North Star Behavioral Health Services

We help people with developmental, behavioral, and intellectual challenges live full, healthy, meaningful lives, rich with hope and choices of where and with whom they live, work, and play.

North Star Behavioral Health Family of Services features a wide array of comprehensive services provided to all age levels and needs. Offering integrated behavioral health outpatient services for mental health and substance use problems, individualized case management, health home care coordination and a variety of other behavioral health services, we’re here for you every step of the way on the road to stability, health, recovery, and a better quality of life.

At Citizen Advocates, we believe that the strongest motivation toward self-support and independence for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses is paid meaningful work. Since our inception, we have successfully made this belief a reality for countless North Country residents with a wide variety of disabilities and cognitive levels. At North Star Industries, a branch of Citizen Advocates, we offer extensive vocational services and employment opportunities that occur in work centers, supported work programs, and community businesses. Today, our programs not only provide a source of income to those who would not otherwise have it, but they also empower individuals toward self-sufficiency and provide the necessary confidence to function successfully within their communities.

Starting in the early 1980’s, Citizen Advocates’ North Star Day Program Services have evolved and grown immensely over the years in an effort to aid people with developmental disabilities further integrate into their communities by providing the most progressive and professional services possible. We serve individuals ranging from ages three to 88 with a broad spectrum of developmental disabilities to provide access to the clinical services and life skills supports and training required to live more self-chosen, meaningful and independent lives. Supports are provided in people’s own homes, in certified facilities, and in the community. The array of services currently offered through participation in our Day Programs is available in Northern and Southern Franklin County, as well as Clinton and St. Lawrence Counties.

Caring for a loved one who is affected by a developmental disability or struggling with the effects of mental illness is a lifelong commitment. In some instances, being a primary caretaker can be overwhelming for a family. Citizen Advocates’ North Star Residential Services is here to help people with intellectual and other disabilities live community-based lives of their choosing supported by highly qualified direct support professionals with the knowledge, skills and values needed to support them in achieving their life goals.

Want to make a difference in a local child’s life?

Consider supporting the Backpack Program by sponsoring a child through our “Adopt A Kid” campaign. 

The Backpack Program is a program that provides needy children with nutritious food for almost every weekend of the school year. For the 2015/2016 school year there are over 525 anticipated children from our local schools participating in the program.  This program is funded entirely by fund-raising and local contributions with 100% of the funds raised going directly into the program.  The packing and distributing of the food is done entirely by volunteers and all administrative and overhead costs are donated as

well.  The cost to Adopt-A-Kid for the entire school year is only $200 and is tax-deductible.

If you are interested in supporting this wonderful program and would like to Adopt-A-Kid, mail your check for $200 to: 

For over 35 years, Citizen Advocates and the North Star Family of Services have provided caring, professional, and certified care to thousands of individuals who have developmental disabilities, mental illnesses and substance use issues. Partnering with numerous funding and oversight sources – including the Office of Persons with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), the Office of Mental Health (OMH), the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), and the Department of Health (DOH) – we coordinate care for individuals of all age levels and abilities and are committed to providing help and hope to residents of the North Country for many years to come.

At Citizen Advocates, our numerous services speak to our professionalism and outstanding ability to provide individualized care and solutions to those with developmental disabilities, mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Our comprehensive programs utilize a ‘person first, diagnosis second’ approach and we implement evidence-based practices in treatment and case management, creating unique and effective care plans that empower individuals, encourage community integration and increased levels of independence.

With locations and programs offered throughout the North Country, Citizen Advocates has evolved to become an organization with multiple service lines composed of over 40 programs. As a major employer in the North Country, we celebrate our contributions to the local economy and continually strive to foster a positive work environment for our dedicated and talented staff. Discover more about our organization or explore our current employment opportunities to join the Citizen Advocates Family. Contact us today to .

Primary Focus of the Provider

• Mix of Mental Health and Substance Abuse

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Type of Care

• Substance abuse treatment
• Relapse prevention from naltrxone
• Buprenorphine used in treatment
• Naltrexone (oral)
• Vivitrol (injectable Naltrexone)
• Transitional housing or halfway house
• Prescribes/administer buprenorphine and/or naltrexone

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Facility Type

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Treatment Approaches

• Cognitive/behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavioral therapy
• Substance abuse counseling approach
• Trauma-related counseling
• Rational emotive behavioral therapy

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Facility Smoking Policy

• Smoking not permitted

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Service Setting (e.g., Outpatient, Residential, etc.)

• Outpatient
• Outpatient methadone/buprenorphine or vivitrol
• Intensive outpatient treatment
• Regular outpatient treatment

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Facility Operation (e.g. Private, Public)

• Private organization
• State substance abuse agency
• State mental health department
• State department of health

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Payment/Insurance Accepted

• Cash or self-payment
• Medicaid
• Medicare
• State financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid
• Private health insurance
• Military insurance (e.g., TRICARE)
• Federal, or any government funding for substance abuse programs

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Emergency Mental Health Services

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Payment Assistance Available

• Sliding fee scale (fee is based on income and other factors)

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Language Services

• Services for the deaf and hard of hearing

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Special Programs/Groups Offered

• Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders
• Clients referred from the court/judicial system
• Seniors or older adults
• Adolescents
• Adult women
• Adult men
• Persons who have experienced trauma
• Transitional age young adults

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Ancillary Services

• Non-nicotine smoking/tobacco cessation medications
• Treatment for gambling disorder
• Individual counseling offered
• Group counseling offered
• Family counseling offered
• Marital/couples counseling offered
• 12-step faciltitation approach
• Brief intervention approach
• Motivational interviewing
• Anger management
• Martix Model
• Relapse prevention

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Age Groups Accepted

• Children/adolescents
• Young adults
• Adults

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Gender Accepted

• Female
• Male

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Exclusive Services

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