Community Maternity Services - Residential Programs & Services

CMS provides a continuum of residential care that assists many young women who choose to keep their child. CMS also operates a residence for children with special needs.

CMS - Heery Center - Residential Programs

The Joyce Center:

The Joyce Center residence opened in 1971 as the Maternity Center and was the first CMS program. Pregnant teens live at the Joyce Center for the term of their pregnancy. While at the Joyce Center, young women receive academic schooling, education on issues such as parenting, adoption options, life skills and sexuality. Residents also receive group, individual and family counseling.

Heery Center for Young Families:

Heery Center is a residence for up to ten teen mothers and their children, which opened in 1991. Approximately 50% of Joyce Center residents move on to Heery Center after the birth of their child. At Heery Center, young mothers complete schooling while they learn how to care for their child in a responsible and nurturing manner.

Supervised Independent Living Program:

A small percentage of Heery Center graduates move on to the Supervised Independent Living Program (SILP). CMS provides apartments, and helps young mothers to become proficient in the skills that are required to run a household. Clients can spend up to 18 months at SILP before moving on to true independence.

Farano Center for Children:

Farano Center opened in 1987 as the first home for HIV positive children in New York State. Today, Farano Center is a home for children with mental health issues due to child abuse, maltreatment or neglect. Farano Center is a nurturing home where children and adolescents stay until a suitable foster care placement can be located for them.