ICAN’s leader talks about expanding toward Syracuse region, adding home health services to its host of programs
By David L. Podos
Q: I interviewed you back in 2022. I am sure there have been a lot of changes with ICAN since then. But before we get into that, what is the mission statement of ICAN — or the Integrated Community Alternatives Network?
A: Sure, as an organization we have a mission of empowering individuals and families and a vision of keeping families together. So, everything we do is based on supporting families and that can be identified as a child and – or a baby or all the way into adulthood.
Q: I believe that the agency first started out in specializing services and assistance for just children, correct?
A: Yes, you are correct. We started out as a children’s mental health provider. But now our services really span the full age range and all of that would not be possible if we did not have a dedicated staff. So, while we constantly strive to bring empowerment to the people that we serve, we also strive to empower the people that we are so grateful to have as our staff. The work that we do is not always easy, so taking care of our staff, being the best employer we can, makes for happy employees and that is seen in the incredible work, dedication and compassion that they show to all we serve.
Q: Speaking of your staff, how many employees do you have now?
A: We have 325 employees, as well as 350 sub-contractors [behavioral health professionals], so almost 700 people in all.
Q: Does ICAN still serve in multiple counties?
A: Absolutely. We have offices that are spread throughout the Mohawk Valley, through the 20 programs that we provide we are in seven counties. Since my first interview with you a few years ago, I am excited to say we have expanded. We now have an office in Amsterdam and that office serves both Montgomery as well as Schoharie counties.
Q: Many professionals that I talk to mention how difficult it can be for a person and or family to navigate through the healthcare and social services system if they are in need of assistance, does ICAN offer an easier way?
A: Unfortunately trying to navigate through the system is oftentimes quite complex and can be discouraging to someone seeking help. So, we say if there is a need that you and-or your family has, just call us, we can point that person in the right direction to the many services that we provide and if it is a service that we don’t provide we will contact one of the many partnering agencies in our community that we work closely with to provide that service.
Q: Does ICAN work with the school system to provide services if needed?
A: Since the last time we met we have expanded our services especially into the Utica school district. So, the Utica school district is partnering with multiple nonprofits to provide and bring services to kids right at the schools. In essence, the school system has really turned into a safety net for their students, connecting them to services that will help them with their social and emotional needs and ICAN is in the forefront of that. We have more than 40 professional staff that is co-located right into the different schools ready and able to help any child.
Q: What’s on the horizon and coming down the road for ICAN in regards to any new programs?
A: We are very excited about two new initiatives for the upcoming year of 2025. First, we will be expanding into Onondaga County. This new program that we will partner with will be called the Jon Diaz Community Center, located in the hamlet of Nedrow. The center is named in honor of Diaz, a dedicated public servant of the community who passed in 2016. The center will provide a collaborative space for economic opportunities, coordinated social services, as well as health and wellness programs. Also and very exciting is the founder of this new program, Latavius Murray, an NFL running back [who played with the Buffalo Bills] as well as other NFL teams and grew up in Onondaga County.
Our second new program for 2025, [and this is an exclusive to the readers of In Good Health] for we have not yet announced this publicly, we will be working on what home health services will look like for an elder population. So, for us, when you think about keeping families together, there is a significant portion of the population that would like their elderly family members to be able to stay at home and not enter a nursing home. That will be a major addition to the ICAN family as we strive to keep families together. As an agency we believe by helping someone stay in their own homes (and) still receive quality care, will lend to a better quality of life for that person and be a benefit as well to their families knowing their loved ones are still home, safe, comfortable and receiving the care that they need.
For more information about ICAN, visit www.ICAN.family, as well as other social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
They can also be reached by calling 315-792- 9039.