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CONTACT COMMUNITY SERVICES INC
EAST SYRACUSE, NY · EIN 160984299 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE F41Z · Mental Health & Crisis Intervention · Medium ($1M-$10M) · contactsyracuse.org
revenue
$7.2M
expenses
$6.9M
net assets
$2.9M
employees
133
volunteers
52
program ratio
88%
mission · from form 990

TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS CREATE PERSONAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE THAT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIVES IN CENTRAL NEW YORK BY: IMPROVING THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF PEOPLE IN SYRACUSE AND ONONDAGA COUNTY; WORKING WITH SCHOOLS TO REMOVE BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH BARRIERS TO LEARNING; AND PROVIDING LEADERSHIP IN IMPROVING SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Contact Community Services Inc. is a mental health and crisis intervention organization based in East Syracuse, NY, serving Central New York. It operates the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and 211 information and referral system across five counties. The organization provides suicide prevention training, supportive warmline services, and works with schools to address behavioral and mental health barriers to learning.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $3.23M
    CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES: (CIS) PROVIDES A 24-HOUR SUICIDE AND CRISIS COUNSELING LINE; 211 CNY, A 24-HOUR INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SOURCE FOR HUMAN SERVICES, BASIC NEEDS AND MENTAL HEALTH; AND TELECARE, A REASSURANCE LINE TO SUPPORT THE PERSONAL SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF HOMEBOUND INDIVIDUALS. THE 24-HOUR COUNSELING SUPPORT AND CRISIS INTERVENTION ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS AND/OR IN NEED OF EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO DEVELOP A PERSONAL PLAN TO MANAGE AND/OR PREVENT FUTURE CRISIS. THE 211 SYSTEM HELPS RESIDENTS OF FIVE COUNTIES: ONONDAGA, OSWEGO, JEFFERSON, LEWIS, AND ST. LAWRENCE FIND RESOURCES. WE ALSO PROVIDE TELEPHONE FOLLOW-UP SERVICES TO FAMILIES WHO HAVE CHILDREN EVALUATED AND IN CARE AT HUTCHING'S PSYCHIATRIC CENTER CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAM (CYS) AND AFTER-HOURS COVERAGE FOR FOURTEEN MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCIES IN OUR COMMUNITY.
named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Community Mental Health Trainings
Offers free mental health education programs to the public including Mental Health First Aid, Youth Mental Health First Aid, SafeTALK, and Talk Saves Lives to reduce stigma and build community capacity for suicide prevention.
Contact Warmline
Supportive listening service staffed by trained volunteers, available Monday-Friday 7AM-3PM. Provides non-clinical emotional support for individuals experiencing stress, loneliness, or everyday challenges, serving as an early intervention before crises develop.
Crisis Intervention Services (CIS)
Provides a 24-hour suicide and crisis counseling line (988), 211 information and referral for human services, and TeleCare reassurance calls for homebound individuals. Offers follow-up services for families of children in psychiatric care and after-hours coverage for mental health clinics.
Suicide Safety in Schools
Mental health education program providing evidence-based suicide prevention training to Onondaga County school communities, including students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Offers trainings such as ASIST, QPR, More Than Sad, and School Crisis Team Training.
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs 3 activities
    • PAX Good Behavior Game Implementation
      Implements the evidence-based PAX Good Behavior Game in classrooms to reduce disruptive student behaviors, teach self-regulation and self-management skills, and improve classroom safety and learning environments, with measurable results achieved within weeks.
    • PAX Tools Community Training
      Offers free in-person and remote community training on PAX Tools to reduce youth conflict, teaching strategies for self-regulation and positive behavior, and provides a free PAX Tools kit to all participants who complete the full workshop.
    • Play-Based Early Childhood Intervention
      Provides play-based interventions for children in Pre-K through third grade, including individual 30-minute sessions over 12–15 weeks to support school adjustment, confidence-building, social skill development, and focus on learning.
  • 24/7 Crisis and Warmline Support Services 2 activities
    • 24/7 Crisis and Suicide Prevention Counseling
      Provides free, confidential, 24-hour crisis and suicide prevention counseling via phone and chat, serving as the regional call center for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and answering calls for 211 CNY to connect individuals with mental health resources and community services.
    • Contact Warmline Supportive Listening Service
      Operates the Contact Warmline, offering supportive listening and emotional connection via phone during dedicated hours (Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 3 PM) for individuals experiencing stress, loneliness, or everyday life challenges.
  • Friendly Visiting & Social Companionship Programs 2 activities
    • Community Connections Supportive Calling
      Operates Community Connections programs where trained Volunteer Community Connectors provide inbound and outbound supportive listening and reassurance calls to individuals in Central New York experiencing isolation or emotional distress.
    • TeleCare Reassurance Call Program
      Provides scheduled outbound reassurance calls through its TeleCare program to homebound individuals, offering emotional support and connection, and conducts telephone follow-up for families with children in care at psychiatric centers and after-hours coverage for local mental health agencies.
  • Mental Health Education and Awareness 2 activities
    • Mental Health First Aid Training
      Delivers community-based Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings to reduce stigma, equip adults and youth with crisis response skills, and promote early intervention for mental health challenges.
    • Youth Mental Health Summit and Awards Program
      Hosts an annual Youth Mental Health Summit that convenes students, educators, mental health professionals, and community leaders to discuss youth mental health issues, and recognizes outstanding leadership and innovation in youth mental health through an awards program in Onondaga County.
  • School-Based Mental Health and Family Support 1 activity
    • School-Based Mental Health and Behavioral Intervention
      Delivers school-based mental health assessments, counseling, academic tutoring, social-emotional support, and classroom interventions to students in Central New York school districts, addressing behavioral and academic concerns through individual and small group support from Youth Development Specialists.
  • Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Education 1 activity
    • Substance Use Prevention Programs in Schools
      Provides evidence-based substance use prevention interventions such as Teen Intervene and Refuse, Reason and Remove to middle and high school students, and operates Student Assistance Program counseling services in multiple high school districts.
  • Suicide Prevention Programs 1 activity
    • Youth Mental Health Training and Education
      Delivers a range of free mental health and suicide prevention trainings to students, educators, parents, and school staff, including ASIST, QPR, SafeTALK, Talk Saves Lives, Gizmo’s Pawesome Guide, and customized workshops on suicide risk assessment, safety planning, and postvention response.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$7.18M
Contributions & grants$5.23M73%
Program service revenue$1.71M24%
Investment income$234K3%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$6.90M
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$5.78M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$9.07M
Cash$2.82M
Investments$3.90M
Liabilities$6.20M
Net assets$2.88M
Liquid reserves11.7 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +17.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 3
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
ANTARA MITRA EXECUTVE DIRECTOR 35 $138K
KIM PAVLUS DIVISION DIRECTOR OF ADMIN 35 $118K
SUSAN VANCAMP DIVISION DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL SERVICES 35 $116K
board members · 15
  • ABBY ROSENBERG — BOARD MEMBER
  • CHRIS KOSAKOWSKI — BOARD MEMBER
  • DIANNE APTER — BOARD MEMBER
  • DR JOSEPH T HIMMELSBACH — BOARD MEMBER
  • DR MAUREEN PATTERSON — VICE-PRESIDENT
  • ERIC LARISON — PRESIDENT
  • HELEN HUDSON — BOARD MEMBER
  • JOHN REY — BOARD MEMBER
  • KORTNEY DALE — BOARD MEMBER
  • LINDA BARBUTO — TREASURER
  • MICHELLE BREIDENBACH — BOARD MEMBER
  • NEIL J SMITH ESQ — BOARD MEMBER
  • PATRICIA MCBRIDE — BOARD MEMBER
  • PAULA FREEDMAN — BOARD MEMBER
  • REBECCA HODA-KEARSE — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 20

Who they work with

  • 211 Government — Regional provider of the 211 Health and Human Services Referral Line, connecting callers to community resources.
  • 211 Partner — Directs callers to 211 to access community resources and support for practical needs.
  • 988 Partner — Connects callers in crisis to 988 for emergency crisis care.
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Government — Regional provider of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, connecting callers to crisis support.
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Partner — Refers callers in crisis to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate, 24/7 support.
  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Partner — Collaborates with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to provide access to national crisis counseling via call, text, and chat.
  • Children's Institute Partner — Collaborates with Children's Institute, the developer of the national evidence-based Primary Project model.
  • Children's Institute Partner — Implements the Primary Project, a school adjustment program developed and supported by Children's Institute, to help children build confidence and social skills through play.
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton Syracuse Destiny USA Partner — Host venue for the annual Youth Mental Health Summit.
  • Hutching's Psychiatric Center Children and Youth Program Partner — Provides telephone follow-up services for families with children in care at this program.
  • LivingWorks Partner — Partners to deliver SafeTALK and ASIST suicide intervention training programs.
  • Mental Health Association of Onondaga County Partner — Affiliated with Contact Community Services in 2009, leading to expanded mental health services for adults.
  • North Syracuse Central School District Partner — Hosts Student Assistance Program counselors in its high schools.
  • Onondaga County school communities Partner — Provides suicide prevention and mental health trainings to students, parents, teachers, and administrators within Onondaga County school districts.
  • PAXIS Institute Partner — Implements the PAX Good Behavior Game, a school-based program developed by PAXIS Institute, to promote student self-regulation and positive classroom behavior.
  • PAXIS Institute Partner — Source of evidence-based strategies and research foundation for PAX Tools programming.
  • QPR Institute Partner — Collaborates to deliver QPR gatekeeper training for suicide prevention.
  • SAMHSA Government — Utilizes SAMHSA-endorsed Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) curriculum.
  • Susan VanCamp Partner — Contact person for Youth Development Services
  • Syracuse City School District Partner — Hosts Student Assistance Program counselors in its high schools.
strategies · 10

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.

  • Adult-Mediated Child Wellbeing
    methodology: adult-mediated_child_wellbeing
    By equipping parents, caregivers, and professionals with science-based tools, we strengthen child development outcomes, because nurturing adult relationships create safe, predictable environments that foster emotional regulation and resilience.
  • PAX Good Behavior Game for Child Self-Regulation
    methodology: pax_good_behavior_game
    By implementing the PAX Good Behavior Game in classrooms, we improve children's lifetime outcomes, because structured, play-based behavioral strategies build self-regulation, prosocial behavior, and collaborative self-management essential for learning and resilience.
  • Peer-Powered Emotional Support
    methodology: peer_support
    By using trained volunteers to deliver empathetic, non-clinical listening, we produce emotional resilience and connection, because human presence and peer-level understanding can be healing without requiring professional intervention.
  • Play-Centered Social-Emotional Learning
    methodology: evidence_based_play_intervention
    By using expressive play as an evidence-based intervention, we support early school adjustment and learning readiness, because play builds critical social, emotional, and cognitive skills that enable children to navigate classroom challenges effectively.
  • Reciprocal Volunteer Engagement
    methodology: reciprocal_volunteer_engagement
    By offering personal and professional development to volunteers, we sustain community involvement in service delivery, because mutual benefit strengthens long-term commitment and deepens community ownership of mental health initiatives.
  • School-Based Mental Health Integration
    methodology: school_based_mental_health_intervention
    By embedding evidence-based counseling and case management in schools, we reduce nonacademic barriers to learning, because accessible, trauma-informed support within educational settings improves student self-discipline, mental health, and long-term outcomes.
  • Supportive Listening Warmline Model
    methodology: supportive_listening_warmline
    By providing accessible, non-clinical emotional support through a warmline during non-crisis moments, we prevent escalation of distress and promote sustained engagement, because early and empathetic human connection reduces isolation and builds trust in care pathways.
  • System-Level Mental Health Improvement
    methodology: system_level_change
    By leading cross-sector partnerships and training across schools and communities, we advance systemic change in mental health services, because coordinated, evidence-based education and capacity-building remove structural barriers and improve social-emotional well-being at scale.
  • Upstream Prevention Through Early Intervention
    methodology: upstream_prevention
    By introducing mental health support early along the stress continuum, we prevent crises and reduce long-term risk, because timely, accessible engagement fosters self-awareness, coping skill adoption, and proactive help-seeking behavior.
  • Youth-Led Mental Health Advocacy
    methodology: youth_led_participation
    By centering youth voices and lived experience in program design and discussion, we create more relevant and effective mental health solutions, because those directly affected are best positioned to identify needs and drive meaningful change.