ALBANY, NY- The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), in accordance with the 2014-2015 enacted State Budget, has allocated $2.25 Million in new funds for the creation and expansion of community-based mental health services in the Lower Hudson Valley region. These funds will enable counties to enrich their mental health services to ensure individuals have access to appropriate community-based services and supports.
“The development of community-based mental health programs is critical to the success of the mental health system in New York State,” said New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Marie T. Sullivan. “These programs will allow individuals with mental illness and their families to find high quality and accessible mental health services within their local communities.”
These funded programs reflect collaborative planning between OMH and the Hudson River Regional Advisory Committee, which was convened to help expand and create more options for community-based care in the Hudson River region. This committee included representatives from each county, as well as other stakeholders from the mental health community, who helped make recommendations to OMH of the specific programs to be funded in this region.
The New York State Office of Mental Health is funding the following services:
- Dutchess County- $200,000 for a Self Help program, which will offer short-term care and intervention as a result of a behavioral health crisis event that creates an imminent risk for an escalation of symptoms without supports.
- Orange County- $199,942 for Supported Housing and Outreach programs. This supported housing program will assist consumers in locating and securing housing of their choice and in accessing the supports necessary to live successfully in the community. Outreach programs are intended to engage children, adults, and families who are potentially in need of mental health services.
- Putnam County- $238,000 for Advocacy and Support services, and a “Self-Help” program. Advocacy/support services assist consumers in protecting and promoting their rights, resolving complaints and grievances and accessing services and supports of their choice. The self-help program will provide rehabilitative and support activities based on the principle that people who share a common condition or experience can be of substantial assistance to each other. These programs include mutual support groups and networks, self-help organizations and/or specific educational, recreational and social opportunities.
- Rockland County- $449,668 for a Mobile Crisis Intervention program. This program will provide the clinical intervention and support necessary to successfully maintain individuals in home or community-based settings and prevent inpatient hospitalization.
- Sullivan County- $225,000 for a Crisis Intervention program to provide peer engagement and wraparound services. The program’s goal is to rapidly assess an individual’s situation, enabling them to maintain stability in the community.
- Ulster County- $500,616 for Mobile Crisis services, including additional staff for the Ulster County Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program. This program provides mobile intensive treatment and support to people with psychiatric disabilities. The Ulster County ACT program has 24-hour-a-day/seven-day-per-week availability and is focused on individuals who have been unsuccessful in traditional forms of treatment.
- Westchester County- $441,380 for Adult Outreach Service programs and for a Children’s Crisis Intervention/Mobile Integration Team. The adult outreach service programs are intended to engage and access individuals potentially in need of mental health services. The children’s crisis intervention/mobile integration team will provide the clinical intervention and support necessary to successfully maintain children in home or community-based settings and prevent inpatient hospitalization.
