News & Announcements

Dr. Thelma Dye Honored as Health Hero

On February 18, Empire BlueCross Blue Shield honored 50 Whole Health Heroes who have fought against the unseen enemy of COVID-19. These New Yorkers who hail from the health care sector, the business world, and the nonprofit field have displayed extraordinary leadership, dedication, empathy, and remarkable compassion to help ensure all New Yorkers’ safety and wellness during this crisis.Northside’s Executive Director and CEO, Dr. Thelma Dye, Ph.D., was honored with 49 other heroes. Dr. Dye was appointed as Executive Director in 1994 following an impressive tenure at Northside, where she served as Director of the Clinic, Director of Research and Training, and Chief Psychologist. Dr. Dye has more than 20 years of experience as a psychologist, clinician, researcher, supervisor, and administrator. Since the beginning of March 2020, Dr. Dye has led Northside in these challenging times, helping us shifts our mental health and educational services to remote and hybrid models. Each year, 4,000 children come to Northside Center for Child Development for behavioral health, early childhood education, and enrichment support at its four locations in the Bronx, Harlem, and Brooklyn and through our partner sites citywide. Dr. Thelma Dye has viewed our mission as more urgent than ever during the Covid-19 pandemic because African American and Latino children and families have been disproportionately affected by the physical, mental and social determinants of health. Under Dr. Thelma Dye’s leadership, Northside established tele-mental health services and worked with early childhood education families to support home learning. Northside is working with families to ensure access to food and other emergency support.

View Dr. Thelma Dye’s profile among 50 Whole Health Heroes:

https://www.crainsnewyork.com/crains-cu stom-content-empire-anthem

Remembering Susan Patricof

It is with profound sorrow that Northside Center announces that our long-time Board Chair, President and Board Member, Mrs. Susan Patricof passed away on January 18th, following a long illness. Mrs. Patricof passed away peacefully, in her home, surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Patricof’s dedication, generosity, and love for Northside and the children we serve, was unmatched and will be missed terribly. For over 40 years, Mrs. Patricof led Northside in a variety of roles – having been Board Chair for well over 15 years, Board President and chair of the Board Gala Committee. She was deeply involved in every aspect of Northside, continuing to visit all of the programs as much as she could, even as her health declined. Indeed, Mrs. Patricof’s involvement and impact on Northside has been great and serves as an inspiration to us all as we honor her memory.

In recognition of the many years of dedication and support we proudly named Northside’s East Harlem, Early Head Start/Head Start Program after her “The Susan Patricof Head Start Center (SPHS.)” The kindness, warmth and love Mrs. Patricof exuded will be missed, so very much and will live in Northside’s ongoing work with children and families, which was one of her greatest passions in life. I know you join with me in extending our deepest condolences to the Patricof family.

Remembering Mayor Dinkins

Northside Center mourns the recent loss of Mayor David Dinkins, the 106th Mayor of New York City and the first and only African-American to hold this office. Mayor Dinkins and his wife Joyce (who passed away in October of this year,) were long-time supporters of Northside Center for Child Development. He especially loved reading to our children during the holidays. We are proud to have had the privilege of honoring Mayor Dickins for our 66th Annual Gala in 2012, celebrating his many contributions to New York City. He was an inspiration to the entire Northside family, and to so many across New York City and beyond.

A message from our Executive Director​

Northside Responds to the Novel Coronavirus

Dear Northsiders,

As we monitor and respond to the novel coronavirus, we would like to thank all of you for your support during this trying time. We remain committed to bringing high quality services to our 4,000 children and families, who are even more vulnerable during this time of social distancing and quarantine. 

Northside continues to follow the New York City’s mandate regarding social distancing, and have closed our in-person educational and enrichment programming. The Administrative, IT, and Fiscal departments will remain operational and most work will be done remotely/ off-site until further notice. Northside will be open only to essential staff in order to abide by the PAUSE, Policies Assurance Uniform Safety for Everyone, executive order given by Governor Cuomo.

Please see the following updates on our various programs:

Programmatic Updates
  • Northside Therapeutic Early Childhood Center, Day School, Early Head Start, and Head Start program: The Northside Therapeutic Early Childhood Center, Day School, Early Head Start, and Head Start programs continue to be closed until further notice. Northside is adhering to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s announcement on Sunday, March 15 requiring New York City Schools to close on Monday, March 16 as the city deals with the spread of the novel coronavirus. Northside hopes to be part of the first attempt to restart schools on Monday, April 20. However, we will wait for further notice from the New York City Mayor and/or Department of Education. Please ensure that you are in communication with your supervisor as work is still occurring via remote/distance learning.
  • Early Intervention: Early Intervention continues to work with families offsite and remotely.
  • REACH After School and One-on-One Tutoring programs: The REACH After School and One-on-One Tutoring programs are closed until further notice. We are working to provide remote tutoring sessions and enrichment activities.
  • Administration for Children’s Services Preventive Services, Home-Based Crisis Intervention, and Juvenile Justice Programs: The Administration for Children’s Services Preventive Services, Home-Based Crisis Intervention, and Juvenile Justice Programs are open and meeting with clients remotely until further notice. Social workers will continue to conduct home visits via remote sessions.
  • Northside Mental Health Clinic and Clinic in School programs: The Northside Mental Health Clinic and Clinic in School programs will continue to treat clients and operate remotely via Telemental Health until further notice.
  • Administrative, IT, and Fiscal departments: The Administrative, IT, and Fiscal departments will remain operational and most work will be done remotely/ off-site until further notice. Northside will be open only to essential staff in order to abide by the PAUSE, Policies Assurance Uniform Safety for Everyone, executive order given by Governor Cuomo.
Additional Resources

We have compiled a list of resources to help our community navigate the COVID-19 pandemic:

Northside Staff

EAP: We understand that these can be stressful times for all of us. Please do not hesitate to seek help from our EAP, Employee Assistance Program, provider Integrated Behavior Health if you would like to speak to a counselor, need medical, or other resources.  They can be reached at 1-800-386-7055.

Children and Families

We are working directly with families to connect them to resources such as internet, food, and enrichment activities for children who are at home. Please see and share, if applicable, the following links to the various websites below and the attached document.

  • Breakfast and lunch meals are available for pickup outside schools from 7:30am-1:30pm. Additionally please look out for messages from the Department of Education’s website (schools.nyc.gov).
  • Please also refer to https://www.cdc.gov for more information on how to safe and more information on COVID-19.
  • Scholastic is offering free resources for children who are at home, please be productive with your children so that they do not miss their much- needed education: https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html.
  • Additionally, The Food Bank for NYC is providing emergency food at nearby soup kitchens and food pantries. Please refer to this link for help: https://www.foodbanknyc.org/get-help/
  • If a student does not have internet access for online classes here are a list of companies offering free or reduced priced internet access
  • Grab & Go Breakfast and Lunch are available at all DOE schools for the remainder of this week. Please continue to look out for messages from the Department of Education’s website: www.schools.nyc.gov for updates on remote learning access and meals.
  • There are also community restaurants providing free meals for children and families. Please call your local community restaurants to see if they are providing meals.

Here’s a list of some fun, educational, and safe websites for children to visit and explore:

Please visit the following websites for more information on how to stop the spread of COVID-19:

Please know that we will continue supporting our children and families. We are confident that we will overcome this crisis with grace and strength.

Be well,

Thelma Dye, Ph.D.

The Hilde L. Mosse Executive Director & CEO