Prevention Through Education

Advances public awareness and policy related to substance use and recovery through collaboration with community partners, families, and public events. Promotes access to Narcan and treatment resources as part of advocacy efforts.

Hosts and organizes community events to raise awareness about substance use disorders, honor those lost, and celebrate recovery. Activities include the annual R. Brinkley Smithers Golf Invitational, the Long Island Trail of Truth – March to the Sea (attended by over 50 participants), and public memorial events such as placing tombstones in the sand to highlight the impact of fentanyl and the opioid epidemic.

Offers evidence-based, social-emotional learning-focused prevention education to students, educators, and families across Long Island. In a recent year, provided services to 49 schools and reached 12,564 students through its Prevention Education Team.

Provides confidential counseling and support to employees and their families for mental health, substance use, and life challenges. Served 20,000 employees and family members through this program.

Facilitates a range of support services for families and individuals affected by substance use, including professionally led and peer-led support groups (e.g., Family Support, Grief & Loss, Eating Disorders), planned family interventions, family education and counseling, and a workshop series focused on family roles and treatment options. Provided 1,500 such services through FIST-GGT-LICADD programs.

Collaborates with organizations like Gabriel’s Giving Tree on awareness and fundraising initiatives, including participation in the Purple Rock Project ceremony honoring over 100 opioid epidemic victims and raising funds for affected families.

Provides comprehensive services including chemical dependency evaluations, treatment referrals, intervention support, relapse prevention, and outpatient counseling with immediate access upon contact. Services are offered at two office locations in Bohemia and Westbury, NY, and include arranging detox and inpatient treatment as needed.

Delivers accredited, evidence-based workshops and continuing education programs to mental health professionals, educators, and school staff across New York State. Trained 1,892 professionals in substance use disorder and related topics.

Provides dedicated recovery support services to inmates through a Criminal Justice Clinician, facilitating reintegration and recovery. Served 1,800 inmates through this initiative.

Provides fiscal sponsorship for the organization Drug Crisis in Our Backyard to support awareness, education, and family assistance related to prescription and illegal drug abuse.

Implements programs that equip youth with decision-making skills and engage families in protective involvement to prevent substance use and destructive behaviors.

Creates and distributes educational resource guides for youth on topics including mental health, substance misuse prevention, and digital safety, such as the Yorktown Together! guide series.

Provides free training in naloxone use and distributes naloxone kits to the community to prevent opioid overdose deaths.

Hosts a free weekly yoga class focused on somatic mindfulness, grounding, and breath regulation to support family members of individuals struggling with addiction.

Curates and hosts a virtual Save A Life Wellness Fair to connect the community with potentially lifesaving information and resources.

Authored and published the Drug Epidemic Awareness Memorial Resource Guide and the Playbook for Thoughtful Service to promote awareness and guide community action.

Offers evidence-based training programs including CRAFT and Invitation to Change approaches, along with weekly family support groups and individual coaching to help families support loved ones struggling with substance use.

Operates as a community coalition in Yorktown Heights, NY, fostering cross-sector collaboration among communities, nonprofits, and government entities to promote youth safety and prevent substance abuse.