The Family Foundation School

In my life before The Family School I was extremely self-centered. I hurt everyone around me to get what I wanted and got a lot of negative attention by acting like a psycho. I had no interest in God because he probably didn't want me to steal, lie, cheat, or use substances.

My life became unmanageable early on. I was kicked out of 8th grade for drinking and drugging, and a year later was thrown out of 9th grade for the same reasons. I also owed thousands of dollars in gambling debt and spent my life running from those I owed money to.

Before FFS, my life was unmanageable and out of control. I was shooting heroin, selling drugs, stealing, and lying to my parents. I did anything to blind me from reality because I hated who I had become.

At home I was an overeater and extremely overweight. Going to school was the last thing on my mind. I stayed home and slept all day, then got up and stayed out all night. I was rude and disrespectful and had fits of temper.

At home I perfected the art of quitting. My attempts at sports, school, and relationships amounted to nothing but pathetic stories because I never followed through. I did not like myself and wanted to escape the judgment of others.

My life at home was full of lies and deceit. I became part of the tough crowd in middle school, and in high school I was in and out of detention, got into bad relationships, ran away and was sent to a psych ward.

To put it bluntly, I was a drunk. I didn't care about my family, or God, just drinking and smoking. I was drug-tested for the first time at 12, at 13 I was in outpatient rehab, and at 15 I was sent to wilderness and then to The Family School.

I was 15 and my mother was driving me to the hospital. She was crying, but all I could think of was what a good job I had done not eating. I felt no remorse, only the desire to leave and continue killing myself.

I am an alcoholic and a drug addict who couldn't live life on life's terms, so I drank. When my dad was diagnosed with cancer, I was introduced to heavier drugs and started stealing and selling his pain medication.

I was empty, angry, miserable, and lonely at home, and used any means possible to numb my feelings. I dropped out of school. Nothing really mattered, and I was quickly using up my friends and family.

Health Services

All teens need medical care; teens who have engaged in at-risk behaviors may need more than most. The Family Foundation School assists parents and doctors in the care of our students. We are not, however, a medical facility. We have a working relationship with a local general practitioner who comes to the campus once a week to treat routine medical conditions. Specialized care is available in Binghamton and the Health Office will work with parents to find specialists when needed. All medical treatment is provided in consultation with parents. The health office keeps parents informed of any changes in their child's health or treatment.

A student's dental health is looked after in the same manner. We have established relationships with a dental practice and an orthodontist in Binghamton. Parents can arrange to have their student receive routine dental care through these providers.

Our medical services coordinator will put parents in touch with these doctors and dentists, but it is the parents' responsibility to handle payment and insurance arrangements.

Health Services Staff

Ann Ostrander, LPN Medical Office Director

DCMO-BOCES
Broome Community College

Annie began her health services career in a long-term care facility, later working as a nurse manager in dementia and physical rehabilitation/brain injury units before joining The Family Foundation School in 1995. Annie left after a year and earned her LPN 1998. By then she had returned to FFS and was named Medical Office Director in 2010. Her life off campus includes part-time EMT and volunteer EMS work, CPR instruction, and studying for her associate's degree in nursing. She also enjoys reading, motocross and is a NASCAR fan.

Mia Rotundo, LPN Medical Office Associate

Brooklyn College CUNY
DCMO-BOCES

Mia joined The Family Foundation School in early 2010 from the Roscoe Community Nursing Home where she had been on staff since receiving her LPN in 2006. Prior to that she had a series of jobs in various businesses while raising her two daughters, aged 10 and 5. Originally from Brooklyn, Mia had been interested in science, specifically geology, while growing up and still has a scientific bent. She is a frequent museum visitor, enjoys art and music, reading (especially historical novels) and traveling.

Bernadette Musgrove, LPN Medical Office Associate

A.S., Early Childhood Ed. - Lackawanna College
B.S., Human Development (in progress) - SUNY Empire College
Long Island BOCES

Bernadette has been part of The Family Foundation School since 1998, serving as director of the Children's Center, the campus daycare facility, until 2010 when she joined the Health Services staff. She came to FFS with prior experience in child care, and in restaurant management, having owned and operated family restaurants in Arizona and Pennsylvania with her husband. Bernadette enjoys traveling, but is just as content spending time at home with her husband, daughter, and their dog.

Melissa Dunlap Medical Office Assistant

Mansfield University
Broome Community College, Journalism
NYS AEMT-CC

Missy joined The Family Foundation School in 2006 as part of the medical office staff, and for a time served in the I.T. department as well. Her previous positions included six years with the Cooperstown Medical Transport EMT, and five years as a family care provider. Missy, who has also coached the FFS girls' soccer team, has been a Hancock Youth League officer and coach since 1990. She is currently a member of the Hancock Rescue Squad.

Cathy Appley Medical Office Assistant

DCMO-BOCES

Cathy joined The Family Foundation School in 2008 with medical office experience as a patient service representative for the Walton Family Care Center, the Wilson Hospital oncology unit, and the OB/GYN office of Iskandar Kassis, MD. She is currently enrolled in the BOCES LPN program, and is an EMT volunteer with the Hancock Rescue Squad. Off campus, Cathy enjoys gardening, crafts, and spending time with her many animals.

In this healing environment, more than 150 troubled teens are maximizing their academic potential . . . growing and maturing emotionally and psychologically . . . developing themselves physically and spiritually.