Family Services of Westchester Receives Grant to Invest in Teletherapy Technology

Westchester Community Foundation Awards $20,000 Grant in Response to COVID-19

 

July 7, 2020 – Family Services of Westchester (FSW) has received a four month grant of $20,000 to be used for technology to provide mental and behavioral health services via telemedicine. This grant was made possible by the Westchester COVID-19 Response Fund of the Westchester Community Foundation, a division of The New York Community Trust.

The new grant will allow FSW to strengthen and invest in teletherapy services that have been essential to clients during the pandemic. FSW mental health clinicians are conducting a record-breaking average of 1,300 therapy sessions per week, a marked increase over the same period last year. With teletherapy, clients can speak to someone without worrying about issues like transportation, child care or virus exposure. The investments will include an upgrade to HIPAA-compliant technology and tablets for mental health clinicians to conduct therapy sessions remotely.

“Our mental health services have been a lifeline to those needing support and reassurance in this time of crisis,” stated Polly Kerrigan, President and CEO of FSW. “Thanks to this grant from the Westchester Community Foundation, we can make the investments required to meet the increased demand for comprehensive, virtual teletherapy.”

About Family Services of Westchester

Family Services of Westchester (FSW) is a nonprofit organization operating in Westchester County, New York since 1954. With nearly 50 innovative programs, FSW provides mental health and social services that strengthen and support families, children and individuals at every stage of their lives. Learn more about FSW at www.fsw.org.

About Westchester Community Foundation

Westchester Community Foundation’s mission is to connect generous people to the causes they care about and invest in transformative ideas and organizations to improve lives and strengthen our community. WCF is a division of The New York Community Trust, one of the largest community foundations in the country, with assets of approximately $2.6 billion. Visit at www.wcf-ny.org.

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