Bethpage-Tribune_1994-06-17

              YOUR OFFICIAL HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER
Serving Bethpage, Island Trees, Plainedge, Seaford, Old Bethpage & Plainview
VOL. 27 NO. 24 JUNE 17-23, 1994 25 CENTS
ED MANGANO HONORED
AT REPUBLICAN CLUB MEETING
Town of Oyster Bay Councilman Lenny Kunzig, left, presents a citation
from the Town Board to Ed Mangano upon being named Small
Businessman of the year by Nassau County Chamber of Commerce
Council. Ed, who is president of the Bethpage Rotary, received the
award at last week's Republican Club Meeting. Also on hand were
State, County and Town representatives.
John Canning, right started his campaign for the Assembly Seat from
the 13th District with a bang at last week's Republican Club meeting
as can be attested to by Nassau County Clerk Karen Murphy and
Republican Club President Buddy Mazzara. The energetic and popular
Canning had the capacity crowd at the American Legion Hall ready
to roll.
GROUP HOME FOR ABUSED CHILDREN
SET TO OPEN IN BETHPAGE
On Tuesday, June 14 Councilman Lenny Kunzig telephoned the
Tribune office to inform us about a proposed group noma which is
seeking to establish itself at 759 Stewart Avenue in Bethpage^ Catholic
Charities, proposers of this project,intend to purchase this single one
family dwelling and use it as a means by which they could offer shelter
to children who have been victims of sexual, emotional or physical
abuse. The home will house 4 children with 2 teaching parents who
will provide 24 hour a day supervision. The children, who are 5 years
old and older, will reside in the residence for one year to eighteen
months while Catholic Charities also will provide help and services
to their natural families. The goal of this home is to provide and teach
appropriate living and social skills to children who are victims of the
ilbovementiohed Violence.
This home, unlike the one at 51 South First Street, falls under the
Padavan Law; thus the Town of Oyster Bay, Supervisor Lewis Yevoli
and Councilman Len Kunzig were notified. And because it falls under
this Law, it must also conform to its specifications and guidelines.
Upon hearing the news, the Tribune telephoned Catholic Charities
and spoke with Sister Geraldine Bowes who is the Director of Services
for the group. Sister Bowes told us that this program is extremely
strict and structured. She said that the teaching parents undergo a
comprehensive training program and are not permitted to work at all.
Their sole responsibility is to supervise the four children who are
to reside in the home. If at any time the teaching parents have to
leave the home, a child-care worker would step in. "Obviously, the
aim is to heal the child," said Sister Bowes. "There are many Katie
Beers out there who never make it to page three of the newspapers
and also need help and support."
We asked Sister Bowes if this was the first home of its kind or if
there are others already in operation. She told us that there are two model
homes of this type in operation for over 25 years. One is in Boystown
and the other down south. She also said that they plan on opening
two homes in Nassau County (one being here in Bethpage) and two
others in Suffolk County. We also asked her about taxes and if the
children would be using facilities and schools in Bethpage. She said
that the children would be attending Bethpage Schools. However, she
noted that the home school picks up the taxes and costs for their
child. For example, if a child moves into this home and is originally
from Westbury, the Westbury School District pays all costs for that child
to attend Bethpage Schools. The funding for this project comes from
the State which in 1992 set aside monies to help deal with the problems
and treatments of abused chldren.
We went on to discuss how a child is recommended for this program.
Sister Bowes said that they will take recommendations from anyone.
Schools, churches, a neighbor or a hospital can alert them of a child
who they feel is being abused. Once a child is recommended their
case is reviewed by a selection committee which is comprised of
representatives from Child Protection Services, Case Management for
Children , local hospitals, a Boces Unit Director of Pupil Planning
and teachers.
The proposed home is located at 759 Stewart Avenue and is a single
family high ranch type home. When asked if they will need renovations
to the home, Sister Bowes stated that they will convert the two-car
garage to provide more living space for the teaching parents.
Presently the 30 year old home is approximately 2,275 square feet
(Continued on Page 19)