Issue link: http://visitithaca.uberflip.com/i/779667
Cayuga Addiction Recovery Service By Allison Usavage "We're in the transformation business," explains Bill Rusen, CEO at Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services. "Transformation is possible. We see it every day." An independent non-profit organization, CARS (as it's commonly known) helps people struggling with addiction and other substance use disorders get back to functioning in a better way. Customized treatment plans support the efforts to move clients past social, emo- tional, family, and vocational deficits to return to making productive contributions to their family, friends, and community. The outpatient clinic provides timely and holistic services that respect the biological, physiological, social, and spiritual nature of substance use disorders and their impact. The CARS mission explicitly promotes individual dignity and respect for all, and their model and services embody this. For example, art and recreation therapies offer clients a process of transformation through self-empowerment, and Love First© Clinical Intervention Services focus on entering treatment while preserving personal worth and dignity. In addition to outpatient services, CARS has a residential program in a unique rural setting outside Trumansburg, and plans are in the works to add a 25-bed women-only facility on the same campus. Operation of this facility will be supported by an award of $1 million per year, announced in July 2016 after a competitive RFP process. In 2015, the state also gave CARS $240,000 to fully integrate electronic medical records. Though organizational successes like these awards are applauded, the personal successes being facilitated through CARS are a more indic- ative and celebrated sign of success. "This is challenging work–this is a human endeavour being done by humans with other humans–but still we see transformation every day," explains Bill. A dedicated staff, some supported by training grants offered through the Chamber of Commerce, is what keeps CARS successful. "When you sit down and talk to the staff, there's a lot of focus on the belief that they have in the process of transformation." Presence and visibility have been major advantages of Chamber membership to CARS. As an active member of the admin and finance committee of the Chamber, Bill has the opportunity to meet a lot of community stakeholders that he wouldn't otherwise cross paths with. "There's a great amount of acceptance and respect for us as an organi- zation in the Chamber community," explains Bill. However, the ask of the community at large remains: "Are you willing to question your own assumptions and stigma? Can you join us in believing transformation is possible?" Learn more at www.carsny.org. 14