Astor "In The News"

Links to news coverage of Astor Services

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.