New York State Department of Mental Hygiene Division of Prevention Child Guidance Clinic Case Records

Alphabetical by clinic, then by child's last name.

The Division of Prevention (DOP) attempted to provide clinical services throughout New York State, including remote rural areas that did not have readily accessible mental health facilities. Clinics were conducted in either Department of Mental Hygiene regional offices or in community settings such as schools or local clinics. In 1954, the Community Mental Health Act provided partial state funding for locally administered mental health services. As a result, DOP began to encourage local governments to establish their own child guidance and related clinics. In 1963, the Federal Community Mental Health Act (CMHA) provided funding for a network of community mental health centers. Because of this act and other state laws that strengthened aid for local mental health services, DOP phased out its direct service clinics, including child guidance clinics.

The Child Guidance Clinic Program was established in 1923 to provide guidance on handling children's social and mental health problems to institutions and community organizations providing educational, social welfare and criminal justice services to children. Children were referred to such clinics by schools, social welfare agencies, or probation departments for treatment of behavioral disorders and educational disabilities. All child guidance clinics were closed by 1966.

This record series documents clinical services provided at clinics by Division of Prevention traveling teams. Each case record contains case and medical history as well as test results or follow-up forms from professional staff or clinic psychiatrists.

19247-13: Folder list is available at the repository.

19247-15: Container list is available at the repository.

19247-13: This accretion includes records from transfer list 1-67.

19247-15: This accretion includes records from transfer lists 680017, 690001, and 690002.

Restricted in accordance with Section 33.13, Mental Hygiene Law, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access permitted under certain conditions upon application to and approval by the Office of Mental Health.