HISTORY

For over 60 years, Onondaga Council on Alcoholism/Addictions, Inc. (OCAA), d.b.a. Prevention Network has been implementing and supporting strategies that prevent addictions and address related concerns.  Prevention Network has assumed the role of advocate, educator and prevention developer for over six decades.  Much of its historical record reflects the growth of prevention services in Onondaga County, some of which are:

1949  OCA incorporates as Onondaga Committee on Alcoholism.

1961  Changed name to Onondaga Council on Alcoholism.

1979  OCA establishes first EAP in the County.

1983  OCA Training program is established.

1986  First Teen Institute retreat conducted at Minnowbrook.

1989  OCA is nominated by the NYS Division of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse for national award recognizing “its comprehensive approach to prevention…”

1990  OCA becomes OCAA, Onondaga Council on Alcoholism/Addictions, Inc. to be inclusive of all addictions.

1991  OCAA supports the Eckerd Drug Quiz Show.

1998  Developed an educational component to the Victim’s Impact Panel (VIP). OCAA accepts “Prevention Network” as the new “doing business as” name, to more accurately reflect their scope of community services.Development of 1st Home Studies program for prevention & treatment credentialing.

2001 Reality Check program started to address big tobacco targeting youth.Assessment and Referral services establish targeting TANF applicants at DSS. Gambling information & Counseling starts providing Onondaga County services out of Prevention Network offices.

2003  OASAS approved the Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program, a 350 clock-hour approved curriculum for treatment and prevention professionals.

2004  Our professional training division (OCAAT) was the 2004 NYS recipient of the “Award of Program Excellence in Addiction Education and Training”.

2008  Invited by OASAS to present our environmental strategy campaign (underage drinking) at state-wide prevention conference in Saratoga Springs and state-wide treatment conference in NYC. Awarded funding for thirteen county Central Region - Prevention Resource Center, one of only two awards state-wide. “You Can’t Afford to be Clueless” was produced and released, a video targeting parents about the prominence of teen drinking and drug use.

2009  OASAS funded Youth Gambling program started.

2010  Honor the Code was established and endorsed by area school districts.