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community |
See an overview of our community programs here, or scroll down to browse.
educational presentations & health fairs
Prevention Network offers numerous educational presentations regarding various addiction issues to schools, businesses, religious and community groups and to the general community.
Frequent topics include:
• Alcohol 101
• Ecstasy and Designer Drugs
• Stress Management
• Self-Mutilation
• Marijuana
• Inhalants
• Healthy Choices
• Drugs and the Brain
• Drinking and Driving
Additional topics are available and may be tailored to fit your organization’s needs.
Prevention Network is available to set up a booth at your next health fair or event. We distribute information on addiction/drug abuse, parenting programs, youth programs and other topics, depending on your audience.
For more information, contact us at 315.471.1359.
chemical people
Prevention Network offers mini-grants, up to $300, for projects benefiting youth ages 9-14 years of age. The criteria for application are two-fold: First, that the grant funding supports meaningful opportunities for youth participation and consequently recognition for that participation; secondly, that the project identifies what specific risk factor(s) is to be removed, and/or what specific protective factor(s) will be added for the target audience.
Grant applications are available annually from August until the end of October. The application deadline is at 4:00 pm on the first Friday in November.
For more information, contact Faith Mary Gault at 315.471.1359 or fmgault@preventionnetwork.info.
drinking driver program
The Drinking Driver Program (DDP) is a seven-week, 16-hour course offered at Prevention Network through the Department of Motor Vehicles. It is designed to educate DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) and DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) offenders about the dangers of using alcohol and driving. Each year, there are approximately 2000 DWI arrests in Onondaga County. On average, 25% of those arrested enroll in Prevention Network’s DDP program.
A motorist who has been convicted by a New York State court of a first (or first in five years) DWI or DWAI driving offense can be sentenced by the Judge to complete the DDP as part of a conditional discharge.
The fee for all sessions of the DDP is $225, to be paid by the third session. Only postal, bank, or other official money orders can be accepted. They are made payable to Prevention Network. This fee does not include the DMV charges to register for a class or reinstate a license.
DDP classes consist of 16 hours of education offered over seven weeks. There are seven classes of 2 to 2 1⁄2 hours in length held on the same day for seven consecutive weeks. They are currently held at Prevention Network on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 11:30 am.
For more information, contact Denise Hatch at 315.471.1359 or dhatch@preventionnetwork.info.
victim impact panel
The Victim Impact Panel (VIP) is contracted to Prevention Network through the Onondaga County STOP DWI Program, which is administered through the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office. The goal of the VIP is to have a lasting impact on participants by confronting them with the reality of their decision to drive under the influence of alcohol and other drugs.
The Victim Impact Panel humanizes the consequences of impaired driving by presenting speakers who have been touched by the traumas resulting from alcohol related crashes. Speakers include individuals who have lost loved ones, emergency personnel who respond to crashes, hospital trauma personnel, and individuals who have either been in, or caused, the crash. In addition, the VIP provides an educational component to help the participants understand the impairment process and develop low risk strategies to prevent high risk behaviors.
The VIP sessions are generally facilitated on the first and third Thursdays of the month. They are held from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Onondaga County Justice Center, located at 555 S. State Street in Syracuse. There is a $25 fee for the session, which is payable by cash, check or money order (made payable to STOP DWI Program). At the conclusion of the session, a certificate of completion and receipt is provided. It is the participant’s responsibility to see that the necessary legal professionals receive a copy.
For more information and the dates of upcoming Victim Impact Panel classes, contact Prevention Network at 315.471.1359.
DSS-TANF screening
This program involves Prevention Network staff in the intake process of the Department of Social Services (DSS) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Staff screens all applicants for problems with alcohol and other drugs in a one-on-one setting. The initial instrument is a ten-point questionnaire approved by DSS statewide. Two or more positive answers will precipitate a follow-up assessment. Using a 45-minute tool, a determination is made of an alcohol or other drug problem and recommended treatment level of service.
The Prevention Network team works closely with DSS and the individual’s coach. In an average month, 540 individuals are screened, resulting in 113 (21%) being administered the in-depth assessment. The assessment further determines that 40 (35%) of the 113 were referred to local addiction treatment services.
Services for the screenings are provided at the Onondaga County Civic Center.
For more information, contact Faith Mary Gault at 315.471.1359 or fmgault@preventionnetwork.info.
underage drinking action council
The Underage Drinking Action Council was formed in 2005 to address the issue of underage drinking in the community. The council is made up of representatives from local faith communities, law enforcement, schools, parents and other community organizations. They bring diverse perspectives on alcohol and how it impacts their constituencies.
The council helps develop programming for youth and adults, plans events to bring awareness to the community and speaks to the media on behalf of this critical issue. Members have been interviewed on both radio and television in advocating for healthy choices for youth and parents. Posters with a positive message for parents about teen drinking have been designed, funded, and distributed by members.
The Underage Drinking Action Council (UDAC) puts the emphasis on the word “ACTION.” In the fall of 2005, the council was instrumental in removing from JCPenney, Kohl’s and Target stores merchandise that advertised alcohol company logos. This clothing was being displayed in the young men’s section. As a result of pressure from the UDAC and the media, these items were re-located to the men’s sections.
For more information, contact Philip Rose at 315.471.1359 or prose@preventionnetwork.info.