All Abilities Program Director

Dana Hopkins, LCSW-R

(845) 486-3434

dhopkins@dutchessny.gov

EI Official and Director of Preschool Special Education Programs

Coordinator of Children with Special Needs Services

Ages birth through 5 years old

Janine Fitzmaurice, LCSW

(845) 486-3518

jfitzmaurice@dutchessny.gov

CSPOA and Children & Youth Services Coordinator

Deborah Disanza, LCSW-R

(845) 486-2768

ddisanza@dutchessny.gov

Children & Youth Special Needs Health Care

Public Health Nurse

Lorie Drum, RN, BSN

(845) 486-3542

ldrum@dutchessny.gov

 

 

If this is an emergency and you need immediate assistance please contact 911

Crisis Counseling, Support, Information & Referrals

Dutchess County HELPLINE 

Toll free: (877) 485-9700

Stabilization Center

(845) 485-9700

NY State Central Register for Child Abuse 

If this is an emergency and you need immediate assistance please contact 911

Crisis Counseling, Support, Information & Referrals

Dutchess County HELPLINE 

Toll free: (877) 485-9700

Stabilization Center

(845) 485-9700

NY State Central Register for Child Abuse 

(800-342-3720)

 

 

General Contact

For non-urgent questions or feedback on the website

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Abilities First Inc.

Our mission at Abilities First is to provide people who face developmental challenges and their families support to attain independence, self-determination, integration and acceptance by others through education, exploration and experience.

The practice of including people with special needs in all aspects of typical community life. Abilities First believes that if integration occurs naturally in a setting (e.g., classroom, place of work, residential neighborhood, etc.), the ratio of people with disabilities to those without should approximate what is found in the total population. That is, less than or equal to 20% people with disabilities. The process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and habits. We believe all children and adults can benefit from quality education.

Abilities First was incorporated under the name Rehabilitation Programs in 1962 with a mission to serve children and adults with developmental disabilities in Dutchess County, New York State. The organization began with a small education program known as the “The Little Red Schoolhouse.” The name Rehabilitation Programs was changed to Rehab Programs in 1996, and the name Rehab Programs was change to Abilities First in 2008. The name Abilities First was meant to signify that we value what people can do, what they can learn, and what they accomplish rather than their limitations or disabilities.

The wide range of services we offer and people we support reflects our commitment to inclusion and acceptance of people with various kinds of developmental challenges. From typically developing children who need to prepare for the academic rigors of school – to people with intellectual disabilities who need to prepare for independent living – to seniors who want to keep their independence and communities as they age, Abilities First provides the bridges and the resources.

 

  • Jeffery Fox, Ph.D., President & CEO
    • 845-485-9803 x 1200
    • jefferyfox@abilitiesfirstny.org
  • Mark Nace, Chief Program Officer
    • 845-485-9803 x 1247
    • marknace@abilitiesfirstny.org
  • Brenda Douglas, Director of Day Hab Services
    • 845-485-9813 x 393
    • brendadouglas@abilitiesfirstny.org
  • Gina Carminucci, Director of Com Hab Services
    • 845-475-3217 x 385
    • ginacarminucci@abilitiesfirstny.org
  • Donovan Ashe, Director of Residential Services
    • 845-452-1913 x 5110
    • donovanashe@abilitiesfirstny.org
  • Patricia Brown, Director of Employment Services
    • 845-485-9813 x 201
    • patriciabrown@abilitiesfirstny.org
  • Sasha Silverman, Principal – School Services – Straus Family Pavilion
    • 845-330-0356 x 2100
    • sashasilverman@abilitiesfirstny.org
  • Chad Richter, Principal – School Services – LaGrange
    • 845-452-0774 x 2511
    • chadrichter@abilitiesfirstny.org
  • Camille D’Amico, Principal – Pre-School Services – Executive Drive
    • 845-303-2405 x 1165
    • camilledamico@abilitiesfirstny.org
  • Deborah Bliss, Principal – Pre-School Services – Myers Corners
    • 845-298-2090 x 8104
    • deborahbliss@abilitiesfirstny.org

Location

Adminstrative Offices, 70 Overocker Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Phone: 845-485-9803

Location

Abilities First School, 24 Firemens Way, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603
Phone: 845-452-0774

Location

Abilities First PreSchool, 167 Meyers Corners Road, Suite 104, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
Phone: 845-298-2090

Location

Abilities First Employment Services, 70A Overocker Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Phone: 845-471-0176

Location

Abilities First Outpatient Recovery Service Clinic, 488 Freedom Plains Rd., Ste. 122, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Phone: 845 -454-1104

Location

Abilities First School (Orange County), 340 Hudson Street,Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY 12518
Phone: 845-275-0454