Confidential Help for Alcohol and Drugs - CHAD

04/21/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Confidential Help for Alcohol and Drugs, Inc. (CHAD) Receives 2026 Health Equity Innovation Award from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

Auburn, NY — Confidential Help for Alcohol and Drugs, Inc. (CHAD) is proud to announce it has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Health Equity Innovation Award from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. This annual award supports nonprofit organizations dedicated to reducing health disparities and improving health outcomes throughout the region.

The award will support the Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) – Outpatient & Peer Recovery Services program, an initiative designed to expand access to peer-based recovery support for individuals receiving outpatient Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment. This program strengthens engagement in care by providing lived-experience mentorship, individualized recovery planning, relapse prevention support, and connections to critical resources such as housing, employment, and transportation. By integrating peer services into clinical treatment, the program improves retention, reduces relapse risk, and decreases avoidable emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

The program was recognized for its innovative, evidence-informed approach to addressing healthcare access and the social determinants of health, as well as CHAD’s strong commitment to advancing equitable, community-centered solutions to the SUD crisis.

The Health Equity Innovation Awards reflect Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s ongoing commitment to strengthening community health by investing in initiatives that expand access to care, address social drivers of health, and support underserved populations.

“We are honored to be recognized with this award,” said Caroline Rouen Dixon, Executive Director at CHAD. “This funding will allow us to expand our peer recovery workforce and increase access to critical support services, improving treatment retention, strengthening long-term recovery outcomes, and reducing strain on the healthcare system in our community.”

For more information about Confidential Help for Alcohol and Drugs, Inc. (CHAD) and the Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) Program, please visit www.chadcounseling.org or contact: 315-253-9786.

04/20/2026

Got old prescription medicine sitting in your cabinet and not sure what to do with it?

Don’t toss it or flush it—bring it to National Prescription Drug Take Back Day for safe, free disposal!

🗓️ Saturday, April 25, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
📍 Owasco Fire Department - 7174 Owasco Rd, Town of Owasco, NY

Safely dispose of your unneeded or expired medications—free of charge, no questions asked.

Accepted items: prescriptions, prescription patches, samples, ointments, vitamins, pet medications, and over-the-counter medications.
⚠️ Please note: Needles and sharps cannot be accepted.

Help keep your home and community safe! Clean out your medicine cabinet and drop off what you don’t need! 💊🛡️

04/17/2026

04/17/2026

Your voice can help Cayuga County families thrive!

When you fill out the Cayuga Thrives Community Needs Assessment, you’re helping our community understand what families really need — things like better child care, youth programs, mental health support, housing help, and more.

🗣️ Your feedback shows what’s working and what’s not.
💰 It helps decide where funding and resources should go.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 It makes sure programs are built to truly support families — not just guess what we need.

Every response helps build a stronger, more supportive Cayuga County for our kids and our future. Your input is CONFIDENTIAL and your honest feedback will directly influence the support available to children, youth, and families where we live.

🗓️ Open April 13 - June 13, 2026
📲 Scan the QR code below or click the link to share your voice today!

Parent/Caregiver: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=4SMqGHwl8karE9icrq0v9ow_dBLnDWFOtZ4ZpSJybdFUN01aMEQ1WjZWWVY4VjlDTDNWVVRaOEJBVC4u&route=shorturl

Youth/Young Person: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=4SMqGHwl8karE9icrq0v9ow_dBLnDWFOtZ4ZpSJybdFURU4yUVhCQkI0UkFNRDhSVEpYRE5FUjJNWS4u&route=shorturl

04/08/2026

Don’t wait for the “right time” — start the conversation early. Open, honest discussions can make a lasting impact and help keep your kids safe.

Talking about tough topics like alcohol use, peer pressure, and impaired driving isn’t always easy—but it matters. When kids feel like they can ask hard questions and get honest, judgement-free answers, it builds trust. That trust leads to more open conversations, better understanding, and greater awareness of the risks.

The more comfortable these conversations become, the more likely your child is to come to you, make informed decisions, and avoid dangerous situations like underage drinking.

✔️ Help them build an exit plan
✔️ Reinforce clear expectations
✔️ Show them you care

Your voice matters more than you think!

04/03/2026

How’s your drinking? 🍷

It’s a simple question—but an important one. Taking time to reflect on your habits can help you stay in control and make choices that align with your goals and values.

Explore this helpful guide and check in with yourself:

https://www.theeap.com/wellness/alcohol-awareness-hows-your-drinking

Small reflections can lead to meaningful change 💙

April is a time to raise your alcohol awareness! Do you or a loved one have a problem with drinking? Take a confidential sreening to learn more.

04/02/2026

Our office will be CLOSED tomorrow, April 3rd in observance of Good Friday. We will reopen on Monday, April 6th at 8:30 AM.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency during this time, please call 911.

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 211 for support.

We wish everyone a safe and Happy Easter! 🐰🌷

04/02/2026

Alcohol can impact more than just your night — it can affect your overall health in ways you might not realize 🧠

From sleep and mood to long-term health risks, understanding the effects of alcohol can help you make informed decisions for your well-being.

Learn more about how alcohol affects your health:
https://www.theeap.com/wellness/alcohol-your-health

Knowledge is power when it comes to taking care of YOU!

An excellent video on alcohol and your health offers facts and a framework to help you assess your drinking behavior and risks,

04/02/2026

🚨 We’re Hiring! Join Our Team! 🚨

Looking for a meaningful job where you can make a difference in your community? We’re excited to share a new opportunity to join our team as Support Staff!

This position is perfect for someone who is compassionate, reliable, and passionate about helping others. If you—or someone you know—are looking for a rewarding role, we encourage you to apply!

👉 Check out the full job description and apply here:
https://www.indeed.com/job/support-staff-9485ae441e826dcc

📣 Please share to help us spread the word and find the perfect candidate!

Confidential Help for Alcohol & Drugs, Inc.

04/02/2026

Curious about going alcohol-free or cutting back? You’re not alone 💭

The “sober curious” movement is all about exploring your relationship with alcohol—without pressure or labels. Whether it’s for your health, mental clarity, or just curiosity, small steps can lead to big changes.

Check out these helpful tools and resources to guide you:
https://www.theeap.com/wellness/sober-curious-weve-got-resources-to-help

It’s okay to question, explore, and choose what’s best for YOU!

After a spike in drinking during the pandemic, more young people are "sober curious" and exploring mindful drinking.

04/01/2026

Have you ever wondered how your drinking habits compare? 🤔

Taking a moment to reflect can be a powerful first step toward healthier choices. This quick, confidential self-assessment can help you better understand your relationship with alcohol.

Take the quiz here:
https://recovered.org/alcohol/am-i-an-alcoholic-self-test-quiz

Awareness leads to action — and support is always available 💙

04/01/2026

April is Alcohol Awareness Month

It’s a great time to check in with ourselves and learn more about how alcohol can impact our health, relationships, and daily life. Whether you choose to drink or not, having the facts helps you make informed, confident decisions.

Did you know?
- Drinking affects everyone differently
- Even small changes in habits can make a big difference
- There are tools to help you better understand your drinking patterns

If you’re curious about your habits or just want to learn more, this resource is a great place to start:
https://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/

Let’s support each other in making healthy choices and creating a stronger, safer community!