GOW CARES Alliance

GOW CARES Alliance is hosting its quarterly meeting at 9 a.m., registration at 8:30 a.m., and a workshop that runs 9:30 a.m. to noon, on July 9 at Genesee Community College, 1 College Road, Batavia.

This workshop will define the Safer Choices Spectrum of Care with a
focus on how to help and support individuals with substance use and
mental health challenges to make safer choices in the fields of prevention, treatment and community care settings.

You will learn how to:

• Define the Safer Choices Spectrum of Care.
• Evaluate and access safer choices and safer choices supports and services that are a good fit for both individuals and the communities in which they live.
• Build Coalitions of Care that can support safer choices in prevention, treatment, and community care settings.

Presenter: Dr. Delores Blackwell, LCSW, is a multi-jurisdictional licensed clinical social worker, master addiction counselor, certified trauma professional, certified compassion fatigue professional, and holds multiple certifications.

RSVP by July 3 to: gowcaresquarterly.eventbrite.com

Press release:

The tri-county coalition dedicated to community health and well-being is back in the public eye – with a new name and a new coordinator.

Formerly the GOW Opioid Task Force, the GOW CARES Alliance has scheduled its first quarterly meeting of the year for 12:30 p.m. April 1 at Grace Baptist Church, 238 Vine St., Batavia.

The session is open to the public at no charge. Lunch will be provided.

Sue Gagne, who was honored in 2024 by state Sen. George Borrello as a New York State “Woman of Distinction” for the 57th District, has assumed the role of coordinator of the organization. Gagne, a registered nurse, has been active in the mental health and suicide prevention fields for more than two decades.

“Over the past several months, we have been working on the transition from the opioid task force into a more comprehensive group, broadening our focus to not only substance use but mental health, trauma and suicide prevention in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties and the surround area,” Gagne said.

She said the GOW CARES Alliance is dedicated to improving the quality of life in rural communities through broad-based, inclusive partnerships that support overall wellness.

GOW CARES Alliance members are from various sectors of the community, including public health, mental health, human services, local government, substance use disorder treatment and recovery agencies, law enforcement, EMS, faith-based groups, health systems and medical practitioners, education, businesses, concerned individuals, families, and individuals in recovery.

Gagne said representative from human services’ agencies are invited to set up resource tables at the meeting on April 1 meeting. This can be done by sending an email to Sherri Bensley, the group’s education workgroup co-chair, at sherri.bensley@geneseeny.gov by March 28.

“All are welcome to support the effort to make our community a healthier place to live,” Gagne added.

Persons wishing to attend the meeting can register, also by that date, at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gow-cares-alliance-quarterly-meeting-tickets-1192412119749?aff=oddtdtcreator.