ICAN Utica City School District System of Care
Program Overview
During school. After school. At home. In the community.
Everywhere students are, ICAN UCSD SOC strives to support them.
Our ICAN Utica City School District System of Care fills in critical gaps that schools need to provide whole-student services. Our SOC was created for students who are in need of increased school engagement, are exhibiting or starting to show signs of high-risk behaviors, or who are receiving special education support. Knowing that youth thrive when they are engaged and supported in their everyday environments, our team is here to support them every step of the way.
The program is founded on on four foundational pillars:
- Tier 2 Interventions
- Special Education
- Training and Education
- Individualized Community-Based Supports
We serve all 13 schools in Utica, supporting teachers and staff and working collaboratively to help students reach their full potential by:
- Building customized plans for students that address their individual needs and path to success.
- Implementing plans that improve behavior, reduce crises and contribute greatly to improved school and home environments
- Connecting their parents/guardians with community and school resources as needed
- Strengthening school-home-community partnerships
- Offering diverse training and educational opportunities for students, parents and teachers
- Offering free, year-round events and experiences that bring diversity, excitement and connection to families in the district.
SERVICES
Support services are highly personalized to meet specific individual needs of students and families in the city. No student or family situation is the same, so no approach is the same!
How do we make it all happen? Dozens of ICAN staff are embedded into all of the schools in Utica including Student Engagement and Behavior Support Specialists, Clinical Care Coordinators, Peer Supports and more. Being accessible and having an everyday presence results in building excellent rapport, fostering a collaborative team approach and delivering services exactly when students need them most
Raider’s Extended Day (RED) launched in 2025, serves over 1,000 K–6 students across ten schools, providing after-school academic support, enrichment activities and social-emotional learning designed to close learning gaps and foster student growth. Operating Monday through Thursday until 6:00 pm, the program ensures accessibility for all families by offering daily transportation, a nutritious supper and a snack.
In addition to direct student support, we have introduced innovative, community-wide, beyond-school events designed to provide diverse experiences, bridge gaps and build stronger relationships in the neighborhoods we serve.
In collaboration with ICAN’s Independent Practice Association (IPA), the Supportive Work Program gives students real-world work experience, teaches essential skills and allows them to earn a wage while learning.
We also offer robust training and education opportunities for students, educators and parents including professional development, facilitated workshops and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) group activities. We prioritize Restorative Practices training for district leaders, educators and support staff, including food services workers and transportation personnel.
OUTCOMES
Results of having an integrated team embedded in schools with such diverse needs looks different almost every day! Having the program operating since 2023, we can identify some huge strides in student growth:
- Improved attendance
- Reduction in disciplinary actions
- Increased focus on academics
- Increased engagement in the school community
- Improved overall behavior at school and at home
- Active goal setting and adoption of service plans
Who’s it for?
Utica City School-Based Services Age Group
Children, Youth, Caregivers
We provide School-Based services in all of the Utica City School District buildings.
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13Utica City School District Buildings
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1000+Students receive services every school year
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15+Community events and opportunities held annually
ICAN Utica City School District System of Care
We can provide School-Based Services in any school district within the Mohawk Valley and beyond.
Currently, we have intensive programs in Madison Oneida BOCES and Herkimer BOCES. We provide staffing support in Cooperstown, Utica, and Cherry Valley Springfield Central School Districts, and we have provided SPIN/KEY/and/or other Training Services for the following districts: Canastota, Cooperstown, Notre Dame, Oneonta, Richfield Springs, Rome, Sauquoit, Whitesboro, and New Hartford.
Why Consider ICAN Utica City School District System of Care
Our Team Approach
We embrace the Wraparound model for all of our care, services and programs. Our staff works collaboratively to develop and implement customized treatment plans for the individuals and families in our programs, and each team member contributes to our clients’ successes.
Empowerment & Support
At ICAN, we strive to empower and support individuals and families facing life challenges, by providing them with the tools to make the best decisions for themselves and their families. We assist them with succeeding in any goal they may have set, whether it be recovering from addiction, finding success in the classroom, creating a healthy home for their family as they anticipate the birth of a child, or seeking support and community resources, all while keeping families together as they process through their traumas.
Access To Resources
We connect individuals and families with critical community resources, such as access to physical and mental health providers, employment opportunities, housing options, peer support groups, and Wraparound services. We understand that access to some of these services can be difficult to attain during certain life challenges, and we are here to help individuals and families overcome this obstacle.