Ralph Wilson Stadium goes smoke free

From the Smoke Free NOW Community Newsletter, September, 2011.

Click on image to enlarge for easier reading.

Dr. Charles King discusses prescription drug abuse

This interview occurred on September 24, 2008

What's going on at Genesee County Mental Health Clinic

Update from MICA/Trauma task force meeting minutes of 08/26/11

Gen. Co. Mental Health Services: Jeff Hyde said that the addition of 2 nurse practitioners has allowed their clinic to see folks much sooner.

Domestic Violence group has started. Joyce Davis and Andrew Loeb screen potential participants and run the groups which started last Tuesday.  Cost is $20.00 a session. At present, mostly males are participating. Individuals must complete Domestic Violence Groups before they go on to anger management group (run by Mark Burgess).

Mental Health is looking to hire one more therapist.

GCASA's budget down slightly for 2012 from 2011 at $4.3 million as compared to 4.5 million

Every year for the last several years GCASA, in spite of increasing productivity and good outcomes has experience a slow decline in support from the counties of Genesee, Orleans, United Way, health insurance reimbursement, Stop DWI funds, etc.

In 2012, the total agency budget is forecast to be $4,333,888.00 down from $4,502,363.00 in 2011, a change of 3.7%.

In 2010 GCASA's budget was $4,374,581, in 2009 $4,456,462.00 and in 2008
4,378,300.00

So GCASA's budget has stabilized around $4.4 million for the last 4 years. This is good agency performance in times of shrinking public and non-profit dollars. GCASA's stability is due to excellent management and exemplary productivity and performance by staff.

GCASA's outcomes and customer satisfaction exceed benchmarks with other similar agencies in New York State.

Calling All Artists for submissions for GCASA Art Show

Medical Director Succession planning

As most of you are already aware Dr King has taken a position with a medical group in Toronto Canada. He and his family will be re-locating to Toronto in October and his last official day of work will be September 28th, 2011. He will remain on staff through November 1st, 2011, closing with his patients and consulting with the new medical director. Dr King has been a stable force behind the development of the Opiate treatment services of GCASA. His guidance and leadership has helped make GCASA one of the premier programs in the region. He has touched the lives of hundreds of patients and their families over his six years with GCASA. His commitment to working with addicted patients and their families was evident in all of his actions as medical director. He will be sorely missed by everyone.

Dr. Credi, a long term resident of Batavia will be replacing Dr king as the medical director of GCASA. Dr Credi is a general surgeon with a strong commitment to family, has close community ties, and has an avid interest in sports and film making. His empathic, ethical style of practicing medicine will lend itself to working with addicted patients. We are thankful for his willingness to accept the position of medical director at GCASA. Dr. Baker, who has more than 25 years in addiction medicine has offered to work as a consultant during the transition, as Dr Credi works on his suboxone certification. Dr. Baker originally had a long term family medicine practice in Leroy New York. Since his retirement from his family practice, he has worked as the medical director of Hope Haven. Dr. Baker’s knowledge of addiction and his collaborative team approach will be an asset to GCACA during this time of transition.

John Bennett
Director of Treatment and Residential Services
Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc.
430 East Main Street
Batavia, New York 14020
(585)815-1849

Richard Lawrence, RN, GCASA Coordinator of Senior Spice describes activity of making care packages for the troops for holidays, 2011

GCASA's 2 programs, S.U.P.A. and Senior Spice join together for program to support our troops

The members of S.U.P.A.(Students United For Postive Action) and Senior Spice, in a joint venture, will be assembling and mailing to our troops overseas Christmas/ Chanukah care packages by November 9, 2011.

Here is where you come in…..we need a name…” Operation…………..”? C’mon think of a good name and if you’re the winner….a $25 gift certificate and, more importantly, the thanks of a GI. Send your suggestions to Richard Lawrence at the address below by 09/28/11, Wednesday, by 5:00 PM.

We also will accept financial contributions up to November 8, 2011 for items for the care packages. Make your check out to GCASA Senior Spice Care Packages.

Thanks for your ideas for a name and contributions for this project.

Dick Lawrence, RN
Senior Spice Coordinator
430 East Main Street
Batavia, NY 14020
Phone 585-815-1865
Fax 585-343-9622
email : rlawrence@gcasa.org

Good bye open house for Dr. Charles King at GCASA on Monday, 09/26/11, 4:00-5:30 PM

Editor's note: Dr. King began working at GCASA as Medical Director on November 1, 2005. He is beloved and highly esteemed by staff and patients alike.

GCASA Cares resumes publishing with its Fall, 2011 season beginning today.

Today we will be resuming daily articles on GCASA Cares.

We miss Dan Crofts who left GCASA on August 3, 2011 and who had  been writing for GCASA Cares.

I will be taking over as the primary blogger as I was before Dan took on the duty. Hopefully, I will be joined by other bloggers who will contribute and perhaps take over when I retire in December.

So stay tuned for your daily dose of GCASA Cares.