The Prevention Services arm of the Youth Services programs provides comprehensive programming to youth grades K – 12 throughout Fulton and Montgomery counties. Programming may also take place in organizational and/ or community settings for individuals ranging from birth to elderly. Primarily, school based services include: substance abuse prevention education (classroom based programs), and school based counseling (individual or group counseling).

We offer a specialty counseling program titled “Teen Intervene” that is 3-6 sessions in length, and appropriate for 12-19 year olds. Rooted in Motivationally-based therapeutic techniques, this assists students who are mildly engaging in substance use but don’t require treatment. All counseling is confidential and follows agency, and HIPPA, regulations.

We provide youth, community members, and organizational decision makers with Problem Gambling Prevention Programming. We are neither pro-gambling or anti-gambling. We educate and provide guidance to parents, youth, and individuals as to ways to identify those who may be struggling with a gambling addiction, as well as what youth can do to prevent falling into problem gambling.

Additional programming offer include: school staff trainings; parent or student presentations; wellness day activities; parenting classes; other specific requests that can be handled within our scope of practice.

Prevention topics such as good decision making, problem solving skills, assertiveness, stress and anger management, resistance skills, self-reliance and self-efficacy, and effective communication help students to reduce risk factors related to substance use, drop out, violence and help the student(s) make better choices for oneself.

For more information about our Youth Services Programming, please call Denise Benton at (518) 842-4202 x3172.