

It provides a stipend and the in-the-field training necessary to get a job after completion. The cost is covered by a federal grant. The need for trained abuse counselors continues to grow, and the SUPERCARE program removes many barriers to getting into the field. In 2019, more than 20 million people had a substance use disorder, according to the U.S. In the recent past, overdoses spiked during the pandemic with 13% of Americans starting or increasing substance use last spring to cope with the pandemic, according to the CDC. It is a difficult job,” said May, a training institute specialist at Helio Health. “We have seen massive increases in substance use and chemical dependency problems in the area, so our hope is this will fill a lot of those gaps because we do have a lot of openings regularly for counselors. Lena May leads the training during a time when the need for counselors continues to outpace certifications. There’s more to write in the story of her life, and that’s driving her to be a part of the solution. Helio Health is giving her that opportunity. “If I hadn’t gone to rehab when I did in January 2020, I don’t even want to think about where this story would end. “I was really, really sick,” said Strodel. Strodel is an alcoholic and she is 18 months sober. “And then, when I started using alcohol to cover my problems, it wasn’t the answer because it just made me super sick. “I always had a great life and a great career,” said Strodel. “It’s the beginning of a path for them as it is for me.”īeing a counselor will be Strodel’s second career during her second chance at life. “As a woman, I want to help other women understand this is not the end of the trail,” said Strodel. Strodel is excited to help. The unique program combines classroom work with hands-on internship experience. It prepares Strodel and her classmates for a career working with individuals with substance use disorders and their families. “I have the opportunity and the gift to work with women in recovery right now, currently dealing with substance abuse disorders,” said Strodel, who is training to become a credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselor. The program helps address a growing gap between credentialed counselors and the demand for serviceĭarlene Strodel is in the middle of Helio Health’s SUPERCARE training program.13% of Americans started or increased substance use last spring to cope with the pandemic, according to the CDC.The agency’s mission is “to promote recovery from the effects of substance use and mental health disorders and other health issues.Since 1920, Helio Health programs have helped hundreds of thousands of individuals and families in Central New York,” the announcement added.įor more information, go online to Helio Health is providing training and experience to people who want to become alcoholism and substance use counselors Helio Health operates facilities in Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, and Binghamton. Most recently, he served as chief administrative officer for one of the nation’s leading disaster recovery and preparedness firms.

Roberts spent 10 years leading two not-for-profit companies as an executive in upstate New York. He has experience at multiple companies being accountable for multimillion dollar budgets, large scale workforces. Roberts has a broad spectrum of senior leadership experience, according to the announcement, having managed multiple companies in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. Roberts will oversee all facilities, real estate, construction, maintenance and fleet operations. Helio Health has hired Bob Roberts to assume the newly created role of Chief Facility Operations Officer.
