Photo Courtesy of Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of the Governor
Governor Cuomo announced the new actions – the Request for Applications and the Request for Information – last week.
By Forum Staff
Governor Andrew Cuomo recently announced two new actions to expand addiction treatment and recovery services for people across New York: a Request for Applications makes up to $4.5 million in funding available to develop nine Open Access Centers across the state; and a Request for Information has been released that seeks input on the development of two pilot recovery high schools.
According to the Cuomo administration, the centers will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to deliver immediate engagement, assessment and referral services to people suffering from substance use disorders.
The RFA is open to local governments and non-profit organizations. Responses are due Oct. 31.
Funding through the RFA will be awarded to develop Open Access Centers in nine of the state’s 10 regions, with the exception of Central New York. There, Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare was selected to develop a 24-7 Open Access Center, through a locally issued, state-funded procurement, Cuomo noted.
“As co-chair of the NYS Heroin and Opioid Task Force, I have heard from families all across New York who have felt the impact of this deadly addiction,” said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. “This administration is taking aggressive actions to combat addiction, provide resources, and support the vital recovery of our families and communities. Open access centers will secure the supportive environments that our communities need and provide families with a place to turn in times of crisis.”
The RFI seeks input on the development and implementation of two pilot recovery high schools. A recovery high school offers, according to the administration, an alternative, multi-service high school program in a safe, sober, and supportive environment, for students who are in grades 9 through 12 and dealing with a substance-use disorder. Treatment and recovery services and support are incorporated into the normal school environment as part of the educational programming, and also play a role in staffing.
The RFI seeks information from Boards of Cooperative Education Services and nonprofits partnering with one or more BOCES that are interested in implementing recovery high schools in the state. Responses are due Oct. 31.
“As the sponsor of legislation to establish recovery high schools in New York, I am pleased that the governor is taking this important step to help support our courageous young women and men who are serious about proceeding with their education while battling substance use disorder,” said Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan), chairwoman of the Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. “Coupled with critical funding for open access centers, these actions will help provide vital supports to those struggling with addiction statewide. I applaud the governor, and look forward to working with the administration to further increase resources to help combat opioid and heroin abuse statewide.”