2014 Headlines

Grand opening of The Counseling Center at LaSalle
wraps up this afternoon
Albany County officials on hand for ceremony
Albany's LaSalle School Community, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy and officials fromthe New York State Office of Mental Health today announced the opening of The Counseling Center at LaSalle, a community-based resource providing direct evaluation, therapy and management for adolescent children needing outpatient support and specialized treatment for conditions such as behavioral health, addiction, trauma and sexual abuse.
To read the Albany Times Union story, click here >>
To view the CBS 6 Albany video, click here >>
To see the TWC News video and story, click here >>
To read a full description of The Counseling Center at LaSalle, click here >>
To read the full Grand Opening press release, click here >>

Introducing Albany County family court judge to LaSalle
Susan Kushner gets broad stroke overview of Agency's Services
Susan Kushner, Albany County's newest Family Court Judge, visited LaSalle on April 24th for the first time in her new capacity. She met and talked with students, staff clinicians, and program directors, toured the facility including LaSalle's new counseling Center offices, and asked follow up questions and made observations about what she saw and heard over lunch. In the photo below, a high school senior tells Judge Kushner about preparations for his competition in the upcoming sate division National History Day contest.
Click here to learn more about Albany County's Family Court >>

Preparations for 2015 reaccreditation underway
LaSalle School is in the early stages of preparations for the reaccreditation process by the Council on Accreditation for Children and Family Services. COA is a national, independent accreditation organization, and the reaccreditation process will involve a comprehensive review of LaSalle's administrative, management, and service delivery functions against international standards of best practice. Accreditation promotes services that are appropriate, coordinated, culturally competent, evidence-based, and that are provided by a skilled and supported workforce. COA accreditation "stands on the shoulders" of our various State licenses and certifications and demonstrates LaSalle's commitment to the highest level of standards, licensure and continuous improvement.
Click here to read more >>

Coast to coast: Staff share values of ACEs informed data and community best practices on successful outcomes
Eight LaSalle clinicians to present, share strategies at May ATSA Conference
There is no shortage of residential treatment programs or clinicans eager to learn new ways to effectively treat trauma in the United States. From May 19-21, eight LaSalle clinicians will present on ACEs, neuroscience, and sexual violence prevention at the 19th Annual conference of the NYS Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (NYSATSA / NYSASOSP) in Albany, NY. Last month, LaSalle staff traveled to San Francisco, CA to present at the 58th annual conference of American Association of Children's Residential Centers (AACRC). Here, they engaged an international audience in a variety of conversation specific to developing data driven treatment programs and strategies for building an effective continuum of care for youth and families with complex behavioral health needs. Simultaneously, still more LaSalle staff were in Marlborough, MA sharing their views on trauma informed care (ACEs) to treat sexually aggressive abuse and innovative approaches to working with youth with autism spectrum disorders at the 16th annual MATSA / MASOC conference.
Click here to learn more about the May NYSATSA / NYSASOSP conference >>
Click here to learn more about AACRC, and register for the April 2015 AACRC conference >>
Click here to learn more about MATSA, and register for the April 2015 MATSA conference >>

The HEARTS Initiatiave: Most recent ACE response project to receive University at Albany notoriety
University at Albany President Robert J. Jones announced the HEARTS Initiative is one of ten recipients of a 2014 President's Award for Exemplary Community Engagement from the University. HEARTS (Healthy Environments and Relationships that Support) is a multidimensional intervention plan to address 'adverse childhood experiences' (ACEs) contributing tomany adult risk behaviors, including psychosocial problems, substance abuse, and biomedical diseases. "The variety of organizations associated with HEARTS are representative of programs serving individuals across the lifespan which is very much in keeping with how we understand ACEs," said LaSalle Clinical Director David Wallace. "If you view trauma as having community impact and implications then a meaningful response requires community partnerships and initiatives. The HEARTS Initiative is an excellent example of this type of collaboration, and LaSalle is proud to be involved."
Click here to learn more about recipients of 2014 UAlbany President's Award for Exemplary Community Engagement >>

NYNonprofit Press features ACEs in April cover story
'ACEs: Recovering from a Bad Hand' describes why Adverse Childhood Experiences are critical to assessing a youth's development
OACEs are supposed to be good; in fact, four or more of them is an unbeatable hand when you are playing poker. But in the game oflife - when we are talking about Adverse Childhood experiences - exposure tofour ormore of these ACEs has been demonstrated to significantly increase the chances for a multitude of helath and social problems. What are ACEs? Essentially, they are a series of childhood life experiences that individually or in combination can be traumatic.
Click here to read the full story >>

Mary G. Breslin Volunteer Service Award goes to College of Saint Rose executive
Mike D'Attilio from The College of Saint Rose was the 2014 recipient of LaSalle's Mary G. Breslin Volunteer Service Award. "Mike's extraordinary sense of community and strong moral character truly embodies the essence of the Mary G. Breslin Award," said Bill Wolff, LaSalle's executive director. "Like Mary, his ability to relate to people of all cultures and backgrounds and his profound determination to help students succeed are having a tremendous impact on our region." Click here to read the press release >>

History Day competition Update:
LaSalle's individual website entry into this year's National History Day event has advanced to the state level event in Cooperstown on April 28th. The senior project named 'Legalization of Marijuana' will compete for a spot on the national stage at the University of Maryland in June. There were six total entries in this year's competition, and this is the seventh project that has advanced to this state level.
Click here to learn more about National History Day >>

National leader tells Capital District:
'We are transformational agents for change in our communities'
Alliance CEO Susan Dreyfus challenges clinicians to think differently, act collectively
On March 4th, a Capital District symposium on ACEs, trauma, and response explored the rapidly expanding science of brain development and the impace of trauma on the developing brain. A keynote address by Susan Dreyfus, president and chief executive officer of the national Alliance for Children and Families made the science of ACEs real to clinicians and practitioners from the standpoint of practice and policy, and challenged attendees to keep open minds and think differently about their delivery of services to youth and families given the advances being made in ACEs research. The evening before the symposium, Dreyfus told over 70 Capital District agency executives, family court judges, and public officials that "there is absolute misalignment between what science tells us and what policy does." Dreyfus was joined by LaSalle Clinical Director David Wallace, Psychotherapist and Author Mary Sise, and University at Albany Associate Professor Heather Larkin to teach participants the intricacies of brain science and ACEs research.
Symposium follow up information can be found on this web page >>

National History Day 2014
Student competitors present before state & local officials in a mock judging exercise
On March 7th, LaSalle School history students competing in the school's seventh consecutive National History Day competition readied their projects for a mock judging exercise by a dozen state, county, and school district officials including Rensselaer County DSS Deputy Commissioner Annmarie Vielkind, Jennifer Sercander from the Children's Rights Society, and Douglass Bailey, now retired from the State Education Department. Six projects created around the 2014 theme 'Rights and Responsibilities' were observed and critiqued by the judges who gave each student a thorough evaluation of their work in preparation for the regional competition on March 22nd at the NYS State Museum in Albany. This year's entries are intended to develop perspective and an understanding of events surrounding the Japanese internment, legalization of medical marijuana, the civil rights movement, the holocaust, NATO, and the life and times of Andrei Sakharov.
Click here to learn more about the 2014 National History Day competition >>

Student art now on display at Albany senior community residence
The Massry Residence at Daughters of Sarah features LaSalle student artwork
Students from Albany's LaSalle School on Thursday, February 12th, opened a 35-piece arta exhibit at The Massry Residence at the Daughters of Sarah Senior Community - the first stop i what is intended to be a traveling display through the Capital Region. "The overarching theme of both the LaSalle School and the Daughters of Sarah is to enhance quality of life," said Murray Massry, a LaSalle benefactor and a Daughters of Sarah Foundation board member. "The art we're seeing here today enhances the quality of life for the viewer as well as the aratist. It's amazing to see this collaboration." Joan Healey, Daughters of Sarah chief operating officer and LaSalle trustee welcomed guests. LaSalle Executive Director Bill Wolff also made remarks.
Click here to read the press release >>

LaSalle hosts announcement of Albany County juvenile detention programming initiative
On January 22nd, Albany County professionals from probation, family court, departments of social service, and other local child welfare agencies converged on LaSalle to hear Albany County Family Court Judge Gerard Maney, Albany County Deputy Executive Philip Calderone, and LaSalle Executive Director Bill Wolff announce the county's participation in the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI) sponsored by teh Annie E. Casey Foundation. The initiative is aimed at reducing the number of youong people placed in secure and non-secure detention facilities, along with enacting reforms to the juvenile justice system. The announcement was covered by local media including the Colonie Spotlight, Troy Record, and WRGB CBS 6.
Click here to read The Colonie Spotlight story >>

LaSalle's OASIS wins kudos at Future city competition
On January 11th, four students from the thirteen-member Future City competition team attended their Eighth Future City Competition. This year, held at Proctor's Theatre in Schenectady, NY, youth displayed and explained their idea for 'tomorrow's transit' city of the future. Named OASIS, the fictional LaSalle city incorporated climate controlled, wind turbine, and electronics into a southwestern desert city. The students won two awards: Excellence in the Design of a City, and Most Innovative Use of Green Space for a Community. Media on hand to cover their success included WRGB CBS 6 and Schenectady's Daily Gazette.
Click here for Schenectady's Daily Gazette coverage >>

Adventure Based Training available in February at LaSalle
From February 17th through 20th, LaSalle will serve as the site for a four-day workshop focusing on learning and advancing skills needed to use portable adventure games, problem-solving initiatives, and low and high elements to effectively implement client treatment goals. In addition, learning and advancing skills to use adventure activities as transformational gools for group, individual, and family development will also be emphasized. Project Adventure has been the pioneer of Adventure-Based Education research, development, training, and implementation for over 42 years.
Click here for further training and registration details >>

Campus facility improvement project in planning stages
In 2014, LaSalle will launch a facility improvement project directed at renovating specific student residential divisions and other space devoted to advancement of the agency's Lasallian mission. Tentatively slated to begin in the Spring, this project is expected to happen in two phases and will include upgrades to student dining room and kitchen areas. A work group including key staff will review priorities, conceptual design elements, security and safety, and the potential of multi-purpose use of the space. Watch for further information in future issues of LaSalle's eNewsletters.

Christmas boutique a success; Rotary assists CWSL
With December brought the annual Christmas Boutique sponsored by LaSalle's volunteer Catholic Women's Service League. Again this year, LaSalle's Hanner Chapel Cultural Center was transformed into a 'shopping mall' and hands of youth and League members alike were busy choosing and wrapping gifts for family members of LaSalle youth. It was a tremendous success. For the very first time, members of the Rotary Club of Albany assisted the ladies.

2013 Headlines

New NYSED learning credential emphasizes independent living skills
The New York State Board of Regents has announced the addition of the Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential recognizing the work readiness of seniors as they near their high school graduations.

In addition to the NYSED announcement of this new certification, Camela Stinke, Ph.D and Richard Medved, Ed.D - both on staff at LaSalle - answered questions about how the credential is being implemented at LaSalle and what it will mean to graduating seniors in 2014, and beyond.

In this Q&A, Steinke and Medved agreed the credential would open doors not previously thought possible for more and more students.

Click here to read the full Q&A with Drs. Steinke and Medved >>
Click here to read the NYSED press release announcing the new credential >>

See something, say something: Anti-bullying initiative takes root at LaSalle
Students have determined to take on an anti-bullying campaign during this school year. At special student assemblies held in LaSalle's Hanner Chapel during the first week of school, youth and staff watched a film detailing the dangers of bullying in and out of the classroom. Afterwards students were asked to consider signing a pledge to not bully others and help to prevent this behavior in themselves. Students taking the pledge - nearly 80 percent to date - walked out the door wearing wristbands bearing LaSalle's anti-bullying slogan "See Something, Say Something." During this past week, students created, designed, displayed, and voted on the anti-bullying poster that best exemplified this student initiatiave. This layering of activities is intended as a build up to the National Unity Day - October 9th - when 'everyone can link together - in schools, communities and online - and send one large, ORANGE message of support to students who have experienced bullying.'
Click here to read more about National Unity Day 2013 >>

Adventure based training added to new hire orientation program
Adventure-based training has been added to the orientation process for new hires at LaSalle School. In September, a group of 15 to 20 staff came together to take the six-hour training. Dom Cataldo, LaSalle's adventure-based training coordinator has found that staff make connections with each other more easily and in ways that wouldn't be possible without the advantage of such an exercise.
Click here to read the full story >>

More available at LaSalle to ready Albany County youth for the first day of school
Access to community resources, school supplies put youth and families on firm footing as the school year begins
On August 28th, 128 moms, dads, brothers, and sisters from 25 Albany families came to LaSalle for the Fourth Annual Back-to-School Night walking away with backpacks full of school supplies, and skills and information essential to preparing for a nutritious, successful school day.

The majority of students served participate in the Albany County Juvenile Reporting and Family Center. JRFC is an expansion of the popular Evening Reporting Center begun in 2006. This event was a first for youth and families being served by LaSalle's JRFC partners: St. Anne Institute and St. Catherine's Center for Children.

Patrica Aikens, director of Albany County Probation, said "It was an evening of families spending positive time together preparing for the new school y ear." Of the recent program expansion, she said "The relationships among family members have improved greatly, our youth are maturing, and changing how they are conducting themselves, which improves our community as a whole."
Click here to read the complete press release about LaSalle's 2013 Back-to-School Night >>

Advanced Certificate Training Available at LaSalle in October
As our awareness of sexually abusive youth grows, it is imperative that practitioners provide effective evaluations, assessment and interventions consistent with rapidly emerging research. For the second consecutive year, LaSalle will host skilled, nationally renowned trainer, Joann Schladale, M.S., L.M.F.T. to teach practical skills including the facilitation of comprehensive evaluations, development of safety plans and risk management approaches, development of clearly defined treatment processes for youth and family, modification of assessment and treatment approaches to the intellectual capacity of each client, and more.
For further information about this staff development opportunity, please click here or copy the following link into your web browser: http://nearipress.org/certificate-program >>

From Albany to Jamaica, West Indies: Lasallians are all over the world
Long-time LaSalle Campus Minister Richard Ward left LaSalle in July to join two Christian Brothers in leading a college preparatory school in the Mandeville Diocese of Jamaica, West Indies. Ward will serve St. Vincent Strambi School as a teacher, campus minister, and moderator of extracurricular programs. A long time Lasallian, Ward also served as campus minister at LaSalle Academy in New York City before his seven-year Albany assignment.
To read more about the ceremony commissioning Ward to his overseas assignment, click here >>

Giving youth and staff a drum roll on and off the field
LaSalle's recreation program provides framework for cheerful behavior and activity
During the summer months, LaSalle's recreation program is exceptionally busy. By developing organized, creative, fun, and challenging activities, the recreation program is able to offer the opportunity for enjoyment as well as personal growth and achievement. Every facet emphasizes participation and reinforces positive behavior.

Each week, LaSalle's residential student go on regularly scheduled field trips to the Great Escape and take in baseball games played by the Tri-City Valley Cats, and are involved in adventure trips such as rock climbing, camping and fishing with recreation staff. In addition, there is plenty happening on campus that is cause for a pat on the back and encouragement.
To read the full story, click here >>

Yet another audience learns about LaSalle School
Wolff talks to Jack Keenan for WMHT's RISE radio program
In last month's LaSalle eNewsletter, we reported that LaSalle School Executive Director Bill Wolff taped a radio interview for Albany Broadcasting's 'News, Views, and Interviews' in June. LaSalle's program and history were discussed over the airwaves again in July but directed to a different type of audience.

On July 22nd, Wolff met with Jack Keenan in WMHT's Troy, NY studios to be interviewed for the RISE radio program. RISE is WMHT's radio information service for the blind and print disable din New York's Capital Region and the Hudson Valley. Affiliated with the Rotary Club of Albany, Keegan heard Wolff give a detailed presentation about LaSalle's service to youth and families at an April meeting of the popular Albany speaker's bureau. Afterward, Keenan invited the LaSalle administrator to share the agency's story of success with his listeners.

Known as 'Mister Old Time Radio,' Keenan has, for the past 30 years, produced and hosted weekly installments of WMHT's RISE. The program is heard on specially tuned receivers by thousands of individuals unable to utilize traditional printed materials. LaSalle was very pleased to have this opportunity to reach RISE's audience.
Click here to read more about WMHT's RISE radio talk show >>

LaSalle graduates 13 at June commencement exercises
The Troy Record newspapers cover ceremony
On June 27th, LaSalle graduated its entire senior class (13 students) with 11 youth earning Regents diplomas. All graduates have plans to attend community and bachelor's degree college programs, pursue vocational training or enter the workforce.

LaSalle's commencement exercises were featured in the next morning's edition of The Troy Record (6/22/13). Students interviewed for the story were excited about their graduation. One said "I'll be the first in my whole family to graduate from high school. I have 11 brothers and three sisters." Another commented "I'm finishing up with high school and getting on with the rest of my life."
To read the full Troy Record story, click here. It has been reprinted with permission from the newspaper >>

Annual LaSalle Field Day has PBIS theme
The theme of this year's Annual Field Day was PBIS. The Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports program is having a great impact at LaSalle. Activities were designed to further impress on the LaSalle community that agood behavior should happen out of the classroom as well and will carry over to the summer months.

A PBIS committee of 22 staff and students planned for weeks for the June 20th event. They reviewed the expectation posters distributed throughout the campus weekly and chose 10 to focus on. They designed approximately seven field games and several other challenge activities attaching on expectation to each one. To succeed and receive a ticket redeemable for a low-cost prize, participatns had to meet the standards set for each expectation.
Click here to read the full story >>

Changing trajectories, bending the curve
Wolff talks to Aaron Mair for Albany Broadcasting radio program
On June 29th, LaSalle Executive Director Bill Wolff was interviewed by Aaron Mair for 'News, Views, and Interviews,' a 25-minute, early mroning (6:00 a.m.) radio talk show airing Sundays on B95.5, FLY92, and 590AM.

The two covered a lot of ground for listeners recalling how LaSalle got its start in 1854 by the French De La Salle Christian Brothers with tuition intended to start two schools - one (CBA Albany) that coule thrive on tuition and the other (LaSalle School) that could use those funds to launch a program for orphaned youth and families stricken by a cholera epidemic and unable to care for or afford the cost of an education for their children. Talk turned quickly, however, to the social trends, economic status, history, and demands on places like LaSalle today to address and meet the demands of a changing population.
Click here to read the full story >>

Decker emerged from shyness to help others, now recognized for leadership
In the midst of LaSalle's Annual Founder's Week celebration (May 13-17), Melissa Hale-Spencer from The Altamont Enterprise conducted a telephone interview with LaSalle's 2013 Rotary Youth Award Winner - Kenny Decker.

It just so happened that a meditation written by LaSalle's founder, St. John Baptist de LaSalle, had already been selected as the motto for the week long celebration. What Decker had to say is a reflection of what St. LaSalle wrote and taught hundreds of years ago and proof that he is having a strong impact on the successful young man Kenny is becoming and what all the boys are learning - 'the love of what is right is easily communicated.'
Click here to read the full story reprinted with permission from The Altamont Enterprise and The Albany County Post >>

STP semi-annual multi-family group retreat held at Camp scully
On May 23rd, twelve youth and families participating in LaSalle's Residential Specialized Treatment Program came together for the agency's semi-annual multi-family grup retreat at Camp Scully located in East Greenbush, NY. Specifically for youth and parents/caregivers who have engaged in harmful sexual behavior, the day-long retreat occurs twice a year to celebrate the hard work participants have done throughout the year and to build on that work off campus in an inviting setting.

LaSalle STP therapists, residential social workers, and community connections workers help the group utilize the onsite ropes course along with low element activities that promote safety, communication, and positive relationships in a strengths-based positive environment. At the end of the day, a barbecue, prepared by LaSalle's Martha Mryglod, and some down time allow families to play together with staff to improve those relationships as well.
You can find more information about LaSalle's Specialized Treatment Program on this web site - www.lasalle-school.org

2013 LaSalle Founder's Week: A very busy five days at LaSalle
This year, Founder's Week commemorating St. John Baptist de LaSalle was held during the week of May 13-17. The beginning of the week saw staff and students putting some elbow grease into cleaning and planting gardens for the summer. One afternoon was devoted to honoring 27 staff for their service of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 40+ years of service. This included awarding the Lasallian Educator of the Year to Mr. Thomas Deguire. A school supervisor with over 25 years of dedicated service to LaSalle, Deguire accepted the award from Brother Richard Leo McAlice, Director of Spirituality.

On Thursday, May 16th, fifty LaSalle youth held a charity walk/run. Their enthusiasm for 'Run a Mile in Their Shoes' caught the attention of several donors who sponsored the boys with donations of over $2,500 to benefit LaSalle's Twinning Program school in Marsabit, Kenya. Led by Campus Minister Richard Ward, students encouraged each other to get involved to help the kids in Kenya.

"One of our kids from Central America actually went door to door to each of our residential divisions motivating other kids to participate telling them how education in his country isn't guaranteed, and that they should support our Kenyan school," said Ward. "And it worked! Even if some of our kids didn't like to exercise, they were out there anyway doing a mile because thestudents in Kenya could use their support." That evening, 30 LaSalle staff and friends ran and walked in the 2013 Workforce Challenge at the Empire State Plaza returning to LaSalle's Brothers Community House for a cookout after the event.

The week concluded with the families of at least 26 LaSalle youth visiting the agency for a day-long Open House. They were greeted by staff, enjoyed lunch with their sons, had family photos taken, toured classrooms, attended the Spring musical concert and listened to poetry readings before the day ended.

It was a very busy week at LaSalle!

My role in transforming LaSalle youth
LaSalle School provides youth with a Lasallian education in the spirit of the founder of The Brothers of the Christian Schools - Saint John Baptist de La Salle. Each year, college age students enrolled in a program called Lasallian Volunteers are assigned to various Lasallian operated schools and facilities around the world to become involved in their activities and learn more about the mission of Saint LaSalle to serve the underprivileged. A few months ago, Patrick Blythe, a 2012 graduate of Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and currently serving his first year as a Lasallian Volunteer at LaSalle School wrote about his experiences working with the youth at LaSalle.
Click here to read one Lasallian Volunteer’s perspective on his work at LaSalle School >>

SOAR wins UAlbany President's Award for Exemplary Community Service
On May 8th, staff and trustees from LaSalle School, St. Anne Institute, and the University at Albany's Schools of Social Welfare and Criminal Justice gathered with UAlbany President Robert J. Jones to accept a President's Award for Exemplary Community Engagement from UAlbany for the SOAR project (Service Oriented Action Research). The award recognized SOAR as making a significant contribution to societal needs and enhancing public well-being through community-engaged research, creative activity, teaching, academic and public service.
Click here to read the UAlbany President's Letter to the Community announcing the 2013 award recipients >>

JRFC participates in Global Youth Service Day
To mark Earth Day, LaSalle students joined JRFC partners - St. Anne Institute and St. Catherine's Child and Family Center on April 27th to spruce up the Community Gardens at Livingston Avenue and Lincoln Park.
Click here to visit www.gysd.org for more information about the 2013 Global Youth Service Day >>

Siena students ready LaSalle grounds for summer
In another Earth Day activity, students from Siena College came to LaSalle to prepare the all-purpose recreation field for summer activities at LaSalle. This effort was part of Siena's 2013 Community Service Day.
Click here to visit www.siena.edu for more information about Siena College >>

2013 Lasallian Dinner honors Daughters of Sarah Senior Community and Massry REsidence Dining Services Director
LaSalle School, on May 2 welcomed 215 guests gathered to honor the Daughters of Sarah Senior Community and head of their Massry Residence’s dining services, Keith Smith, with Lasallian Service Awards at theschool’s 31st annual dinner.
Click here to read the full press release >>

New OMH license paves way for outpatient clinic and integrated treatment
At their March meeting, the Mental Health Services Council of the NYS Office of Mental Health reviewed and approved LaSalle’s application for an OMH license to operate an outpatient mental clinic for adolescents. “This [license] opens up new funding streams, new impacts and services in the community and an integrated behavioral health delivery system key to the Affordable Care Act,” said Katharine Briar-Lawson, LaSalle trustee and dean of UAlbany’s School of Social Welfare. Fellow LaSalle Trustee Robert McMahon agreed saying “as the system transitions to medicaid managed care, LaSalle is
better positioned with Health Homes and Managed Care companies with their mental health, preventive, residential, OASAS, and now mental health clinics to be a major provider.” McMahon is retired executive director from SCO Family of Services. LaSalle expects that it will take several months for this new clinic to become operational.
For further information about LaSalle’s new OMH licensure, you can email information@lasalle-school.org.

Ulster Family Court Judge Anthony McGinty asks LaSalle staff:
'How can I facilitate a successful outcome from the bench?'
On March 21st, Ulster County Family Court Anthony McGinty came to LaSalle School for a scheduled visit, and stayed three hours touring campus, meeting with staff, and talking with Ulster County kids he helped to place at LaSalle. “It was clear he was seeking to open a dialogue about improving how we all work with youth and families within the existing system,” said Dave Wallace, director of LaSalle’s clinical services. “ I was impressed. He was insightful, astute, and had a broad knowledge of what role he could play to improve a youth and family’s engagement in the court and placement process. It was a real cooperative and collaborative experience for us.” Click here to read the full story >>

LaSalle School is NYNP's April 'Agency of the Month'
With recently expanded distribution into the Capital Region, the New York Nonprofit Press is distributed monthly to more than 30,000 readers in non-profit human services agencies as well as decision makers at state and local levels of New York government. NYNP is also distributed through 360 public libraries and local universities with programs in social work, public policy and nonprofit management. LaSalle School is the first Capital District nonprofit to be featured as an NYNP Agency of the Month since this January 2013 expansion. Click here to read the full article >>

LaSalle hosts first Juvenile Reporting and Family Center Parent Night for Albany County youth and families
The new Juvenile Reporting and Family Center, funded by ACDCYF effective March 1, 2013, held their first joint monthly Parent Night in the LaSalle School gymnasium on the evening of March 20, 2013. The JRFC is an expansion of the highly regarded Evening Reporting Center operated by LaSalle for the past seven years. In collaboration with St. Anne Institute and St. Catherine’s Center for Youth and Families, the alternative to detention program expansion offers referred families the opportunity to enroll other children in the household to be involved in safe, structured and supervised enrichment activities during high risk after school hours. Click here to read the full article >>

'Chicks That Knit' make donation to LaSalle
Two members of ‘Chicks That Knit’ came to LaSalle to deliver a donation of dozens of hand knit scarfs, mittens, baby afghans and blankets, vests, hats, and slippers. These colorful goods will be a beautiful and welcome addition to LaSalle’s 2013 CWSL Annual Christmas Boutique for youth. Pictured from left to right, are LaSalle’s Ed
McNamara, assistant director for program services, Beth Mashmann, Jody-Sallise Mason, and Bill Wolff, LaSalle’s executive director. Click here to learn more about ‘Chicks That Knit' >>

Ramping up for LaSalle's participation in the 2013 National Annual History Day Competition regionals
The process to get ready for the regionals of the 2013 National History Day competition began at LaSalle in September, and has run the gamut from research and creative design to presentation skill exercises to technical ability.

A public speaking exercise pitted four teams of 10th-grade global studies students against one another to discuss how militarism, alilances, imperialism, and nationalism caused World War I, the importance of each cause and the degree to which it contributed to the conflict. In addition to learning the causes of the war, LaSalle History Teacher Jerald Hensler explained that the activity was designed to give the students experience and confidence in presenting their findings to their peers and others much like the National History Day competition but on a smaller scale. "I think the kids got a good understanding of the content because they were able to take ownership of it themselves, with guidance," said Ashlyn Slater, a LaSalle student history teacher currently majoring in Social Studies and Adolescent Education at The College of Saint Rose.

On March 18th, National History Day competitors will present their projects to a group of 'mock' judges especially invited by LaSalle to campus to help the youth prepare for the rigors of the formal competition later in that month. The mock judges attending LaSalle's mock judging exercise will include officials from OCFS and SED as well as family court judges and social service staff from Albany, Dutchess, Orange, Rensselaer, and various other NYS countiels. Watch for details int he march eNews.
Click here to read more about the National History Day competition. >>
Click here to read about last year's LaSalle History Day competition mock judging exercise. >>

LaSalle board member and nursing administrator honored
Joan Healey, a member of LaSalle School’s Board of Trustees since 2001, and a former LaSalle employee, was recently named 2013 Administrator of the Year by the New York Chapter American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA). Healey is currently the chief operating officer and administrator for the Daughters of Sarah Senior Community in Albany, New York.
Click here to read the full press release. >>

Twinning: Supporting Lasallian missions around the world
On February 14th, LaSalle School held its annual bake sale fundraiser to benefit St. Paul’s Secondary School in Marsabit, Kenya. LaSalle has participated in this Lasallian Twinning program for several years and it brings out the best in staff and students who volunteer their time and talents to come up with recipes for sweets and baked goods as well as sell the goods all to help out this African School. Pictured are students in a St. Paul’s classroom in 2012.
Click here to read more about the Lasallian Twinning program. >>

LaSalle to celebrate Ruth Pelham and the 'power of we' in March
Ruth Pelham, a nationally known performer, songwriter, educator, advocate, and activist will be honored with LaSalle’s Eighth Annual Mary G. Breslin Volunteer Service Award on Tuesday, March 12th at 8:00 a.m. breakfast ceremony held at the Hanner Chapel Cultural Center on the school’s campus. Pelham is creator of Music Mobile, a souce of creative in-school and after-school programming. For further details, please contact LaSalle School’s Office of
Communications and Development - 518-242-4731 x271; jadlos@lasalle-school.org
Click here to read more about Ruth and her Music Mobile. >>
Click here for more background on the Breslin Volunteer Service Award. >>

From the blackboard to practice to presentation
LaSalle culinary program featured in The Evangelist
The Evangelist, the official publication of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, visited LaSalle School in January to observe andn write about LaSalle School's innovative culinary skills program stemming from a partnership with the Massry Residence at the Daughters of Sarah Senior Community.
Click here to see the full story (www.evangelist.org).

Staff share knowledge and expertise with peer professionals
Increasingly, LaSalle clinical staff are invited to present on innovative, best practice treatemtn techniques and strategies with professionals from other child caring agencies across New York State. On January 15th, LaSalle staff presented on the use of Adventure Based Programming appleid to juvenile mental health treatment at the first Albany Regional Professional Development Networking Breakfast sponsored by COFCCA's Center for Excellence. The Networking Breakfast, developed by representatiaves from COFCCA, LaSalle, and St. Anne Institute, held its premiere event at Parson's Family and Child Care Center in Albany, NY. More 2013 evetns are being planned.

LaSalle participates in 7th Capital District Region Future City Competition

On Saturday, January 26th, LaSalle youth transported their 3-D future city model to Hudson Valley Community Colelge as one of 20 middle-school teams entered in the 2013 Capital District Region Future City Competition. At the the end of the day-long display and judging, LaSalle's 'Hillside City' was impressively voted by their peer competitors as the best city to live in and chosen the future city with the best public transportation system. Asked by a judge why the citizens of tomorrow would want to live in Hillside City, one LaSalle competitor answered quickly saying the city was safe, had good police and fire departments, and also had great sports teams. The judges loved that answer! For more information, about this national educational competition, click here (www.futurecity.org).

LaSalle offers diverse alternative to detention program activities

In January 2012, Evening Reporting Center's monthly parent night program focused on the power of conversation. The talk was given by Troy Kennedy, LaSalle training and development professional. Kennedy's presentation focused on strategies parents can use to communicate inp ositive and constructive ways with their children and families.

Youth in LaSalle's Evening Reporting Center (black shirts) faced LaSalle's residential student basketball team in an end-of-year match-up. The first time for this activity, it was fun for the kids and a demonstration of LaSalle's efforts to provide healthy, structured, and supervised pro-social after school activities to youth. LaSalle's residential team won the game by six points.