Shana’s Story

I have been challenged with addiction for 10 years, and have been in and out of outpatient treatment and detox several times – but I would always relapse.

When I arrived at Morning Star, I was at the lowest point in my life. Things were spiraling out of control. My four children had been taken from me and placed in foster care with a family member. And then I learned that I was 5 months pregnant.

I arrived with the worst attitude in the world. I was just so angry all the time. But at Morning Star, I started to reflect and gain clarity. I realized that I was hurt and angry with myself. And that’s when the healing began. Everything had been a fight up to that point. But I had nowhere to run – I had to face my problems.

Morning Star helped save my life. They never gave up on me.

Every interaction with my counselor and every staff member helped prepare me to re-enter the world clean and ready to thrive.

I attended treatment 5 days a week, attended a medical assistant program, and became certified in a workforce development program for nontraditional roles for women. And I learned that I am worth it! From now on, I show up, set up, and remain teachable.

When my baby, Liliana, was born, I can’t express how much the onsite child care at Morning Star II helped in my recovery. It made it possible for me to go to treatment, attend school, and focus on me. The structure kept me accountable for being a parent and prepared e for the real world.

I knew I was finally on a path to a better life when I left Morning Star. The court saw the improvements in me, too, and my children came back home to me. I never thought that would happen. Today, thanks to Morning Star, I have a home and my family lives under one roof.

I still visit the program to let them know of my progress. My goal is to be fully self-supported. I know there will be obstacles ahead of me. But I am prepared to take it one day at a time.

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Family Treatment and Rehabilitation – Queens

Family Treatment and Rehabilitation provides supportive services for families with a caregiver or child with substance abuse or mental health issues. Also known as intensive preventive services, 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 due to alleged abuse or neglect.

Age Criteria or Other Eligibility Requirements

Families who are pregnant or with children under 18, with a family member with mental illness or substance abuse, in Queens CDs 1,2,3,4

How to Access this Program or Service

Contact the program director at 718-803-2000

Success Stories

Shana’s Story

Morning Star residential recovery

Morning Star helped save my life. They never gave up on me. Learn More

Isis & Kaiden

Bethany I

“We’ve made lifelong friends and family. It was a beautiful struggle.” Learn More

We help

2,000

children get ready for kindergarten

96%

of 12th graders in SCO's Family Foster Care program graduated high school, with 65% enrolled in post-secondary education