LICADD Announces Appointment of Patricia Rykert, LCSW as Prevention Specialist
The Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (LICADD) is pleased to announce the appointment of Patricia Rykert, LCSW to the position of Prevention Specialist. Ms. Rykert brings a wealth of clinical experience to our team with a particular focus on the mental health needs of children. Ms. Rykert holds a Masters in Social Work from New York University and is uniquely qualified in both treatment and prevention modalities. We are fortunate to have a clinician with Ms. Rykert’s diverse professional experience on our staff. Since joining LICADD in 2007, Patricia has been instrumental in launching and expanding LICADD’s proprietary evidence-based Footprints for Life program to school districts throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
LICADD Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds noted, “As demand for our services continues to increase, we are very thrilled that Ms. Rykert will be an even bigger part of the team. Her commitment to substance abuse prevention and serving families in crisis is a great asset to LICADD and those who come to us for help.”
Patricia stated, “I am proud to be joining a young and energetic group of professionals, who share the passion of helping people devastated by this deadly disease. Working with LICADD has opened the door to a professional future filled with hope, a sense of purpose, and a unique opportunity to educate our community and de-stigmatize the disease of addiction. LICADD encourages open and honest conversations regarding prevention among family members around dinner tables in homes across the Island. We encourage these conversations by introducing prevention programs in both English and Spanish in the classroom, town hall meetings, parent workshops and educational forums for senior citizens. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the Footprints program to our children to help them learn responsible life choices and to have lots of laughs doing it!.”
All of us at LICADD look forward to working with Patricia as we continue to provide expert evaluation and early intervention services to individuals, children and families impacted by substance abuse, by spearheading prevention education programs in a variety of settings, facilitating professional trainings, and mobilizing communities through task force development and public policy advocacy.
