Andrea Ocasio – Supervisor Spotlight

Andrea Ocasio, director of clinical services, is hard at work preparing our agency for the residential redesign transition and all changes that will come along with it. Fortunately, these changes will lead to enhanced services for the people we support. “Being able to provide all treatment right within the agency is going to make the care more inclusive for the residents,” Andrea said. “They deserve our best.”

Andrea, who has been with the agency for six years, has a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Buffalo State and an associate’s degree in Substance Use Counseling from Erie Community College. She also is CASAC and trauma counseling certified and has 20 years of experience in the field. The success of the agency over the last few years can be attributed to the decisive role Andrea has played. Through her leadership, our programs have adapted well in demanding times. Specifically, she has been instrumental in our agency’s recent acquisitions of programs all across Western New York. Andrea has also helped to create new roles and positions for growth within the agency while promoting the development of our program leadership.

Thanks to Andrea’s work over the last few years, our agency has established a strong foundation in clinical standards. This will be critical in our transition to Medicaid. “We’re well-prepared for the redesign,” Andrea noted. “Right now, we’re focusing on new clinical documentation and standards,” she said. Our clinical leadership is also developing enhanced group therapies that are more person-centered and trauma-focused. Andrea stressed that, despite the upcoming transition, she never wants to lose sight of “having fun and still doing creative things at our programs.”

While providing high-quality treatment for our residents is essential, emphasizing the development of our staff directly affects the services we provide. In fact, Andrea is very proud of how much focus we place on our staff members. “We build on their strengths and develop their clinical skills,” she said. Andrea is also proud of the quality of care we offer and the relationship we have developed through the years with the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. “We have a great reputation because we do so much and we’re thorough,” said Andrea.

Gratitude is something Andrea expresses regularly, and she is truly grateful for the growth she’s experienced in her position. “It’s been nothing but a pleasure and wonderful learning experience,” Andrea said.