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Harbour Light
(845) 334-8560, Fax (845) 334-8564
Harbour Light is dedicated to providing youth, primarily adolescents, a second chance to achieve self-sufficiency through a family based treatment environment of support, structure, trust and guidance.
The Harbour Light Program relies on the Teaching Foster Parents to be the primary treatment agents for the children. The staff provide ongoing, intensive support to the families, both teaching and birth, to ensure the best possible program for each youth.
The Harbour Light therapeutic foster care program's start-up phase began October 1, 1993, with full staffing occurring in January, 1994.
Referrals for the program are from a single source, the Department of Social Services. Any other source (i.e.. hospital, Family Court) would access Harbour Light through the Department of Social Services. Youth referred are youths with serious behavioral problems who traditionally would be placed at residential facilities. A number of youth in Harbour Light have spent several years in residential placement.
The Harbour Light Staff, consisting of teams of a family specialist and family specialist assistant, work closely with Ulster DSS and Family of Woodstock (for the majority of our youth who receive independent living services).
Harbour Light foster parents attend the 10 session MAPP/GPS training that is enhanced by extensive training regarding teenagers. It is truly heartwarming to see parents anxious to parent a challenging teenager. At the training, foster parents, birth parents, and our youth share their experiences.
Harbour Light provides 24 hour support and behavioral management skills through our team of staff and foster parents. Involvement of the birth parents and teamwork are the cornerstone of the program. Enhanced services include a comprehensive service plan for the youth and family, utilizing whatever support services are needed to provide the youth and family with necessary skills to maintain self sufficiency. Treating the youth and family with dignity and respect have proven to be successful. Youth in the program, even when they are in crisis, state they want to remain with "Harbour Light."
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