Governor Hochul announced that more than $5.1 million was awarded to support 137 school-based mental health clinic satellites throughout New York State, including 82 at high-needs schools. Administered by the New York State Office of Mental Health, the funding is part of the governor’s $1 billion landmark plan to transform New York’s mental health care system, which includes a total of $8.3 million to support and expand these clinics throughout the state.
Governor Hochul: “We came to this school…to meet some young people who should be at the prime of their lives and carefree. And they're still overcoming grief, the loss of loved ones, the loss of their former self, the loss of the learning experience…Today we announced that the first schools are receiving anywhere from $25,000 to $45,000 as seed money for them to develop a program where they can find a way to reach out to these young people.”
The New York State Office of Mental Health today announced that the Daniel’s Law Task Force will host the first among a series of stakeholder meetings intended to help improve the way communities engage individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Established in response to the death of 41-year-old Daniel Prude in 2020, the task force is charged with developing recommendations to guide behavioral health crisis response and explore avenues for related diversion services.
The New York State Office of Mental Health today reconvened the Suicide Prevention Task Force to bolster prevention efforts statewide and with a renewed focus on helping at-risk populations such as communities of color disproportionally impacted by suicide or suicidal ideation. Established in partnership with OMH’s Suicide Prevention Center of New York, the Task Force will build on existing prevention efforts and explore the mental health challenges laid bare during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Hochul announced more than $2.6 million in penalties against five Medicaid managed care health plans following a comprehensive examination of their reimbursement of behavioral health service claims. New York State levied these fines after the carriers repeatedly and inappropriately denied claims or failed to pay for specialty behavioral health services at the rates required by law.
Governor Hochul announced that she has appointed Dr. Ruth Westheimer as the nation’s first Ambassador to Loneliness. In accepting the honorary title, the iconic talk show host pledged to help New Yorkers of all ages address the growing issue of social isolation, which is associated with multiple physical and mental health issues, including cognitive decline, anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disorders, weakened immunity, Alzheimer’s disease, and premature death.
Governor Hochul announced a $5 million expansion of the Community Mental Health Loan Repayment Program to extend eligibility to licensed mental health professionals. Administered by the state Office of Mental Health, the program now has $14 million dedicated to recruiting and retaining skilled mental health professionals at a time when demand for these workers is high and projected to increase.
Governor Hochul announced the award of $12 million to develop three new Intensive and Sustained Engagement Teams to serve communities in New York City, the Hudson River region and on Long Island. Administered by the state Office of Mental Health, the awards will enable three service providers to develop peer-led multidisciplinary teams that will provide intensive community support services for New Yorkers with complex needs who have difficulty connecting with traditional forms of mental health care.
Governor Hochul announced the completion of 2050 Grand Concourse, an affordable and supportive housing development with 96 apartments in the Bronx’s Fordham Heights neighborhood. The all-electric development was awarded funding from the State’s Buildings of Excellence Competition, which aims to advance zero-carbon multifamily buildings in New York.
Governor Hochul issued a proclamation declaring November Transgender Awareness Month to celebrate transgender, gender non-conforming, and nonbinary communities in New York State and across the country. The Governor also announced that New York State will raise the Transgender Flag at the Capitol and landmarks will be lit pink, white and light blue on Monday, Nov. 20, in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance. The Governor further announced several state actions to support transgender individuals across New York.
Governor Hochul announced that New York has made available all the funding provided in the first year of the opioid settlement agreements. This funding, approximately $192.8 million, is supporting a variety of prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery initiatives to help New Yorkers impacted by the opioid and overdose crisis.
The New York State Office of Mental Health today announced that $4 million in state funding is available to expand access to Mental Health Outpatient Treatment and Rehabilitative Services for underserved people living with mental illness and with complex healthcare needs. The funding will help licensed clinics enhance or expand existing specialized treatment programs to serve additional New Yorkers.
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the state Office of Mental Health has received two federal grants totaling $13.5 million to expand access to mental and behavioral health services in primary care practices for youth and to implement the ‘Zero Suicide’ model at 13 certified community behavioral health clinics across the state. The awards were announced following the New York State Suicide Prevention Conference in Albany, with the theme, 'Changing The Conversation on Youth Mental Health: From Crisis to Prevention.'
Governor Hochul updated New Yorkers on the latest State efforts to provide treatment and support for individuals with serious mental illness, part of efforts funded by her $1 billion investment in mental health care in FY 2024 State Budget. The Governor announced that Safe Options Support teams have helped nearly 200 formerly homeless individuals find permanent housing. She also highlighted 99 new state-operated inpatient psychiatric beds are now available for use – more than halfway to the goal set in her budget proposal – and that approximately 500 inpatient psychiatric beds at community hospitals will be restored by January 2024.
Governor Hochul, New York Attorney General Letitia James, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assemblymember Nily Rozic announced new legislation to regulate unhealthy social media usage by prohibiting minors from accessing addictive feeds without parental consent. Recent research has shown devastating mental health effects associated with children and young adults’ excessive social media use, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and self-harm.
The New York State Office of Mental Health has awarded $1 million to the Human Services Research Institute to conduct an extensive two-year review of its Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program, which was created following the passage of Kendra’s Law in 1999. The agency was tasked with conducting an independent evaluation as part of the five-year renewal of the law that was approved in the FY 2023 State Budget.
Governor Hochul announced a multi-agency collaboration with New York PBS stations to equip prekindergarten-grade 12 educators with resources and strategies they can rely on to support the mental well-being of their students. Produced by The WNET Group with assistance from the state Office of Mental Health and the State Education, Student Mental Health Matters: A Toolkit for Educators is available free online and provides more than 50 digital videos addressing topics specific to youth mental health.
Governor Hochul announced a request for proposals to redevelop the former Bayview Correctional Facility, located at 550 West 20th Street in West Chelsea, Manhattan into a primarily residential development providing supportive housing, affordable housing, and onsite community uses that will benefit area residents and reintegrate the structure into the surrounding neighborhood.
Governor Hochul announced that landmarks and bridges across the state will be illuminated teal and purple tonight, September 10, to recognize World Suicide Prevention Day and draw attention to the ongoing overhaul of New York’s mental health care system. Earlier this week, Governor Hochul issued a proclamation designating September as Suicide Prevention Month throughout the state and outlining efforts help New Yorkers connect with mental health resources, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Governor Hochul announced statewide initiatives underway to raise awareness of suicide prevention and the resources available to help all New Yorkers struggling with mental health challenges, including a digital campaign highlighting the state’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Governor Hochul also issued a proclamation acknowledging September as Suicide Prevention Month in New York and ordered state landmarks and bridges to be illuminated purple and teal on Sunday, Sept. 10, which is World Suicide Prevention Day.
Governor Hochul announced that registration is now open for the upcoming Transportation for Life Summit on Friday, September 22 at Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie. Coinciding with Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the one-day, interagency summit will focus on building a first-of-its-kind coordinated and comprehensive approach to mental health awareness and suicide prevention in public spaces.
Governor Hochul announced the kickoff meeting for the Interagency Task Force on Overdose Prevention. Governor Hochul announced the creation of this task force in the 2023 State of the State address. Chaired by Commissioners Dr. Chinazo Cunningham from the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports and Dr. James McDonald from the New York State Department of Health, the group includes experts across seventeen state agencies and offices working collaboratively to combat the overdose epidemic in New York State.
Governor Hochul announced the launch of further funding opportunities to develop harm reduction interventions for priority populations who are particularly vulnerable to overdose, as well as study fatalities connected to opioids statewide. The New York State Department of Health recently posted two new Requests for Applications and directed additional investments in several harm reduction programs financed through the State’s Opiod Settlement Fund. These investments represent one component of Governor Hochul’s comprehensive approach to addressing New York State's opioid crisis.
Governor Hochul announced more than $38.6 million for housing projects in the New York City, Long Island, and Southern Tier regions that will provide permanent supportive housing for individuals who have experienced homelessness. Supported by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, the awards will fund the creation of 410 units to serve formerly homeless individuals, including those with a mental illness or substance use disorder, and survivors of domestic violence among others.
Governor Hochul announced the successful rollout of New York State’s 988 Community Education and Awareness Toolkit, an interactive resource tool designed to support individuals facing suicide-risk. 988 is the three-digit number available in many areas nationally that will connect the caller to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. New York’s 988 toolkit, developed by the New York State Office of Mental Health includes marketing and educational resources to help educate the public.
Governor Hochul announced $108 million is available for school districts to support student well-being through expanding mental health supports. The new State matching fund, the $100 million Recover from COVID School Program, will provide funding to create or expand programs to help students address trauma caused by the pandemic, prioritizing school districts with the highest need. Additionally, a portion of the $100 million Recover from COVID School Program is available to address student learning loss exacerbated by the pandemic. Governor Hochul is also expanding school-based mental health clinics across the state through an $8.3 million investment within her historic $1 billion mental health plan.
Governor Kathy Hochul’s historic, $1 billion plan to strengthen the State’s mental healthcare system provides us with a blueprint as well as the resources to make these goals a reality. From their first experience with mental illness, through navigating their life choices and experiences, each individual needs to be able to learn and thrive and reach their aspirations.
The New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF), the state’s largest workers’ compensation insurer and one of the 10 largest nationwide, today announced a new campaign to raise awareness of mental wellness as an essential component of workplace health. The campaign helps all employers, including those who are not NYSIF policyholders, create an employee mental wellness action plan, marshalling information from multiple sources.
The Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS) have partnered to provide free Youth Mental Health First Aid training to adults who regularly interact with young people, including parents, caregivers, healthcare providers, teachers and others. The trainings help adults recognize and assist young people ages 12 to 18 who are experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis.
Governor Hochul announced that the New York State Office of Mental Health and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports have made $3.5 million available for start-up grants to develop 13 new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, 24-hour centers that provide comprehensive services for those requiring behavioral health support, specifically coordination care across behavioral, physical health, and social service systems.
Governor Hochul announced more than $5.5 million to support addiction outreach and engagement services designed to reach underserved populations across New York State. Overseen by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, this funding, distributed through New York State's Opioid Settlement Fund, will help connect high-need individuals to a variety of services they may not have access to otherwise.
Governor Hochul announced the availability of $33.5 million to increase support for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, including additional investments in the transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming communities that expand and build on the progress of the Lorena Borjas Transgender and Non-Binary Wellness and Equity Fund.
Governor Kathy Hochul today issued a proclamation declaring June 27 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Screening Day, as part of National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month, to emphasize the importance of mental health and encourage individuals, especially Veterans, to undergo screenings.
OMH, Department of Veterans’ Services and Touro Law Center participated in a rededication ceremony at Central Islip State Hospital Cemetery, which is located adjacent to the Law Center. The ceremony included the placement of two commemorative plaques, and marks the restoration of the cemetery, which serves as the final resting place for approximately 5,500 former patients of the hospital, which closed in 1996.
Governor Hochul announced the launch of a new scholarship program, which makes nearly $3 million available to individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in Addiction Studies or the education requirements for a New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports credential at Alfred State College, Stony Brook University, and Empire State University.
Governor Hochul announced more than $21.1 million for housing projects in the New York City region and Western New York to provide permanent supportive housing for individuals who have experienced homelessness and to fund repairs at an emergency shelter in Orange County.
Governor Kathy Hochul delivers closing remarks at the first-ever Summit on Youth Mental Health.
Governor Hochul released the key findings of a summary report of the Youth Listening Tour, held in counties statewide earlier this spring, outlining both findings and recommendations on how to best address the youth mental health crisis. The Governor released the summary report at the first-ever New York State Summit on Youth Mental Health at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, where she was joined by national mental health experts, youth advocates and providers, parents and caregivers, law enforcement specialists, educators, and over 1,000 attendees to examine the unprecedented mental health challenges many young people face.
Earlier today, Governor Hochul convened a summit on youth mental health and delivered opening remarks.
Governor Hochul announced the completion of a $19 million multigenerational affordable and supportive housing development in the Oswego County Village of Pulaski. Selkirk Landing offers 44 affordable homes for families and seniors and 20 homes with supportive services for adults experiencing homelessness.
New York State is honoring Isaiah Santiago, a Rochester-based Youth Peer Advocate, with the 2023 ‘What’s Great in our State’ Youth/Young Adult Award. This award recognizes young people with lived mental health experience who have utilized their own experiences to make a positive impact in their community.
New York State is honoring Heather Tafuro, a Regional Parent Advisor from Long Island, with the 2023 ‘What’s Great in our State’ Family/Caregiver Award. This award recognizes family members or caregivers who have made a difference in their community through their professional or volunteer work, using their own lived experience.
New York State is honoring the Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District with the 2023 ‘What’s Great in our State’ School/School District Award. This award recognizes education systems that have increasingly acknowledged the importance of supporting wellness and addressing the mental health needs of its students.
New York State is honoring The Mental Health Association of Columbia and Greene Counties with the 2023 ‘What’s Great in our State’ Community/Organization Award. The organization helps economically disadvantaged youth make connections, build relationships and develop problem solving skills.
New York State is honoring Dr. Jean Holland, a children’s mental health advocate and provider in New York City, with the 2023 ‘What’s Great in our State’ Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement award is given annually to recognize professionals and volunteers who have shown a lifetime commitment to strengthening the mental health of children, youth, and families.
New York State is honoring the Intensive Treatment Program at OLV Human Services with the 2023 ‘What’s Great in our State’ System of Care Award. A System of Care (SOC) is a coordinated network of cross-system partners that collaborate using governance or infrastructure to achieve their vision and goals.
Governor Hochul announced nearly $10 million in investments and grant awards as part of the state's ongoing efforts to address the needs of the East Buffalo community. Today marks the one-year anniversary of the white supremacist terror attack at Tops Supermarket in Buffalo on May 14, 2022.
The Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced a major milestone for the agency’s emergency Mobile Access Program (MAP) which recently conducted its 1,000th counseling session for individuals in emotional distress.
Governor Hochul announced more than $7 million for 15 providers across New York State to support medication for addiction treatment by establishing comprehensive, low-threshold buprenorphine services. These programs are designed to meet the ongoing need for medication and other addiction services by providing same-day, immediate enrollment in buprenorphine treatment and care management.
Governor Hochul highlighted her $1 billion transformative, multi-year investment to overhaul the State's continuum of mental health care and drastically reduce the number of New Yorkers with unmet mental health needs. The Mental Health Care Plan was passed as part of the FY 2024 Budget, and will increase inpatient psychiatric treatment capacity, dramatically expand outpatient services, boost insurance coverage, and develop thousands of more units of supportive and transitional housing for people with mental illness.
Governor Hochul announced the passage of transformative measures to create a stronger health care system for New York State, both today and into the future, as part of the FY 2024 Enacted Budget.
Governor Hochul announced a $1 billion transformative, multi-year investment to overhaul the State’s continuum of mental health care and drastically reduce the number of New Yorkers with unmet mental health needs.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and hundreds of buildings across the nation will be lit in green -- the color of mental health awareness -- to mark the occasion and encourage people to learn more about mental wellness.
Governor Hochul announced more than $20.1 million for housing projects in the New York City region to provide permanent supportive housing for individuals who have experienced homelessness and to fund repairs at an emergency shelter in Albany County. Supported by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, the four developments will provide 423 units to serving formerly homeless individuals, including those with a mental illness or substance use disorder, among others.
The NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) today announced awards totaling $33 million over five years to create seven new Safe Options Support (SOS) Teams that will provide intensive outreach, engagement and care coordination services to individuals living with mental illness who are homeless and unsheltered, often living on the streets.
Governor Hochul announced the first recipients of the $4 million scholarship program to support underrepresented students entering or enrolled in mental health degree programs at the State University of New York and the City University of New York. The program is made possible by a federal grant awarded to the New York State Office of Mental Health.
Governor Hochul announced the availability of more than $13 million in state funding to expand access to Home-Based Crisis Intervention teams throughout New York State. Administered by the state Office of Mental Health, this funding will help create 13 new teams and expand 26 existing ones, enabling them to provide critical mental health services so that at-risk children and youth can avoid psychiatric hospitalization.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $1.4 million in federal funding to support mental health programs in East Buffalo following the tragic Tops Market Shooting last year. Administered by the State Office of Mental Health, the awards include funding for six community-based organizations to provide an array of mental health resources to help residents impacted by the racially motivated shooting that killed ten individuals last year.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the availability of $2.2 million through the state's Opioid Settlement Fund to help connect vulnerable New Yorkers to addiction services and other critical supports. Administered by the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the "Connections to Care" initiative will provide up to 11 grants for eligible providers to connect individuals in high-need and underserved populations to the services that will support long-term substance use disorder recovery and overall well-being.
The New York State Department of Health today announced that beginning this spring and continuing through spring 2024, more than 9 million New Yorkers enrolled in Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan will need to renew their health insurance. Enrollees in these public health insurance programs have not had to renew their coverage since early 2020 due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) continuous coverage requirements
Governor Kathy Hochul announced a statewide series of listening sessions and a spring summit aimed at exploring the issues impacting the mental health of youth throughout New York State. Together, these initiatives will build on the Governor's $1 billion plan to overhaul New York State's mental health continuum of care and provide an opportunity for experts to advise state leaders on future policy recommendations to improve youth wellness.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced $10 million in state funding is available to create a pair of statewide networks that youth and families will be able to rely on for behavioral health information, support, and services. Administered by OMH, the funding will help establish two separate networks, including one dedicated to helping youth and another aimed at assisting families.
Governor Kathy Hochul joined Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra for a roundtable with Latino community leaders to discuss equity in mental and behavioral health access.
Governor Hochul announced that up to $3.75 million is available to expand outreach and engagement services designed to connect vulnerable populations with addiction supports and other health services.
The New York State Office of Mental Health has provided an award of $9.5 million over five years to Coordinated Care Services, Inc. (CCSI) for the establishment of a Trauma-Informed Network and Resource Center to advance understanding of trauma, the use of trauma-informed principles, and the availability of trauma-informed care throughout the state.
Governor Hochul announced the availability of $3.2 million to expand outreach and engagement services in high-need areas of New York State. Administered by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the grants through the Opioid Settlement Fund will expand harm-reduction and other healthcare services to engage New Yorkers unable to access care due to a variety of factors.
New York State has been awarded a technical assistance grant from the federal Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) that will help the State to increase employment opportunities and outcomes for people living with mental illness.
A new report out from the Center for Health Systems Improvement for a Tobacco Free New York offers new ways to address tobacco use disorder. Providers can find information on FDA-approved medications and other recommendations.
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced details of her comprehensive $1 billion multi-year plan to overhaul the continuum of mental health care and drastically reduce the number of individuals with unmet mental health needs throughout the state.
A new partnership launched in January will provide training, technical assistance, and consultation to New York State mental health practitioners and organizations using peer support services — credible service providers that share similar backgrounds, ages, and other lived experience with those in need of mental health services who may otherwise not get them.
As opioid-related deaths continue to rise, New York State Department of Health Acting Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued a commissioner's determination allowing authorized health care practitioners to continue using telemedicine as an option to treat and prescribe to New Yorkers battling opioid use disorder, limited to the duration of the federally-declared public health emergency due to COVID-19.
Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams today announced new data that shows significant progress on subway and transit public safety initiatives introduced last year. Last October, the Governor and Mayor announced that the NYPD and the MTAPD would surge officer presence on platforms while expanding capacity at the New York State Office of Mental Health to support unhoused individuals who are sheltering in the subway system and those who are suffering from severe mental illness.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the availability of up to $7.5 million for state-certified providers (including OMH licensed agencies) and other treatment programs to establish low threshold buprenorphine services to address opioid addiction and save lives.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $390 million has been awarded through bonds and subsidies to create or preserve more than 1,600 affordable, sustainable, and supportive homes across the state.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the availability $38.2 million in state funding to establish eight Safe Options Support teams that will provide intensive outreach, engagement and care coordination services to individuals who are experiencing homelessness in areas of the state outside of New York City. Funding is through the State Office of Mental Health.
The New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council is pleased to announce $3 million in grant funding for two five-year pilot projects to address the unique and co-existing needs of New Yorkers with developmental disabilities experiencing mental health challenges.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced 125 conditional awards for annual funding to provide services and operating expenses for up to 5,000 units of supportive housing to serve older adults, survivors of domestic and gender-based violence, veterans and chronically homeless families as well as individuals with a mental illness or substance use disorder, among others.