| CANYS COUNCIL ON ADDICTIONS OF NEW YORK STATE
Over these years, ACD/CANYS has
accomplished several major objectives that have provided an extremely valuable service for
local Councils and Member agencies across a spectrum of needs.
The following is a description of some
of those accomplishments. It is not all inclusive, and it only hints at the full authority
and potential that CANYS could command with regular meetings and full membership and
attendance.
Without doubt,, however, the Peer
Support, Resource Sharing, Statewide Communication and Information Updates, the Networking
with OASAS, the Managerial Discussions on Board and Staff concerns and advances in
Prevention have all contributed to a system of operation that is more efficient,
effective, and rich in knowledge and expertise than would otherwise be possible.
In October of 1993, a group of Directors
of Councils on Alcoholism formed the Association of Council Directors (ACD) to address our
identified needs for advocacy and technical assistance.
The first president
(Coordinator/Chairperson) for 1994 was Elizabeth Currier of the Leatherstocking Education
for Alcoholism Foundation (Otsego Council), and the first Secretary/Treasurer was Patricia
Munson of the Chautauqua Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Council.
According to Pat Munson, after the
(former) New York State Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addictions (NYSCADA) closed, she
felt it was important to have a peer group to continue to meet. That is why she decided to
act to start ACD and participate as much as possible. "Having a peer group for
support, questions, venting, as well as knowing what is going on in other Councils and
using our collective strength to act on projects - or at least try to act - is needed for
Councils so we don't lose our special "trust" - working in the communities and
with individuals and educating the public about addictions." Pat also felt that the
Councils acting together, can and should be more of a force for OASAS to reckon with.
She stated that overall- the Association
of Council Directors (now CANYS)" is about us as professionals, and it would be
greatly missed it if it were gone."
The original mission statement of the
ACD read as follows: The mission of the Association of Council Directors is to help
Councils on Alcoholism and Other Substance Abuse/Drug Dependencies uphold their local
mission. The Association will do this by:
o advocating on local, regional, state
and national levels in support of Councils and their mission(s);
o by helping to promote public awareness
of Councils as the cornerstone for community alcohol and drug services; and,
o by collaboration and providing support
for each other through information sharing.
Originally, membership in the
Association was offered to Executive Directors/Chief Executive Officers of Councils on
Alcoholism and Other Substance Abuse/Drug Dependencies incorporated as such under New York
State Law.
FIRST ACCOMPLISHMENT
Concurrent with the
development of ACD, our parent organization - the National Council, under the directive of
President Paul Wood, undertook a new affiliation membership fee schedule which effectively
prohibited some 2/3rds of the New York State Councils from continuing membership.
A letter was written by
Betty Currier to ask the NCADD to reconsider this fee schedule, and in fact, the ACD had
invited Paul Wood in for a later meeting at which time we , again, asked him to reconsider
and/or present other options that would not be financial burdens or obstacles to our
membership.
Finally, in 2001, the NCADD revisited
their membership fee schedule, and a new and more appropriate plan was adopted.
OASAS FISCAL WITHHOLDING POLICY
In April of
1995, ACD discussed a critical OASAS Fiscal Policy that was causing both great cash
deficits and operational deficits for most agencies.
In June of
1995, a letter was sent by the ACD to OASAS asking for a revision of the OASAS "10%
withholding policy from quarterly advances" for total relief from that stipulation.
After no
response, in February of 1997, a letter was sent to Senator Jim Wright regarding the
policy and harm it (and the interest disallowable) was causing to the agencies.
Subsequently,
on May 19th 1997, Directors met with Senator Maziarz and Commissioner Miller to further
discuss this. The Commissioner then agreed that the 10% withholding policy will be
rescinded, and secondly, that interest will be an allowable expense for claims in certain
circumstances.
This one policy
change alone, thanks to CANYS -- has dramatically reduced the critical cash-flow deficits
experienced by agencies, reduced operational deficits, and may have saved the agencies
millions of dollars in interest costs and disallowables over this one decade.
COUNCIL SURVEYS
Over the years, the Councils
have gathered information to enhance agency operations through several surveys:
o A survey on the appropriate
utilization of Volunteers in Councils;
o A survey on Fundraising
strategies and obstacles;
o Surveys on training needs;
o A Salary Study and related
Information;
o An Units-of-Service
(expectation) Study for Prevention Services;
o Council "General
Membership Campaign" Survey;
o Most importantly, there was a
major Confidential Survey conducted for all Councils, in February 1996, to identify
funding problems and particular problems with local governments and governmental offices
(county and state) - this was a critical, but confidential study which yielded very
significant data about the ways in which Councils were perceived and treated by state and
local authorities.
INPUT and MONITORING of DEVELOPMENTS and INITIATIVES
Over the years, Council
Directors have met to share participation in and discussion and input of a wide number of
governmental and local developments, including:
Ad Hoc Prevention Committee 1994; OASAS
Advisory Committee for Professional Development; Unified Alcoholism Constituency of New
York State (UACNYS); NYS Association of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Professionals;
the ADAC Report; Medicaid Managed Care/Special Care; OASAS Symposium 1994; CSAP Funding
Initiatives; DAAA & DSAS Consolidation; Training Needs; Governor’s Traffic Safety
Committee; the Recovery Network Television Show; a state WIC Grant; Safe Summer; Public
Policy issues such as the ATC cuts; OASAS Substance Abuse Prevention Guidelines; OASAS
Electronic Reporting Systems; Workplan Development; OASAS Results Oriented Workplan;
hosted a DDP Discussion Group; a Managed Care Discussion Group; monitored a Task Force on
E.A.P.s; discussed a Family Intervention Program; monitored the Social Indicators Study
(PRISMs); monitored State Budget Developments; Regional Youth Forums; OASAS Net Deficit
Funding and Fiscal Re-engineering policy; monitored the "Recovery Saves Valuable
People" (RSVP) initiative in 1997; the development of the PR-3 Reporting System; the
expansion of the Gambling Industry; the Reality Check national Marijuana Campaign; the
1996 Prevention Conference; the 2001 Prevention Conference; the Prevention Advisory
Committee; Research-based Strategies and Prevention Initiatives; monitoring grant
opportunities and OASAS Plans and Supplemental Plans such as TANF, SICA, the Local
Incentives, and reviewing the Prevention Training RFP; discussion on the Prevention
Committee’s "White Paper" on Prevention in February of 2000; the status of
the Parity Bill; etc.
FOUNDATION DEVELOPMENT
Many Councils have
sought non-traditional funding due to the restrictive nature of the funding streams under
recent administrations. Several Directors investigated the option of forming Foundations,
but had numerous questions about the feasibility, process, and operation of Foundations.
In August of 1998, CANYS
brought in Michael deFreitas of William Moran and Associates, an authority on
not-for-profit Foundations. Mr. deFreitas strongly recommended Foundations as appropriate
for not-for-profit agencies, and also reviewed and spoke to the OASAS Policy of Closely
Allied Entities (CAEs).
CANYS held further
discussions on Foundations and CAEs through 2000, when Nick Colamaria of the OASAS Bureau
of Finance was brought in for a presentation on the regulations for CAEs as interpreted by
OASAS.
As a result of these discussions and the
technical assistance afforded, agencies with existing Foundations received clarification
on current operations, and agencies considering Foundation Development received
information assisting with their decisions and implementation as appropriate.
TRAININGS:
o In February, 1995, ACD
held a 2-day program for clinical, prevention and fiscal staff, discussing organizational
items such as caseloads, policies, budgeting issues, computer hardware and software needs,
billing systems, evaluations, etc.
o In October of 1995,
ACD brought in OASAS staff for a training on the new OASAS Workplan and Workplan
development.
o In February of 1996,
Dan Shubsda presented a training on Investment and an overview of principles of the Stock
Market.
o In December of 1995,
ACD brought in Jane Jones, Management Consultant for a Franklin Quest "Time
Management Training" for both Directors and Staff (100);
o In January 1996, ACD
provided a training for "Creative Problem Solving".
o Report and discussion
on "Fundraising Feasibility Information and Tips" from Cornell University, April
1996.
o Michael deFreitas on
Foundations and Closely Allied Entities, August 1998.
o ACD sponsored a 2-day
"LifeSkills Training" in Geneva, NY.
o "Technical Skills
using MIS to Enhance Agencies", Ralph Riggs, Cattaragus Council, 6/96.
o Mini-workshops were
offered in December of 1996 on "Staff Problems and the Use of Performance
Objectives."
o Ted Monica, Northern New York Center
on Problem Gambling, October 1996.
PURCHASING CONSORTIUM
Over the years, the ACD/CANYS
has tried several means to gain efficiencies through mass/collaborative purchasing,
including:
o A Safe Summer Purchasing
Campaign;
o The Channing-Bete Purchasing
Cooperative Agreement;
o Studying the feasibility of a
statewide Council 800 telephone number and exchange routing system in December of 1996;
o Designed a Council (common)
Prevention/Community Awareness Poster, called, "Councils and Communities Working
Together for Healthy Families";
o Distribution of 22 boxes of
(old) Safe Summer Items;
o Sharing information on
Microsoft Educational Discounts;
o Purchase and distribution of
the "EMRE Database for Group Purchasing", from the Educational Media Resource
Consultants.
CORE SERVICES DEFINITION/GRID
The Council
Directors felt that prevention services were poorly identified and understood by many,
especially governmental authorities, and that as such - many of the needed community-based
services were unidentified or considered irrelevant.
This led to the formation of a
subcommittee to list all prevention services delivered, and to identify them in a
"Grid" paradigm for identification and articulation of all prevention strategies
and activities. This was one of the most helpful categorization of services designs yet
developed for prevention services.
ADVOCACY and HEALTH POLICY
Over the years, ACD/CANYS has
been especially interested in monitoring public policy, and on occasion, in educating and
advocating for effective policy for addictions prevention and treatment, including:
letters to the legislators; attendance at Legislative Day in Albany; attendance at
regional legislative breakfasts and events; supporting the legislation for parental
responsibility bill; having a discussion with Fran Harding on the "10 Councils in
Distress"; monitoring Consolidation; monitoring the CASAC Credential and
Grandfathering; monitoring the development of the CP/CPS Credential; responding to
RIA’s "Drinking Reduction Program" in July of 1997; monitoring the Medical
Audits and fiscal recovery program of the state as it negatively affected OASAS agencies
in 1997; submitted a Letter of Support for OASAS for the Robert Wood Johnson RFP; placing
advertisements in the special edition Legislative Gazette; setting up Council Exhibits and
CANYS Displays at Conferences; in 2000 CANYS wrote a letter objecting to Woodstock due to
drug use and the safety concerns; in 2001 CANYS wrote to Prime Minister Jean Chretien
regarding the decriminalization initiative in Canada, and wrote to Antonia Novello
(Commissioner of DOH) regarding distribution of Tobacco Monies for prevention and
treatment; etc.
SPEAKERS and GUEST VISITORS
The ACD tried to strive for
direct ties to a variety of initiatives, often by inviting speakers or representatives to
meet with us for updates, planning and discussion. Several include:
o Anita Martin from Legal
Action Center;
o Bill Magwood, Director
Anti-Drug Abuse Council;
o Michael deFrietas of William
Moran and Associates;
o Nick Colamaria of OASAS
regarding Foundations and CAEs;
o Paul Wood, President of
NCADD;
o John Coppolla, Executive
Director of AASAPNYS;
o Tony D’Apice of
Channing-Bete;
o Fran Harding, John Ernst,
Bill Barnette OASAS Bureau of Prevention;
o Jean Somers-Miller,
Commissioner OASAS;
o Life Skills TTT trainer;
o New York State Council of
Community Services;
o John Ernst for Workplan
Development & Prevention Program Design Training;
o Anderson Evans of OASAS on
E.A.P. Development/Initiatives in February 1996;
o Alexandra Steward, Steller
Communications/NIDA on new Marijuana Video in 6/96;
o John Priebe, Upstate District
Director for OASAS;
o Jim McSwiggin, Retail Value
Center for a presentation on the "Development of Advertising Displays";
o Wendy Gibson, regarding the
new OASAS Website;
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Throughout the meetings, the
Councils have especially tried to support each other in administrative issues by
identifying Thursdays and Thursday evenings for special discussion on agency management
and operations, including issues such as: Board Policies, Responsibilities and Management;
Hiring and Employment Policies and Practices; Management Practices; Staff Evaluation
Instruments; Agency Evaluation Instruments; Fiscal Policies; surviving state audits;
Executive Director Evaluation Instruments; Supervision Instruments; Employee Exit
Interviews; Professional Liability Insurance; Customer Satisfaction Surveys; Excellence in
Management Strategies; Quality Control; Performance Tracking; Disciplinary Procedures;
Staff Retention; Crisis Management; Capital Development; etc.
ACD REVISITED - CANYS STRATEGIC PLANNING
Beginning in
February of 2000, a committee began to work to incorporate as the Council on Addictions of
New York State, (CANYS), a 501 © (3) organization that would better serve the needs of
the Councils and members organizations in an enhanced manner. By-laws were drafted, the
incorporation papers drawn, and application was made and approved.
This began a
two-year process of discussion on the Mission, Vision, Membership and Process Structure,
and incidentals such as the development of letterhead, a "list-serve" internet
resource, brochure, etc.
In December of 2001, CANYS
contracted with Sally Crosier as a facilitator to lead the membership through a (re)
examination of the Vision and Mission of CANYS, and to draft a new set of goals
appropriate for the new corporation. Pat Munson re-worked the membership criteria. This
was the beginning of a process of "Strategic Planning" for an organization that
could best represent the needs of prevention, of the agencies, and of related issues in
New York.
CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT
With assistance
of Ruth Maxwell and the Rockland Council, approximately 10 Councils joined in the national
Constituency/Recovery Advocates in 2001. The movement was a great success as hundreds of
recovering advocates turned out at the Legislative Day in Albany to see and discuss issues
with legislators.
In May of 2001, a federal grant
was submitted with the Rockland Council as lead agency, to promote the Recovery Advocates
for 30 Councils throughout the state.
ASSEMBLY TESTIMONY
In May of 2001, CANYS presented
testimony to Assemblyman Sam Hoyt and the Assembly Committee in regard to both the need
for Cost-of-Living Adjustments in this discipline, as well as the need for Insurance
Parity.
SHARE
As the Council Directors
appreciated the wealth of information gained with routine meetings of the Executives, they
felt that meetings for educators would also be as rewarding. The Directors agreed to
sponsor staff for SHARE, a bi-monthly meeting in Region II and Region III for educators
and prevention specialists to discuss programming and issues related to their job and
responsibilities.
KEEPING PREVENTION IN THE FOREFRONT
CANYS has had
the ability to help guide AASAPNYS to fully integrate the theme of prevention in all
public policy materials, testimony and policy development on a statewide basis.
CANYS also has helped ASAP to
realize the value of sponsoring a Prevention Committee, and to hold joint, periodic
meetings of that committee with CANYS for maximal input and direction, and has helped
AASAP and OASAS to realize the values of both having prevention workshops in state
conferences as well as to have specialized conferences specific to prevention.
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