named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
EPIC Parenting
Workshops and discussion groups for parents and caregivers covering topics such as digital safety, communication strategies, and child brain development to support effective parenting.
NeuroWhereAbouts Guide Study Group
Weekly discussions led by staff to help parents understand child brain development and the impact of substances and activities on neurological health.
SARA (Sober Active Recovery Adirondack)
Recovery support program for individuals aged 16 and up offering sober recreational activities including hiking, art, sewing, and writing to support sustained recovery.
Triple P - Positive Parenting Program
Discussion groups and one-on-one sessions for parents of children ages 0–19 to address specific challenges in raising children using evidence-based strategies.
Youth Tobacco Cessation Program
Free counseling and support services to help youth quit vaping and other nicotine use, including individual sessions with specialists.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Education Policy Advocacy & Reform 1 activity
- Advocacy and data-informed policy awarenessEngages in advocacy by highlighting systemic issues such as chronic absenteeism among economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and rural populations using data from state reports, including the 2024 NYS Comptroller report.
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Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Education 1 activity
- Community and school education on substance abuse preventionOffers education and awareness programs for schools, groups, and communities on substance and gambling abuse prevention, including opioid preparedness, vaping risks, and current drug trends. Provides outreach on consequences of skipping school or prevention programs.
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Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs 1 activity
- Evidence-based prevention education in schoolsDelivers evidence-based classroom programs in schools that teach students about brain function, life skills, decision-making, and high-risk behaviors such as substance use, bullying, and technology overuse. Includes the Student Well-Being Toolbox program and uses activities and group work to promote mental health, emotional regulation, suicide prevention, and coping strategies.
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Opioid Harm Reduction Services 1 activity
- Harm reduction supply distribution and Narcan trainingDistributes free harm reduction supplies including Narcan, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, Deterra pill disposal bags, locking pill bottles, and drug disposal bags. Organizes drug take back day events and provides Narcan training through a dedicated trainer.
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Parenting Education and Support Programs 1 activity
- Parenting education and support programsOffers parenting workshops and support services including the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, "Lunch and Learn" events, and weekly study groups focused on childhood brain development and substance effects. Provides discussion-based and one-on-one sessions for parents of children ages 0–19 and facilitates access to ongoing support groups for parents of children struggling with addiction, with availability during evenings and weekends.
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12-Step Recovery Support Services 1 activity
- SARA: Sober Active Recovery Adk programOperates S.A.R.A. (Sober Active Recovery Adk), a weekly recovery program for individuals aged 16+ with at least 48 hours of sobriety, featuring Tai Chi sessions, art workshops, sewing circles, guided hikes, and virtual gatherings for teens. Includes weekly support groups for women in recovery.
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Substance Use Information and Referral Services 1 activity
- Substance use and gambling counseling with referralsProvides drug and gambling counseling and referral services for youth, adults, and families in Essex County, New York. Services include SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment/Prevention) for individuals concerned about substance use, including teens caught using substances.
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Outpatient Substance Use Treatment 1 activity
- Youth tobacco cessation counselingProvides free one-on-one youth tobacco cessation counseling through Youth Tobacco Cessation Specialists and Teen Intervene practitioners for young people seeking to quit tobacco use.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.10M
Contributions & grants$924K84%
Program service revenue$171K16%
Investment income$460%
Other revenue$583
expenses
Total expenses$1.10M
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$807K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$279K
Cash$40K
Investments$0
Liabilities$144K
Net assets$135K
Liquid reserves0.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +21.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRACI PLOUFE | Executive Dir. | 40 | $79K |
board members · 7
- Arin Burdo — President
- DOUGLAS MEYER — Director
- David Reynolds — VP/Treasurer
- KRISTOFER STONITSCH — Director
- KYE PERRY — Director
- Pamela Nolan — Secretary
- Roger Catania — Director
relationships · 13
Who they work with
- 211 Partner — Directs families to 211 as a source for identifying local agencies that provide support with housing, food, jobs, and mental health.
- Ballard Park Partner — Hosted a SARA Thai Chi event at Ballard Park, indicating use of the park as a venue for prevention programming.
- Emma Partner — Contact person for the EPIC Teen Collab virtual event.
- Emma Partner — Leads the weekly NeuroWhereAbouts Guide study group focused on brain development and substance impacts.
- Essex County Government — Partner in well-being initiatives across the lifespan in Essex County, New York.
- Essex County Community Services Board Partner — Receives general trend feedback from the Bach Harrison Prevention Needs Assessment at the county level.
- Essex County Youth Commission Partner — Collaborates with The Prevention Team to administer the Bach Harrison Prevention Needs Assessment.
- Modern Medusa Partner — Collaborates on a weekly support group for women in recovery.
- NYS Comptroller Government — References and highlights data from reports published by the NYS Comptroller on chronic absenteeism.
- S.A.R.A. (Sober Active Recovery Adk) Partner — Partners to provide a weekly recovery program for individuals aged 16+ with 48 hours of sobriety.
- SAMHSA Government — Federal agency that oversees substance misuse and mental health services, referenced in context of funding and operational impact on local programs.
- Teen Intervene Partner — Collaborates with Teen Intervene practitioners to deliver youth tobacco cessation services.
- Thistle Partner — Point of contact for event RSVPs and coordination for SARA Studio Art and SARA Hike events.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Brain-Based Education for Behavioral Empowermentmethodology: brain-based_educationBy teaching students about brain function, we empower informed decision-making and prevent high-risk behaviors, because understanding neurobiology increases perceived consequences and self-efficacy in resisting substance use.
- Experiential and Mindfulness-Based Skill Buildingmethodology: experiential_learningBy combining life skills education with experiential learning and mindfulness practices like Tai Chi, we strengthen resiliency and refusal skills, because embodied, reflective practices improve emotional regulation and long-term behavioral change.
- Harm Reduction Through Safety Tools and Practicesmethodology: harm_reductionBy distributing naloxone, test strips, and promoting safety practices, we reduce overdose risk and build trust with at-risk individuals, because lowering immediate harm increases engagement in longer-term support services.
- Integrated Prevention and Counseling with Community Linkagemethodology: sbirtBy integrating clinical counseling, school-based screening (SBIRT), and connection to community resources, we address both individual and social determinants of substance use, because multi-level intervention increases early identification and systemic support.
- Low-Barrier Access to Increase Service Engagementmethodology: low-barrier_accessBy removing structural and emotional barriers—such as requiring no referral or diagnosis—we increase participation in prevention and recovery services, because reducing stigma and simplifying access improves help-seeking behavior.