a Parent Aide to assist parents with home visits, escorting, teaching home management skills, and more. Specialized, licensed staff provide mental health and substance abuse evaluations and consultation.

Who Can Benefit from this Program

Families in need of parenting support and help finding resources to strengthen their families / families with involvement with Administration for Children’s Services.

Age Criteria or Other Eligibility Requirements

Families in Queens who are pregnant or with children under 18, with a family member with mental illness or substance abuse. Families with children on trial discharge from foster care
Youth aged up to 21 enrolled in the foster care system

How to Access this Program or Service

Contact the program director at 718-803-2000

Success Stories

Chris & Ed Stack

Donors with a deep commitment to community Learn More

Shalini’s Story

Shalini is a young woman who knows exactly where she’s headed. A chance experience tutoring young children as a high school student while in SCO’s foster care program ignited her passion for teaching, and now guides her every step. With a razor-sharp focus on achieving her goals, Shalini has mapped… Learn More

88%

of young adults in foster care (18+) are enrolled in school or working

Children in our NYC shelters had a

96%

attendance rate at NYC DOE schools

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