BREAKING: The newly launched Children’s Way Counseling Center in Kingston, NY, is addressing an urgent need for youth mental health services, now serving 86 children and families just months after its soft opening in October 2025. The center, located at 368 Broadway, Suite 301, celebrated its official grand opening on January 15, 2026, with local officials highlighting its critical importance.
Operated by the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie and sanctioned by the Ulster County Legislature, the center is the first of its kind in the county, offering early assessment, outpatient services, and comprehensive behavioral health treatment. Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger emphasized the center’s role as a vital addition to the county’s mental health landscape during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“This is exactly the kind of resource our community needs — one that meets children where they are and supports families with the necessary care,” Metzger stated. The center provides essential services, including crisis intervention, psychiatric care, and counseling aimed at children as young as 5 years old.
The center’s extended hours, operating until 8 p.m. four days a week, are particularly beneficial for working parents seeking support for their children. As of now, Children’s Way has become a beacon of hope for families navigating mental health challenges.
The grand opening, attended by nearly 50 supporters, featured representatives from U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan’s office, state Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, and various community partners. This moment marks a significant step towards fulfilling the vision of creating a welcoming environment for mental health care access across all ages.
Children’s Way is designed to be a one-stop solution for families, offering individual and family psychotherapy, medication management, crisis intervention, and referrals to community-based services. The center collaborates closely with school-based mental health providers and the Ulster County Crisis Support Center, which also recently opened at the Center for Well-Being.
The Crisis Support Center provides 24/7 immediate support for individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises, further enhancing the county’s mental health service capabilities. Its services include clinical assessments, timely interventions, peer support, and coordinated follow-up care.
As the demand for mental health services continues to grow, the long-term goal for Children’s Way is clear: to establish a sustainable and accessible outpatient mental health option for all families in Ulster County.
For additional information or to request an evaluation, visit the center’s website at http://bit.ly/4qaPoxb. Children’s Way is open Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on weekends. For inquiries, call (845) 386-0083.
This new development is a critical lifeline for families, marking a positive shift in the availability of mental health services for children in the region. The community eagerly anticipates how this center will continue to evolve and support those in need.
