Interview with Barbara Faron, Executive Director of the Federation of Organizations

Summary

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In days past, individuals diagnosed with a mental illness were placed in hospitals and psychiatric facilities to live out their lives isolated and often heavily medicated. This deprivation of socialization was devastating to a person's health and well-being. In 1972, the Federation of Organizations was started as an advocacy group for people with mental illness and disabilities. We have been at the forefront of community-based treatment since 1972, said Barbara Faron, executive director of the Federation of Organizations. We produced the first efforts to get the resources needed for individuals leaving psychiatric hospitals and living in community based homes.Federation of Organizations tries to incorporate all of its programs into the community. Our first program was the foster grandparent program, Faron said. It is a federal program with local sponsors. The program recruits seniors of modest incomes to volunteer to work with children at risk in settings such as rehabilitation facilities, schools, preschools and more. We have been able to create bonds and connections in this program that last a lifetime.How has the foster grandparent program evolved over the years?

One way the program has evolved has been the movement into the local communities where children are now integrated in BOCES and the local schools. Instead of going into hospitals to see the children, foster grandparents can see the children in the community. Some of the seniors were depressed and alone. The ability to interact with the children really energizes them and makes them want more out of life. This also allows the grandparents to experience a higher level of socialization. These grandparents are given a purposeful, useful task to serve as a role model and friend to the children. Senior citizens are living longer, healthier lives today. How are you maintaining the program and what other options do you have for seniors?

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Interview with Barbara Faron, Executive Director of the Federation of Organizations

We deal with many seniors who want to find meaningful connections. In addition to our foster grandparent program, we have created a senior companion program...

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