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Referral Form

Please click HERE to open and download our referral form. Once completed, fax to 518.447.0429

 

Website Resources

National Alliance for Mental Illness – Support, advocacy and education for families and caregivers http://www.nami.org/

Center for Practice Innovations at Columbia University: http://practiceinnovations.org/Consumers/Consumers

Voices of Recovery videos – 24 brief clips featuring individuals telling their stories about psychosis https://vimeopro.com/user23094934/voices-of-recovery

MindMapCT YouTube: Video clips of young people sharing their stories about recovery with psychosis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS6nLL0engk

Yale School of Medicine Specialized Treatment Early in Psychosis (STEP) http://psychiatry.yale.edu/step/psychosis/

Coping Guide – When someone in your Family has Psychosis http://www.earlypsychosis.ca/files/documents/02-EPI-Coping_Booklet.pdf

A Siblings Guide to Psychosis: http://reddeer.cmha.ca/files/2013/05/ASiblingsGuideToPsychosis.pdf

Orygen Youth Health: Psychosis and Young People Fact Sheet http://oyh.org.au/sites/oyh.org.au/files/factsheets/oyh_fs_psyc.pdf

Hearing Voices Network: An international network with fundamental belief that are many ways to understand the experience of voice hearing and other unusual or extreme states. There are also support groups across the U.S. http://www.hearingvoicesusa.org/

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: (24 hour, toll –free confidential hotline for anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

 

FAQs

  • Is there a cost to be in the program?
    OnTrackNY will not deny services to anyone based on inability to pay. For those individuals with health insurance coverage, we will seek reimbursement for some of our clinical services. However, we can work with you and your family to create a payment plan or sliding scale that works for you.
  • How much contact will I have with my team?
    We tailor each person’s treatment to their needs and preference. Some visits are at our office at 401 New Karner Road in Albany, N.Y., and sometimes we meet with you in the community. How many times a person meets with a member of the team each week or month varies. A participant may come into the office at least once per week and meet with their primary clinician. Other participants may meet with a clinician, attend a group session, and meet with the team psychiatrist and/or nurse. Many participants meet frequently with the supported education and employment specialist about work and school goals.
  • How long can I receive services with OnTrackNY?
    We aim to have participants graduate from the program after two years. However, based on individual needs, time in the program may be for more than or less than two years.
  • Will OnTrackNY help me with my alcohol or drug use?
    Many people who are in our program are currently using or have used alcohol or other drugs, such as marijuana. We work with you to create an individualized plan for treatment that may include working on goals to reduce or stop using alcohol and drugs.
  • Do I need to take medications to be in OnTrackNY?
    There is no requirement to take medication. Participants meet with the psychiatrist and the rest of your team to make a decision about whether medications are right for you. If you do take medications, we help you find the lowest dose of medications to help with symptoms, while carefully monitoring any possible side effects.
  • If I am receiving OnTrackNY services, can I also be in treatment elsewhere?
    Once you are enrolled in OntrackNY, you usually have all of your services provided by our team. Sometimes there are exceptions to this—you just need to ask.
  • Does having legal involvement exclude me from OnTrackNY?
    No, legal involvement does not exclude someone from participating in the program.
  • Can individuals with an assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) order participate in OnTrackNY?
    Having an assisted outpatient treatment does not exclude someone from OnTrackNY.
  • Can my family be involved?
    We strongly encourage family involvement. However, we understand that sometimes young adults do not want or are not ready to have their family members or other supports involved in their treatment. We work with each participant to decide on how much or how little involvement he or she would like from their family.
  • What supports are available for my family?
    Our team offers a monthly family psychoeducation and support group. This group helps families learn about symptoms, improve communication, and receive support from one another . . . and there is always pizza! We also meet regularly with individual families to engage in problem-solving, improving communication, and supporting one another through challenges as well as successes.

Meet The Team

  • Frankie Connelly, LMSW: Team Leader, OnTrackNY
    As the team leader, Frankie is responsible for the oversight of the OnTrack program to make sure our team is doing our best to support you! Our team leader also acts as the outreach and recruitment coordinator, so she will meet with you one-on-one to support you in overcoming challenges and working toward your life goals. Frankie earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from the College of Saint Rose and her MSW from Adelphi University (N.Y.).

  • Mike Wimberley, LMSW: Primary Clinician
    As a primary clinician, Mike will use specific strategies to help you manage when things are challenging and will provide support when things are going well. He communicates with people in your life so that they can better support you (with your permission). This includes family, school, or anyone you identify as important. Mike earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and his MSW from the University at Albany (N.Y.).

  • Arlene Nock, MD: Prescriber
    Our prescribers offer guidance on the best medical approaches that can help you feel your best self. Dr. Nock helps you understand how your brain works and how medication can help you maintain your mental health. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the College of Santa Fe; and her doctor of medicine degree from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.

  • Jennifer Kekis, NPP: Prescriber
    As a prescriber, Jennifer also works with you to understand what you can do to best maintain your mental health. If medications are prescribed, she works closely with you to make sure the medication is helpful. Jennifer earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and political science from SUNY Plattsburgh and her MS in psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner from the Sage Colleges (Albany, N.Y.).

  • Lydia Loney, RN: Nurse
    As the program nurse, Lydia focuses on your wellness. She talks with you about diet, exercise, sleep, and making sure your body is as healthy as it can be. She works closely with our prescribers as well as with your primary medical doctor.

  • Valerie Wajdowicz: Supported Education and Employment Specialist
    As the supported education and employment specialist, Valerie works with you to help you stay in work or school, or to help you gain employment or a new educational opportunity. Valerie earned her bachelor's degree in sociology and Spanish with a concentration in criminology from SUNY Cortland.


 

OnTrackNY   

Workforce Image

Are you between the ages of 16 and 30?

Within the past two years, have you started to:
   – Hear voices of see things that others don’t?
   – Have trouble keeping your thoughts in order?
   – Feel that other people are against you or want to harm you?
   – Have ideas that others find unbelievable, strange, or bizarre?

Do you live in one of these counties: Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, Washington, or Columbia?

If you answered yes to some or all of these questions...

We may be able to help!

Contact us today!
518.407.1130 ext. 1774
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 


Nothern Rivers' member agency Parsons Child & Family Center has partnered with the Center for Practice Innovations at Columbia University and the NYS Office of Mental Health to bring the innovative treatment program OnTrackNY to the Greater Capital Region.

OnTrackNY supports young people who have recently began experiencing symptoms of psychosis and helps them return to living the life that is most aligned with their desired goals as quickly as possible. OnTrackNY collaboratively works with young people in achieving their education and/or employment goals, maintain healthy relationships, and improve life satisfaction. OnTrackNY strongly believes that recovery with psychosis is possible.

This multidisciplinary team includes:

  • Two licensed clinicians who provide direct clinical and support services, social skills training, substance abuse treatment, suicide prevention, recovery coaching, community outreach and recruitment, and support and education to families
  • A psychiatrist and registered nurse who will collaborate with individuals regarding the choice to take medication and overall wellness practices
  • A supported education and employment specialist focused on helping individuals attain education and/or employment goals

To see the program in action, meet the team, and learn how we can support you, watch this video featuring one of our real OnTrackNY clients.

[Brochure]

OnTrackNY
Click here to visit OnTrackNY's website to learn more.

life changing care

FEATURED VIDEO
Northern Rivers Family of Services Overview Video

NEWS 24/7

Limited English Proficiency (LEP) of Language Assistance Services
Northern Rivers will provide language assistance services, free of charge, when necessary to provide meaningful access to those whose primary language is not English. Contact Quality Management at 518.426.2600.
Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística.  Llame Quality Management at 518.426.2600.
Notice of Privacy Practices: English / Spanish
Client Rights and Grievance Procedures: English / Spanish