2017 Latest News
PRESS RELEASE
Office of Mental Health Requests Proposals to Fund Operation of 100 Supportive Housing Units for New York City and Long Island 
November 30, 2017
The NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) today announced a new Request For Proposals that will provide up to $1.6 million in annual funding for the operation of 100 supportive housing units in New York City and Long Island.
PRESS RELEASE
New York State Launches the Suicide Prevention Task Force
November 16, 2017
The formation of the New York State Suicide Prevention Task Force that includes leaders from state agencies, local governments, not-for-profit groups, and other recognized experts in suicide prevention was announced today. The creation of the Task Force was first announced in Governor Cuomo's 2017 State of the State.
PRESS RELEASE
New York State Office of Mental Health Announces Expansion of Program Helping Individuals Transition from Inpatient Hospitalization to Community-Bases Services
October 19, 2017
The NYS Office of Mental Health today announced the expansion of the transitional program, Pathway Home, into two New York City hospitals. This innovative program which helps individuals with mental illness transition from inpatient care to community-based services, has started accepting referrals at Bronx Psychiatric Center and Metropolitan Hospital Center. This expansion is funded through an $880,000 grant award from the Office of Mental Health (OMH).
PRESS RELEASE
New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Ann Sullivan Named Recipient of MHANYS CEO Award
October 18, 2017
Dr. Ann Sullivan, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), has been named recipient of the 2017 CEO Award by the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS). The CEO Award is given annually by the Association to individuals whose leadership and dedication helps to transform the lives of individuals with mental illness and their loved ones.
PRESS RELEASE
OMH Announces Second Round of Awards for Development of Supportive Housing Units Across New York State
October 11, 2017
169 conditional awards to agencies in 47 counties across New York that will provide support services and operating funding for at least 1,200 units of supportive housing for homeless persons with special needs, conditions or other challenges.
News
Administrative Action Reporting Mechanism (AARM)
October 6, 2017
New requirement for submission of administrative actions for category 1-3 substantiated findings of reportable abuse/neglect under the authority of the NYS Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs (Justice Center).
Press Release
National Health Service Corp Designation Provides NYS Office of Mental Health Staff Student Loan Assistance
September 20, 2017
The NYS Office of Mental Health announced that 19 additional outpatient sites have been designated as National Health Service Corp (NHSC) approved locations. The designation comes with numerous benefits – including student loan repayment and scholarship programs – that will help recruit and retain talented staff for underserved areas of the state.
Press Release
NYS Office of Mental Health Announces $3.5 million Federal Suicide Prevention Grant
September 19, 2017
The Office of Mental Health today announced that New York is the only state in nation to have received a grant award from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Zero Suicide grant program. The award of $3.5 million over five years will help implement and strengthen the State’s suicide prevention efforts.
Press Release
Nathan Kline Institute Scientists Receive Major Federal Funding for Alzheimer’s Research
September 12, 2017
The Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research (NKI) announced today it has secured $20 million in federal grant funding to support Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) research. Five multi-year grants were recently awarded to three research scientists at the Institute’s Center for Dementia Research (CDR).
Press Release
Office Of Mental Health Distributes $75,000 From ‘Mental Illness Anti-Stigma Fund’
July 5, 2017
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) today announced awards totaling $75,000 for projects that help reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. The funding comes from taxpayer contributions received through a voluntary tax check-off program launched in 2016. This program allows taxpayers to donate easily to the ‘Mental Illness Anti-Stigma Fund’ when filing their NYS taxes, similar to other provisions where taxpayers can support Alzheimer's research, breast cancer awareness, and various other efforts.
Press Release
OMH Launches Second Phase of Unprecedented $20 Billion Housing Plan to Provide Affordable and Supportive Housing
June 13,2017
The second phase of a historic $20 billion five-year plan for the creation or preservation of 100,000 affordable and 6,000 supportive housing units was announced today. State agencies issued three separate Requests for Proposals to provide more than $650 million in capital funding and $30 million in service and operating funding for supportive housing.
Press Release
Office of Mental Health Dedicates $1.25 Million for Creation of New Clinic-Based Intensive Outpatient Treatment
June 06,2017
The New York State Office of Mental Health today announced the availability of up to $1.25 million to help mental health clinics create a new intensive level of outpatient service that will increase clinic-based treatment options for people with psychiatric disabilities.
Press Release
NYS Office of Mental Health Announces Further Expansion of Program Aimed at Helping Young Adults with Schizophrenia
May 31,2017
The New York State Office of Mental Health today announced that a highly successful state program that helps young adults with newly emerging psychotic symptoms has expanded into the Southern Tier at the Greater Binghamton Health Center (GBHC). Most of the approximately $460,000 in operating costs for the Binghamton site are provided through the OMH’s reinvestment funds. To date, nearly $5 million in reinvestment funds have increased access to community-based services in the Southern Tier.
Press Release
New York State Office of Mental Health Announces Availability of $75,000 in Funding for Stigma Reduction Projects
April 24, 2017
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.
Press Release
OMH Announces $6.5 Million to Expand Mental Health Services for Children Across New York
April 18, 2017
$6.5 million was awarded to pediatric and family medical practices across New York today. Funding will allow 17 health centers to implement the HealthySteps program, which works to integrate a child and family development professional into pediatric and family medicine offices to help identify, monitor, and address emerging behavioral or developmental health concerns in young children.
Press Release
New York State Announces Opening of a $16.6 Million Mixed-Use Housing Development in Rochester
April 06, 2017
The New York State Office of Mental Health and New York State Homes and Community Renewal today announced the opening of a $16.6 million housing development at 175 Alexander Street in Rochester. Alexander Commons will offer affordable and supportive housing options with on-site behavioral health services provided by East House.
Press Release
Office Of Mental Health Announces Hundreds Of Behavioral Health Employment Opportunities In 2017/2018
March 13, 2017
The Office of Mental Health (OMH) today announced that it plans to hire several hundred Mental Health Therapy Aides (MHTAs) over the next two years at locations throughout NYS. Eligible candidates must register for, and successfully complete, the MHTA Trainee Civil Service exam, scheduled for May 13, 2017.
News
Statement from OMH Commissioner Sullivan on the Passing of Dr. Phyllis Harrison-Ross
January 26, 2017
The behavioral health community has lost a great crusader and colleague in Dr. Phyllis Harrison-Ross, and I am personally saddened by the loss of my dear friend and inspiration. Dr. Harrison-Ross was an innovator. Many of the concepts for which she advocated during her career are becoming standard practice today, such as telemedicine, the movement from institutional to community-based care, and the integration of behavioral and physical health care. These are the pillars of the mental health system we work hard to strengthen every day and they will live on because of Dr. Harrison-Ross’s dedication and innovation. But perhaps more importantly, she believed that care must be delivered with humanity and compassion. Dr. Harrison-Ross fought for social justice, for quality behavioral care for the incarcerated, the underserved, and for children with developmental, emotional and physical disabilities. We will all miss her vision, her brilliance, and most of all, her heart.
Press Release
New York State Selected for Federal Program to Strengthen Community-Based Integrated Behavior Health Care
January 23, 2017
The New York State Office of Mental Health, the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and the Department of Health today announced that New York has been selected to participate in a two-year demonstration program to better integrate community-based physical and behavioral healthcare services and promote access to improved primary care, mental health, and substance-use disorder services.