Drug & Alcohol Services:  Background

C. Michael Calhoun
Drug And Alcohol
Services Network,
Division Manager

mcalhoun@gecac.org

The GECAC Drug and Alcohol Services division impacts alcohol and other drug issues influencing individuals, families and the Erie County community through the delivery of education and treatment activities that promote a drug-free lifestyle.  GECAC views addiction as a primary, chronic and progressive illness that can be prevented and/or alleviated through appropriate education, intervention, therapy and various levels of community support.

A comprehensive assessment/evaluation is completed with each individual (including family and significant others) to develop an individualized treatment plan designed to address those identified clinical issues that are associated with the individual's alcohol or other drug dependence.

Please visit the link below for important information about how GECAC uses and discloses your health information.  The document opens in a new window in a printer-friendly format. 

GECAC HIPPA Policy and Procedures 

Drug & Alcohol Services:  List Of Services

Babies First

Community Outreach

In-Home Counseling

Intervention Services

Outpatient Counseling

Prevention Education

Smoke's No Joke

Student Assistance Program

Transitional Housing Assistance

Treatment Accountability For Safer Communities (TASC)

Babies First

The Babies First Project is designed to provide a comprehensive program of outreach, education, and intervention services to pregnant, substance abusing women in Erie County.  Among the services and activities provided by this program are:  general awareness and public education activities to heighten awareness of the impact of using alcohol and drugs during pregnancy, and to encourage women to seek prenatal care as early as possible; outreach in the community to increase identification and referral of substance abusing, pregnant women to health care services, training and orientation on program services and screening tools for staff at primary health care sites. 

Community Outreach

Community Outreach is integral to the success of reaching those who can benefit from the services of the Drug and Alcohol Services Division.  Specialized outreach efforts are designed to facilitate entry into any phase of our service network. 

In-Home Counseling

The In-Home Counseling provides coordinated services to children and their families in their homes through a cooperative agreement with the Erie County Office of Children and Youth (OCY).  This Immediately creates an opportunity to address an at-risk population typically resistant to clinical involvement or unable to make contact due to personal and environmental barriers.  The objective in providing in-home drug and alcohol services is to assist the OCY in accessing support to children in crisis to advocate for family maintenance approaches and reduce the potentials of continued children of abuse/neglect., 
 

Intervention Services

Intervention Services are offered in middle and high schools of all public and non-public schools located in Erie County. This component of the Student Assistance Program assists school districts in the identification, referral, and treatment of at-risk students with a substance problem.

Outpatient Counseling

The Outpatient Program offers clients a therapeutic experience structured to identify, restore and repair dysfunction caused by substance abuse and dependency, and includes:  diagnostic/evaluative assessment; individualized treatment planning; individual, family and group counseling; psycho-educational support tracks; health care referral; cross system care planning; aftercare and discharge planning. Since substance abuse impacts the entire family and significant others, the GECAC Drug and Alcohol Services Division advocates the involvement of the family and significant others within the therapeutic recovery process.  Treatment services are provided at one of four licensed clinics strategically located throughout Erie County.  Licensed offices are located in Corry, Girard, Edinboro, and the City of Erie

Prevention Education

Prevention Education services are designed to create an awareness and better understanding of chemical dependency and issues related to the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD).  Parents and adults working with youth are provided the means of recognizing the signs and symptoms of a substance abuse problem given the knowledge and skills necessary to help children achieve a drug free transition into adulthood.  Young people are provided not only with specific drug and alcohol education, but also have an opportunity to participate in supervised structured activities that promote a healthier lifestyle.  Youth are given the opportunity to participate in leadership projects designed to build character, discipline, self-esteem and leadership and include mentoring, community volunteering, and exposure to cultural and educational offerings.  The general community is reached through various other venues, which advocate positive life styles and responsible citizenship. 

Smoke's No Joke Project

As a member of the Erie County Tobacco Coalition, GECAC prevention staff work with local businesses, community agencies, and the Erie County population in general to promote a tobacco-free lifestyle.  Staff conduct smoking cessation classes for individuals and businesses alike.  The project also holds various activities throughout the year to encourage youth to pledge to remain tobacco free and encourage others to remain tobacco free. 

Student Assistance Program

The Student Assistance Program is offered to students in middle and high school buildings of all public and non-public schools located in Erie County.  This component assists school districts in the identification, referral and treatment of at-risk students with a substance problem. 

Transitional Housing Assistance

In coordination with GECAC's Housing Assistance Program, this program provides assistance to individuals who are currently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, and who have recently completed treatment or are seeking treatment for a drug or alcohol related problem. 

Treatment Accountability For A Safer Community (T.A.S.C.)

Bridges the criminal justice system with the treatment community.  Services are designed to provide alternatives to incarceration for criminal behavior resulting from chemical dependency.  TASC provides such services as pre-trial screening, evaluation and referral for treatment, case management, and monitoring, including random urinalysis.