Who We Are
A Journey of Empowerment and Hope
Our Mission
The Council on Alcoholism and Addiction of the Finger Lakes region is committed to transforming lives of the communities we serve.
Our goals
To reduce the extent of alcohol and other drug abuse in the Finger Lakes.
To reduce the future incidence of alcoholism and other drug dependence.
To minimize the harm experienced in society due to the consequences of abuse and dependence.
The Council
- Is designated by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services as a community-based alcohol/drug abuse prevention, education and information and referral agency with the sole responsibility of combating alcohol and drug abuse.
- Serves the five-county central Finger Lakes Region of Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Wayne and Yates Counties
- Provides classroom presentations, parent and educator trainings, youth counseling services, consultation on public policy, free brochures, pamphlets, and literature on different substance use issues.
Timothy VanDamme
Executive Director
Our Executive Director, Timothy (Tim) Van Damme. Mr. Van Damme came to the Council eight after many years of experience in the human services field. He has worked with diverse age groups in multiple settings including Substance Abuse and Mental Health.
Tim proudly served in the U.S. Navy before receiving his Associate’s Degree in Human Services from Finger Lakes Community College, and his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Keuka College.
In May 2015, Tim graduated with honors from Keuka College with a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management. Currently, Tim maintains an Advanced Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) that he has had for several years. His leadership is a credit to our success, his focus and dedication strengthens the impact felt in the communities we serve.
Billie Kingsbury-Lohr
Director or Programming
Billie is responsible for all overseeing social media, as well as print and radio advertising, development and design of our program literature. She coordinates company events, orders company merchandise for events. and provides day-to-day administrative support to all employees including hiring. Billie has been a valued member of the Council team for a very long time, and remains an asset to our organization.
Sara Kirkham
HR/Finance Coordinator
Responsible for all HR functions of the company, accounts payable/ receivable and all financial day-to day operations.
Claire Keating
Executive Assistant
Coordinates company events and maintains/orders Company wearables, public relations giveaways, office supplies, program materials, etc. Responsible for entering program data into WITNYS and provides day to day administrative support to all employees.
Our Board of Directors
Executive Comittee
Laura Moore
President
Pat Cochrane
Secretary
Linda Michielson
Tammy Orlopp
Guy A. Morse
Michael Ballard
David Jacobus
County Community Educators
Cathy Landschoot
Ontario County Community Education Coordinator
Responsible for oversight and supervision of Ontario County School Educators, as well as community outreach providing Prevention Programming/Education i.e. Triple P Parenting Program, etc.
John Kriegelstein
Seneca County Community Educator
Faith Tyler
Environmental Specialist
Gretchen Silliman
Schuyler County Community Educator
Dale Davis
Wayne County Community Educator
School Based Educators
Dawn Jansen
Midlakes and Red Jacket School
Nicole Drost
Honeoye and Bloomfield School
Colleen Owens
Canandaigua Schools & Marcus Whitman
These individuals are responsible for providing the
Council’s evidenced based programming in the schools we serve. Too Good, Second Step, Life Skills, etc. These positions operate on the school calendar.
Ontario and Wayne Community Youth Prevention Counseling Program
Kendall Klement
Wayne County
Working with at risk youth and adolescents primarily through referral sources
SBIRT Community Outreach Specialists – Ontario and Yates County
Ontario County
Grant funded program designed to emphasize screening tool for at risk substance use where clients congregate i.e. college screenings, etc.
Youth Prevention Counseling Program
School systems working with youth in an individual setting as well as group education/events
Melinda Johnson
Youth Counseling Supervisor (also does counseling work as well)
Kayla Scialpa,
Yates County
Working with at risk youth and adolescents primarily through referral sources
Sarah Minns
Yates County
Holly Wilson
Schuyler County
Working with at risk youth and adolescents primarily through referral sources
Michelle Peacock
Yates County
Sarah Thompson
Yates County Prevention Coalition Leader
Dine Kellogg
Wayne County Drug-Free Coalition Leader
Each County of service has a County Community Educator who acts as a primary prevention specialist, with primary responsibility for the design and delivery of sound alcohol/drug abuse and dependency prevention education programs and presentations in a public format, including local school districts consistent with the OASAS Prevention Guidelines and the Council mission and program standards. The position allows for initiative and innovation in program development and delivery, under the guidance of the Director of Programming. The position also includes working with criminal justice system, area coalitions and other community agencies.