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Classroom Education Programs GCASA offers several age-appropriate programs to area schools that are both research-based and outcome-focused. All programs are designed to promote healthy norms, educate students regarding the negative consequences of substance use, and improve competency and social skills.Schools that are interested in providing programming for their students may contact Maryann Bowman at 815-1877 or Shannon Ford at 815-1876 for more information. Student Screening and Referral Service School districts may contract with GCASA for this school-based service. Prevention Educators provide one-to-one contacts with students to screen for various problems, including those related to drugs and alcohol. GCASA staff work in cooperation with school personnel to determine appropriate referrals. If your school in interested in this service, please contact Maryann Bowman at 815-1877. Prevention Groups Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program This education/intervention program targets youth ages 16-20 who are primarily referred through the Court System, Probation or PINS Diversion, and are first-time offenders with alcohol or drug related charges. Referrals may be made directly to the program and will not require an assessment or toxicology. Participants will reduce their use of alcohol and/or drugs and identify healthy behaviors they plan to include in their lifestyles. Youth who complete the program will not be eligible to repeat the program within an 18-month period of time, and will instead be referred for a chemical dependency evaluation. For more information or to refer someone to the program, call Shannon Ford in Genesee County at 815-1876 or Sherri Bensley in Orleans County at 589-0055 ext. 308. COA Group/Camp Hope GCASA and the YMCA’s Camp Hough team up each year to provide a five-day summer camp for Genesee and Orleans County children whose lives are affected by a family member’s substance abuse. Prior to attending camp, children must first participate in a Children of Addiction (COA) Group, which is available for children ages 7-15. Once they have completed the COA Group, they are eligible to attend Camp Hope where they can participate in fun-filled games and team building activities. Camp tuition is determined on a sliding scale fee; scholarships are available and no one is turned down for an inability to pay. For more information or to enroll your child in a COA Group, call Liz Marsicovetere at 815-1878. Community Based Programs Senior Spice Senior Spice a new program introduced by GCASA and the Genesee County Office for the Aging, is kicking up its heels and making itself known. Serving senior citizens in Genesee County, programs provide education regarding the interactions of prescription medications with over-the-counter medications, food and alcohol. The Caregivers Coffee and Conversation group offers assistance to caregivers on issues specific to their needs, and a bereavement group is available for those who are going through the grief process. Special events are a highlight of the Senior Spice program, such as Senior Citizen Night at the Ballpark (an evening under the tent with food plus the ballgame); a night at a GCC Basketball game (with special prizes and surprises); the Brunch Bunch series (held monthly at GCC and focusing on special topics with brunch/lunch included for a fee of $6); and the grand piece de resistance, a Seniors Prom to be held at GCC in early June. Videos, pamphlets and other informational materials are made available to all who participate in the program. More information may be obtained by calling Mike Laycock at (585)815-1874. Drug-Free Communities Drug-Free Communities is a community coalition of Genesee County agencies, organizations, businesses, schools and community members. It is funded by a federal grant awarded by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), with GCASA as the lead agency. The major goals of the coalition are to: · Build protective factors and reduce risk factors that impact substance use among the youth in 6th-12th grades. · Reduce the incidence of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana use and binge drinking among youth in grades 7, 9, and 11. · Strengthen the coalition by coordinating community events designed to increase public awareness of the dangers of underage drinking, smoking and drug use. The coalition has administered the Communities That Care survey to Genesee County students in 2000, 2002, and 2004, which measures incidence and prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use and binge drinking, as well as various risk and protective factors. As a result of the coalition and the survey, research-based and environmental prevention strategies have been implemented in the community including, Project Alert, a school-based program for Middle School students, alcohol compliance checks, and the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program. If you would like more information or would like to join the coalition, contact Mike Pettinella at 815-1852. Smoke Free NOW Smoke Free NOW is a coalition of agencies, businesses and individuals working to reduce tobacco use in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties, with GCASA serving as the lead agency. It is a Community Partnership, one of several types of tobacco prevention and control programs funded by the New York State Department of Health. Other such programs in our area include Cessation Centers and Reality Check (for teens 13-18). The NYS Tobacco Control Program has six goals: 1. Eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke. 2. Decrease the social acceptability of tobacco use 3. Promote cessation from tobacco use 4. Prevent the initiation of tobacco use among youth and young adults. 5. Build and maintain an effective tobacco control infrastructure 6. Contribute to science of tobacco control Currently, Smoke Free NOW is working on these objectives: · Increase the percent of work places that are in compliance with New York’s comprehensive clean indoor air law. · Increase the percent of adults who drive or ride in vehicles where smoking is prohibited. · Increase the number of educational institutions (elementary, secondary and post- secondary) that implement effective tobacco-free policies to eliminate tobacco use from all facilities, property, vehicles and events. · Increase the number of non-Medicaid eligible low-income tobacco users who receive free or reduced-priced pharmacotherapy from the TCP to support a cessation attempt. · Increase access to cessation counseling and services. · Tobacco control program staff and contractors will participate in professional development opportunities each year. Smoke Free NOW welcomes the help of anyone who is committed to our goals and objectives. Meetings are held bimonthly in Batavia, Albion, and Warsaw. For more information, call Chris Lewis at 815-1871 or go to www.smokefreenow.org. For information about becoming tobacco free, please call 1-866-NY QUITS (1-866-697-8487) or visit www.nysmokefree.com. Orleans County United Against Substance Abuse Orleans County United Against Substance Abuse is a community coalition of Orleans County organizations, law enforcement, local businesses, schools and community members. It is in the initial development stages and was made possible by a $69,000 mentoring grant through the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, with GCASA as the lead agency. The coalition has six specific strategies: · Conduct a media campaign. · Provide Communities That Care Ò training · Provide team building training · Collect archival data. · Conduct a resource assessment · Begin development of a long-range plan.
If you would like more information or would like to join the coalition, contact Pat Crowley at 589-0055 ext. 308. |
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The goal of GCASA’s Prevention Department is to reduce the incidence and prevalence of substance abuse. Educational and intervention programs, along with environmental strategies and community awareness activities are offered in Genesee and Orleans counties. |
