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“New York State will never waiver in its commitment to establishing effective addiction prevention services,” Gov. Hochul said.
By Forum Staff
Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced $4.5 million in funding for 10 organizations to establish substance use and prevention coalitions in New York State. Providers receiving funding will focus on the priority populations, including three providers that will have a special focus on the LGBTQIA+ community. A further $1.8 million is also being made available to establish additional coalitions in the New York City region.
“Addiction can affect anyone, and helping those who have been impacted, as well as their families, is personal to me,” Hochul said. “Like far too many New Yorkers, my family has lost a loved one battling with addiction. New York State will never waiver in its commitment to establishing effective addiction prevention services, and my administration will continue to be laser-focused on supporting this important mission through coalitions such as these.”
Prevention coalitions are designed to better engage vulnerable and isolated communities and populations in developing and implementing environmental change prevention strategies. This funding will help them to develop culturally appropriate and tailored prevention initiatives for underserved communities and populations.
Three of the providers – D-Fi Drug Irondequoit, Inc., Tompkins Cortland Community College, and Northpointe Council – will provide targeted services for the LGBTQIA+ community, with other providers focusing on additional high-need populations such as racial and ethnic minorities, rural communities, high poverty areas, and older adults.
Funding was provided to New York State through the federal Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant, with awardees selected through a Request for Applications process administered by OASAS. Each award recipient will receive $150,000 per year for three years, for a total of $450,000.
Further funding of up to $1.8 million for additional coalitions in the New York City region is also being made available. These awards will be made to providers in Bronx, Kings, Queens, and Richmond Counties, with each successful applicant receiving up to $150,000 annually for three years.
Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said, “Establishing and supporting effective, evidence-based prevention services are a critical pillar of the work we do at Office of Addiction Services and Supports. These coalitions will play an important role in bringing tailored services to the places and individuals they serve and will allow us to reach more people in high-risk populations with much-needed help and support.”
New York State has instituted an aggressive, multi-pronged approach to addressing the overdose epidemic, and created a nation-leading continuum of addiction care with full prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services.
New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).
Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website.
If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.
