Community Maternity Services - Branson Family Development Center

Capital Region Outreach Services

Healthy Schenectady Families:

Community Maternity Services provides home visiting services to families in Schenectady County through Healthy Schenectady Families Program helping to build strong parent child relationships. Trained Family Support Workers will assist parents to:

Have a healthy pregnancy, labor and delivery. ~ Ensure the family’s basic needs are met. ~ Promote positive interactions between child and parent. ~ Understand child growth and development. ~ Set up links with other families and in the community. ~ Learn to have fun with parenting. ~ Better understand what your child is telling you. ~ Help your child learn about the world through play.

Services are provided to any Schenectady County resident who is pregnant or parenting children from birth to 5 years old. Enrollment into the program must happen before the child is 3 months old.

Contact: Eileen Ranalli (518) 688-9013
E-mail

Prevention Case Planning and Supportive Services:

Intensive case management services including home visiting, supervised visitation, referral/linkage with community resources, and assistance in goal planning/attainment for families Referred by Albany County DSS as at risk of foster care involvement.

Program Goals: Promote family safety and stabilization via services to mitigate risk of foster care placement for children and/or toward reunification following foster care placement.

Contact: Peg Ellett, LCSW-R (518)482-8836
E-mail

Pre-Adoptive Counseling Services for Birth-Parents:

Clinical counseling and supportive services including case management are provided for birthparents, of any age, considering adoptive placement of their child. These services are available to birthparents from Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga counties. There is no fee for service for birthparents and all services are confidential.

Contact: Peg Ellett, LCSW-R (518) 482-8836
E-mail

OMH Specialized Parent Education:

Three diagnosis specific parent education and support groups per year are offered to parents with SPMI demonstrated by an Axis I diagnosis. Groups vary but have included Depression, Bi-Polar Disorder, Anxiety Disorders and Schizophrenia in past cycles. Twelve week groups are offered in Fall, Winter and Spring. Child care, a meal and tokens for transportation are provided to participants.

Contact: Maura Callahan (518) 482-8836
E-mail

TASA Case Management:

Home based case management services for pregnant and parenting adolescents and their children. Goals include enhancing healthy birth outcomes; promoting enhanced self-sufficiency through coordination of education/employment services; reducing risks of child abuse/foster care placement and supporting the young family in the transition to parenting.

Contact: Diann Ford-Lewis, MSW (518) 482-8836
E-mail