Cortney Kleek - Education MVCC Human Services and Chemical Dependency Dual Major. Following college, I was offered the Prevention Specialist position at CFLR in March of 2019, in 11 months’ time I was promoted to Senior Prevention Specialist (my current position). I have a passion for working with youth who have suffered traumatic experiences and addiction, which is why I love doing prevention programming for the schools and community. In my free time, I enjoy hanging around family and friends. I look forward to growing my career in the field and furthering my education.
My name is Caryn Schweinsberg and I am a Prevention Specialist at Center for Family Life Recovery. I am originally from Boonville, NY but graduated from Oriskany Jr. Sr. High School. I continued my education at SUNY Polytechnic Institute where I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Community and Behavioral Health. Before completing my education, I had the opportunity to gain experience in the areas of direct support, administration and grant writing. Soon after graduating, I was offered the Prevention Specialist position with CFLR. I have a great love for the field of psychology and for contributing in the community and for that reason, I am honored to begin my journey with the agency. I am grateful most for the wonderful team I have the privilege of collaborating with and for the opportunity to make a difference in an ever-changing world. In my free time, I enjoy being around close friends and family especially my husband our dog and two cats.
Joe Passalacqua - Ed. MVCC and Utica college, work history, started at Neighborhood Center as a Case Manager – 2 years. Went on to Oneida Co. Dept of Mental Health, - 5 years. Mohawk Valley Psych. Center Intensive Case Manager – 30 years retired. Started teaching the Impaired driving program for the Council on Alcoholism and Addiction in the mid 80s – present. That agency rolled into our current agency CFLR. After retirement I assumed the roll of coodinator for the IDP program. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and look forward to each season of Syracuse football.
My name is Ashley Miller. I am 26 years old. I joined the prevention team in July '21 and I oversee our Compeer program. I live in Little Falls with my fiancé, Greg, and my spoiled rotten dog, Timber. I am a dietetics and nutrition major at Mohawk Valley Community College. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, trying new recipes, running, and walking, watching football, and spending time with my family. Joining CFLR team and running the Compeer program is allowing me to extend a hand and help those who are struggling with their mental health. This is a cause near and dear to my heart as I have struggled with my own mental health since I was a teenager. I was fortune enough to receive the help and treatments I needed throughout the years and now my goal is to help those not as fortunate get themselves on the path toward freedom from their mental health disorders."
David Garrett
Bachelors - SUNY Geneseo
Masters - Bowling Green State University, Ohio
Worked in universities for forty years. Bowling Green, University of Wisconsin, SUNY Cortland, Wesley College, Delaware, SUNYIT (SUNY Polytechnic Institute) for the last 34 years. Worked in Student Affairs as Director of Residence Life, Assistant Dean of Students, Director of Orientation, Director of Student Life, Director of Counseling, and Director of International Student Services.
Outside activities: American Pheasant and Waterfowl Association, Western New York Pheasant and Waterfowl Society, Adirondack Avicultural Society, Barneveld Horsemen's Association, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's - Ride for Missing Children and Community Outreach Speaker.
Hello! My name is Fran Esposito and I joined the Center for Family Life and Recovery (CFLR) as a Prevention Service Coordinator in February 2021. From my previous service term with AmeriCorps, I am bringing experience in and passion for working within the community, especially with community members who face struggles with mental health, addiction, and housing insecurities. I graduated from the University of Albany in Summer of 2020 with a degree in Political Science.
I am very passionate about helping to inspire hope within our community and building lasting, meaningful connections. I am so excited for the opportunity to grow my passions here at CFLR and to create lasting bonds with everyone!
HI! My name is Janet Casadei and I am a Peer Advocate with Family Treatment Court. Helping people has been my lifelong journey. My education inside the classroom is in Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Substance Dependency. I have been working in these fields for the past 20 years. Experiencing substance dependence and mental health struggles in my own life and in my family has helped me gain knowledge and compassion for others with the same challenges. My life is full of kayak trips, pug hugs, and kitty antics. Being in nature is my happy place and a great way to engage in self-care. I hope to help others discover their passions and find the path to their best life!
Hello everyone, my name is Erica Baslow! I joined Center for Family Life and Recovery (CFLR) as a Family Prevention Specialist in November 2021. I graduated from Oriskany Jr./Sr. High School and MVCC for Human Services. I have previous experience teaching Special Education and working with children with developmental disabilities, between my work experience and lived experience, I bring passion and devotion to my community. I am extremely dedicated to helping my community with substance abuse disorders, LGBTQ services and offering hope to caregivers! I am so excited to take my creativity and let it soar here at CFLR. I look forward to making connections and inspiring.
Hello, my name is Alexis Dekanek and I am one of the Family Support Workers for the PINS unit in Herkimer, NY. I joined CFLR’s family in June of 2020 and I could not be happier. I graduated in 2019 with my Bachelors in Criminal Justice and with a Minor in Psychology focusing on adolescent development. Once I graduated, I worked for Empowered Pathways in Utica, NY where I got certified in basic mediation. In that role, I worked closely with Oneida County Family Court for a little over a year until I was offered this position as a FSW. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, playing with my dogs, and target practicing to prepare for the upcoming hunting season!
Hello Everyone! My name is Heidi Gates. I enjoy working with families and youth of all ages. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and participating in activities such as four wheeling, snowmobiling, fishing, camping, classic car shows, scrapbooking, and more. I also work part time/as needed on a local dairy farm and maple syrup business.
My name is Sandy Seaman, and I am the Sr. Family Support Worker with the PINS Diversion Program. I have worked for CFLR for 6 years now, and have had three positions within the agency: Impact Program Coordinator, Individual and Family Counselor, and my current position. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology, and still need to complete my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I have 3 grown children. 2 of whom are currently in college. My free time is spent doing renovations on the house I bought 2 years ago, doing a variety of crafts, and hanging out with my kids. Our family has several pets. We have 3 dogs; a Standard Poodle named Ruby, a Morkie named Whomper, and a Newfoundland named Mazikeen Morningstar (Maze for short). We also have 2 cats; Rowena and Crowley. My daughter recently got 2 baby rats; Espresso and Latte. I’m planning on getting Axolotls again in the near future. The thing I am proudest of is my 20+ years in dog rescue; having served on the board of a rescue, and organized transports for dogs from kill shelters to rescues all over the US.
Hi! I’m Cami Allen and I’m a newly hired family support worker. I received my BA in psychology in 2020 and I’m very passionate about preventative work. I love to cook, listen to crime podcasts, drink coffee, and hangout with friends. I’m so excited to be a part of the CFLR team!
Hi, my name is Casey McBee and I am the Family Peer Advocate for CFLR. I work at the Herkimer office out of the DSS building. I have been working here for just over 2 months and I love what I do. This is my first time working in this field and I couldn’t be happier to be here doing what we all do. In my off time I enjoy spending time with my wife and kids hiking, biking, swimming, camping ect.
Hello everyone! My name is Katie Burns and I’m a CRPA-P in the Recovery Department here at CFLR. It is my own personal mission to strengthen and maintain my community connections in the recovery world and man does this profession help me show case that!! I am a single mommy to a funny, smart, active 8 year old who I can hardly keep up with but I sure do try! Since being on my recovery journey I have met the most amazing people who have really helped enhance my new way of life. But, it’s not always serious. I’m the class clown. I enjoy being the reason someone laugh’s today. I love spontaneous hiking trips, and beach days, really anything outdoors and with my family and friends! I strive to do better for myself and my son every single day.
My name is Robert Green I actively used for over twenty years of my life. I lost both of my parents in my teenage years. I never dealt with my grief correctly with no goals, accomplishments, or achievements I stayed in the misery of my addiction. Until about almost seven years ago when I decided to seek outpatient treatment. Which then lead to inpatient treatment. Then I decided to become a Peer Advocate. I’ve been enjoying life again with my family and newfound friends. I previously worked at a local outpatient substance use disorder facility for two and a half years. I’ve found a love for air plants or Tillandsia, keep walking the canal trails, and focus on eating healthy. Remember RECOVERY is an ongoing process! 
First of all, I love semi-retirement. Working since I was 15yrs, following in my mothers’ footsteps. My mother was a switchboard operator in Cornwall, Canada. When I started at 15 yrs., I was working at Massena Central High school during the summer as a switchboard operator. Going forward, working as a secretary, customer service, short order/prep cook, I was working at Hinsdale Hospital, Il. Then I transferred to Doctors’ Answering Service and worked the switchboard at the hospital. Was there for 11 years. Moved to North Carolina and worked in a sewing factory making rugs. I have a few rugs that I made, they are still holding up… lol I loved to travel, from Virginia to Hawaii and in between. Now my feet stay on the ground. When my fiancé was here, we did a lot of camping up north (Alex Bay) and down south (Finger Lakes). Now I am working at CFLR, (8yrs) I love my job. My boss, Cassandra and all my co-workers are wonderful to work with. Great experience. Last of all, stay positive and smile.
Ginamarie Pizza is a 4th year student at Utica College, double majoring in both nursing and health studies with a minor in human rights advocacy. She hopes to work in public health and become a sexual assault nurse examiner (S.A.N.E.). She is a New Jersey native from a large family with four siblings, one dog, one turtle, and the newest addition a Pac Man frog. In her free time, she enjoys athletics, competing on her college’s lacrosse team, as well as making art of all sorts. She has been a part of the CFLR team for 2 months and is excited to continue. She is passionate about social justice and grateful to be part of such an incredible organization.
Hello, my name is Dominica Liscio. I am originally from Herkimer, NY. I have been the Office Coordinator here at CFLR for about 8 months and absolutely love it! CFLR is such a great place to work, we are like a big family. I was supposed to get married in September but due to Covid we unfortunately had to postpone. We however, are trying to make light of this crazy time. I love spending time with my fiancé, my friends and my little, long haired Chihuahua.