Latest News
PRESS RELEASE
Governor Cuomo Announces $30 Million Available to Fund Operating Costs of at Least 1,200 Supportive Housing Units
August 16, 2019
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the fourth funding round of the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative - or ESSHI - which will provide up to $30 million in service and operating funding for at least 1,200 units of supportive housing. Announced in 2016, ESSHI is one component of the Governor's historic $20 billion, five-year plan to create or preserve more than 100,000 affordable and 6,000 supportive housing units.
PRESS RELEASE
Office of Mental Health Receives Federal Youth Suicide Prevention Grant
August 15, 2019
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) has been awarded a five-year $3.68 million youth suicide prevention grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
NEWS
Governor Cuomo Directs Department of Health to Apply for Federal Waiver to Provide Medicaid Services to Incarcerated Individuals Leaving Prisons and Jails
August 14, 2019
The New York State Department of Health today announced that at Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's direction, it is submitting for public comment an application to the US Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services, to provide Medicaid services to certain incarcerated individuals about to be released from county jails and New York State prisons. The services will be provided beginning 30 days prior to the release date for people enrolled in Medicaid with certain serious health conditions.
PRESS RELEASE
New York State Adopts New Regulation to Expand and Improve Crisis Management Services Statewide
August 5, 2019
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) today announced the adoption of regulatory amendments that will allow for an expansion of the state’s crisis response system while emphasizing person-centered recovery and rehabilitation in the community.
PRESS RELEASE
Governor Cuomo Announces $187 Million in Funding to Strengthen and Preserve Access to High-Quality Health Care
July 31, 2019
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $187 million in funding to support 25 statewide projects that will protect and transform New York State's health care system. This funding from the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program will improve patient care through the development of high-quality medical facilities and programs serving the inpatient, primary care, mental health, substance use disorder and long-term care needs of communities throughout the State.
PRESS RELEASE
Office of Mental Health Expands Telepsychiatry Regulations to Increase Access to Mental Health Services
July 31, 2019
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) today announced the adoption of new, expanded telepsychiatry regulations to give New Yorkers greater access to a range of mental health services using electronic communication. The new regulations allow more mental health practitioners to utilize virtual technology to provide or support clinical psychiatric care at a distance.
PRESS RELEASE
New Regulations to Combat Maternal Depression
May 30, 2019
Acting Department of Financial Services (DFS) Superintendent Linda A. Lacewell today announced that 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. First issued as a proposed regulation as part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s 2018 Women’s Agenda, the final regulation will ensure that women in New York can access crucial screenings and treatment to combat maternal depression.
PRESS RELEASE
OMH Recognizes the Coalition for Hispanic Family Services for its Service to the Community
May 30, 2019
Albany, NY – The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is honoring The Coalition for Hispanic Family Services (CHFS) in Brooklyn as a recipient of the inaugural OMH Community Care Awards.
PRESS RELEASE
OMH Recognizes Fran Mellow of Family Service League for Her Service to the Community
May 30, 2019
Albany, NY – The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is honoring Fran Mellow, Division Director at Family Service League in Suffolk County, as a recipient of the inaugural OMH Community Care Awards.
PRESS RELEASE
OMH Recognizes the Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition for its Service to the Community
May 30, 2019
Albany, NY – The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is honoring the Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition in Buffalo as a recipient of the inaugural OMH Community Care Awards.
PRESS RELEASE
OMH Recognizes Susan K. Miller of Rehabilitation Support Services, Inc. for Her Service to the Community
May 30, 2019
Albany, NY – The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is honoring Susan K. Miller, Managing Director of Rehabilitation Support Services, Inc. in Orange and Sullivan Counties, as a recipient of the inaugural OMH Community Care Awards.
PRESS RELEASE
OMH Recognizes Doug Meyer of the Mental Health Association in Essex County for His Service to the Community
May 30, 2019
Albany, NY – The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is honoring Doug Meyer, Director of Services for the Mental Health Association (MHA) in Essex County in Westport, as a recipient of the inaugural OMH Community Care Awards.
PRESS RELEASE
Office of Mental Health Announces $8.5 Million in Awards to Expand Supportive Housing for Homeless Individuals with Mental Illness
May 29, 2019
Albany, NY – The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) today announced 16 awards totaling $8.5 million in annual funding for the operation of 340 units of supportive housing for homeless individuals statewide, with many set aside for individuals with mental illness who are leaving the prison system.
PRESS RELEASE
Governor Announces Opening of $117 Million Supportive and Affordable Housing Development for Seniors in the Bronx
May 21, 2019
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the opening of Tres Puentes Senior Apartments, a $117.7 million affordable senior housing development that is continuing revitalization efforts in the South Bronx. The development includes 175 apartments for seniors and individuals with special needs and 10,000 square feet of health-orientated commercial and community space, and expands the existing Borinquen Court Senior Center that provides services for residents and neighborhood seniors.
PRESS RELEASE
Governor Cuomo Announces Opening of $47 Million Affordable and Supportive Housing Development in the Bronx
May 14, 2019
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the opening of the Morris Avenue Apartments, a new 11-story, 94-unit mixed-income affordable housing development with supportive services in the University Heights neighborhood of the Bronx. In addition to 63 affordable apartments, the building has 31 supportive apartments: 17 reserved for young adults with mental illness who are aging out of foster care and 14 for homeless adults with mental illness.
PRESS RELEASE
New York State Recognizes Westchester County Woman for Career-long Commitment to Children’s Mental Health
May 7, 2019
Albany, NY – New York State is honoring Patricia White - a mental health pioneer in Westchester County- with the 2019 ‘What’s Great in our State’ Lifetime Award. Patricia has been involved in Westchester’s System of Care since 1989 when the county movement first started.
PRESS RELEASE
New York State Recognizes Monroe County Mental Health Program for its Collaborative Support of Teenage Mothers and their Children
May 7, 2019
Albany, NY – New York State is honoring Building Healthy Children– a Rochester program for young mothers- with the 2019 ‘What’s Great in our State’ Organization or Community Group Award. The award recognizes the Building Healthy Children program (BHC) at Mt. Hope Family Center in Rochester, NY for meeting the mental health challenges in Monroe County, an area with an extremely high rate of teenage pregnancy.
PRESS RELEASE
New York State Recognizes Chautauqua County System of Care for Organizing a Network of Support for Children’s Mental Wellness
May 7, 2019
Albany, NY – New York State is honoring Chautauqua Tapestry - a network charged with enhancing Chautauqua County’s System of Care - with the 2019 ‘What’s Great in our State’ Systems of Care Award. Chautauqua Tapestry was established in 2008 as part of a federal SAMHSA grant to expand the community’s System of Care.
PRESS RELEASE
New York State Recognizes New York City Young Adult for Mental Health Advocacy and Awareness Efforts
May 7, 2019
Albany, NY – New York State is honoring Nivea Jackson - the Youth Advisor for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) - with the 2019 ‘What’s Great in our State’ Youth/Young Adult Award. Nivea Jackson is a former foster youth who understands firsthand the effects of trauma on young people. Her lived experiences are integral to her work, and she uses her voice to enact change.
PRESS RELEASE
New York State Recognizes Cayuga County Parent Advocate for Building Bridges of Mental Health Support in her Community
May 7, 2019
Albany, NY – New York State is honoring Kara Georgi - a parent and mental health advocate from Auburn, NY- with the 2019 ‘What’s Great in our State’ Family/Caregiver Award. Kara Georgi has been involved in supporting children and families in her Cayuga County community since she first recognized the needs of her own son and began to build bridges between his services and providers.
PRESS RELEASE
New York State Recognizes Lansingburgh Central School District for Prioritizing a Culture of Mental Wellness Amongst Student and Staff
May 7, 2019
Albany, NY – New York State is honoring the Lansingburgh Central School District in Rensselaer County with the 2019 ‘What’s Great in our State’ School District Award. The award recognizes Lansingburgh Central School District (LCSD) for its commitment to addressing the student mental health challenges that urban school districts often face.
PRESS RELEASE
Governor Cuomo Announces Release of First Suicide Prevention Task Force Report
April 22, 2019
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the release of the first report from the New York State Suicide Prevention Task Force. Established by the Governor in November 2017, the Task Force serves to increase awareness of and access to supportive services with a special focus on high-risk groups including veterans, Latina adolescents, and members of the LGBTQ community. Recommendations from the report include strengthening public health prevention efforts, integrating suicide prevention in healthcare, timely sharing of data for surveillance and planning, and infusing cultural competence throughout suicide prevention activities.
PRESS RELEASE
Governor Cuomo Announces Comprehensive Agenda to Combat K-2
April 12, 2019
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a comprehensive statewide plan to combat synthetic cannabinoids, also known as K-2. This multi-agency agenda includes wide-ranging prevention, education, treatment, and community engagement efforts, building upon the Governor's commitment to add dozens of synthetic cannabinoids to the state's controlled substances list. These new initiatives will help remove these substances from circulation, raise awareness on the dangers of K-2, and provide additional guidance to healthcare providers on effective treatment and recovery services
PRESS RELEASE
Governor Cuomo Announces Groundbreaking Of $37 Million Affordable and Supportive Housing Development In The Town Of Cheektowaga
April 2, 2019
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that construction has begun on a $37 million affordable and supportive housing development in the Town of Cheektowaga. Upon completion, Apple Blossom Apartments will have 110 affordable apartments, with 48 reserved for individuals with mental illness who will have access to supportive services onsite.
PRESS RELEASE
Office of Mental Health Awards $196,000 to Suicide Prevention Coalitions Across New York
March 20, 2019
The Office of Mental Health today announced $196,000 in awards to 14 Suicide Prevention Coalition groups in New York. The three-year award funding will support coalition projects that target five key suicide prevention areas for New York State: Means Reduction, High Risk Populations, Loss and Attempt Survivors, Men in the Middle Years, and Education and Awareness.
PRESS RELEASE
Governor Cuomo Announces Opening of $17 Million Affordable Housing Development
March 14, 2019
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the opening of Skybird Landing Apartments, a 60-apartment, $17 million affordable housing development in the Village of Geneseo. Half of the apartments are reserved for individuals who are eligible for onsite supportive services that offer job training and promote stability, health and independent living. The State's investment in Skybird Landing Apartments complements Finger Lakes Forward by increasing access to high quality and supportive affordable housing to help residents stay in their community and live independently.
PRESS RELEASE
NYS Office of Mental Health Launches New Electronic Tracking System to Reduce Wait Time for Inpatient Care
March 11, 2019
The NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced the launch of a new bed tracking system that will improve the way information about inpatient bed availability is collected and maintained statewide.
PRESS RELEASE
New York State Announces Opening of $4.7 Million Crisis Stabilization Center on Long Island
March 1, 2019
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (OASAS) today announced the opening of the first 24-hour Crisis Stabilization Center on Long Island. The $4.7 million Diagnostic Assessment and Stabilization Hub (DASH) is operated by the Family Service League.
PRESS RELEASE
New York State Hosts Informational Sessions for Youth and Caregivers who Qualify for Medicaid’s Newest Health and Behavioral Health Services
February 21, 2019
New York State is hosting two web-based information sessions to discuss changes taking place within the Children’s Medicaid System. Children, youth, families and caregivers enrolled in Medicaid’s 1915c Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs are invited to join an hour-long discussion on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. or Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
PRESS RELEASE
Office of Mental Health Announces $12.5 Million in Funding to Expand Supportive Housing for Homeless Individuals with Mental Illness
January 25, 2019
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) has issued two new Requests for Proposals(RFP) that will provide up to $12.5 million in annual funding for the operation of 500 units of supportive housing for homeless individuals statewide.
PRESS RELEASE
OMH and OASAS Announces Award to Help New Yorkers Access Insurance Coverage for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders
January 10, 2019
The Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) have approved awards for five community-based organizations to help educate the public on a new State resource to help individuals and providers access lifesaving substance use disorder and mental health treatment.
PRESS RELEASE
New York State Announces New Community-Based Mental Health Services for Medicaid Enrolled Children and Youth
January 2, 2019
ALBANY, NY – New York State today announced the first three of six new community-based mental health services for children, youth, and families. These services will help address the stigma of mental health treatment by providing more rapid access to mental health care where families are more comfortable, including in homes, schools, and other community locations.