OASAS Commissioner Announces Prevention Workforce Awards

May 28, 2022

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports today announced the award of $478,874 to 23 prevention providers across New York State to support the creation of paid internship positions. This program is designed to provide individuals a pathway into the prevention field, and to increase diversity within the prevention workforce.

“The prevention workforce and our certified prevention providers are both a critical part of the system of addiction care that is available throughout New York State,” OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said. “This program will attract new, dedicated workers to the prevention field and give them a path towards a rewarding career, while also helping our providers to further support the critical services that they deliver every day.”

The Paid Prevention Internship Opportunity (PPIO) program offers those interested in a career in the prevention field a way to receive valuable on the job experience, and provides an entry-level path towards a professional credential, such as Certified Prevention Professional (CPP) or Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS).

In addition, it allows prevention providers an opportunity to recruit talented and dedicated staff to the field. A key objective of the program is also to foster diversity within the prevention workforce in order to best meet the needs of the communities they serve.

Funding for this initiative was provided to New York State through the federal Supplemental Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant. Each of the providers below is receiving between $18,000 and $21,000, depending on the amount requested. All eligible providers who applied were awarded the full requested funding amount.

Capital Region

New Choices Recovery Center

University at Albany, Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research

Central New York

Farnham, Inc

Finger Lakes

DePaul Community Services, Inc.

CASA-Trinity, Inc.

Long Island

Huntington Youth Bureau Youth Development Research Institute, Inc.

Youth Environmental Services, Inc.

Riverhead Community Awareness Program, Inc

Mid-Hudson

Warwick Community Bandwagon

Family Services, Inc.

Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster

Student Services Assistance Services Corp.

Mohawk Valley

LEAF, Inc.

New York City

Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities, Inc.

Sports Foundation, Inc

Hebrew Educational Society of Brooklyn

The Children’s Aid Society

North Country

Champlain Valley Family Center for Drug Treatment and Youth Services, Inc.

Seaway Valley Council for Alcohol Substance Abuse Prevention

Southern Tier

Hornell Area Concern for Youth, Inc.

Alcohol and Drug Council of Tompkins County, Inc

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester dba Catholic Charities Steuben Livingston

Western NY

Western New York United Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Inc.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). 

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website

If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.