Planned Parenthood of the North Country launches CARE Program

PLATTSBURGH | Planned Parenthood of the North Country New York (PPNCNY) has announced the launch of CARE (Connect, Advocate, Respect, Empower), the new name for its longstanding Sexual Assault Services program serving Clinton, Franklin and Essex counties. While the name has changed, the program's commitment to providing free, confidential support to victims and survivors of sexual violence remains unwavering. The transition to CARE reflects the growth and evolution of the program and its continued commitment to meeting the changing needs of the communities it serves. Advocacy and supportive counseling remain at the heart of CARE's work, while the program now more fully represents a comprehensive approach to supporting healing, reducing barriers to care, and preventing future violence. CARE continues to be guided by three core principles: Believe. Listen. Support. These values shape every interaction with victims and survivors, their loved ones, and community partners. Through a case management approach, CARE's Community Advocates provide individualized support that extends beyond emotional counseling. Services include advocacy, resource coordination, accompaniment, systems navigation, and connections to community resources that promote healing, safety, and well-being. CARE also delivers prevention education in Clinton, Franklin and Essex counties. Community education programs address topics including sexual assault prevention, human trafficking and exploitation awareness, consent, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention. These programs are offered in schools, workplaces, and community settings to help build safer, more informed communities. In addition, CARE's Enough Is Enough Coordinator works with colleges across the region to provide campus-based prevention education, advocacy, and outreach. Programming focuses on sexual assault prevention, consent, healthy relationships, dating violence prevention, stalking awareness, and bystander intervention, while helping foster campus cultures grounded in respect, accountability, and support. CARE also offers proxy reporting, a person-centered option that allows victims and survivors to share information about an incident without immediately engaging in a formal law enforcement process. This approach promotes choice and autonomy while helping identify patterns of violence within the community. "CARE better reflects the full scope of the work we do every day," said Shelli LaVoie, Director of Sexual Assault Services. "While our name has evolved, our mission has not. We remain committed to ensuring every person impacted by sexual violence is met with compassion, dignity, and respect while receiving the advocacy and support they need on their path toward healing." To learn more about CARE or access services, contact CARE 24/7 hotline, 1-877-212-2323, or visit ppncny.org.

Signup for our newsletter

Planned Parenthood of the North Country launches CARE Program

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS