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All Abilities Program Director

Dana Hopkins, LCSW-R

(845) 486-3434

dhopkins@dutchessny.gov

 

Coordinator of Intellectual & Developmental Disability Services

Olivia Clark, LMSW

(845) 486-2825

oclark@dutchessny.gov

 

CSPOA and Children & Youth Services Coordinator

Mental Health Services

Deborah Disanza, LCSW-R

(845) 486-2768

ddisanza@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

If this is a medical emergency and you need immediate assistance

please contact 911

For Mental Health and/or Substance Use Crisis Support, Information & Referrals please contact

Dutchess County 988 Call Center

CALL OR TEXT 988

 

For Walk In Crisis Services and Support visit the Dutchess County Stabilization Center

230 North Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

NY State Central Register for Child Abuse  or https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/cps/ or (Home | Child Protective Services | Office of Children and Family Services (ny.gov))

1-800-342-3720

 

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Need Help?

Your Community Can Too

Watch our video to learn more about ThinkDIFFERENTLY’s vision

Throughout New York State, dozens of cities like Albany and Buffalo, along with many towns and villages have adopted “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” resolutions, pledging to make their communities more inclusive for individuals of every ability. If your community would like to “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” , a printable resolution is available here (pdf)

 

 

Some of the proactive steps Dutchess County has taken embrace residents of all abilities include:

  • Funding, through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, several projects featuring accessible infrastructure – beyond traditional ramps, curb cuts and the like – which increased residents’ access to facilities and resources throughout the county, including the Julie’s Jungle adaptive playground and an adaptive baseball field for the Little League Challenger Division in the Town of Wappinger; 
  • Partnering with a local movie theater to offer several free Saturday morning movies to families with children with disabilities, lowering the volume and raising the lights inside the theater to accommodate children with sensory issues;
  • Educating law enforcement officers, corrections officers, 911 dispatchers and first responders in Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) and Mental Health First Aid, which enables them to effectively interact with individuals in crisis, including those with disabilities;
  • Hosting several free picnics for children with disabilities and their families, bringing together these families with local agencies and organizations that serve residents with disabilities;
  • Partnering with the local Anderson Center for Autism to provide “Autism Supportive Environment” training, which teaches local businesses and community groups how to communicate better with and provide a more welcoming environment for residents with autism;
  • Hosting the 2019 and 2020 New York Special Olympics Summer Games.
  • We hosted the 2016 Special Olympics New York State Winter Games and the 2017 State Winter Games;
  • Hosting the “ThinkDIFFERENTLY Dash,” a 1-mile walk/run each year through the City of Poughkeepsie for residents with disabilities.

In Dutchess County, we’re fortunate so many businesses have chosen to “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” and sponsor events for residents of all abilities. If you’d like more information about becoming a “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” sponsor, contact Dana Hopkins, LCSW-R at dhopkins@dutchessny.gov or (845) 486-3434.