Health & Wellness
At South Colonie, the health and well-being of our students are at the forefront of our educational mission. Our District Health Services team is dedicated to providing a wide range of services designed to promote and safeguard the health of each student within our community.
BMI reporting to New York State
New York state requires schools to track each student’s body mass index (BMI) and weight status category as part of school health examinations. Every year, the New York State Department of Health surveys some schools for the number of students in each weight status category. If South Colonie Central School District is surveyed by the state, the district will share summary group data only and will not share summary group calculations. In order to opt-out of the sharing of this data, parents must contact their school nurse.
First Aid
Basic first aid is rendered to all who may require it. If the injury is extensive, a paramedic call may be made to transport the student for medical attention. Accident/incident reports are made on all serious injuries.
Immunizations
All students enrolled in New York State schools grades K-12 must provide proof of immunizations.
New York State Required Immunizations for School Entrance
Medication in School
In order for a school nurse to administer medication during school hours, either prescription or over the counter, the following are required by the State of New York:
- An order from a licensed prescriber including name of medication, dosage and time to be administered;
- Parent/guardian permission to administer the medication;
- The parent/guardian must assume the responsibility to have the medication delivered directly to the school nurse in a properly labeled original container.
Students who have been diagnosed with severe allergies or asthma may need to carry emergency medications on their person. This is permissible and highly advised. The physician may complete a release to self-medicate form. The school nurse will keep this on file. Please contact your child’s school nurse for necessary forms.
Mental Health
Mental health and wellness is an integral part of our overall well-being, influencing our ability to learn, grow, and lead fulfilling lives. In recognition of this, South Colonie is committed to promoting awareness, reducing stigma, and fostering a supportive environment where individuals can seek help, guidance and understanding.
Community Mental Health Providers
This list was developed as a resource for families. It is not comprehensive, nor do we endorse specific practices/agencies.
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Capital District Behavioral Health
20 Century Hill Drive
Suite 202
Latham, NY 12110
(518) 785-7283
Outpatient Mental Health Services for children from 15 months to Adulthood.
General Services:
- Diagnostic Assessment
- Individual Therapy
- Parent Consultation
- Family Therapy
- School Consultation
Specialty Services:
- Psychological Testing
- Psychoeducational Testing
Chelsea Place Psychological
6 Chelsea Place
Clifton Park, NY 12065
(518) 982-1886
Outpatient Mental Health Services for children from 15 months to 21 years.
General Services:
- Diagnostic Assessment
- Individual Therapy
- Parent Consultation
- Family Therapy
- School Consultation
Specialty Services:
- Psychological Testing
- Psychoeducational Testing
- Developmental Assessments
- Specialized Autism Spectrum Evaluations
Freedom First Psychological Associates4 Avis Drive
Suite 101
Latham, NY 12110
(518) 560-4277
Outpatient Mental Health Services for children from 15 months to 21 years.
General Services:
- Diagnostic Assessment
- Individual Therapy
- Parent Behavioral Consultation
- Family Therapy
- Group Therapy
Specialty Services:
- Psychological Testing
- Psychoeducational Testing
- Developmental Assessments
- Specialized Autism Spectrum Evaluations
Karner Psychological Associates2280 Western Avenue
Guilderland, NY 12084
(518) 456-5056
Outpatient Mental Health Services for children from 15 months to adult.
General Services:
- Diagnostic Assessment
- Individual Therapy
- Parent Consultation
- Family Therapy
- Group Therapy (ages 14-19)
Northpointe Integrative20 Corporate Woods Blvd
Suite 209
Albany, NY 12211
(518) 250-6193
Outpatient Mental Health Services for children from 3 years to adult.
General Services:
- Individual Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Parent Consultation
Petsche Psychology Practice139 Vly Road
Albany, NY 12205
(518) 608-4271
Outpatient Mental Health Services for children from 3 years to adult.
General Services:
- Diagnostic Assessment
- Individual Therapy
- Parent Behavioral Consultation
- Family Therapy
- School Consultation
- Parent Education Groups
Specialty Services:
- Psychological Testing
- Psychoeducational Testing
Upstate Counseling6 Automation Lane
Albany, NY 12205
(518) 517-4535
Outpatient Mental Health Services for children from 5 years to adult.
General Services:
- Individual Therapy
- Parent Behavioral Consultation
- Family Therapy
Union Street Counseling Behavioral Health Center
1311 Union Street
Schenectady, NY 12308
(518) 374-6263
Outpatient Mental Health Services for children from 5 years to adult.
General Services:
- Individual Therapy
- Family Therapy
Specialty Services:
- Medication Management
Pinnacle Place Behavioral Health1 Pinnacle Place
Albany, NY 12203
(518) 689-0244
Treatment specialization includes:
- Therapy for Depression and Anxiety
- Couples Counseling
- Family Counseling
- Parenting Support
- Children & Adolescents
- Grief Counseling
- Play Therapy
- Work and Career issues
- Stress Management
- Addiction & Recovery
- Conflict Resolution
- LGBTQIA Issues
Medication Management
Choices Counseling and ConsultingSuite 102
Albany, New York 12206
(518) 438-2222
Choices specializes in issues related to sexual orientation, sexuality, gender identity and expression. Clinicians work with transgender people, including non-binary, gender expansive children and youth, and those who are genderqueer identified.
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Albany County Children’s Mental Health Clinic
260 South Pearl Street
Albany, NY 12202
(518) 447-4550
Crisis assessment, triage, ongoing counseling, and psychiatrist access
Capital District Psychiatric Center, Child and Adolescent Outpatient Services75 New Scotland Ave.
Albany, NY 12208
(518) 549-6929
Crisis assessment, triage, ongoing counseling, and psychiatrist access
Medication Management
Northern Rivers Behavioral Health Center
401 New Karner Road
Colonie, NY 12205
(518) 431-1650
Behavioral health services are available for children, adults and families. Services are provided by an interdisciplinary team of social workers, mental health counselors, registered nurses, nurse practitioners and psychiatrists.
LaSalle School Family and Adolescent Center for Treatment391 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
(518) 242-4731 ext. 240
Services Include:
Medication Management
- Assessment and Treatment Mental Health and Substance Abuse
- Specialized Evaluation, Risk Assessment, and Treatment of youth who have been sexually abused and/or have engaged in sexually harmful behaviors.
- Access to Psychiatric Services to evaluate and provide ongoing medication management.
- Individual Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Experiential Learning and Expressive Arts interventions specifically designed to engage youth, encourage progress, and promote the development of core skills.
- Group Therapy specifically designed for adolescents and their caregivers. Developmentally specific skill building, psychoeducation, and treatment groups;
- Multi-Family Groups
- Parent Support Groups
- Specialized Adolescent Treatment Groups
Ellis Outpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department1023 State Street
Schenectady, NY 12304
(518) 382-2290
Outpatient mental health program that serves patients ages 4-18 with the goal of providing patients and their families with comprehensive, effective mental health services in a nurturing, safe and supportive environment. Among the services provided:
- Initial psychiatric assessments with diagnosis
- Medication management
- Psychotherapy/Counseling services,
- Crisis services (for existing patients)
- Consultation/collateral services for schools and other professional agencies
- Wellness Planning
SUNY Psychological Services Center Child and Family Clinic
299 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 442-4900
The Child and Family Therapy Clinic is part of the University at Albany’s Psychological Services Center, a community-based resource open to individuals and families throughout the Capital District. This specialty clinic comprises licensed psychologists, psychological associates, and doctoral level psychology trainees with expertise in family and behavioral psychology. Services are provided by doctoral level trainees and are supervised closely by faculty members of the University at Albany’s Clinical Psychology Program. The clinic offers psychotherapy and assessment services for children and adolescents. Therapists provide family-focused treatment for the child, parents, and other caregivers, both individually and in small groups
OnTrackNY at Northern Rivers401 New Karner Road
Albany, NY 12205
(518) 292-5452
Specialty Care: Young adults ages 16-30 who have experienced the onset of a psychotic disorder within the last 2 years. Referrals can only be made with the consent of the young person.
Pride Center of the Capital Region332 Hudson Avenue
Albany, NY 12210
Main: (518) 462-6138
- LGBTQ+-affirming care for LGBTQ+ individuals, families, and allies ages 13+;
- Provides support for:
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity/expression
- Coming out
- Relationship and couple issues
- Family and parenting issues
- Healing from trauma and abuse
- Depression and anxiety
- Addictions and recovery
- Living with HIV and other chronic illness
- Flexibility in scheduling, including weeknights and weekends
Albany Medical Center Developmental and Behavioral Health391 Myrtle Avenue
Suite 3B
Albany, NY 12208
(518) 262-5401
Team of physicians, nurses, clinical psychologists and social workers who provide evaluation and ongoing treatment for a range of behavioral health disorders:
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Depression
- Developmental Disorders
- Learning and cognitive disorders
Specialty Services:
- Diagnostic evaluations
- Medication management
- Psychological assessments of learning and behavioral health disorders
- Psychotherapy including individual, family and group treatment of children, adolescents and their families.
Center for Disability Services314 S Manning Blvd,
Albany, NY 12208
(518) 437-5900
Pediatric and adult behavioral health
Center Health Care provides support, resources and treatment for all individuals with behavioral health issues and their families.
The Center specializes in the treatment of people with:
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Cerebral Palsy and other physical disabilities
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Attention Deficit Disorders
- Other Chronic Medical Conditions
Services Provided:
- Psychiatric Services (limited to persons with developmental disabilities)
- In-Home behavioral support services for individuals with autism or other developmental disorders.
- Individual Counseling
- Group Therapy
- Targeting the Big Three Training for parents/caregivers of children with autism or other developmental disabilities.
- Social/Communication/Relationship skills training for teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders
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Community Hospice/Wave Riders
445 New Karner Road
Albany, NY 12205
(518) 724-0200
Counseling, support groups, camps and activities for all children and teens who have experienced loss and are grieving
Byron Center for Loss and Healing775 Lancaster Street
Albany, NY 12203
(518) 453-2515
Individual counseling specializing in grief and loss
Compassionate Friends – Albany/Harold Mitchell Chapter
Westminster Presbyterian Church
85 Chestnut Street
Albany New York 12210
Jan (518) 439-0346 or Kathleen (518) 439-1114
The Compassionate Friends provides highly personal comfort, hope, and support to every family experiencing the death of a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, or a grandchild, and helps others better assist the grieving family
Capital District Psychiatric Center Crisis Unit
(518) 549-6500
24-hour emergency mental health assessment
Ellis Hospital Emergency Room
(518) 243-4000
24-hour emergency mental health assessment
The Family Room
(518) 831-8700
Walk-in program to support youth in crisis
The Living Room
(518) 831 – 1523
Walk-in program to support adults in crisis
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
988 Lifeline
24-hour hour support for those in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Northern Rivers Mobile Crisis Response Services
(518) 292-5499Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Services Include:
- Telephone support for children and families experiencing emotional and/or behavioral crises.
- In-person crisis assessment and intervention for individuals experiencing emotional and/ or behavioral crisis anywhere in the community
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Capital District Psychiatric Center Crisis Unit
(518) 549-6500
24-hour emergency mental health assessment
Ellis Hospital Emergency Room
(518) 243-4000
24-hour emergency mental health assessment
The Family Room
(518) 831-8700
Walk-in program to support youth in crisis
The Living Room
(518) 831 – 1523
Walk-in program to support adults in crisis
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
988 Lifeline
24-hour hour support for those in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Northern Rivers Mobile Crisis Response Services
(518) 292-5499Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Services Include:
- Telephone support for children and families experiencing emotional and/or behavioral crisis.
- In-person crisis assessment and intervention for individuals experiencing emotional and/ or behavioral crisis anywhere in the community
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LaSalle School Family and Adolescent Center for Treatment
391 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
(518) 242-4731 ext. 240
Specialized Evaluation, Risk Assessment, and Treatment of youth who have been sexually abused and/or have engaged in sexually harmful behaviors.
St. Anne Institute160 North Main Ave
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 437-6619
Services Include:
- Sexual Abuse Prevention Program
- Treatment for juveniles who engage in problematic sexual behavior
- Substance abuse prevention, education, and counseling.
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Healthy Families
Albany County Single Point of Entry
(518) 447-7777
Pregnant women and families with newborns. The home visiting services focus on supporting parents and building on the inherent strength of families.
Albany County Prevention Services
Albany County Dept. for Youth and Families
(518) 447-7000 to speak with prevention director
Prevention Services are provided to families with children "at risk". The goal of Prevention Services is to insure the safety of the child and seek to preserve, support and strengthen the family unit with wrap around services.
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St. Anne Institute
160 North Main Ave
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 437-6619
Substance Abuse Prevention, Education, and Counseling
St. Peter’s Health Partners Outpatient Clinic
(518) 783-5381
Services Include:
- Evaluation/Assessment/Diagnosis
- Individual counseling
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Case management
- Information and referral services
Hope House, Inc.Outpatient Clinic
Floor: 3
747 Madison Ave
Albany, NY 12208
(518) 427-8207
Services Include:
- Evaluation/Assessment/Diagnosis
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy
- Information and referral services
LaSalle School Family and Adolescent Center for Treatment391 Western Ave.
Albany, NY 12203
(518) 242-4731
Services Include:
- Evaluation/Assessment/Diagnosis
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy
- Information and referral services
Equinox500 Central Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 435-9931
Services Include:
- Comprehensive Assessment
- Treatment Planning
- Case Management
- Counseling Services
- Assistance with Referrals to Detox and Inpatient Programs
- Intensive Outpatient Program
Sober.com
817-668-6774
Find AA meetings in Albany, New York to help you on your road to recovery. Our comprehensive directory of AA meetings in New York includes open, closed, speaker, and other specialized meetings, all of which are designed to help you get sober and remain sober.
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Cornell Cooperative Extension
CCE Resource Educator Maria DeLucia-Evans at (518) 765-3559
Researched-based parenting education programs that provide strategies to help parents/caregivers enhance their parenting skills, and develop a deeper understanding of how their personal and parenting knowledge affects their children.
Capital District Family and Community Engagement Center (FACE Center)Ellen Burns
Early Childhood Family Engagement Facilitator
EBurns@measinc.com
(518) 427-9840 ext. 217
Dawn Appleby-Quackenbush
School-age Family Engagement Facilitator
dappleby-quackenbush@measinc.com
(518) 427-9840 ext. 202
The School-Age and Early Childhood Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Centers help families of children with disabilities to get involved in their child’s education. They also build community relationships for families and provide information and training about service options for children from birth to age 21.
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Safe House
1344 Albany St.
(518) 374-5178
Safe House is an emergency shelter that serves homeless and runaway youth ages 16 to 20.
160 North Main Ave
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 437-6547
Open 24/7/365 to any youth, male or female, ages 13-17 who is a runaway, homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or in an otherwise unsafe situation.
(518) 369-9928
Youth ages 13-17 who are homeless, runaway, or in an otherwise unsafe situation can utilize our program and services for up to 30 days, and know that they will be safe and find refuge in a home-like environment.
Healy House Northern Rivers
58 Academy Road
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 603-5499
Short term crisis stabilization for children ages 5-12
North Star Northern Rivers
58 Academy Road
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 603-5499
Short term crisis stabilization for children ages 12-17.
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Parent to Parent of NYS
500 Balltown Road
Schenectady, NY | 12304
(518) 381-4350
Family support for youth with developmental disabilities
Families Together in NYS
747 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12208
(518) 432-0333
Family support for youth with mental health diagnoses -
CDTA
STAR Bus
FLEX Program
110 Watervliet Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 437-8300
Disability transportation
Medicaid Transportation
(855) 360-3544- Medical appointments
- Must have medicaid
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U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
991 Broadway
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 459-1790
Provides newly arrived refugees a comprehensive set of services, including housing placement, cultural orientation, school enrollment, coordination of initial health appointments, referrals to ENL classes, and employment preparation and placement.
RISSE
Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus
240 W Lawrence St.
Albany, NY 12208
Equips refugees and recent immigrants to build sustainable, independent lives by offering language and literacy instruction and support with life skills and integration into the U.S. culture.
Sick at School
Students who get sick during the school day need to report to the school nurse before calling or texting a parent to come get them or leaving school on their own. Any student leaving school due to illness must be released by the school nurse.
Sports Physicals
To play on a team, or even practice, students must — by law — have a sports physical on file with the school nurse. Students who participate in interscholastic sports, must have a physical every 12 months. Medical histories (the 40 questions) must be updated and reviewed by the school nurse before each sport season.
Students injured during a sports season must have written clearance from their doctor before the school doctor can allow them to return to play. If your child needs to have a physical done by the school doctor, call Access Health at 782-2200. You are not charged a fee for the physical. All athletes require a parent/guardian signed Health History Update Form at the beginning of each sport season which is accessible through the Aspen Student/Parent Portal no sooner than 30 days before the start of each season per NYS law. Please contact your school nurse if you are having difficulty with this.
Working Papers
Students may obtain their 14-15 year old or 16-17 year old working papers in the Nurse’s Office. A parent completed application is required and students must have a valid physical dated within one year of the application. This must be done before the end of the school year. Please see your school nurse to get an Application for Employment Certificate or you can access the State’s Application for Employment Certificate here.