The Opioid Response Department is Expanding Programming in Many Different Areas
Submitted by Lauryn Williams, Seneca Strong Outreach & Recovery Center
Recovery Housing
We are excited to report that transitional level recovery housing will be coming soon to Salamanca. This home will be a step-down for when individuals are returning to the community from a rehab-level care facility. This program will assist individuals in continuing their recovery journey through support that includes skill building to move towards independent living, linkages with individual counseling, group services, support for finding employment, cultural healing activities and recreational activities. The development of this model is moving at a rapid pace. The proposal is out for renovation of the Red Cedar Lodge home. We anticipate work will commence by mid-October. Concurrently, policies and procedures, client handbooks, daily operation flow, necessary staffing patterns and billing procedures are all being developed. Furnishings are being purchased and will be installed as renovations are completed.
Seneca Strong
In August, all Seneca Strong staff completed Certified Recovery Peer Advocate training. This training is a 50-hour intensive training course and requires 500 supervised working hours, which teaches our peers to engage with individuals currently in a program or considering treatment, helping them develop recovery plans, effective coping habits, and life skills, staff were also trained on safety in the workplace, HIPPA, multiple treatment modalities, motivational interviewing, trauma informed care, and a cultural based recovery curriculum that emphasizes healing. Seneca Strong continues to expand their client base and support services by expanding staff and operating hours and implementing new groups and activities. Groups offered currently include family support groups, talking circles, cultural groups, arts/crafts activities, and holistic healing sessions (See attached group schedule).
Our program continues to significantly grow by providing support to our community members. In the months of July and August of 2025, Seneca Strong Cattaraugus and Allegany sites:
Referred individuals for detox/inpatient care: July: 41, August: 51
Client engagements: July: 123, August: 144
Referrals received from outside entities: July: 24, August: 28
Individuals outreached: July: 72, August: 85
We are here for you! If you or anyone you know is struggling with any type of substance use, please reach out to us for support and referrals at any time.
Cattaraugus: 716-582-0815, 86 Thomas Indian School Drive, Irving, NY 14081
Salamanca: 716-945-8413, 983 RC Hoag Drive, Salamanca, NY 14779
Community Activities
- Seneca Strong participated with CIRVFD on August 28, 2025, to host a candlelight vigil to recognize Overdose Awareness Day.
- Seneca Strong will participate in the upcoming Recovery is Real 5K Run/Walk hosted by the Cattaraugus Community Center.
- Seneca Strong participated in the Seneca Nation Fall Festival Float Contest and won 1st place.
- Seneca Strong has done street outreaches in Buffalo to engage community members living in the city.
- Seneca Strong continues to engage outside resources to best assist our community members, for example collaborated with Peace Prints Job Fair to learn about outside services and resources available.
Marketing Campaign
Working with Trellis Marketing on a campaign, which includes video testimonials, billboards, brochures and magnets. Also partnering with local agencies on marketing plan to reduce stigma regarding addiction. Working on development of website.
Healing Conference
Save the Date! Day Long Healing Conference: Allegany 12/2/25, Cattaraugus 12/3/25. In the planning stages with the human services collaborative departments to bring Al Pooley from NAFFA and Tom Porter for a one-day Healing Conference on each territory. More information to follow
Mobile Medical Unit
Medication is a big part of recovery from opioids for many people. Treatment is based on severity of the disease, as in any other chronic disease situation. Medical assessment determines what is needed based on symptoms and medical tests, including bloodwork. Many individuals struggle in recovery due to the severity of the withdrawal and cravings. For lower levels of use, Suboxone (a partial agonist – meaning it only partially activates opioid receptors) may be a strong enough medication to calm cravings and allow the brain time to heal. However, with higher levels of use, methadone (a full agonist – meaning that it fully activates the brain’s opioid receptors) is needed to control withdrawal and cravings. When used as prescribed, the medications do not produce a feeling of euphoria or feeling “high”. Access to medication treatment is limited currently and individuals often must drive a great distance to access. Access to Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) is a component of the comprehensive strategic plan, which includes medication management. We have created partnerships to bring a Mobile Medical Unit near each territory for individuals to access; locations include in the City of Salamanca and Collins. More information to come.
There are many more programs in various stages of development and implementation in the department. Please look at future newsletters as we focus on additional programs progress in future publications.
