Insurance-covered counseling for children

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises is hosting a free mental health fair for families with children, 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8 at their Success Children's Outpatient Program 405 Locust Avenue in Oakdale.

The event will offer information and counselors available to discuss a range of services for both children with intellectual and behavioral disabilities and those without.

Most services are covered by Medicaid and other private insurances and available for children aged 6 to 18.

The first organization in Long Island to conduct the practice, counselors will do in-home counseling sessions and offer counseling at a site of the client's choosing. Families can explore crisis and respite services, pre-employment transition services, self-advocacy assistance, supported employment and assistance for caregivers.

The Crisis Team, which is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week year-round, provides assistance to those families with special-needs children and adults who are experiencing issues.

“The goal is to de-escalate the situation. The respite component is designed to offer families the opportunity to receive short-term assistance for such things as appointments, times when the caregiver has a conflict, or even if he or she needs a break. Counselors will be on hand to explain how each service works and how families can access each,” said a representative for the organization.