The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) today announced that nearly $1 million has been awarded to 10 providers to add Family Support Navigators throughout the state. Family Support Navigators help families struggling with substance use disorders understand the progression of addiction and how to navigate insurance and treatment systems. The program is funded by OASAS.

“Helping loved ones get treatment for substance use disorders can be overwhelming,” said OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. “Family Support Navigators ease the stress, so that families can focus on helping their loved ones in their treatment and recovery efforts.”

Expanding Family Support Navigator services builds on Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s multi-pronged approach to combatting the opioid epidemic that is damaging communities across New York State. Family Support Navigators help people and their families better understand the progression of addiction, provide guidance on how to navigate insurance issues and offer information on how to access treatment services.

The following programs will receive funding to expand or add the Family Supporter Navigator program in their regions:

Capital Region 

• Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Council of Saratoga County Inc. - $100,000

Central New York 

• Onondaga Council on Alcoholism and Addictions Inc. (DBA Prevention Network) - $100,000

Finger Lakes Region 

• Finger Lakes Area counseling & Recovery Agency, Inc. - $88,200

Mid-Hudson Valley 

• Putman Family and Community Services - $99,200

Mohawk Valley 

• Alcohol and Substance Abuse Council of Hamilton, Fulton, and Montgomery County (DBA HFM Prevention Council) - $100,000

Southern Tier 

• Corning Council for Assistance and Information to the Disabled Inc. (DBA AIM Independent Living) - $100,000

Western New York 

• Erie County Department of Mental Health/Save the Michael’s of the World Inc. - $100,000

The following two awards, in New York City and Long Island, were announced previously, but are part of the same initiative.

New York City 

• Odyssey House - $100,000

 Long Island 

• New Horizons Counseling Center - $100,000
• Family and Children’s Association - $100,000

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, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the new and improved NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the Access Treatment page on the NYS OASAS website. Visit the #CombatAddiction website at oasas.ny.gov/CombatAddiction to learn more about how you can help to #CombatAddiction in your community.

Visit www.combatheroin.ny.gov for more information on addressing heroin and prescription opioid abuse, including a Kitchen Table Tool Kit to help start the conversation about the warning signs of addiction and where to get help. For tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing alcohol or drug use, visit the State’s Talk2Prevent website.