Nonprofits Working With Northwell for Mental Health Care

Northwell Health is affiliating with Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services and Family Service League to expand access to behavioral health services for Long Islanders. Demand for behavioral health across all demographic segments and issues keeps growing both locally and nationwide. Northwell , New York State’s largest health care provider, operates two specialty behavioral health hospitals – South Oaks Hospital in Amityville and Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, Queens – and offers a host of inpatient and outpatient care options across the region. The new affiliation agreements will allow Northwell , CN Guidance and FSL to create a stronger, deeper network of care for people in the communities they serve. The idea is to create a smoother referral process between the local organizations and Northwell facilities. Both CN Guidance and FSL are implementing 24-hour crisis stabilization centers, with FSL already open and CN Guidance’s opening in 2025. In addition, patients already being seen by CN Guidance and FSL professionals can be referred for more coordinated, complex care through Northwell ’s extensive roster of health services. These complementary relationships will expand access to care in service to the diverse behavioral health needs across Nassau and Suffolk counties. “ Northwell has worked closely and productively with CN Guidance and FSL for many years and we understand the enormously positive impact they make in our communities,” said Michael Scarpelli , executive director of South Oaks and Zucker Hillside hospitals. “These affiliation agreements will foster even greater collaboration and strategic partnership to help more Long Islanders get the high-quality behavioral health care they need when they need it.” “The need for behavioral health care on Long Island is enormous, with many people unable to access the right services at the right time,” said John Q. Young, MD , chair of the Department of Psychiatry and senior vice president and chair for Behavioral Health Services at Northwell . “Working together, Northwell , CN Guidance and FSL will now be able to better meet the escalating needs of our communities for mental health care and treatment for substance use disorders.” Family Service League, established in 1926, serves more than 50,000 people each year – from children to seniors as well as the underserved and homeless – through 60 mental health programs at 20 locations. “Family Service League looks forward to continuing to work closely with Northwell Health to improve access to holistic care, further our integrated service delivery models and improve quality outcomes,” said Karen Boorshtein , president and CEO of FSL. “All of which strengthens the client’s experience and will have a positive impact on our community.” Hicksville-based CN Guidance is a nonprofit serving all of Long Island and focused on providing mental health and substance use help