Food & Nutrition Education Program
WIC, the supplemental food and nutrition education program, provides free food vouchers and nutrition education to income-eligible pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children up to age 5 years. For information, contact the Schenectady County WIC Program, 1044 State St., Schenectady, 346-8818; satellite sites in Scotia and Rotterdam. Visit the website for more information at www.cceschenectady.org.
St. Peters Health Partners MOMS Program
Free pregnancy tests. Assistance in obtaining medical insurance with an experienced social worker. childbirth education, nutritional counseling, and help with breastfeeding offered by program registered nurse. referrals to OB, pediatric, WIC and other local agencies. Call for appointment. Cohoes Family Care Office. 95 Remson St., Cohoes. 270-3035.
Parent Network of the Capital Region
Provides free training, information, one on one consultations and more on special education programs and services. The PNCR serves parents and professionals in Albany, Columbia, Essex, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington counties. For more information on programs and services visit www.pncrny.org or call 640-3320.
Northeast Health’s MOMS Program
Medicaid applications done for pregnancy. Free pregnancy tests and classes on childbirth and breastfeeding. Referrals to MD, WIC and other services available. Open Wednesday and Friday by appointment, Cohoes Family Care office, 95 Remsen St., 235-7282 ext 112.
Low-Cost Mammograms and Cervical Exams
In Albany or Rensselaer counties, call the American Cancer Society (800) 725-3185. In Schenectady County, call YWCA of Schenectady Encore Plus Program, 374-3394, ext. 122. Transportation, support and outreach services available.
Free/Low-Cost Vaccinations and Well Child Clinics
Free at Albany County Health Department, 175 Green St., Albany, 447-4589/4602. Call Rensselaer County Department of Health at 270-2660, Schenectady County Public Health Services at 346-2187, or Saratoga County Public Health Nursing Services at 584-7460 for schedule and locations.
Lead Testing for Children
Children who are uninsured may be screened through the Saratoga County Lead Screening Program. For further information or to have your child screened, please contact the Lead Poisoning Prevention Coordinator at (518) 584-7460.
Capital Region Child and Adolescent Mobile Crisis Team
Capital Region Child and Adolescent Mobile Crisis Team (CRCAMT) is a mobile crisis intervention service responding to children, adolescents, and their families experiencing an emotional or behavioral crisis. The clinical staff are skilled in consultation, crisis assessment, de-escalation and intervention. CRCAMT serves any child/adolescent under the age of 18, or up to 20 if still in day school and living at home regardless of insurance, diagnosis or system involvement. CRCAMT is available Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 pm. The team responds to crises in three counties – Albany, Rensselaer and Schenectady through “gatekeepers”: Albany County Children’s Mental Health Clinic at 447-4550 and Mobile Crisis Team at 447-9650; Rensselaer County Department of Mental Health at 270-2800 and Samaritan Hospital at 271-3540; Ellis Hospital at 243-4000 and Child Guidance Center at Northeast Parent and Child Society at 381-8911 in Schenectady County. In addition, a School-Focused Behaviorist (SFB) is available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The SFB, accessed through the above “gatekeepers,” is a service available to schools in Albany, Rensselaer and Schenectady Counties that provides assistance with behavioral crisis, through observation, assessments and intervention planning.