Programs & Services
CASON counsellors provide ongoing support in a number of programs available to people struggling with substance use or gambling behavior. The process begins with an initial assessment, which includes meeting a counsellor and sharing information related to substance use, gambling, physical and emotional health, family and relationships, and treatment goals.
DAY TREATMENT
Day Treatment is a group-level intervention which is four weeks in duration, meeting Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. It provides daily group process activities and focuses on life skills development and lifestyle change issues. (This program does not run on statutory holidays).
The program is repeated on a cyclical basis, with twelve (12) cycles annually. To enter the Day Treatment program an individual attends a group information and orientation session prior to the start of Early Treatment. For more information on the Day Treatment program, please click here.
GROUP OFFERED
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- Aftercare is a weekly group that assists individuals to maintain recovery. It provides counselling and education specific to issues in recovery and supports independent problem solving, development of positive self-esteem and greater awareness of self and significant relationships.
ADDICTIONS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING (ASH) PROGRAM
The ASH program is for individuals in recovery with a goal of abstinence who have experienced multiple entries into treatment, to live in communal, abstinence based homes, with the support of an Intensive Addiction Case Manager. To qualify for the program the applicants’ primary concern must be substance use, they must be capable of living independently with support, and have been unable to obtain or maintain stable housing without support. To be placed in an ASH house, the applicant must complete a comprehensive assessment and follow through on all recommendations made as a result in order to stabilize their recovery. For more information on our ASH Program, please click here.
COMMUNITY TREATMENT
Clients who are appropriate for and agreeable to briefer, less intensive treatment are referred to agency-provided counselling/treatment services. Educational and counselling interventions are delivered in individual, group and family sessions which employ stage appropriate, solution-focused and cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques. Community treatment includes referral to residential treatment, individual and group counselling, family, youth and other services. For more information, please click here.
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING
One-on-one counselling sessions are offered at CASON for clients who are looking for help changing their use of substances/gambling/gaming. Depending on your current situation and the availability of the counsellor, you would attend counselling approximately once every two weeks to once per month. Your counsellor can help you to set goals, identify your triggers to use, and develop healthy coping skills to support your recovery. For more information on our individual counselling, please Click here.
GROUPS OFFERED
There are a number of groups offered at Cason.
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- Smart Recovery
- DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) – Adult and Youth
- Structured Relapse Prevention
- Education group
- Family group
- Kids group
- Gain Q3
SCHOOL BASED SERVICES
GAMBLING SUPPORTS
RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT REFERRAL
HEALTH PROMOTION
RAAM (Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine)
BACK ON TRACK
A remedial measures program for individuals who have been convicted of drinking and driving offences and want to be eligible for licence re-instatement. The program consists of assessment, education or treatment group and follow-up interview. The program is financed solely through a participant fee. For more information on the Back on Track Program, please click here.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
In addition to our core services, the agency has responded to emerging needs and special populations by offering the following specific programs either alone or through partnership agreements with other agencies.
CASON COUNSELLORS ARE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
Positive Living Niagara – CTS Site
Women’s Place of South Niagara
John Howard/Youth hub – Welland
A ten week cognitive-behavioral group for clients suffering from this disorder, many of whom have a co-occurring substance use problem. This program is co-delivered by the Community Mental Health Program, Regional Niagara Public Health Department and COMMUNITY ADDICTION SERVICES OF NIAGARA. Referrals are made to the Community Mental Health Program.
Adult Custody Facilities
A counsellor provides assessment, treatment planning and discharge services for soon to be released incarcerated adults at the Niagara Detention Centre on a bi-weekly basis. This pre-release contact is intended to prepare and facilitate client transition to community-based treatment.
Ontario Works – Social Assistance and Employment Opportunities
CASON and the regional municipality of Niagara have collaborated to establish and provide addiction services to residents of the Niagara region who are receiving social assistance and related services. A CASON counsellor, working on-site at the Ontario Works offices in St. Catharines, Welland, Port Colborne, Fort Erie and Niagara Falls can provide a range of addiction services to clients referred by OW Intensive Case Managers.
School-Based Programs
Service to secondary students is provided on-site at several schools in the Niagara Region on a regular basis. School personnel, family members and youth themselves can request an appointment with the COMMUNITY ADDICTION SERVICES OF NIAGARA youth counsellor. Services are provided in either individual or group contexts. Educational groups for ‘high-risk’ students designed to increase knowledge and induce positive choices through interactive and thought-provoking activities are provided at the request of school personnel.
Freshstart
A counsellor provides on-site services one day/week to the two Freshstart Programs, part of the Niagara Catholic District School Board’s effort to assist students with expulsion/suspension issues.
StreetWorks
In partnership with StreetWorks, an AIDS Niagara program, a COMMUNITY ADDICTION SERVICES OF NIAGARA counsellor accompanies a worker on the mobile unit one evening weekly. Collaboration provides health teaching, harm reduction supplies, support and counselling to the drug using and street-involved populations. Office Hours #905-984-8684, Street Works Van #905-328-6715
ABC (A Better Choice)
Addressing the health, education and social support needs of pregnant & parenting women with substance use issues & their children aged 0-6 years. Groups include positive parenting, beyond the basics, blanket play and augmented treatment group in collaboration with CASON.
RISE
Reducing Incidences of Suspensions and Expulsions (RISE) and Alternative Pathway to Success support the encouragement and development of student motivation and capacity to learn, while receiving programming to support their social and emotional needs. CASON counselling services to elementary and secondary students are provided on-site at the 2 Niagara Link Programs, 6 Pathways Programs and 4 RISE Programs in the Niagara Region on a regular basis. Services are provided in either individual or group settings. One-on-one counselling provides support to individuals wanting to change their use of substances, gambling or gaming behavior. The counsellor supports individuals with setting goals, identifying triggers and developing healthy coping strategies to support their recovery.
The counsellor also helps individuals who are impacted by someone else’s substance use, gambling or gaming behavior. Services can also include referrals to Residential Treatment Centres and support with the referral process by completing the GAIN-Q3 assessment. Referrals to other CASON groups or Community Services can be offered as appropriate for individuals. School staff, caregivers, peers or the individuals can request to meet with the counsellor onsite.
