(Courtesy of OHEL) Over the last year, OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services has seen a record increase of 40% in service inquiries.
Over 4,800 inquiries were managed by OHEL Access, our intake department, which is managed by a team of dedicated service specialists.
Calls are as diverse as the individuals OHEL serves, each with their unique and personal circumstances, and the challenges they face.
Calls range from parents seeking respite or work for a child who has either mental or developmental disabilities, a friend who needs assistance and guidance after a traumatic experience, a frightened mother who is trying to escape an abusive marriage or a couple seeking counseling for their young child with explosive behavior.
This increase in inquiries can largely be attributed to a number of key factors: A rapidly growing community generating a direct increase in general service needs and the increasing stresses and life challenges faced by everyday individuals and families. An environment less stigmatized, where people are more proactive in seeking help. And lastly, OHEL’s service expansion reaching more schools, and on-going outreach and network partnership efforts with other community organizations.
OHEL has participated in many communal events of late including the ProvidED Expo on Special Education, the Midwood Mardi Gras and Los Ninos Young Childhood Expo, as well as engaging in over two dozen meetings and presentations.
OHEL has freely made certain facilities available at the new OHEL Jaffa Family Campus to other community organizations. OHEL in conjunction with the JCC of Marine Park provided a number of community-wide programs including computer courses for beginners. Recently OHEL hosted a blood drive in conjunction with Maimonides Medical Center.
At OHEL each person can find a place of safety and support, while it offers services that help build lives, and strengthen families, homes and communities to face social, developmental and emotional challenges.
OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services offers a breadth of services that meet the everyday needs of individuals and families. To access more information or services please call 1-800-603-OHEL, email [email protected] or visit www.ohelfamily.
