Family Preservation (Foster Care Prevention Services)
Helping families stay together and get the help they need is at the core of what we do. The Lower East Side Family Union casework staff assists families that are struggling to care for their children due to alleged abuse or neglect, domestic violence, substance abuse, mental illness, and more. We also help families that are overwhelmed by the challenges of un/underemployment, homelessness, lack of affordable health care, and other issues that impact their ability to care for their children. Through supportive counseling, referral and advocacy work, we help at-risk families stabilize, access the help they need, and stay together.

Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities (MR/DD) Service Coordination
Supportive services are offered to families that are experiencing challenges caring for a family member diagnosed as mentally retarded and/or developmentally disabled. Referral, advocacy and supportive counseling services help these families access the help they need and teach them how to navigate ‘the system’.

Parent/Caregiver Education
The Lower East Side Family Union offers parenting groups for parents/caregivers in search of information and support. We teach parenting skills to those who are pregnant, post-partum, have children under 2 years old, or those with older children who are seeking to expand their parenting skills. We also offer several other groups, such as anger management and teen activity workshops, on a rotating basis.

Information/Referral
The Lower East Side Family Union provides information, referral and advocacy support to any New York City resident who needs help translating, understanding or completing entitlement forms or other governmental correspondence (Social Security, Public Assistance, Immigration, etc.). We also make referrals for individuals who may need help with substance abuse, mental health, hunger, illness, and more. We provide these services on a walk-in basis from 9am to 1pm Monday through Friday.

If you or someone you know might benefit from any of these programs, contact the Intake Coordinator at our Manhattan or Queens office.