Melissa Firmes Email & Phone Number

New York, Ny, Us

Long Island Ny

KiDS NEED MoRE is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of children, families and young adults coping with cancer and life-threatening illness. Our team of volunteers create programs that help children and families find joy and friendship through the trauma of life threatening experiences. KiDS NEED MoRE is the parent of Camp Adventure, where kids can be kids, previously funded by the American Cancer Society. This camp program provides children with cancer both on and off treatment, with the opportunity to meet other survivors. It is a time to share ideas, hopes, fears and dreams with other children who can understand their perspective. Daily activities are designed to meet the special needs of campers, while challenging them and fostering independence and self-confidence. Our Volunteer StaffOur programs are staffed entirely by caring volunteers that mentor and care for our kids and families. All MoRE Camp Adventure (camp week) volunteers are at least 18 years of age and have experience working with children. Many staff members are survivors themselves and are particularly sensitive to the issues campers face. Each staff member is screened and completes a comprehensive training program that includes an overview of childhood cancer and the unique needs of cancer patients and their siblings.Our Medical StaffQuality medical care is provided to campers by volunteer professionals, including physicians, nurses, and EMTs. The medical staff is on site 24 hours a day to administer oral chemotherapy, change dressings, and respond to all ailments, from minor scrapes and bruises to emergencies. Our Funding -- Making a World of DifferenceWe are funded through private contributions. It costs approximately $2,000 to sponsor a camper, but donations of any size are greatly appreciated. Join Our Adventure!www.kidsneedmore.org

Copiague, New York, United States

Copiague, Ny

Mission Statement:We are the Copiague Chamber of Commerce, an alliance of businesses, residents and organizations determined to improve the quality of life and general business environment in Copiague. This is carried out via a networking process among all the members. Through our networking events and programs, we will continue to promote local businesses and encourage Copiague citizens and visitors alike to patronize the local markets. The Chamber will work with other local groups to encourage new business development and create awareness of our community attributes. We will strive to develop community pride, be a source of information and support for business owners, and maintain and enhance the economic environment in Copiague.Vision:The Copiague Chamber of Commerce will work together to create economic success and stability, as well as a healthy community environment for our children and grandchildren, so they may be the future of our business community.

Copiague, Ny

http://sites.kiwanis.org/Kiwanis/en/home.aspx

Fegs Health Homes

This countywide care coordination system serves people who are dealing with chronic health conditions. We link people to resources and assist members with navigating the current health care system, which can be difficult for relatively healthy Medicaid recipients and even more so for enrollees who have high-cost and complex chronic conditions. A significant percentage of Medicaid expenditures are utilized by this subset of the Medicaid population. Appropriately accessing and managing these services, through improved care coordination and service integration, is essential in controlling future health care costs and improving health outcomes for this population.A Health Home is a care management service model whereby all of an individual's caregivers communicate with one another so that all of a patient's needs are addressed in a comprehensive manner. This is done primarily through a "care manager" who oversees and provides access to all of the services an individual needs to assure that they receive everything necessary to stay healthy, out of the emergency room and out of the hospital. Health records are shared (either electronically or paper) among providers so that services are not duplicated or neglected. The health home services are provided through a network of organizations – providers, health plans and community-based organizations. When all the services are considered collectively they become a virtual"Health Home."Case Managers work intensively with people and their families and coordinate with other helping professionals to develop an individualized comprehensive service plan. Qualified and specially trained professionals assess and coordinate the supports and services necessary to help people live successfully at home and in the community.Follow this link to make a referral to Suffolk Wellness Partners Health Home: https://www.dropbox.com/s/0cqvzf1tp6wtuh0/SWP%20Community%20Referral%205-23-13.doc

Hempstead, Ny

Our program assists people with mental illness in getting housing, resources and linkage to treatment. We specialize in crisis intervention.

Teaching Social Welfare Policy

I teach Human Justice and Social Welfare Policy for the social work graduate program.

NYAPRS is a statewide coalition of people who use and/or provide recovery-oriented community based services. We value difference and promote cultural competence in all aspects of our work.NYAPRS is dedicated to improving services and social conditions for people with psychiatric disabilities or diagnoses and those with trauma-related conditions by promoting their recovery, rehabilitation and rights so that all people can participate freely in the opportunities of society.

Camp Adventure is a free, fun-filled, week-long sleep away camp for children with cancer and their siblings, ages 6 to 18 -- a place where kids can just be kids. Whether you’re a parent, a volunteer, or a donor who wants to get involved, Camp Adventure Online is where you can get all the information you need.http://community.acsevents.org/site/PageServer?pagename=C_EA_CA_home

Comfort Zone Camp® is the nation's largest independent bereavement camp, located in the Richmond, Virginia, metropolitan area. Currently, we offer camps in Virginia and the New York Metropolitan area for grieving children from across the country. We hold camps for children ages 7-12 and a separate camp for teens age 13-17.But above all, what makes our Camp so special, is the combination of special children and special volunteers.Healing circlesSM are small groups of campers and their Big Buddies that convene a number of times through the weekend. These circles are led by experienced grief therapists and all children are encouraged - as they feel ready -- to share stories about their loved ones. Discussions include techniques to cope with their feelings, ways to handle the awkward silences and comments made by friends, and other important topics for children.http://www.comfortzonecamp.org/default.asp

Our Festival represents the face of mental health on Long Island. It is a day to celebrate, collaborate and network. In addition to the statement we will make when we parade through the village of Huntington, the day will include free t-shirts, lively music and entertainment, a special area dedicated to children including a moon-bounce and face painting, the Art Corner - a place to show, sell and buy the work of artists diagnosed with mental illness, and vendors displaying their mental health services throughout Long Island to network and attract consumers and employees.This is a free event open to everyone, consumers, providers and the larger community. For non-profit organizations, vendor space is absolutely free. We encourage you to think creatively and show off your services in unique ways so that our community comes alive!

Program Supervisor for the Stone Water Apartment program. My position included program start up and development from the TBI Waiver. Managed a 24-hour apartment treatment program for adults coping with traumatic brain injuries.

Project REAL is a non-profit residential program that has been serving the mental health community in Nassau County for over twenty years. Prior to its establishment, individuals who were psychiatrically disabled were either secluded in State institutions or caught up in a "revolving door" between their home and their local psychiatric hospitals. During the late seventies, a small group of concerned parents recognized that there had to be a better way to a better life for their mentally ill children. Together they collaborated with professionals from Nassau County Medical Center to search for this better way. On January 1, 1979, through the efforts and determination of this group of individuals, Project REAL opened its doors to the first Supervised Apartment Program in Nassau County. It was the dawn of a new year and a new life for people with mental illness.

Msw, Social Work

Bachelor'S, Special Education

Activities and Societies: Clare Rose Playhouse

Honors/Regents High School/Secondary Diploma Program