For Health Professionals

The vast majority of families who come to Friends of Karen for assistance are referred through a hospital social worker. This section will help health professionals determine whether a family is eligible for our assistance, and understand our referral procedures. As a partner in helping these families, you are key to this process.

The initial referral for a family should come through their hospital social worker. This will ensure that families meet our Guidelines before the family contacts Friends of Karen. This step is important so that the family does not make an unnecessary call only to find out that they are not eligible for our assistance.

Contact Information

For families living in Manhattan, The Bronx, New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York counties of Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan Ulster and Westchester contact Shelagh McLean at 914-617-4048 or shelaghmclean@friendsofkaren.org

For families living on Long Island, contact Marla Krellenstein at 631-473-1768, ext. 308 or marlakrellenstein@friendsofkaren.org

For families living in Queens, contact Jessica Dunn at 212-308-1378, ext. 102 or jessicadunn@friendsofkaren.org

For families living in Brooklyn, contact Doug Turk at 212-308-1378, ext. 101 or dougturk@friendsofkaren.org

After the initial referral is made by the hospital social worker, the family must contact Friends of Karen directly at 1-800-637-2774, ext. 205, or ext. 202 to speak with our Spanish-speaking case manager.

A Friends of Karen social worker will conduct an intake assessment with the family by phone, and an application will be sent to the family after the assessment is completed. No financial support can be given before a completed application is received and our social workers have assessed a family’s need.

In-Services Available Upon Request

If you would like a Friends of Karen social worker to visit your facility and outline our services to you or your staff, please contact Beth Ferrari at 914-617-4046 or bethferrari@friendsofkaren.org.