7 Clayton Avenue, Cortland, NY 13045
Phone: (607) 758-6110 Ext. 239
Garra Lloyd-Lester - Director
Cortland County Prevention Services for Youth (PSY) is a program funded by a grant through the New York State Office of Mental Health. The purpose of the program is to promote healthy behaviors amongst the youth in Cortland County. PSY projects incorporate the principals of primary and secondary prevention targeting healthy youth and those with known risks factors for developing future problems. No treatment services are provided.
Services provided include:
Needs Assessments
Program Planning
Development
Implementation and Evaluation
Grant writing
Contractual Consultation
Information and Referral
Specific projects vary over time due to need, interest, funding and personnel. Some of the current activities are:
SafeHosts Project:
SafeHosts is a parent pledge program which produces a directory of homes where youth gatherings will be properly supervised. Minors will not be served alcohol and no illegal drug use will be permitted.
Teen Training Project:
This project trains high risk teens in child care skills and provides work opportunities at area child care centers. The objectives are to:
Deter teenage pregnancy
Improve child care skills for future use
Develop good employment skills
Career/Educational goal setting
Coalition On Prevention Education And Services:
COPES is a group that was formed in 1995 to meet several needs in the community. The monthly meetings include continuing education presentations, networking opportunities and identification of problems and gaps that are not being adequately addressed. One such gap was the plight of families suffering from chronic head lice infestations. Not only were children missing significant amounts of their education and parents missing work, but these families were also threatened with separation due to educational neglect. Many schools and agencies banded together and produced an in-home treatment education program. Manuals are available for $10.00 through the Cortland Area Child Care Council at (607) 753-0106.
Cortland County Head Start:
Also through a contractual consultation agreement, PSY provides mental health assessment and promotion services to the local pre-school primarily consisting of low-income families. Some of the classroom curriculum projects presented during the year have to do with issues of preventing or stopping the physical and sexual assault of children, promotion of healthy self esteem, and healthy ways to express emotions.