National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence - Rochester Area
Chemical dependency affects all of us directly or indirectly. For every dependent person, there are others – family, friends or colleagues whose lives are disrupted by the effects of this disease. It is America's number one health problem.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence – Rochester Area can help. As one of 21 affiliates in New York State and 89 affiliates nationwide of NCADD, Inc., our express purpose is to reduce the incidence and prevalence of the disease of alcoholism and other drug dependence.

We also work to prevent problem gambling which is often referred to as the "hidden addiction" as there are no outward warning signs of a problem. However, the consequences are very real and devastating to a compulsive gambler and their family. NCADD-RA offers education and support to families and community members.

NCADD-RA has been recognized as a program of longevity, providing services in Rochester and Monroe County since 1946.

Our Mission. . .
NCADD-RA provides research-based substance abuse and problem gambling prevention services to a diverse population through education, support, resources, advocacy and referral.

Staff work to positively influence the social norms which perpetuate the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs and problem gambling.

NCADD-RA staff provide community education and awareness presentations on a variety of addiction-related topics tailored to requesting school or community groups. NCADD-RA also provides a wide array of training opportunities for professionals in the addictions, education, and health and human services community.

Click on the box below for an Alcohol Screening Tool.

NCADD-RA
1931 Buffalo Road
Rochester, NY 14624
(585) 719-3481 or 719-3484
(585) 423-1908 Fax
Email: Elaine Alvarado, Administrative Assistant
or Aracelis Ramos, Secretary

Directions from west
Directions from east
Directions locally

To receive NCADD-RA newsletter, training flyers and luncheon invitation send your preferred mailing address to ncadd@depaul.org.

Addictions Counselor Credential Training
This comprehensive, 16-month Addictions Counselor Credential Training (ACCT) program trains individuals seeking the Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) designation from the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (NYS OASAS). NCADD-RA oversees the academic portion of the training, and introduces students to local treatment sites for potential community internship placements.

ACCT Application

The ACCT program provides the 350 education hours required by the NYS OASAS for the CASAC. Classes are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings at DePaul's 1931 Buffalo Road office. Candidates must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Demonstrate writing, communication skills and counselor aptitude
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Complete the program's screening process

A non-refundable registration fee is due upon application. The balance of the tuition may be paid in full prior to class or a payment plan may be requested. For more information and to request a student application packet, call NCADD-RA at (585) 719-3489.

Community Presentations available upon request. . .
The staff at NCADD-RA provides community presentations on a wide variety of substance abuse related topics upon request. We customize presentations to fit the need, interest and available timeframe for your community or school. Our staff provide presentations to school/university faculty, PTA/PTSA or other school groups (to include classrooms presentations), outreach and clinical staff, both youth and adult faith groups, or workplace organizations. Following are just a sampling of the range of topics that NCADD-RA staff can provide. Please call us if we can assist you.

  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
  • Signs, Symptoms and Current Trends of Substance abuse
  • Impact of Addiction on the Family
  • Consequences of Teen Smoking
  • Media Literacy
  • Underage Drinking
  • Problem Gambling: Impact on Youth and Families
  • Methamphetamine: Individual and Community Impact
  • Over the Counter/Prescription Drug Abuse
  • Inhalants/herbals
  • Marijuana
  • Club Drugs

For further information or to schedule a presentation with NCADD-RA staff, contact:  Barb Christensen, Education Coordinator at (585) 719-3482.

Continuing Education Opportunities for Professionals
NCADD-RA provides ongoing workshops on a monthly basis primarily in three- or six-hour formats. Included are a wide variety of substance abuse-related topics targeting the professional working in the prevention and treatment fields, as well as those working in allied health and human service agencies. Professional workshops provide credentialing hours toward both the CASAC and the Credentialed Prevention Professional (CPP).

College-level Credit
It may be possible to earn credit toward a bachelor's degree at SUNY Empire State College while participating in or upon completion of the ACCT program. To learn more, contact SUNY Empire State College at (585) 224-3200.

 

Hispanic Prevention/Education Program (HPEP)
This program provides increased awareness about chemical dependency and its impact on the Hispanic community, evidence-based education, support, information and referral. The program recognizes and respects the cultural distinctions of the Hispanic community.

HPEP provides community presentations for adults and youth, information and referral, along with printed resources for parents and youth in Spanish and English. Services include:

Project Alert
This research-based model program, adapted for Hispanic youth, is offered to middle and high school youth, both on- and off-site, and to requesting community groups. Project Alert, utilizing videos, interactive discussion, role play and education, incorporates lessons designed to motivate nonuse, identify pressures to use drugs, and to build and practice resistance skills. Additional booster sessions are also offered to extend the core curriculum's positive effects.

Vida en la Comunidad para Todas! (Life in the Community for Everyone!)
This evidence-based bilingual multimedia program addresses substance abuse prevention and mental health promotion in an interactive, culturally appropriate, and engaging format. The goal is to empower and motivate Latino parents to get involved early and often in keeping their children healthy, safe and drug-free.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse's Brain Power Club
This junior scientist program is geared to youth in grades K-5 and is designed to take students through a step-by-step exploration of science giving them the opportunity to learn about the brain, the nervous system and the effects of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs on the body. This program is offered both on- and off-site to requesting community youth groups.

HPEP Task Force
Staff facilitate this ongoing collaborative that identifies and welcomes members to share community resources and services specific to the Hispanic community regarding substance abuse prevention education, treatment and health-related resources.

For more information on HPEP, contact: Milagros Rodriguez-Vazquez at (585) 719-3486.

Total Approach Family Program
This program provides education and support for family members and other loved ones of the chemically-dependent person. It addresses co-dependency as a primary illness and allows family and friends to begin their own recovery process. Interventions are available and assistance is provided in finding treatment for their chemically-dependent loved one. Three separate groups are available including the Children's Group, Adolescent Group, and Adult Group.

Children's Group
This six-week program gives children ages 5 to 8 and 9 to 12 the skills to understand the disease of chemical dependency and how it affects their entire family. It provides age-appropriate tools necessary to evaluate personal feelings, develop coping skills and improve self-worth. Children come to understand they are not the cause of the chemical dependency, and that they are not alone in dealing with it.

Adolescent Group
This six-week program builds on the Children's Group but uses a more focused approach with videos and discussions to help youth ages 13 to 17 understand how chemical dependency affects them and their families.

Adult Group
This six-week program is designed for spouses, adult children, significant others, parents, siblings and friends of the chemically-dependent person. Information sharing, videos and discussion help adults understand and cope with the impact of chemical dependency on individuals and families.

For more information on Family program, contact: Bridget DeRollo at (585) 719-3483.

Problem Gambling Prevention Program
 This program provides education and support for the family members affected by the problem gambling of a loved one. Staff provide educational outreach awareness presentations to requesting school and community groups about the inherent risks of problem gambling. Services include:

Adult Group
This four-week program is designed for spouses, significant others, parents and friends of the problem gambler. This interactive program uses print materials, videos, discussions, and education to help participants understand and cope with the impact of problem gambling on individuals and families.

Adolescent Group
This four-week program uses a research-based curriculum that includes videos, activities and interactive discussions to help youth, ages 13 to 17, understand how the problem gambling of a loved one affects them and their families.

Classroom/Community Youth Group Presentations
Presentations use a research-based curriculum, are 40 minutes long, and are offered in one, two or three sessions, based on need. Presentations include videos, activities, and interactive discussion.

For more information on Problem Gambling programs, contact: David Young at (585) 719-3485.

NCADD-RA Designated a National Affiliate of NOFAS For Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Information

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence-Rochester Area (NCADD-RA), a program of DePaul Addiction Services, has been designated as the national upstate New York affiliate of the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) Network.

NCADD-RA is one of 11 state and international NOFAS affiliates. NOFAS is dedicated to eliminating birth defects caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy and to improving the quality of life for those affected by FAS.

NCADD-RA will continue to work on region-specific projects such as holding FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) workshops and conferences for professionals, providing community education and awareness presentations and offering information and resources on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

NCADD-RA hosts a FASD parent support group from 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings at DePaul’s NCADD-RA 1931 Buffalo Rd. location.

For more information, contact (585) 719-3480.

Visit the NOFAS site at: www.nofas.org

Resources, Advocacy, Research & Related Links

Monroe County OASAS Certified Treatment Provider Referral Template

Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS)
1450 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
(518) 485-1768
www.oasas.state.ny.us

Join Together
One Appleton Street 4th floor
Boston, MA 02116-5223
(617) 437-1500
(617) 437-9394 Fax
www.jointogether.org

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.(NCADD)
20 Exchange Place, Suite 2902
New York, NY 10005
(212) 269-7797
1-800/NCA-CALL HOPE LINE (24-hour affiliate referral)
(212) 269-7510 Fax
national@ncadd.org E-mail
www.ncadd.org

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)
625 Slaters Lane, Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 706-0560
www.cadca.org

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
National Institutes of Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 5213
Bethesda, MD 20892-9561
www.nida.nih.gov

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
5635 Fishers Lane, MSC 9304
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9304
www.niaaa.nih.gov

Partnership for Drug Free America
405 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1601
New York, NY 10174
(212) 922-1560
(212) 922-1570 Fax
www.drugfreeamerica.org

Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Providers of New York State (ASAP)
1 Columbia Place
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 426-3122
(518) 426-1046 Fax
asap@asapnys.org E-mail
www.asapnys.org

NY Council of Problem Gambling
119 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12210
(518) 427-1622
www.nyproblemgambling.org