MENUMENU
The Single Point of Access (SPOA) process brings representatives from important county service providers together with families to provide support and assistance to families with children in distress. The primary goals of SPOA is to 1) maintain children in the community and reduce out of home placement, 2) help transition children in placement back into the community and 3) increase access to community resources. These goals are accomplished by connecting children and their families to mental health resources, case management services, parent advocates, and social service prevention programs, to name a few.
A SPOA referral can come from a variety of different sources: mental health, school, case management, social services, etc. The Universal SPOA Referral Form contains referral information, risk assessment, and release of information. In addition, all SPOA referrals will require a completed CANS-NY assessment. Once completed the referral form and CANS-NY assessment can be sent to Greene County Mental Health Center, attention Heather Buffa. Once you get a call back with your SPOA date it is the responsibility of the referring party to contact the family, the school and any other participants that should attend the SPOA.
Single Point of Access for Children & Youth Brochure
The following is a list of services your child may be referred to. Please note ALL of these services are completely voluntary.
Intensive Case Managers and Supportive Case Managers are social work professionals who meet in the home with the parent/guardians and the child and help facilitate important community supports to families with children in distress. This may include but not limited to:
The highest level of service available and provides intensive wrap around services to children diagnosed with severe emotional disturbances between the ages of 5-17. The Waiver program provides children and families with strength based individualized care coordination, respite, skill-building, intensive in-home, crisis response and family support services. Services are designed to assist the family with increasing safety within the home and community, as well as reducing the need for hospitalizations and out-of home placements.
Our parent advocate offers parent-to-parent support from someone who is familiar with parenting a challenging child and who can help the family understand and navigate through local community resources and systems.
Respite services provide a needed break for the family, easing family stress and providing the child with other positive adult interaction. This day or overnight care is provided either in the home or out-of-the home by trained workers.
Prevention services through the Department of Social Services offer in-home parenting.
Supports are available in the community for relatives caring for other family member’s children.
For children who have been the victim of abuse, this program provides counseling and therapy, advocacy, accompaniments, information and referrals. Services are available for recent or past victimizations.
For youth requiring a higher level of treatment, the SPOA committee screens potential candidates before review by the state.
Individual and family counseling and medication management services are available through the community mental health clinic.
*Participation as needed
Heather Buffa, RN, MSN – Director of Clinical Services / SPOA Coordinator
Greene County Mental Health
905 Greene County Office Building
Cairo, NY 12413
Phone: 518.622.9163, ext 7150
Fax: 518.622.8592
Email: hbuffa@discovergreene.com
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