Senator Helming Announces FLACRA to Open Recovery Community Center

GENEVA – Senator Pam Helming today announced that Finger Lakes Area Counseling and Recovery Agency (FLACRA) has been awarded funding from the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) to establish a recovery community center in the Finger Lakes region. FLACRA will receive $348,973 out of a total $5.1 million that OASAS allocated to open 14 new recovery community centers across New York State and expand services at two existing recovery community centers. Senator Helming fought for this important funding to be included in the state budget and advocated for it come back to the Finger Lakes region.

“For more than 45 years, Finger Lakes Area Counseling and Recovery Agency has committed itself to strengthening our families and communities by fighting against drug and alcohol addiction. Never has that mission been more important than right now. One life lost to overdose is one too many, and that makes FLACRA’s services crucial to the individuals and families across our region. As State Senator, I am proud to work with FLACRA and support their efforts to bring a new recovery community center to our region. This grant will further FLACRA’s mission of supporting those struggling with addictions and their loved ones,” Senator Helming said.

Drug overdoses claimed more than 7,000 lives statewide from 2013 to 2015, according to the latest data available from the New York State Health Department. Included in that total are nearly 500 deaths by overdose in the Wayne-Finger Lakes region.

Recovery community centers, such as the one that FLACRA will implement as part of its comprehensive approach to helping individuals overcome their drug and alcohol addiction and become positive contributors to their communities, are part of New York State’s solution to addressing the addiction crisis in our communities. FLACRA’s recovery community center will promote long-term recovery by providing professional staff, peers, and volunteers to engage and support people in recovery. Services offered at the recovery community center will include peer support, skill building, recreation, wellness education, employment readiness, and social activities.

The services available at recovery community centers are designed to meet the specific needs of the individuals who live in the communities where the centers are located. With the addition of FLACRA’s new recovery community center, New York State has developed a total of 25 recovery community centers since 2016. Along with its grant, FLACRA has also been awarded one-time startup funding to assist with costs related to establishing the new recovery community center.

FLACRA Executive Director Marty Teller said, “FLACRA is thrilled to be developing this opportunity for supporting recovering individuals in Ontario County. We are especially happy to be partnering with the Community Support Center under the Ontario Partnership for this exciting venture. In fact, we are hoping to secure space in Canandaigua to be in close proximity to this valued community-based organization. FLACRA’s tremendous work in Peer Recovery Supports will be the perfect complement to this new addition. It is also a great opportunity for volunteer development. We are very grateful to Senator Pam Helming, who has supported FLACRA and our growth, especially in recent years in the face of the opioid epidemic.”

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help 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, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website. Visit CombatAddiction.ny.gov to learn more about the warning signs of addiction, review information on how to get help, and access resources on how to facilitate conversations with loved ones and communities about addiction. For tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing alcohol or drug use, visit the state’s Talk2Prevent website at talk2prevent.ny.gov/.