NYAPRS Note: NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo and OMH Commissioner announced today how a portion of the funds derived from the downsizing of the state hospital system is being allocated. In keeping with recommendations from regional groups, $20 million will be bringing up mobile mental health teams, home-like residential programs and early intervention services. See below for specific details. Initiatives like these are ramping up local services that provide the alternatives to hospitalization that has been sought by consumers and families for decades.
GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES $20 MILLION FOR NEW MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced new mental health services have been developed in communities across New York State, including cost-effective and innovative mobile mental health teams, home-like residential programs, and early intervention services. With $20 million allocated from the State Office of Mental Health, the programs are available to children and adults alike and will increase the accessibility of mental healthcare, enabling New Yorkers to find help closer to their homes and communities.
“By helping more New Yorkers find mental health treatment in more convenient locations, we will help our communities become stronger and healthier,” Governor Cuomo said. “Immediate access to care is essential for families in need of assistance and these new programs are available when and where they are needed most.”
The funding is part of New York State’s $59 million plan to expand the availability and accessibility of mental health services to more New York residents, with a goal of reducing the need for costly inpatient hospitalizations. This funding also supports two OnTrackNY teams in Syracuse and Rochester, which provide early identification and treatment services for young adults experiencing their first psychotic episodes. More information about OnTrackNY is available here.
“For many individuals with mental illness, recovery is not only possible, but also increasingly probable with the access to available and comprehensive community-based mental health services,” said New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Ann Marie T. Sullivan, MD. “By providing immediate access to mental health services and connecting New York residents to a wide array of treatment options located in their home communities, we reduce the inappropriate use of emergency departments, inpatient hospitalizations and other disruptive and extended out-of-home placements.”
Programs include the following:
Mobile Integration Teams in Long Island, the North Country, the Southern Tier, Rochester Area and Western New York
Serving nearly 2,000 New York residents to date, the Office of Mental Health’s Mobile Integration Teams provide the clinical intervention and support necessary to successfully treat and maintain individuals with mental illness in their home or community. Through an array of services including health assessment, psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery, peer support groups, skill building, crisis assessment and intervention, legal system collaboration, community support and care and other support services, these teams aim to provide a comprehensive mobile option for New York residents in need of mental health services.
Child & Adolescent Crisis Respite Houses in Dix Hills, Elmira and Syracuse
Serving over 200 New York children and youth to date, the Office of Mental Health’s Child & Adolescent Crisis Respite Houses provide residential care to children and adolescents ages 10-17 and help families and caregivers by stabilizing crisis situations and offering “breathing space” for both youth in crisis and the caregivers who support them. Services provided by these programs include crisis stabilization, behavior support, medication education and training, family and peer support, parenting education, and more. Youth served in these programs generally transition back to their families or other guardians within a few weeks.
This funding will support additional programs currently in development across the state.
For more information about the Office of Mental Health’s Mobile Integration Teams and directions on how to access these services, please download the brochures below:
Long Island Children’s Mobile Crisis Team Brochure
North Country Mobile Integration Team Brochure
Rochester Mobile Integration Team Brochure
Southern Tier Mobile Integration Team Brochure
Western New York Children’s Mobile Integration Team Brochure
For more information about the Office of Mental Health’s Child and Adolescent Crisis Respite Houses and how to apply for admission, please download the brochures below:
Elmira Child and Adolescent Crisis Respite House Brochure
Syracuse Child and Adolescent Crisis Respite House Brochure
Dix Hills Child and Adolescent Crisis Respite House Brochure