News

21
Nov
2024

Center of Family Life and Recovery Partners with Michael Sgro Leadership Coaching to Enhance Workforce Culture

Center of Family Life and Recovery Partners with Michael Sgro Leadership Coaching to Enhance Workforce Culture

Utica, New York (November 2024) – The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. (CFLR) is excited to announce a new partnership with Michael Sgro Leadership Coaching. This collaboration aims to foster a thriving and supportive workforce culture that prioritizes professional growth, learning, and development among CFLR’s leadership team.

As part of this partnership, Coach Michael Sgro will serve as the Chief Learning Officer (CLO), bringing his expertise in leadership coaching to the forefront. His role will focus on cultivating an environment that encourages open communication, collaboration, and the holistic well-being of staff members.

The CLO will guide our culture to embrace continuous learning and adaptability. Acting as both a coach and facilitator, the CLO supports employees in developing necessary skills and a growth mindset to thrive in a rapidly changing environment. Additionally, the CLO ensures that learning opportunities are accessible and aligned with the company’s strategic goals, driving individual development and fostering a resilient, forward-thinking organizational culture.

“Creating a healthy workforce culture is essential to our mission at CFLR,” said Cassandra Sheets, MSW, CEO of the Center of Family Life and Recovery. “We are thrilled to partner with Michael, whose experience and passion for leadership development align perfectly with our goals.”

Coach Sgro expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “I believe that a strong culture is the playground for effective leadership to emerge. I look forward to working with the CFLR team to empower them in their professional journeys and to enhance the overall work environment.”

This partnership marks an important step in CFLR’s commitment to supporting its team members and enhancing their professional skills. By prioritizing a culture of learning and development, CFLR aims to strengthen its capacity to serve the community effectively. For more information about the Center of Family Life and Recovery and this exciting new partnership, please visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com.

 About Center of Family Life and Recovery

The Center of Family Life and Recovery is dedicated to providing comprehensive support and resources for individuals and families facing challenges related to mental health and addiction. Through innovative programs and a commitment to excellence, CFLR empowers communities to achieve lasting recovery. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com

About Michael Sgro Leadership Coaching

Michael Sgro Leadership Coaching specializes in developing effective leaders through personalized coaching and training programs. With a focus on emotional intelligence and organizational culture, Coach Sgro helps teams unlock their full potential.

Posted by Cassandra Sheets in News
21
Nov
2024

Oneida County Suicide Prevention Coalition Receives Award Recognition in November

Oneida County Suicide Prevention Coalition Receives Award Recognition in November

Utica, New York (November 2024) – The Oneida County Suicide Prevention Coalition, co-led by the Center for Family Life & Recovery and Oneida County, was awarded one of the 2024 Excellence in Suicide Prevention Coalition awards. This award is given for the Coalition’s work addressing Disproportionately Affected Populations. Coalition members were presented the award live at the 2024 Suicide Prevention Conference – Coalitions: Maximizing Connections Amplifying Impact on November 13th, 2024, at the Desmond Hotel in Albany.

Cassandra Sheets, Chief Executive Officer said about this award, "Congratulations to our dedicated team and community partners on this well-deserved recognition; their commitment to amplifying survivor voices and fostering a culture of support and resilience has made a profound difference in the lives of so many."

The Oneida County Suicide Prevention Coalition’s postvention response stands out because of their integration of loss and attempt survivors' voices into their initiatives. This year, they launched an awareness campaign centered on the message "You Are Not Alone," featuring personal stories from survivors while reflecting the cultural and linguistic diversity of our community. Additionally, they are holding a logo design competition, where individuals with lived experience serve as judges, further incorporating their voices into the efforts of the program. Through these actions, they aim to let youth and families know they are supported and never alone.

Their postvention efforts are guided by the Suicide Postvention Model (SPM) and the After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools. This year, in response to a loss within a local school district, they provided immediate, on-hand support and resources to the affected community. They also guided the school in supporting students and staff, addressing immediate emotional needs in the wake of the tragedy. These models ensure their response is structured, empathetic, and focused on healing.

The Coalition measured the impact of this response through feedback from school administrators and staff, assessing the effectiveness of the support provided. In addition, they are employing quantitative measures by tracking how many people are reached through recent media campaigns including radio and television commercials. Additional measurements include engagement through the number of students who participate in the logo design competition. This combined approach helps us evaluate both the immediate and long-term effects of postvention efforts.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert in advocacy, prevention, counseling, and employee assistance programs. Along with supporting individuals and families struggling with addiction and recovery, mental health, and behavioral issues, CFLR’s goal is to inspire hope, provide help, promote wellness, and transform lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com

Posted by Cassandra Sheets in News
13
Nov
2024

CFLR Launches Holiday Hope Initiative to Support Those in Need in the Mohawk Valley

CFLR Launches Holiday Hope Initiative to Support Those in Need in the Mohawk Valley

Utica, NY (November 2024) — CFLR is proud to announce its Holiday Hope initiative, Erin’s Light Heartwarming Campaign, as an effort dedicated to supporting individuals in the Mohawk Valley who are struggling with addiction, mental health issues, and behavioral challenges. By inspiring hope and promoting wellness, CFLR is committed to transforming lives and providing essential support to those in greatest need this holiday season.

This holiday season, we invite you to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families in need by participating in our outreach efforts. As part of our Erin’s Light efforts, CFLR is collecting for and creating Holiday Hope Gift bags for 200 men, 200 women, and 50 children during our street outreach along with local shelters and another 50 families referred through our school and family services. The initiative aims not only to provide physical items but also to deliver a message of hope and care to individuals and families facing difficult circumstances.

“We believe that everyone deserves a little extra support during the holiday season and this event is truly heartfelt for us, as it gives us the chance to share and give back to the community,” said CFLR’s Recovery Coordinator, Katie Rodriguez. “Through the Heartwarming Campaign, we hope to bring smiles and warmth to those who need it most – reminding them that they are not alone.”

To make this initiative a success, CFLR is seeking donations of essential items to fill the Holiday Hope Gift Bags. The items needed include reusable holiday gift bags, hats, gloves, blankets, hand warmers, and health/beauty items. Confirmed drop-off locations so far include Big Jay’s Pizzeria in Rome, Zensations Therapeutic Massage in Rome, Rene Ciaccia Counseling in Whitesboro, Franco’s Pizza in Westmoreland and Ilion, James Mitsubishi in Rome, Beacon Center in Utica and Style in the Square by Niki Marie in Utica. All donations are due by December 6th.

In addition to physical donations, monetary contributions are also welcomed and will directly support the creation of these gift bags. Supporters can easily purchase items from CFLR’s Amazon Wish List: www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/EQBUTIX46DNG/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex or make a monetary donation: secure.qgiv.com/for/kotbkx/. For those who prefer to contribute on the go, texting “CFLR” to “50155” will allow you to make a difference from anywhere, ensuring that your support reaches those in need.

CFLR is deeply committed to its mission of supporting individuals facing life’s challenges. Through initiatives like this, we aim to create a stronger, healthier community where everyone has access to the help they need.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert in advocacy, prevention, counseling, and employee assistance programs. Along with supporting individuals and families struggling with addiction and recovery, mental health, and behavioral issues, CFLR’s goal is to inspire hope, provide help, promote wellness, and transform lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com

Posted by Cassandra Sheets in News
28
Oct
2024

Oneida County Suicide Prevention Program Logo Design Competition Extended

Oneida County Suicide Prevention Program Logo Design Competition Extended

Utica, New York (October 2024) – Oneida County Suicide Prevention Program is hosting a logo contest for a new logo for the Oneida County Suicide Prevention Program. They invite 7th-12th graders in Oneida County to submit their creative designs now through November 15th.

Contest Details are as follows:

  • Themes: Hopeful Helpers, You Are Not Alone, Caring Communities
  • Prizes:$500 for 1st place, $250 for 2nd place, $100 for 3rd place
  • Deadline: November 15th, 2024
  • Submission: Designs in JPEG or PNG format can be sent to ocsupp@cflrinc.org or mailed/delivered in person to 800 Park Avenue 9th floor, Utica.
  • Winner Announcement: On November 21st at 7 PM, at 201 West Dominick Street, Rome 13440, CFLR will select a winner and announce the winner. Save the date and join CFLR in Rome.

For further details on this Logo Contest, please contact Fran Esposito at (315) 733-1709 or email her at FEsposito@cflrinc.org.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert in advocacy, prevention, counseling, and employee assistance programs. Along with supporting individuals and families struggling with addiction and recovery, mental health, and behavioral issues, CFLR’s goal is to inspire hope, provide help, promote wellness, and transform lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com  

Posted by Cassandra Sheets in CFLR In Action, News
11
Oct
2024

U.S. Sees a Significant Drop in Overdose Deaths, Highlighting the Impact of Community Interventions

U.S. Sees a Significant Drop in Overdose Deaths, Highlighting the Impact of Community Interventions

Utica, New York (October 2024) — For the first time since 2020, the United States has witnessed a significant decline in overdose deaths, with a 10.6% decrease reported between April 2023 and April 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This decline is projected to save approximately 20,000 lives by the end of 2024, marking a hopeful turn in the fight against the opioid crisis.

“The trends are definitely positive,” remarked Dr. Keith Humphreys, a renowned drug policy researcher at Stanford University. “This is going to be the best year we’ve had since all of this started.”

Experts attribute this welcome news to several key interventions, including the expanded availability and affordability of medical treatments for fentanyl addiction. “Expansion of naloxone and medications for opioid use disorder — these strategies worked,” said Dr. Volkow at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

The Center for Family Life and Recovery (CFLR) has been a pivotal force in supporting individuals and families impacted by addiction in the Utica, Herkimer, and Rome areas of New York. By providing advocacy, prevention, counseling, and training, CFLR promotes wellness and transforms lives, reinforcing the message that “when there’s help, there’s hope.”

“By focusing on education, early intervention, and increasing access to life-saving resources, like Narcan and Deterra bags, we have been able to make a real difference in our community. We have seen firsthand how prevention can save lives and inspire hope, and we are committed to continuing this work to ensure even more youth, families, and individuals are protected from the impact of addiction,” said Francesca Esposito, Prevention Manager with CFLR. The success of these interventions highlights the importance of continued support and funding for community-based programs that offer tangible benefits to those in need.

Through an initiative to raise awareness on overdoses, in 2024, CFLR’s Recovery Team has hosted 270 Narcan training sessions in a variety of formats including in-person, virtual, and one-on-one sessions. This outreach successfully trained 187 individuals, significantly enhancing community knowledge. With a distribution of 514 Narcan kits, CFLR empowers participants to be proactive in taking action, fostering a greater awareness, and response to overdose situations.

Dr. Rahul Gupta, the White House drug czar, called for increased funding for addiction treatment and healthcare services, especially in marginalized communities where overdose deaths remain disproportionately high. “There is no way we’re going to beat this epidemic by not focusing on communities that are often marginalized, underserved, and communities of color,” Gupta stated.

While the national decline in overdose deaths is a cause for cautious optimism, experts agree that there is still much work to be done. “It’s something we should feel pleased about,” said Dr. Rachel Winograd, director of addiction science at the University of Missouri St. Louis. “But we must continue our efforts to sustain and build on this progress.”

CFLR remains committed to its mission of inspiring hope and promoting recovery. The organization encourages the community to support its ongoing efforts through donations and participation in events such as the recent Tim Foley Recovery Classic Golf Tournament and Light of Hope ceremony.

For more information about CFLR and how you can help make a difference, visit Center for Family Life and Recovery.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert in advocacy, prevention, counseling, and employee assistance programs. Along with supporting individuals and families struggling with addiction and recovery, mental health, and behavioral issues, CFLR’s goal is to inspire hope, provide help, promote wellness, and transform lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com 

Posted by Cassandra Sheets in CFLR In Action, News