According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), mental health disorders are on the rise. These conditions are not just affecting adults, either. NAMI reports that 1 in 6 children between the ages of 6 and 17 in the U.S. experience a mental health disorder. Thankfully, Long Island hosts a plethora of resources to support individuals and families afflicted, and support for these organizations has only grown in recent months.
CN Guidance of Hicksville is one such organization, dedicated to addressing the emotional well-being of all Long Islanders. The center was recently awarded funding through the United Way of Long Island to incorporate Sesame Workshop’s resources into their daily programming directed toward children and families. An event to celebrate grant winners was held at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury on June 11.
Serving children and adults with mental and emotional disorders since 1972, CN Guidance delivers NY-State licensed mental health and substance use treatment services – especially to economically disadvantaged individuals and families, including many communities of color – working in partnership with county government and other community services. With deep, localized knowledge of Nassau County and Suffolk County communities, a mobile fleet, telehealth capabilities, and a NY State Integrated Outpatient Services license, CN Guidance maintains an exemplary track record of delivering outreach and high-quality behavioral healthcare to more than 30,000 individuals per year.
Sesame Workshop creates free research-based media and kid friendly resources for families to help meet children’s most pressing needs. For over 50 years, the organization has worked at the intersection of education, media, and research, with the goal of “creating joyful experiences that enrich minds and expand hearts.” With a mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder, Sesame Workshop reaches families in more than 150 countries with playful early learning to empower each generation to build a better world. Sesame’s beloved characters, iconic shows, outreach in communities, and more are rooted in deep expertise and designed to meet children’s most pressing needs.
The organization states prominently on their website, “From building school readiness to encouraging playful problem-solving, from supporting emotional wellbeing to promoting positive self-identity, Sesame Workshop is here for children and families — as every caregiver’s valued partner and every child’s trusted friend.” Sesame Workshop’s resources focused on emotional well-being help parents and community providers to support children to develop a foundation for future emotional well-being for years to come. These comprehensive resources include videos, worksheets, activities, songs, games, sample social media posts and many more.
This much-needed Sesame Street in Communities funding will enhance and advance the vital work CN Guidance is already doing to address child and youth trauma, depression, anxiety and substance use through programs such as the federally-funded National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI), as well as youth-focused Assertive Community Treatment and Mental Health Awareness training.
CN Guidance CEO, Jeffrey Friedman, said, “We are so grateful to the United Way for their support that will enable us to utilize the wonderful resources from the iconic Sesame Street brand to help children and families in our community.”
United Way of Long Island works to advance the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on three key building blocks: health, education and financial stability. It is their priority to create equity across Long Island by investing in partnerships, helping the most vulnerable and at risk through organizations and programs that demonstrate raising the bar for fairness and equal access to services. The organization provides a united solution and impact, fighting for families across Long Island.
For more information about CN Guidance and Counseling Services, visit cnguidance.org
For more information about United Way of Long Island, visit unitedwayli.org
For more information about Sesame Workshops, visit sesameworkshop.org
