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NEWS
New York State Office of Mental Health Announces Availability of $75,000 in Funding for Stigma Reduction Projects
June 15, 2018
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) today announced the availability of up to $75,000 in grant funding for projects that help reduce the stigma often associated with mental illness. This funding represents the revenues received through a voluntary tax check-off program launched in 2016. This program allows taxpayers to contribute easily to the ‘Mental Illness Anti-Stigma Fund’ when filing their NYS taxes.
NEWS
Governor Cuomo Announces First-in-the-Nation Suicide Prevention Program
June 8, 2018
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced New York will be the first state in the nation to launch an innovative pilot program aimed at reducing new suicide attempts among individuals who had previously attempted suicide. Funded through the $3.5 million federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant, the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program reframes how suicide attempts are examined in order to develop individualized prevention strategies.
NEWS
Governor Cuomo Announces Dedication of $13 Million Affordable and Supportive Housing in Utica
May 21, 2018
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the ribbon-cutting of the $13.8 million West Street Apartments, an affordable and supportive housing complex in the city of Utica. The 42 unit development is dedicated to serving low-income working families, including 11 supportive units for persons recovering from mental illness, and six units for formerly homeless individuals and families. Located on the former site of a dilapidated, vacant, three-story apartment building, the new development also includes a Community Services Center operated by the Rescue Mission of Utica that will serve both tenants and the public, adding to the revitalization of the Cornhill neighborhood.
NEWS
Governor Cuomo Launches Initiatives to Combat Maternal Depression
May 17, 2018
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today launched a new multi-agency effort to combat maternal depression. At Governor Cuomo's direction, the Department of Financial Services will require all New York commercial health insurance policies to cover maternal depression screenings, including screening for the mother under the child's policy. The Department of Health and Office of Mental Health will launch a strategic awareness campaign to provide critical information about symptoms and treatment options for maternal depression. Finally, the Office of Mental Health will open the first State-operated intensive outpatient clinic focused on maternal depression. These comprehensive actions will ensure that women in New York can access crucial screenings and treatment to combat maternal depression. This policy is part of the Governor's 2018 Women's Agenda.
NEWS
Governor Cuomo Announces Opening of $61 Million Affordable and Supportive Housing Development in the Bronx
May 15, 2018
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the grand opening of the $61.2 million Webster Avenue Residence, an eight-story building featuring 170 units of affordable and supportive housing in the Tremont section of the Bronx. Developed by the nonprofit Breaking Ground, the project features 90 apartments of supportive housing for formerly homeless individuals with special needs and 80 units for low-income working adults from the Bronx community.
NEWS
New York State Partners with Crisis Text Line to Provide 24 Hour Support for People in Crisis
May 11, 2018
Albany, NY – The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) today announced the launch of a partnership between OMH and Crisis Text Line (CTL), a national not-for-profit organization that provides free, 24-hour text-based support for people who are experiencing a mental health or situational crisis. CTL has helped users who are facing suicidal thoughts, maternal depression, cyberbullying, family emergencies, anxiety and more.
NEWS
Office of Mental Health Recognizes Kings County Mental Health Provider Serving Children of Incarcerated Parents
May 8, 2018
Albany, NY – Children of Promise, NYC - a mental health organization focused on serving children of incarcerated parents - has been honored at the New York State Office of Mental Health’s "What’s Great in our State 2018" event. The annual event, held May 8 in Albany, celebrates the people and programs making a difference in the field of children’s mental health.
NEWS
Office of Mental Health Recognizes Nassau County School Social Worker
May 8, 2018
Albany, NY – Cindy Misrock, LCSW - the school social worker at Bayview Avenue School - has been honored at the New York State Office of Mental Health’s "What’s Great in our State 2018" event.
NEWS
Office of Mental Health Recognizes High School Mental Health Club in Westchester County
May 8, 2018
Albany, NY – Walter Panas Warr;ors’ honored for its Pioneering Student-Involved Approach to Eliminating the Stigma of Mental Illness. The mental health club at Walter Panas High School - has been honored at the New York State Office of Mental Health’s "What’s Great in our State 2018" event.
NEWS
Office of Mental Health Recognizes Western New York Behavioral Health Program
May 8, 2018
Albany, NY – ‘Access to Psychiatry through Intermediate Care’ was honored for its dedication to young people with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities at the New York State Office of Mental Health’s "What’s Great in our State 2018" event.
NEWS
Office of Mental Health Recognizes Niagara County School Superintendent
May 8, 2018
Albany, NY – Mark Laurrie - the Superintendent of the Niagara Falls School District - has been honored at the New York State Office of Mental Health’s "What’s Great in our State 2018". Laurie has been a champion for his community, promoting mental wellness within the Niagara Falls School District.
NEWS
Office of Mental Health Recognizes Onondaga County Prevention Program
May 8, 2018
Albany, NY – Contact Community Services has been honored for its Implementation of the ‘PAX Good Behavior Game’ in the Syracuse City School District at the New York State Office of Mental Health’s "What’s Great in our State 2018" event.
NEWS
Office of Mental Health Recognizes Orange County Diversion Program Serving First Time Juvenile Offenders
May 8, 2018
Albany, NY – The Mental Health Juvenile Justice Program - a diversion program run by Rehabilitation Support Services - has been honored at the New York State Office of Mental Health’s "What’s Great in our State 2018" event. The annual event, held May 8 in Albany, celebrates the people and programs making a difference in the field of children’s mental health.
NEWS
Governor Cuomo Announces Opening of $17 Million Supportive and Affordable Development in Lockport
May 3, 2018
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the grand opening of the 60-unit, $17.7 million Packet Boat Landing Apartments in Lockport. The three-story, 62,000-square-foot affordable housing development features 60 new one-bedroom units, including 21 with supportive services. Named after the historic Erie Canal "Packet Boats," this development helps combat homelessness by combining affordability with supportive services.
NEWS
Governor Cuomo Launches Third Phase of $20 Billion Plan to Create Supportive and Affordable Housing
May 1, 2018
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the third phase of the historic $20 billion five-year plan launched in 2016 to create or preserve over 100,000 affordable and at least 6,000 supportive housing units. Phase III of the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative includes a Request for Proposals, issued by the New York State Office of Mental Health, that will provide $30 million in service and operating funding for at least 1,200 units of supportive housing.
NEWS
Governor Cuomo Announces Opening of $100 Million Affordable, Supportive Housing Development in Brooklyn
April 24, 2018
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the grand opening of CAMBA Gardens Phase II, a $100 million affordable, supportive, and sustainable housing development in the Wingate section of Brooklyn. Built on the grounds of King's County Hospital by CAMBA Housing Ventures, the new development is a national model for co-locating housing and healthcare, providing 293 apartments with 182 set aside for formerly homeless families and individuals.
NEWS
Governor Cuomo Announces Western New York Children’s Psychiatric Center Will Remain in West Seneca
April 4, 2018
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the Western New York Children's Psychiatric Center will permanently remain operating in West Seneca following extensive community input into a proposal to relocate the facility to renovated space at the Buffalo Psychiatric Center. As part of the plan to keep the Children's Psychiatric Center in West Seneca, the Governor also announced that the State has identified other resources to support services for up to 1,000 children outside a clinical setting that would have been funded through the cost savings resulting from the relocation plan.
NEWS
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) announces a new procedure for the submission of Comprehensive Prior Approval Review (PAR) Applications
March 13, 2018
In accordance with Mental Hygiene Law, Rules, and Regulations, a Comprehensive PAR application is required when a service provider or proposed provider seeks to establish a new program or make significant changes to an existing, licensed program.
PRESS RELEASE
Governor Cuomo Announces Efforts to Combat Maternal Depression and Prevent Maternal Mortality 
January 25, 2018
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced new efforts to combat maternal depression and prevent maternal mortality in New York State. The Governor will direct the Department of Financial Services to require all health insurance policies include coverage for maternal depression screening, and will launch a new Maternal Mortality Review Board. The announcements come as New York is ranked 30th in the nation for maternal mortality rates, and are part of Governor Cuomo's 2018 Women's Agenda for New York: Equal Rights, Equal Opportunity and the FY 2019 Executive Budget.
PRESS RELEASE
New York State Expanding Program to Help Individuals with Disabilities Find Employment
January 11, 2018
The New York State Employment First Commission, created by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and chaired by the New York State Office of Mental Health, has announced new resources to help increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The new program, called the "Employment First Benefits Advisory System," will provide advice on financial assistance and work incentives for individuals with disabilities who are working or seeking work.
PRESS RELEASE
Governor Cuomo Announces Groundbreaking of $65 Million Affordable Housing Development in the Bronx
January 9, 2018
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the start of construction of three multifamily rental buildings with 138 affordable apartments in the Bronx called The Grand. The project is part of Governor Cuomo's unprecedented $20 billion, five-year plan launched in FY 2017 to provide permanent supportive housing, affordable housing with on-site services that help formerly homeless and disabled tenants live in dignity in the community, by constructing and rehabilitating 100,000 units of affordable housing and 6,000 units of supportive housing. The Grand is the largest ground-up, low-cost tax-exempt bond deal developed by a minority-owned firm since Governor Cuomo took office.
PRESS RELEASE
Governor Cuomo Announces $60 Million in Awards to Mental Health and Addiction Healthcare Providers to Lower Cost and Improve Outcomes
January 4, 2018
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced New York will issue $60 million in awards over three years to mental health and addiction services providers as part of the transformation of the State's Medicaid system. The awards will aid behavioral health providers transform to a business model of Value-Based Payment, which rewards quality of care and better health outcomes, rather than the volume of services they provide.