Department of Social Services (DSS)
The Prevention Network Assessment and Referral Team has provided Alcohol and other drug screening services for Onondaga County Department of Social Services, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits (DSS/TANF) applicants, for the past 10 years.
This collaboration between our experienced team of addictions professionals working closely together and Onondaga County Department of Social Services, Intake Unit staff, grew in part out of Federal “Welfare to Work” regulations.
PN/OCAA Alcohol and Drug Professionals administer a NYS standardized tool designed jointly by the NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services, (OASAS) and NYS Department of Social Services (DSS). The screening tools are designed to uncover indicators for possible alcohol, and other drug-related problems, in applicants applying for Social Service Benefits. Prevention Network staff work solely with individuals applying for Temporary Aide to Needy Families (TANF). This partnership increases the likelihood of households breaking cycles of AOD (Alcohol Other Drug) problems. It decreases the likelihood of youth under 18 years of age, growing into adulthood under the care of untreated substance abuse/chemical-dependent caregivers. Thus, by providing opportunities for parental/guardian intervention and treatment; we have a greater chance of preventing and decreasing instances of addiction, child abuse, school drop-out and poverty etc…
TANF provides needed services for our most valuable national resource…children.
Our goal is twofold:
- To identify the individuals with confirmed indicators for substance abuse problems and refer them to a local treatment provider for services.
- To work cooperatively with Onondaga County Department of Social Services and Jobs Plus to ensure that eligible individuals meet Federal and NYS “Welfare to Work” criteria.
As a result of this community collaboration, many individuals have been able to arrest a life-threatening condition - chemical dependency, and have become full time employees, some for the first time.
Prevention Network Assessment and Referral Team:
Onondaga County Department of Social Services
2nd floor, Intake Unit
421 Montgomery Street
Syracuse, New York 13202
Ron Garcia, BS CASAC, Team Leader
rgarcia@preventionnetworkcny.org 435-2253, ext. 143
Audrey Hopkins, CASAC, Treatment Liaison
ahopkins@preventionnetworkcny.org 435-2253, ext. 145
Winston Skerritt Assessment
and Referral Specialist
wskerritt@preventionnetworkcny.org 435-2253, ext. 144