SBORO YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES
February 2022
Update on Our Services...
Increased Demand Results in a Temporary Pause on New Intakes for Interface Referral Service
If you were not already aware, Southborough utilizes Interface Referral Service; a mental health and wellness referral helpline available to assist Southborough residents with finding mental health providers. Callers are matched with licensed mental health providers that best meet the callers search criteria within 2-4 weeks of their call to Interface. Last week, we received the communication below from Interface stating that due an extraordinarily high demand in need, Interface will be implementing a temporary pause on any new intakes for referral support through Monday, February 21st 2022.
We understand this may create some concern for people as finding an appropriate outpatient mental health provider is already quite difficult. We would like to remind residents of the mental health support services our office provides:
- Clinical Consultations- a one time consultation with one of our clinicians
- Assessments- 6-8 session time frame aimed at better defining and understanding a presenting issue. This includes appointments with the individual, family members, doctors, teachers, past and current providers. The assessment is completed with a formal assessment report outlining clinical recommendations.
- Short-term "bridge" counseling support- short-term support available to those needing counseling services until a longer-term therapeutic solution is identified
- Therapeutic groups and workshops
Learn more by:
- Calling us at 508-481-5676
- Utilizing our walk-in hours- Mondays 9-11am or Thursday 3-5pm
- Web inquiry- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUEYphprGT9YWPy8RGKUim_z20PLx1ppz5oj0Mkt24LbIHcw/viewform
We encourage you to reach out to our office if you have concerns about yourself or a family member. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we too, have experienced increased demand in our office and will do our best to get back to you.
If you have any questions about these services, please contact our Assistant Director, Meaghan Eiland at (508) 481-5676 ext 2 for more information.
Parent Support
Tuesdays 12:30-1:30pm at 21 Highland St in Southborough
Starting March 8- May 17, 2022
Call Dawn Wisbey at (508) 481-5676 ext 4 with any questions.
2022 Camp Scholarships
Southborough Youth and Family Services welcomes qualifying residents to apply to this year’s summer camp scholarship program. We have made some changes to the program this year, outlined below:
1. SYFS is narrowing our camp offerings to only those located in Southborough. Camp options for 2022 are outlined below with some caveats:
Southborough Recreation
Southborough Rec camp had success offering a full day, affordable local option for families last year and we anticipate they will fill up all weeks quickly. Registration is on a first come first serve basis starting February 1st and they will have a waitlist to pull from should a child cancel their spot. This includes any registrations coming from our office.
Southborough Extended Day Program (SEDP)
At this time, it is unknown what SEDP will be offering for summer programming. Therefore, this option is dependent on their evolving plans. We ask that you let us know if you are interested in having your child attend this camp so that we are prepared to register him/her proactively. We will update applicants as soon as we learn anything new.
Fay School Day Camp
Fay School Day Camp offers SYFS a limited number of free two-week sessions for camperships. In order to make the distribution of these weeks fair and equitable, there will be a lottery-style selection should interest exceed available slots. Again, this selection is not guaranteed.
2. Another change this year is the scholarship amounts we are offering. In years past, we have offered two free weeks of camp per child. Moving forward, scholarships will be a reduced rate that is calculated based on family size and income. Camp fees may be discounted 25%, 50%, 75% or 100%. Applicants will be asked to provide their 2020 federal tax return as well as any supporting documents showing receipt of any of the following public assistance programs:
- SNAP benefits
- Medicaid
- Fuel assistance
- SSDI or SSI
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, formerly known as AFDC, Aid to Families with Dependent Children)
All copies of income verification documents will be returned to applicants or will be shredded.
We encourage families to apply for this year’s program with the understanding that we do not yet have all the information on camp offerings for this year and the campership budget is not yet set as it is based on ongoing fundraising efforts. Thank you in advance for your understanding and flexibility as this program evolves. To apply for the camp scholarship program, please use the link below.
Please contact Christina McCarthy at cmccarthy@southboroughma.com or at 508 481 5676 ext.1 with application or program questions.
If you are interested in donating to the Camp Scholarship program, you may do so through Friends of the Southborough Youth Commission here:
https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-the-Southborough-Youth-Commission-109695360610477
National Day of Unplugging
Ironic that we are telling you this through an online newsletter, huh!?
Feeling Overconnected? 5 Reasons To Unplug From Technology After Work (forbes.com)
Listen With L.O.V.E.
Wednesday, March 9th in-person at 21 Highland St Southborough 6-8pm
Saturday, March 19th in-person at 21 Highland St Southborough 9-11am
Register here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScM23X10toBnQlFX2L05MK4mSx6mfTojHDQseyg5kD5Y6GHCA/viewform
If you have any questions about this training, please contact Shannon Kinayman at skinayman@southboroughma.com or (508) 481-5676 ext 3
QPR Update
While we have some additional trainings scheduled for the months of February and March, we are keeping our registration closed to catch up on training all of the people who have been placed on waitlists for previous trainings. Please stay tuned for more QPR trainings to be announced in our March newsletter.
About Us
Email: syfs@southboroughma.com
Website: https://www.southboroughtown.com/youth-and-family-services
Location: 21 Highland St Southborough, MA 01772
Phone: (508) 481-5676
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SBoroYFS/