Trainings & Events

Prevention programs serving Albany and Schenectady Counties provide strengths-based intensive services to families in their homes with a goal of reducing the risk factors that might make it necessary for children to be placed in foster care. The programs also work with families to help children return home from care or to assist families with an alternative plan for a permanent home for their children if they cannot provide one themselves. The Prevention programs also provide consultation services to the local county social service departments.

Services include:

• In-home family, individual, and couples counseling to include domestic violence and anger management issues
• Parent skills training, both in home and through Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP)
• Supervised visitation for families with children in care, including transportation
• Case planning and coordination with the family and all service providers
• Assistance with meeting concrete needs for food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and employment
• Advocacy
• Assessment
• Recreational activities
• Psychiatric and psychological evaluation
• Testimony in Family Court
• Social work, psychological and psychiatric consultation to Albany County Department for Children, Youth and Families and Schenectady County Department of Social Services
• Referral to other services and
• Other family-identified needs that can be purchased with flexible funding

Parsons prevention staff have prevented placement in over 90 percent of the families served. For those families with children in care at the time of referral, 93 percent had a permanency plan at the time of discharge.

Afternoon Prevocational Training
Afternoon Prevocational Training (APT) provides a therapeutic, work-like setting for youths ages 12 to 19 years with social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties to learn prevocational skills in the areas of computer education, carpentry, food services, building maintenance, as well as resume writing and job interviewing. The increased supports and program structure promotes learning, encourages the exploration of new interests, protects those involved from unsafe situations and risky experimentation, and facilitates the development of appropriate relationships with peers and caring adults. The Afternoon Prevocational program also provides recreational and creative arts activities to youths ages 7 to 12 years who have special mental health needs.