New Leadership For CAPE

December 10, 2025

We are grateful to announce the arrival of our new Agency Director, David Campanaro, LCSW-R, CASAC

With 19 years of experience in behavioral health, David has provided direct clinical services, supervision, program development, and administrative oversight to programs serving youth and adults in the Mid-Hudson Valley. He holds a master’s degree in social work from Adelphi University, and he is a licensed clinical social worker in New York and Connecticut—including advanced credentialing in addiction counseling in both states.

“I’m honored to join CAPE and continue its vital mission of substance use prevention, education, and recovery support,” said David. “Together, we’ll strengthen community partnerships and use community-driven solutions to expand prevention programming and compassionate care for individuals and families affected by addiction.” Rob Ranieri, CAPE’s Board President, stated, “We are excited to have Dave at the helm of CAPE. He has the vision, energy, and experience needed to reinforce CAPE’s commitment to innovative programming and lead Dutchess County’s largest substance use prevention agency in expanding our services to reach even more Dutchess County residents.”

Since 1987, CAPE has been a guiding force for prevention and wellness in Dutchess County.

Funded by the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), Dutchess County, local school districts, foundations, and other private donors, CAPE delivers school-based prevention counseling, prevention education for families and professionals, positive activities and outlets for youth, and community outreach to prevent and reduce impaired driving, overdose, and other substance use-related harms. CAPE also unites Dutchess County residents through special annual events in the community and countywide coalitions dedicated to prevention and recovery.

Interested in learning more about CAPE or getting involved in the work we do?

Contact us at info@capedc.org or call 845-765-8301 today!

Current CAPE Programs & Services:

ALIVE AT 25 is a court-mandated, four-and-a-half-hour driver’s awareness course designed by the National Safety Council for drivers (ages 16-24). Participants develop awareness and safety strategies to build a foundation for healthy and responsible decision-making. CAPE’s prevention educators are certified by the National Safety Council. This is a fee-based program.

BLINDSPOTS is an educational program (designed for parents and guardians) that allows participants to explore a model teen bedroom to identify paraphernalia and other possible indicators of substance use. A presentation follows to describe various paraphernalia and how they are related to teen substance use.

GENERATION HOPE YOUTH CLUBHOUSE is a free, welcoming, safe space for all Dutchess County teens (ages 12-18), where they can hang out with friends, play games, enjoy recreational activities, and participate in health and wellness education programs. Gen Hope is open Monday-Friday and is located adjacent to CAPE’s main office in Wappinger Falls.

PEER ENGAGEMENT SPECIALISTS assist individuals and families facing substance use disorder/addiction by helping them navigate the existing systems and services that can lead to recovery.

PREVENTION EDUCATION PROGRAMS are available upon request for schools, colleges, community-based organizations, and businesses throughout the county that focus on impaired driving, underage alcohol and other substance use, gambling, and related issues.

PREVENTION EDUCATION & COUNSELING PROGRAM (PROJECT SUCCESS) is implemented by licensed master’s level counselors working in secondary schools to provide individual and group prevention counseling for students, substance use prevention curriculum, school-wide awareness activities, consultation to school staff and parents, and referral to other services in the school and community when needed. 

TEEN DRIVING: A FAMILY AFFAIR brings important impaired driving prevention programming to high schools as part of applying for a school parking permit. Both students and parents are required to attend and hear impactful stories from victims of substance-related crashes, representatives from the District Attorney’s Office, and professionals from the insurance and health care industries. Parents and students learn the serious legal, medical, insurance, and emotional costs of distracted driving and driving under the influence of substances.

TEEN INTERVENE educates adolescents (age 12-19) who exhibit mild to moderate problems associated with alcohol, nicotine, and other drug use, about the harmful effects on their health. Motivational interviewing techniques are used to encourage students to stop their substance use.

TOO GOOD FOR DRUGS & VIOLENCE is a 15-week drug and violence prevention curriculum on developing young people’s social and emotional skills to help them build self-confidence and make healthy decisions to achieve their goals. The focus is on reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors, such as enhancing pro-social attitudes, developing healthy relationships, developing skills to resist using substances, managing conflict, and resisting negative peer pressure and influences.

VICTIM IMPACT PANEL (VIP) includes the personal and painful accounts of those whose lives have been forever changed by an impaired driver. People convicted of DWI and DWAI are court-mandated to attend VIP, with the goal of reducing recidivism. This is a fee-based in-person program, available in both English and Spanish, on the first Thursday of each month.

CAPE is an affiliate of Tarrytown-based Student Assistance Services Corporation, along with the Prevention Council of Putnam County.