Author: kimberly

ON CARE
ACCESS to Services
for Children and Youth

Information for Families and Caregivers

What is ACCESS?
ACCESS is the assessment and planning process for children and youth in Onondaga County with emotional and behavioral challenges.
The ACCESS process is family-driven and youth-guided and based on the idea that families and caregivers are the experts when it comes to their children. Your voice will be heard and respected!
Who makes up ACCESS?
The people who make up the “ACCESS Team” are professionals from many different systems that currently serve children and youth including Mental Health, Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, and Parent Partners. Having them work together allows those different systems to work with each other and your family toward the same goals for your child or youth. Every family will have access to an ACCESS Team member to provide information and support throughout the process.
ACCESS has one phone line, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for families to call to request assistance.
When should I call ACCESS?
If you have concerns about your child/youth’s emotional or behavioral health.
If your child or youth currently has a service plan that is not working for him/her or your family.
If your child is involved in more than one service system (for example, Mental Health and Juvenile
Justice), and you want those systems to work together better.
If your child/youth is at-risk of needing an out-of-home placement.
How will ACCESS make things better for my family?
Coordinates services, making it easier to get what you need and want.
Brings together community resources to make ACCESS more streamlined.
Allows your child/youth to be more successful and happy in home, school, and community.

No decisions about you,
without you!

CALL ACCESS: 315-463-1100

John H. Mulroy Civic Center
10th Floor
421 Montgomery Street
Syracuse, NY 13202

Nancy Kuss, ACCESS Coordinator
435-3739, ext. 113
Nany.Kuss@dfa..state.ny.us

John Cook, ACCESS Manager
435-3739, ext. 116
John.Cook2@dfa..state.ny.us

ON CARE is a federally funded system of care grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA). For more information, visit: www.tapartnership.org