Program's aim to help at risk youth

By Rose Rathborn

Monday, January 21, 2008 9:23 AM EST

The Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency Take A Step Ahead (TASA) Program is a comprehensive Medicaid Case Management service available to parenting, pregnant and at-risk youth ages 10 to 21 who are Medicaid eligible and reside in Cayuga and Seneca counties.
The definition of an “at-risk” youth is broad and may include youth who: are already parenting, pregnant or have fathered a child; are sexually active or seeking pregnancy or STD testing; have a sibling who was sexually active, pregnant or fathered a child at a young age; are homeless or face the possibility of being homeless; live in homes where there is substance, physical or sexual abuse, and are involved with social services, the mental health system or the criminal justice system.

TASA case managers are paired with young adults to help achieve family stability, improve self-esteem and encourage self-sufficiency. Youth meet with case managers regularly on goals of their own choosing.

Goals may include preventing an unplanned pregnancy, obtaining employment, completing their education, enhancing parenting skills, budget counseling and securing basic living needs.

Case managers also provide ongoing assessment, advocacy, referrals and follow-up to customers.

Currently 38 at-risk youth are enrolled in TASA at the Seneca office.

Emergency Services

Emergency Services works with families and individuals through crisis intervention. Emergency Services provides emergency food, advocacy, clothing, shelter, prescription assistance, car seats and emergency transportation.

Emergency Services advocates respond to a wide array of crisis intervention.

Mr. and Mrs. Camp are in their 70s and lived in a trailer they owned for 25 years. The codes inspector condemned the trailer, and they were forced to move.

CSCAA found senior housing for them that was subsidized. When they saw the apartment, they both were surprised.

“We have never lived in such a nice place,” Mrs. Camp said.

New furniture was given to them through donation to CSCAA.

“It truly is a miracle that Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency come to our rescue,“ the couple said.

Rose Rathbone is the Seneca programs director at Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency. She can be reached by calling CSCAA at 539-5647.

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