Letter: Moving Forward After Newtown

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Letter: Moving Forward After Newtown

Friday, 18 January 2013 00:00

The whole country continues to mourn the deaths of 20 children and six adults who died in last month’s school shooting in Newtown, CT. And while we wait for the motive to emerge and policy proposals to surface, we can speak out now on behalf of families who need greater access to mental health treatment and other social services that ultimately will prove more effective in protecting and strengthening all of us; children, adults and our communities.

As the head of a human services organization, I believe it is part of our mission to inform and educate the public on important issues facing today’s families in a balanced and professional manner. As the result of this tragic event, there will be a temptation to look for quick answers; overly simplistic, one-size-fits-all solutions.

Of course, we know that the real needs of children, teens and adults cannot be so easily pigeonholed. In reality, we need to advocate for more services to the one in four (or, according to some, one in six) individuals who are affected by a mental illness.

Unfortunately, public funding for these services has been on the decline in recent years. Perhaps one of the concrete outcomes of the focus on Newtown will be a renewed public dialogue that will lead to placing the emphasis where it belongs: early screening and identification and facilitated access to needed services.

What can parents do if they have a child with special needs who may pose a risk to themselves or their community? Most of us do not know the warning signs of potential violence. Many parents may not be sure what the difference is between “normal” teen brooding versus depression that may lead to violence; is my child ill or ill-mannered? How can we ensure that people in need can more easily get assistance? To help answer that question, FCA will publish information to assist parents with these issues and co-sponsor a public forum early this year to disseminate important information for all parents.

Now, more than ever, we need to work together for the well-being of all.

Philip M. Mickulas, LCSW

President and CEO of Family and Children’s Association

News

Prospect Street Dedicated To Argentine

Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00

Following the Memorial Day ceremonies on May 27, the Village of Farmingdale held a special ceremony, dedicating Prospect Street, adjacent to the Village Hall, in honor of Farmingdale native, Marine Lance Corporal James D. Argentine.

Lance Corporal Argentine was killed, along with two fellow Marines, on Aug. 6, 2009, by a roadside bomb while supporting combat operations of Operation Enduring Freedom, in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Argentine was 22 years old.

Mayor Ralph Ekstrand said, “This is a fitting tribute to James and will permanently serve as a reminder of the sacrifice that has been made by the members of our military, who protect our freedom.” Parents of Lance Corporal James D. Argentine look on as Prospect Street is renamed as LCpl James D. Argentine Way. Robert and Janet Argentine with Village Officals and Legislator Joseph Belesi. Photo by Phil LoNigro

Diaz Belmont Stakes Run

Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00

Farmingdale superstar Franklin Diaz made it look easy at the 2nd annual Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon 5 Kilometer Run for Prostate Cancer on the evening of June 2, crossing the finish line in 16:46, 36 seconds in front of runner-up Ricardo Cuahuizo, with 17-year-old Travis Wooten a strong third.

It was Diaz’s second race of the day, following up on a second overall finish at the New Hyde Park 8 Kilometer Run in the morning.

Sports

Xtreme Crowned Champs In Poconos

Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00

Players pictured (front): Makenna Parisi and Emily Hunt; (middle) Zoe Kolodny, Erin Lynch, Isabella Pedone, Jaden Keener, Nicole Celeste, Marissa Seyfert, and Samantha Stoll; (back) Amanda Stoll, ToniAnn Penna, Keleysha Petit-Frere, Savanna Spadalik, and Christine Duroseau. For months the parents and players had this weekend circled on their calendars. Some players started a count down; they couldn’t wait. The parents checklist was drawn, uniforms, cleats, bathing suits, goggles, blender…check.

Now it was the girls’ turn and they didn’t disappoint. The GU 10 HBC Xtreme, were crowned division champions of the Poconos Cup Memorial Weekend tournament.

The girls went undefeated in their four games to take first place. They played outstanding soccer defeating two New Jersey teams and two Long Island teams.

Hadnagy’s Late Run Lifts Farmingdale To Championship

Thursday, 06 June 2013 00:00

“Championship, Cortland and Chipotle.” These buzz words, created by Farmingdale girls’ lacrosse coach Shari Campbell, were motivation for the Lady Dalers (14-3, 7-2 Nassau Conference I), as they held on to beat Bay Shore, 12-11 and claim the Long Island Class A Championship at Adelphi’s Motamed Field on Sunday, June 2.

Campbell promised her team that if they won, she would take the team Chipotle to celebrate, following the match.

“That was the biggest motivation for us all,” senior attack Nadine Hadnagy joked.