Addiction Service Providers Named NY's Best Companies

ALBANY, NY (02/09/2010)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo and Executive Deputy Commissioner Kathleen Caggiano-Siino today congratulated two addiction services providers in the OASAS system which were named as Best Companies to Work for in New York for 2010.

Horizon Health Services of Buffalo and Outreach, headquartered in Richmond Hill, were selected by the New York State Society for Human Resource Management and Best Companies Group.

"Horizon and Outreach are showing that the addictions field is a profession of choice and have exemplary employee-friendly environments, said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "These agencies are highly engaged with their employees. They recognize their behavioral health talent through strong professional development, superior supervisory relations, excellent physical working environments and robust leadership programs."

One of the OASAS five major strategic goals, or Destinations, for the addictions field is Talent Management with a focus on becoming a profession of choice for attracting, selecting, retaining, motivating and developing its talent. New York's addictions workforce includes more than 35,000 paid and volunteer workers, including nearly 7,400 OASAS-certified prevention and treatment professionals.

The NYS Society for Human Resource Management and Best Companies Group survey and awards program identifies and honors the best places of employment in New York, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses.

The Best Companies to Work for in New York list is made up of 40 companies split into two groups: 25 small/medium-sized companies (15-249 employees) and 15 large-sized companies (250 or more employees). Horizon Health Services has been named in the large-sized companies group and Outreach was named in the small/medium-size category.

Anne D. Constantino, president and chief executive officer of Horizon, said, "We are very pleased to be designated with this honor for the second consecutive year. The award is a tribute to our employees, who participate in a learning organization where the culture is one of caring for our clients, and respect for one another. We are proud of this achievement and especially of these talented individuals who have made Horizon what it is today."

Horizon provides mental health and addiction counseling services in Erie, Niagara and Genesee counties. It is the largest and most comprehensive provider of fully-integrated mental health, behavioral health, chemical dependency, medical and vocational treatment and recovery services in western New York.

Kathleen Riddle, president of Outreach said, "For all of our 30-year history we have made it a priority to exercise strong human resources practices to attract and retain the best possible team members. We have a dedicated, experienced and effective staff because we work hard to develop sound employer/employee relationships that, in turn, have an immensely positive effect on the treatment we provide and the clients we serve."

Outreach, a non-profit organization, is a premier provider and champion of quality, life-changing drug and alcohol abuse care. Since 1980, Outreach has provided the New York Metropolitan area with unmatched substance abuse treatment and training services, specializing in residential and outpatient programs for teens, intensive daytime treatment for women and women with children, adult outpatient treatment services, and training of professionals for careers in treating addiction. On an annual basis, Outreach offers care and treatment to nearly 2,000 individuals and families, and upwards of 300 students participate in training activities.

Last year, St. Joseph's Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers of Saranac Lake received the recognition in the small-to-medium-sized companies category. St. Joseph's, which has treated more than 12,000 men and women over nearly four decades, decided not to apply for the award this year in order to focus on implementing changes based on the survey data.

Bob Ross, chief executive officer of St. Joseph's said, "While the award recognizes our commitment to our employees, the process was valuable in both celebrating our strengths, and identifying areas in which we can further improve our collective goal of becoming a profession choice."

Horizon Health Services and Outreach will be honored at the Best Companies to Work for in New York awards dinner on Wednesday, April 21, at the Albany Marriott. The final rankings will be revealed at the ceremony. For more information on the Best Companies to Work for in New York awards program, visit www.bestcompaniesNY.com.

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services systems dedicated to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, with more than 1,550 programs serving over 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day.

Through efforts such as the Your Story Matters campaign at www.iamrecovery.com, the agency hopes to foster a movement of recovery, one that sheds the stigma and promotes a life of health and wellness.

Addiction is a chronic disease and New Yorkers need to know that help and hope is available. Individuals can find help by calling the toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day a week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY. For more information, please visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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