Our History

The agency timeline chronicles the growth of the Hispanic Counseling Center, from one program and four staff in a 600 square feet rented office in 1977, to ownership of a 38,000 square foot modern facility with multiple programs and services today.

1977

The Hispanic Counseling Center is established by the Nassau County Department of Drug and Alcohol Addiction to provide substance abuse treatment services to the growing Hispanic population in Nassau County.

1979

The Nassau County Youth Board awards funding for prevention, education, and counseling services to limited English-speaking youth and families.

1986

HCC is licensed by New York State to become the first bilingual, bicultural alcohol and drug rehabilitation clinic in Nassau County.

1987

The Summer Program begins for children ages 7-12.

1989

After school homework help and tutoring sessions are available to all school age children.

1992

HCC is awarded license from New York State for mental health outpatient clinic.

1993

Supported Housing Program inaugurated for mentally ill clients in need of housing.

1994

English as a Second Language Program available to all HCC clients.

1995

Respite Program established to provide services for children having serious emotional problems.

1996

Domestic Violence Program is created to fill a gap in services for victims and perpetrators.

1998

  • HCBS Waiver Program is established to provide in-home services to developmentally disabled adults and children.
  • Literacy Program is instituted to teach adults how to read and write in Spanish.
  • Early Intervention Program is created to provide social work services at HCC and in the home.

1999

Medicaid Service Coordination Program begins for developmentally disabled adults and children to provide case management to live at home rather than an institutional setting.

2001

Ryan White Mental Health Program begins for People with HIV/AIDS.

2003

  • HCC moves to 344 Fulton Avenue Hempstead, the new building owned by the agency.
  • The Teen Drop-In Center begins.

2008

HCC purchases 336 Fulton Ave in Hempstead to expand the Mental Health program.

2011

Kinship program begins to provide support to grandparents/caregivers of children whose parents are incarcerated, deported or hospitalized.

2012

Project Hope starts after Super Storm Sandy to provide crisis counseling.

2014

Super Storm Sandy Program provides multiservice support to storm victims.

2017

  • Care Coordination begins to provide case management.
  • Mental Health Clinic Crisis Stabilization Services begins, to provide intensive services.
  • Empire State After-School Program begins, to provide after-school and Saturday academic and counseling support to youth and their parents.
  • Partners in Prevention begins, to provide evidence-based drug prevention services.

2018

Community Health Connections Program begins for residents of the Village of Hempstead.

2019

Partnerships established with LI Cares Kids Cafe and Hofstra University STEM Program.

2020

  • HCC Suffolk County Mental Health Clinic opens in Bay Shore.
  • Regional Prevention and Support Services in partnership with Northwell Health begins, to provide intensive case management to decrease the risk of HIV infection.
  • Project Hope begins, to provide COVID-19 related crisis counseling and referrals.
  • Nassau Mental Health Clinic expands services for children affected by domestic violence with funding from Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

2021

State Opioid Response (SOR) II Program begins, a multi-year prevention program in partnership with AHN and other agencies and organizations.

2022

COMHPS Program evolves from NY Project Hope.

2023

HSD Middle School After-School Program begins with funding from the Mother Cabrini Foundation to provide academic and counseling support.

2024

  • The Amplify partnership between HCC and Northwell Health begins, to enhance mental health awareness through training and support for teens and adults.
  • HSD Middle School After-School Program continues with funding from the U.S. Department of Education to provide academic and counseling support.

Present

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Hispanic Counseling Center