Wayside Youth & Family Support Network Hires Program Coordinator, Launches New Program for Children Impacted by the Opioid Epidemic
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 5, 2019
Contact: Michelle Hillman
Marketing and Communications Manager
508-270-1254 (direct)
508-380-5486 (cell)
Michelle_Hillman@waysideyouth.org
Wayside Youth & Family Support Network Hires Program Coordinator, Launches New Program for Children Impacted by the Opioid Epidemic
MILFORD, Mass. – Wayside Youth & Family Support Network announced today that it hired Nanci DaSilva, a bilingual licensed mental health counselor and current Risk Management Coordinator at Wayside, to run its newest program for children whose family members are struggling with addiction.
The Children Impacted by Substances (CIS) program, funded by a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, is part of Wayside’s Trauma Intervention Services in Milford and is open to children age five and older in 26 surrounding towns that make up portions of Worcester, Norfolk and Middlesex counties. Wayside was one of three Massachusetts organizations and among 41 providers nationally to receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime.
“The opioid crisis has dramatically altered families in our state as people leave home to enter treatment, can no longer care for children or succumb to addiction resulting in either children entering the foster care system or living with a relative,” said Wayside’s CEO, Eric Masi. “We can’t forget that while this epidemic is destroying adult lives, children are also suffering the consequences and may be at greater risk for increased mental health issues as a result.”
CIS clients receive services such as individual and group therapy and support from an advocate who will accompany them to court, the police department, schools and state agencies. Wayside clinicians will provide comprehensive care and address known barriers to receiving services such as language, transportation access and childcare and are trained to work with vulnerable populations such as LGBTQ+ young adults and immigrants.
“This grant will build upon our existing services and address an urgent gap in victim services related to the opioid epidemic and provide services to children and youth who are traumatized as a result of the opioid crisis,” said Director of Wayside’s Trauma Intervention Services, Jeanne Ward.
About Wayside:
Founded in 1977, Wayside Youth & Family Support Network is a non-profit, nationally accredited human services agency dedicated to Building Strength, Hope and Resiliency through its family-based outreach services, residential treatment programs, and community-based counseling services to thousands of children, youth and families throughout Eastern and Central Massachusetts.
Disclaimer: This press release was produced by Wayside Youth & Family Support Network under the Children Impacted by Substances grant, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this press release are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
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