James Plastiras Director of Public Information New York State Office of Mental Health 518-474-6540 james.plastiras@omh.ny.gov

January 20, 2017

New York State Selected for Federal Program to Strengthen Community-Based Integrated Behavioral Health Care

One of Eight States Selected to Implement New Demonstration Program, Providing Integrated Mental Health and Substance Use Services through Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics

ALBANY, NY – 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.

New York is one of only eight states selected to participate in the demonstration phase of this federal initiative, awarded by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). New York was originally one of twenty-four states selected to receive planning grants in the winter of 2015, to strengthen community-based mental health care and substance use disorder programs through the development of new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) in pilot sites across the state.

“Integrating behavioral health services with primary health care gives all New Yorkers the chance to find holistic wellness right in their communities,” said New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan. “The opportunity to develop these Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics across the state will enrich New York’s behavioral health system and advance the state’s vast Medicaid and healthcare reform plans initiated by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Being selected as a recipient for this federal program proves that New York State is viewed as a leader in providing accessible mental health care for anyone who needs it.”

“Expanding access to high quality community-based health and behavioral health services is critical for New York communities. As part of Governor Cuomo’s Medicaid Redesign Initiative, New York State is changing healthcare delivery systems to offer results-driven, person-centered care, where and when people need it most. These clinics exemplify New York’s commitment to integrating primary care and mental health care within communities and the promise of better health outcomes for all.” said New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker.

“Substance use disorders need to be treated like any other chronic health condition, taking into account the overall whole health of a person,” said New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. “This demonstration project will help us show that our clinics can provide primary care, mental health and substance use disorder services in an integrated clinic setting.”

“All across the nation and the state of New York we have seen an increase in opioid and other substance abuse. This important effort will help improve integrated mental health and substance abuse approaches currently in use to ensure addiction treatment is effective and permanent,” said Congressman José E. Serrano. “Bronxites will be able to access better health care services now and in the future through the local organizations that will be a part of this program: PROMESA and VIP Community Services. Thanks to this funding, these two organizations will be able to strengthen what are already excellent services to better serve our community.”

“The mental and physical well-being of my constituents is of the upmost importance, and this federal funding will allow us to strengthen New York’s community-based mental health care and substance abuse disorder programs to better serve those who need support,” said Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney. “New York has long prided itself on being a trailblazer, and thanks to Governor Cuomo’s dedication, that continues to be true. My constituents, and the entire state, will benefit from this new demonstration program. I was delighted to help bring these funds to New York so that we can address unmet needs, improve behavioral and physical health across the state, and ensure that vulnerable populations receive the care they need.”

Congressman John Katko said, "This funding is critical to addressing the heroin and opioid epidemic impacting Central New York.  For far too long, our community has faced a shortage of treatment facilities. Sadly, many individuals suffering with addiction are currently unable to receive the comprehensive care that they need.  Today's announcement is a positive step forward in combating this epidemic.  I look forward to continuing to work alongside Governor Cuomo and state and local officials to combat this scourge and to support Syracuse Behavioral Health in this new endeavor."

As a part of a collaborative effort under the first round of grant awards, the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH), Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (OASAS), Department of Health (DOH), and community stakeholders have developed a program model for CCBHC that will improve the State’s behavioral health system, by: 

  • Addressing unmet needs identified though comprehensive community needs assessments,
  • Enhancing statewide healthcare integration and coordination efforts among behavioral health and physical health care providers, and
  • Ensuring the accessibility and availability of behavioral health services that are person-centered, trauma-informed, culturally competent, and recovery-oriented for all who need them- particularly vulnerable and needy populations, including: people with opioid addictions, people who are dually eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare, non-English speakers, and people with low socio-economic status.

New York’s application for the demonstration phase highlighted 13 regional CCBHC sites that were identified during the planning phase. Site selection reflects the regional diversity of the state’s population, including rural and underserved populations, and service delivery systems. These 13 existing community-based clinics have until July 1, 2017, to establish themselves as CCBHC in order to begin the two-year demonstration programs. These sites are broken down by region below:

Central New York:

Site Name

Location

Syracuse Brick House, Inc d/b/a Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare

Syracuse

 

Finger Lakes:

Site Name

Location

University of Rochester

Rochester

 

Long Island:

Site Name

Location

Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services (CN Guidance)

Hicksville

 

Mid-Hudson:

Site Name

Location

Bikur Cholim Inc.

Monsey

 

North Country:

Site Name

Location

Citizens Advocates, Inc. North Star Behavioral Health Services

Malone

 

New York City:

Site Name

Location

New Horizon Counseling Center

Ozone Park

Samaritan Daytop Village

New York

Services for the Underserved, Inc (SUS)

New York

The Puerto Rican Organization to Motivate, Enlighten, and Serve Addicts, Inc (Promesa)

Bronx

Vocational Instruction Project Community Services dba VIP Community Services

Bronx

 

Western New York: 

Site Name

Location

Lake Shore Behavioral Health, Inc

Buffalo

Mental Health Services of Erie County SE Corp V dba Spectrum Human Services

Orchard Park

Mid-Erie Mental Health Services, Inc

Cheektowaga

 
The other seven states selected are Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.

For more information on the United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Demonstration Program, please visit: http://www.samhsa.gov/section-223.

For more information on the planning grant awarded to New York State, please visit: https://www.omh.ny.gov/omhweb/bho/ccbhc_2.html.

 

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