Peter Lumb Appointed to Family Services Board

Family Services Inc. has announced the appointment of Peter Lumb to the Agency’s Board of Directors. Mr. Lumb has served in numerous leadership positions in Dutchess County organizations, including Mill Street Loft, the Vassar-Warner Home and Foundation, Cunneen-Hackett Cultural Center, the Salt Point Cemetery Association Dutchess County Arts Council and the Dutchess Arts Fund.

In announcing Mr. Lumb’s appointment to the Family Services Board, Chair Sandra Ludlum remarked “We are thrilled to welcome Peter to our Board, particularly given his extensive experience in both business and leadership in the areas not for profit arena”.  Mr. Lumb attended the Harvard Business School, is retired from a career in local business endeavors, and lives in Salt Point with his wife, Elizabeth.

Richard Mitchell Joins Family Services Board

June 18, 2012  
Family Services Inc. has announced the appointment of Richard Mitchell, Esq. to the Agency’s Board of Directors. Mr. Mitchell has provided extensive community leadership in numerous organizations including having served in various capacities on the boards of the American Heart Association, the Area Fund of Dutchess County, the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, United Way of Dutchess County, and Vassar Brothers Hospital Foundation, among others.

Richard also formerly served on the board of Family Services and he is welcomed back to what is now a reunited Family Service Board. In welcoming Mr. Mitchell’s return to Family Services, Board Chair Sandra Ludlum remarked “We could not be more pleased to have Richard Mitchell rejoin us, particularly given his historical perspective and his well-recognized leadership in so many aspects of community life in the Hudosn Valley”.

Mr. Mitchell is a Managing Partner in the law firm of Iseman, Cunningham, Riester & Hyde and lives in the Town of Poughkeepsie with his wife, Sue.

The Power of Parenting: Empowering Parents to Act

Originally published in the Ulster Prevention Council Blog June 15, 2012

When a parent suspects that their child is using drugs and/or alcohol, intervening swiftly and appropriately is vital. Casual drug use can quickly turn into drug abuse or dependence and can lead to accidents, legal trouble and serious health issues.

The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) has several new resources available in their The Power of Parenting: Empowering Parents to Act series.

These brochures are suitable for prevention programs, health offices, school counselors, treatment programs, and human services agencies:

• How to Know? I think my Child is using alcohol and/or drugs
• What to Do? I know my Child is using alcohol and/or drugs
• What Now? My Child is in Recovery

Digital copies of these brochures are available at http://www.oasas.ny.gov/treatment/index.cfm#.

To obtain a supply of color copies of these publications, contact me at the Ulster Prevention Council; (845) 458-7406 or cdepaolo@familyservicesny.org.

Another great resource can be found online. The first link produced in a Google search of “I think my child is using drugs” is http://timetoact.drugfree.org/ . This Partnership for a Drug Free America site has video clips and walks a parent step by step through a process of asking about substance use, looking for signs and symptoms, learning about risk factors, finding out why teens use, and exploring common drug and alcohol myths and misperceptions.

A third resource for parents is the Parents Toll-Free Helpline. Callers that feel overwhelmed, stressed or have a specific question about their child’s drug or alcohol use can speak to a Parent Specialist social worker or psychologist in English or Spanish, Monday to Friday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm ET at 1-855-DRUGFREE (1-855-378-4373).

Cheryl DePaolo
Ulster Prevention Council
Director