The Astor Home for Children Counseling Services provides mental health treatment services that are accessible, comprehensive, cost-effective and responsive to the needs of children, adolescents and their families in Dutchess County.  Astor's Counseling Services is contracted by the Dutchess County Department of Mental Hygiene (DCDMH) as the provider of children, adolescent and family services for all Dutchess County residents and are licensed by the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH).  The programs enjoy full accreditation from the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

To be eligible for Astor’s Counseling Services, applicants must be 18 years or younger. Clients must have a mental health concern that interferes with individual, family or community functioning. The programs accept all forms of insurance and work on a sliding scale basis for those without coverage. However, no client is denied service based on the ability to pay.

Astor’s Outpatient Counseling Centers are located in Beacon, Poughkeepsie and Red Hook with satellites in Wassaic and Pine Plains Central School District.

To make an appointment, call the Dutchess County HELPLINE at (877) 485-9700.

Services provided by this agency include: crisis intervention; counseling; advocacy; short-term individual counseling for victims and children; support groups; emergency shelter in safehomes; information and referral services for adult and child victims of domestic violence; domestic violence education project in schools; inservices and training on domestic violence; and 24-hour hotline crisis/counseling service. Services are provided to both males and females.

Family Services, Inc.
29 North Hamilton Street
Poughkeepsie, New York 12601
24-Hour Hotline (845) 485-5550

The Child Advocacy Center was the first in New York State. Beginning in 1994, this community collaboration began serving child sexual abuse victims and their families. We provide emotional support and an array of services through the collaborating agencies during the investigation phase of a child abuse allegation. Center staff works with CPS workers and police officers stationed at the agency. Following the interviewing process, the multi disciplinary team comprised of the CAC team members, attorneys, medical staff, therapists, police officers, probation officers, and the Department of Social Services Caseworkers meet to ensure that the needs of the child victim and their family are met, and that the perpetrator is kept from jeopardizing the safety of the child victim.

Child Advocacy Center
249 Hooker Avenue
Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12603
(845) 454-0595

If you suspect child abuse (familial), call the N.Y.S. Child Abuse Hotline:
1-800-342-3720

Our goal is to ensure that legally responsible persons to the best of their ability, contribute toward the support of their children; thus improving the self sufficiency of families though increased financial and medical support. Services include Paternity/Support Establishment and Support Collection/Enforcement.

(845) 486-3100 - Monday - Friday, 1:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Crisis counseling, individual and group counseling, advocacy, accompaniment to court and police stations, assistance to victims in filing a claim to the New York State Crime Victims Board for compensation of medical bills, emergency assistance, and a 24-hour hotline - (845) 452-7272. Services are provided to both males and females.

Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFE) and Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNE) provide a safe and secure environment, for children and adults, that is conducive to the disclosure of sensitive and traumatic information; comprehensive forensic exams include the collection of evidence, assessment, evaluation, identification and documentation of findings in both photographic and written format; post exposure treatment of sexually transmitted diseases; post exposure medication for the prevention of pregnancy.

As a victim of a crime in New York, you have a number of rights afforded to you by law.
You have the right:

• To be informed of Victim Assistance Services and have an advocate present throughout the criminal justice process
• To certain kinds of compensation and financial assistance
• To be protected from threats or intimidation from the suspect or the suspect’s family
• To make a statement at the time of the defendant’s sentencing, if you are the victim of a felony
• To have restitution that can cover your out-of-pocket losses
• To be notified of certain steps in the criminal justice process if you give the DA your address and phone number. You can be notified about: the arrest of the accused; the initial appearance of the accused before a judicial officer; the release of the accused pending further judicial proceedings; proceedings in the prosecution of the accused; the final disposition of the case
• To submit a written victim impact statement to the Parole Board or make an oral presentation before the parole board when the decision on the inmate’s release is being considered

Call (845) 452-1110

Under an agreement with the New York State Crime Victims Board, the State Police maintain eight Crime Victims Specialist (CVS) positions in each of the upstate Troops. The Crime Victims Specialists work closely with both police and local victim service agencies to best meet the needs of the victim. They:

• Assess the specific needs for each crime victim;
• Provide crisis intervention, short-term counseling, and follow-up support;
• Assist the victim with safety planning;
• Assist the victim in applying for and obtaining compensation;
• Explain victim’s rights, legal options and procedures;
• May accompany the victim throughout the criminal justice process and make home or hospital visits when necessary;
• Provide information to the victim on case status;
• Refer the victim to resources in the community, such as medical treatment, specialized counseling, emergency housing and legal services.

Troop K Headquarters/Poughkeepsie
2541 Route 44
Salt Point, N.Y. 12578
(845) 677-7377

The County Attorney’s Office prosecutes juvenile delinquency cases in Family Court.  A person who commits a misdemeanor or felony act and who is at least seven and less than sixteen at the time the act was committed may be prosecuted as a juvenile delinquent.  Some commonly prosecuted juvenile delinquency cases include sex offenses, assault, robbery, burglary, criminal mischief, and other crimes.

Call (845) 486-2110

Call the HELPLINE for direct crisis counseling and information about and referral for emotional problems, mental illness, alcoholism, or substance abuse.

24-Hour Hotline (845) 485-9700

The Special Victims Bureau of the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office prosecutes through trial Sex Offense cases, including Child Sex Abuse, Domestic Violence crimes and Elder Abuse cases.

Call (845) 486-2300 - Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

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The Dutchess County Office of Probation and Community Corrections will assist the public in preparing various petitions necessary to access Family Court.  The various petitions prepared include petitions for modification of support, custody, visitation, paternity, guardianship and family offense petitions for those seeking an Order of Protection.   A representative from Grace Smith House Inc. assists in completing family offense petitions as well as providing advocacy for domestic violence victims.  Petitions are taken Monday through Friday between 9am and 4pm.

Family Court Intake will also reach out to victims when a potential juvenile delinquent has been issued an appearance ticket by the police department to get input regarding the emotional/physical impact on the victim and pertinent restitution information.

Victims of crime who are aware that an adult perpetrator is currently on probation or is awaiting sentence and a presentence investigation has been ordered can contact the Victim Services Unit (VSU) located within the probation department.  The VSU will assist victims in preparing a victim impact statement for sentencing purposes.  The VSU can make referrals for counseling through Family Services, provide referrals to other support services and assist in completing applications for the NYS Crime Victims Board.  The VSU is available to victims for assistance throughout a perpetrators probation sentence.


50 Market Street
Poughkeepsie, New York 12601
(845) 486-2650 - Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Services provided include shelter and transitional apartments for women and children victims of domestic violence-crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy, groups, children's programs, follow-up services. Non-residential services are also provided to males.

24-Hour Hotline - (845) 471-3033

This facility is a domestic violence shelter with 14 beds in Southern Dutchess New York and provides 24 hour assistance, counseling and crisis intervention. The mission of the facility is to eliminate sexual assault and domestic violence through sensitive prevention, intervention, and treatment. We believe "There is Hope" for every person.

House of Faith
P.O. Box 1326
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
Business lines: (845) 765-0293;  (845) 765-0295;  (845) 765-0296
Hotline - (845) 765-0294

2-1-1 provides callers with referrals to and information about health and human services both in times of crisis as well as for every day needs.  The 2-1-1 service is operationl 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Call 2-1-1 -or- if you are unable to connect to the 2-1-1 number, call the toll free number at (800) 899-1479.