Astor "In The News"
Links to news coverage of Astor Services
DiMotta, Doherty & Pruitt Named Assistant EDs at Astor
New York Nonprofit Press - February 7, 2013
Astor Service for Children and Families has appointed Rod DiMotta, Ph.D., Assistant Executive Director, Bronx Behavioral Health & Prevention Programs; Sheila Doherty, PsyD., Assistant Executive Director, Residential Programs; and Ed Pruitt, Assistant Executive Director, Public Policy and Organizational Development. These appointments are a result of retirements.
WPIX Reporter Magee Hickey Channels Her Mom to Honor Her Father
Fishbowl NY - January 28, 2013
Fishbowl NY interviewed Magee Hickey about her upcoming participation in our Third Annual Cabaret. She, as well as her collegues, will perform live in New York City on Saturday, February 8, 2013.
“Because we’re all used to live shots and anchoring newscasts, we know how to ad lib,” Hickey says. “We know how to be on stage. We know the point of it isn’t to be the most perfect singer. It’s just to have a good time and raise money for a good cause."
Click here to read about the Third Annual Cabaret.
John Jay Seniors Deliver Joy
Poughkeepsie Journal - January 23, 2013
The Poughkeepsie Journal covered the amazing volunteer work John Jay High School Seniors did to bring joy to the children in our Residential Treatment Program. We are incredibly thankful for all the work they put in to make the holiday season special for everyone!
“The event went better than expected. We had twice the number of children to buy for this year so we were worried about getting enough gifts for all, but we were able to get all of their requested gifts and then some,” said senior-class co-adviser Alyson Dodge.
Former Head Start Student Wins Silver Medal
Poughkeepsie Journal - August 11, 2012
Brigetta Barrett, former student at Astor's Head Start Program in Beacon, NY, currently in her senior year at Arizona State University won the silver medal in the High Jump event at the 2012 Olympics in London.
Barrett’s medal is the first for anyone to spend 10 or more years in Dutchess or Ulster county since Hyde Park’s Patrick Manning won a silver medal in rowing in 1992 in Barcelona. Four others share that distinction.
“I’m not going to lie; I kind of blacked out” attempting 6-8, Barrett said. “I was very scared. I know this is what we do, and people don’t really expect us to be afraid of a bar. There’s a moment between step seven and eight where I have to decide if I’m really going to go for this jump or not. I was just like go for it and trust yourself and trust God. I put my foot down and closed my eyes and when I hit that mat without hitting the bar, I was like, ‘Thank you Jesus.” - Brigetta Barret
Click here to read a PDF version of this story.
Evidence-based Focus Drives Children's Treatment, Says Dr. Button
Behavioral Healthcare - April 16, 2012
Suzanne Button, PhD, assistant executive director at Astor Services for Children and Families, described how her agency employed evidence-based practices (EBPs) to improve outcomes and change the culture.
All of Astor’s clinical sites are now using practices that have evidence of success in scientific literature behind them.
They also have seen an increase in employee satisfaction, according to Button.
“People now ask for research, they ask for outcomes, they ask for a practice that works,” Button said.
Click here to read a PDF version of this story.
Magee Hickey to Host a Cabaret
Good News Planet - April 18, 2012
Magee Hickey and the Astor Cabaret get coverage on Good News Planet. You can read the coverage HERE.
More photos here: View photos from the Cabaret event.
Astor's Cabaret Event Takes the Stage
PIX 11 - April 14, 2012
Coverage of Astor's 2nd Annual Come to the Cabaret Event on PIX 11 News at Six.
Click here for more PHOTOS from the Cabaret!
Magee Hickey & Astor's NYC Cabaret Featured In The NY Daily News
New York Daily News - April 2, 2012
On April 14, Magee Hickey will host another annual event in her father's honor, a cabaret featuring nearly two dozen New York television reporters and personalities singing, dancing and generally trying to trip the light fantastic for a good cause.
In this Daily News article, Magee speaks about her father Lawrence F. Hickey, and the legacy he left behind.
Lawrence Hickey was "a great father, a great husband, a great son, a great nephew," who didn't even start volunteering until he was 57 years old.
Click here to read a PDF version of this story.
Get complete event details and order tickets here!
Astor's Own Dr. Joan DiBlasi Has No Plans to Retire Soon
New York Daily News - December 1, 2011
Bronx social worker and ‘lifetime learner’ Joan DiBlasi has no plans to retire soon:
"Keeping children at home with their families becomes a major goal. When I first started, the whole philosophy of care was to relocate people from urban areas into suburban areas. Now, we’re really looking at the community to provide the resources to keep the family together."
said DiBlasi, Astor's Assistant Executive Director for Bronx Community-Based Mental Health & Prevention Programs.
Click here to read a PDF version of this story.
Daily Freeman features Dr. Suzanne Button on Suicide Prevention
The Daily Freeman - November 13, 2011
The Daily Freeman features a young man's story and Astor's own Dr. Button on suicide prevention with young people.
"What we were finding was that suicide rates were starting to uptick nationally and regionally as well,"
Button said Wednesday at her home in Red Hook.
Click here to read a PDF version of this story.
Astor Services Wins Dutchess Business Excellence Award
Poughkeepsie Journal - September 11, 2011
Astor Services for Children & Families has been named winner of the Business Excellence Award for nonprofits by the Dutchess County Economic Development Corp.
Click here to read a PDF version of this story
Astor Presses Teen Suicide Prevention Awareness Issue
Finding Out With Pete and Ellen - June 13, 2011
Astor has been unrelenting in speaking out on the issue of teen suicide prevention. In this "Speaking Out" radio program, Dr. Suzanne Button continues to advocate for greater awareness, while sharing important information that everyone should learn.
"Astor's mission is to make people realize that emotional struggles are not to be judged; families and kids are to be helped and supported — just walk in."
Listen to the interview and read a summary on our website.
Youth Suicide Prevention Needs Added Awareness
Poughkeepsie Journal - May 5, 2011
Article in The Poughkeepsie Journal written by Astor's Dr. Suzanne Button, Dr. Alice Linder and Dr. Paul Bulman on spreading youth suicide prevention awareness.
Click here to read a PDF version of this story.
Astor Experts Speak About Teen Suicide Prevention
CUNY TV - April 20, 2011
In this Segment of CUNY-TV's Independent Sources, Astor Services' Andrew Kuntz and William Murray are interviewed. They discuss Astor's approach to Teen Suicide Prevention, and the prevalence of Teen Suicide in the Latina population.
"Figures from the CDC show that one in six Latinas attempt suicide between the ages of 11 and 17."
View the segment and read about this story on our website
Astor's Child Abuse Prevention Programs in Spotlight
News 12 The Bronx TV - April 14, 2011
Astor's Andy Kuntz spoke with News 12 The Bronx TV on the subject of child abuse prevention in this piece spotlighting Astor during National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Read about this coverage and watch the video HERE.
Hudson Valley Radio Program on Teen Suicide
WAMC Radio - April 12, 2011
Greg Fry, Hudson Valley Bureau Chief of WAMC Northeast Public Radio reports on a teen suicide in Irvington, NY. Astor's Dr. Jim McGuirk supplies information on the prevalence of teen suicide in our country.
"One in seven kids have had serious suicidal ideation, one in ten kids have made a suicide plan, and one in fourteen kids have made a suicide attempt requiring medical attention."
Read this story about a Hudson Valley teen suicide and listen to the piece here.
Rep. Hinchey speaks out against proposed Head Start cuts
Poughkeepsie Journal - March 14, 2011
Coverage of Rep. Hinchey's visit and lecture at Astor's Head Start Program.
Click here to read a PDF version of this story.
Astor/DCRCC Youth and Teen Suicide Prevention Event
The Poughkeepsie Journal - March 3, 2011
Astor Services for Children & Families and Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted the 8th Annual Public Policy Breakfast, on Teen and Youth Suicide Prevention with Speaker M. David Rudd, Ph.D., ABPP. Read P'kpsie Journal coverage of the event here.
Click here to read a PDF version of this article.
WABC-TV New York Features Astor Christmas Party
WABC-TV New York - December 27, 2010
Coverage of Astor's Christmas party for children and families served by the Lawrence F. Hickey Center for Child Development.
"When children have the opportunity to just be children ... cherished memories are created and lives can be transformed"
View the video and read about this event here
Astor Services Opens Youth Center
Bronx Times-Reporter Inc. - November 6, 2010
The Bronx-Times-Reporter coverage of the opening of Astor's new children's mental health center "Astor at Highbridge" at 1419 Shakespeare Avenue in the Bronx. The center now offers an outpatient clinic for children and adolescents ages 2 to 21. The range of services offered includes counseling, case management, and pyshciatric services.
Click to read a PDF version of this story.
Our full coverage also includes video from News 12 The Bronx
WWRL Radio Interview, Dr. James McGuirk
WWRL 1600 AM - August 1, 2010
Astor Service's Executive Director James McGuirk was interviewed on WWRL Radio's program "All Things New York" on Saturday, August 1, 2010. The program focused on the question of how Astor Services is dealing with the current difficult financial situation.
Listen to the interview and read a summary on our website.
Charities Expect Money Worries Into 2013 Due to State Shortfalls
The Chronicle of Philanthropy - August 7, 2010
Charities nationwide are facing financial strain because of state budget crises—and many states expect their woes to continue into 2012 and 2013. Astor is cited for its budget cutting efforts. "Having a diverse source of revenues allows you to absorb some cuts," according to James McGuirk, its executive director.
Click here to read a PDF version of this story.
Astor Gets $25K Kellogg Grant to Expand Lean Six Sigma
New York Non Profit Press - April 16, 2010
New York Non Profit Press coverage of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant to Astor. This grant will support improvements to Astor's delivery of services to children aged 0-5 years and their families in Dutchess County.
Click here to read a PDF version of this story.
Astor's Jim McGuirk Is Interviewed
Finding Out With Pete And Ellen - April 4, 2010
Dr. McGuirk is the guest on this Poughkeepsie radio show, and discusses Astor's services in the Hudson Valley, including helpful information for families.
Listen to this interview and read a summary on our website.
Radio Show Features Astor Services
Hudson Valley Focus - March 6, 2010
Hudson Valley Focus host Jim Sipos and Astor's Jim McGuirk discuss Astor's mission, services, and innovative adaptation of cutting-edge business management techniques to a not-for-profit organization.
Listen to this interview and read a summary on our website.
Practical Advice For Families Seeking Help
WTBY Poughkeepsie, Joy In Our Town - January 19, 2010
This program provides practical information for families looking for help. Host Wendy Maragh-Taylor speaks with Astor's Jim McGuirk about many issues of concern to parents and families.
Watch this video and read the story on our website.
Giving Back For The Holidays
Fox 5 Television, Good Day New York - December 5, 2009
Astor Services for Children & Families was featured on a segment of the Fox 5 New York television program "Good Day New York Street Talk" which aired on December 5, 2009. (Astor's segment is the second video.)
"... Astor has been here through all of the problems I've had with my children ..."
Click here to view a PDF version of the story on MyFoxNY.com.
Click here to view the video and story on our website.
Astor Kids Aided by Helping Hands
Poughkeepsie Journal - November 29, 2009
Poughkeepsie Journal coverage of United Way's "Holiday Helping Hands" program and its postive effect on Astor's children and families.
Click here to read a PDF version of this story.
Astor Receives Stefan de Schill Award
Register-Star - October 27, 2009
Coverage of Astor's AMHF Stefan de Schill Award in the Register-Star, Hudson/Catskill NY.
"It was an evening that highlighted the need for the barriers to break down in society on the stigma around mental illness, which prevents many from talking openly about the realities of mental illness and the suffering families confront as they parent children with emotional and behavioral problems."
Click here to read a PDF version of this story.
At A Glance: Astor Services AMHF Award
New York Daily News - October 25, 2009
Coverage of Astor's AMHF Stefan de Schill Award in the Daily News.
Click here to read a PDF version of this story.
Bringing in a Black Belt to Fight for Efficiency
New York Nonprofit Press - September 29, 2009
Coverage of Astor's use of the Lean/Six Sigma methodology for improving efficiency.
Click here to read a PDF version of this story.
Astor Learning Center Honors Student of the Year
Poughkeepsie Journal - July 2, 2009
Coverage of Student of the Year Ceremonies at the Astor Learning Center in Rhinebeck, NY
Click here to read a PDF version of this story.
