RPO Foundation Supports the RVC School Board’s Partnership with Northwell Health
- Jun 25
- 2 min read
Here’s the letter as it appeared as an Editorial in the June 25, 2026 edition of the Rockville Centre Herald. In addition a copy of the letter was sent to the RVC School Board:
Dear Editor,
As members of the Rockville Centre community and Board Members of the Ryan Patrick O'Shea Foundation, we write to express our strong support for the continuation of the Rockville Centre School District's partnership with Northwell Health — a collaborative effort that provides students and families with direct access to timely, community-based mental health services. We believe this partnership is one of the most meaningful investments our district has made in the well-being of its students and families.
Rockville Centre holds a special distinction in this effort: we were a founding partner. In 2021, this collaboration led to the opening of the first Long Island Behavioral Health Center, located at 100 Merrick Road. Since then, the model has expanded to serve 54 school districts across Long Island, with five Behavioral Health Centers now operating to meet regional needs. Our community should take pride in helping to lead the way.
The impact of this partnership is reflected in the numbers. In the first half of the 2025–26 school year, the District recorded 19 crisis calls between August and January, with an average of four appointments at the center each month. These figures represent real students and families who reached out and received help. The center provides urgent and same-day mental health support, short-term stabilization, risk assessments, and connections to ongoing care — all outside of an emergency room setting, which too often leaves children without the coordination they need to fully recover.
This partnership works because it meets families where they are, reducing wait times, connecting parents to resources, and taking a proactive approach before situations escalate. Mental health is directly tied to attendance, academic performance, and a child's ability to thrive.
That belief is central to the mission of the Ryan Patrick O'Shea Foundation. We know firsthand that accessible, community-based mental health support saves lives, and that partnerships woven into the fabric of our schools are among the most powerful tools we have. We appreciate the District’s continued commitment to this partnership and look forward to ongoing work with Northwell Health on behalf of our students and families.
Sincerely,
John O’Shea, Michael Smyth, Toni Barone, Kathy Baxley, Karen Bohn, Donna Gales, John Gales, Christine Ferazani , Kathy LaMacchia, Lisa Pino and Lorraine Smyth
