Program Overview
The Suffolk County Children’s Center at Cohalan Court provides a safe place where children engage in fun and educational activities while their parents or guardians attend to court business.
Clients Served Last Year:
1,642
Funding Generously Provided by:
Connetquot Teacher’s Association, the Cohalan Cares for Kids annual fundraiser, and private donations.
Contact Information:
Dianna Ventura
Center Supervisor
400 Carleton Avenue #A-236
Central Islip, NY 11722
(631) 208-5724
Dianna.Ventura@eac-network.org
Program Description
The Problem:
Parents or guardians attending court business may not have access to quality childcare, and the courtroom is not an appropriate place for young children to wait.
Our Solution:
Operate a childcare facility conveniently located in the Cohalan Court Complex and provide a safe waiting place for children.
How We Do it:
The Children’s Center is open Monday-Friday from 9am-1pm for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. The children are cared for by trained, professional childcare providers and volunteers. They have a variety of toys and play centers to choose from, can engage in arts and crafts and other interactive activities, play educational computer games, and learn skills such as sharing and getting along with others. One of the Children’s Center’s goals is to promote literacy, and during snack time, children are read a story. To foster a love of reading, each child receives a book to take home at the end of the day. In addition, parents receive referrals for other services they may need, such as Head Start, childcare, legal assistance, domestic violence programs, parenting classes, and more.
How You Can Help:
The Children’s Center is always looking for volunteers to help supervise the children and needs newborn to 6T clothes, healthy snacks, juice boxes, and bottled water. To volunteer your time, please contact Jacqueline Dwyer at (631) 853-4509. To support the Children’s Center with a gift, click here or call (516) 539-0150 x117.
The Outcomes of Suffolk County Children's Center at Cohalan Court
The Children’s Center receives reports and praise from past parents that their child has enjoyed his/her time at the Center, and that the Center’s promotion of literacy has positively impacted their child.
Children have considered the Children’s Center to be their “preschool” and subsequently associate learning with having fun.
Furthermore, the Children’s Center has provided additional supportive services to benefit hundreds of families including: school supplies, winter coats and accessories, Thanksgiving food, and Adopt-a-Family gifts during the holidays.
What People Say About Suffolk County Children's Center at Cohalan Court
I give you a lot of credit. It isn’t easy working with children, and you guys always have smiles on your faces.
I dread going to court, but my child loves coming to the Center. He thinks it’s his preschool.
My child saves all of the books that you give her. We read them all the time.
I just want to say how wonderful it is having EAC Network at the Cohalan Court in Islip (2nd floor). The women who work there are amazing. I am getting divorced and have been in court a lot over the last year, and my kids actually look forward to going there! They get excited. So bravo and thank you!
