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Governor Hochul Announces $500 Million for New Social Care Networks Program to Deliver Social Services and Improve Health Outcomes for Millions of Low-Income New Yorkers
Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced that nine organizations statewide will receive a total of $500 million in awards over the next three years to create a new Social Care Network (SCN) program in New York State. The program will address health disparities in low-income communities by leveraging federal funding to facilitate Medicaid members access to nutritional meals, housing supports, transportation and other social services that can have a significant impact on an individual’s health. By integrating social care and health care, this program advances a key initiative under the New York Health Equity Reform (NYHER) waiver amendment. Read more here.
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New York State Announces Progress in Expanding Homeless Outreach and Engagement Program to Upstate Communities
The New York State Office of Mental Health yesterday announced that eight Safe Options Support or ‘SOS’ teams are now canvassing areas in upstate New York, helping individuals who experience chronic homelessness connect with the services and supports designed to bring them lasting housing stability. With the first of these multidisciplinary outreach and referral-based teams established outside of New York City in late October, this program is now serving 15 counties across upstate New York, including communities with sizeable populations of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. Read more here.
| Stephen Giordano, PhD, Commissioner, Albany County Department of Mental Health, speaks at OMH's press conference announcing the success of 'SOS' teams in his community. |  | |
Governor Hochul Announces $17.2 Million to Strengthen Social Services that Help Vulnerable Families Achieve Financial Stability
Governor Kathy Hochul last week announced $17.2 million in awards through the Family-Centered Services initiative to strengthen social services that help vulnerable families achieve financial stability. This funding will help local social services departments throughout New York to hire more staff as they continue serving hundreds of thousands of low-income families statewide. “We’re strengthening the critical resources that help struggling New Yorkers meet their essential needs and transition to economic security,” Governor Hochul said. “By giving local social services departments the funding to hire more staff and bolster operations, we can bring more families out of poverty and into a brighter future.” The $17.2 million awarded includes investments in local social services departments in regions throughout the state. Read more here.
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New York State Announces $7 Million To Fund Employment Services for Individuals with Behavioral Health Issues
The state Office of Mental Health last week announced the availability of $7 million to fund and expand the use of the Individual Placement and Support, an evidence-based program that helps individuals living with behavioral health issues work at regular jobs of their choosing. The second round of state funding follows nearly $3.4 million issued to seven providers earlier this year to help them to increase employment options at agency-licensed and designated outpatient rehabilitation programs. “Employment can have a tremendously beneficial impact on an individual’s ability to recover from a behavioral health issue,” OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said. “These new employment services utilizing a proven effective model Individual Placement and Support will enable New Yorkers living with mental health and substance use challenges to obtain employment in their communities. By helping these New Yorkers find and maintain meaningful employment, we can help them to achieve financial independence and remove a key obstacle on their paths to recovery.” Read more here.
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New York State Department of Health Recognizes National Health Center Week
The New York State Department of Health recognizes National Health Center Week, observed August 4-10, by celebrating the accomplishments, commitment and dedication of Community Health Center staff, advocates and supporters who make it possible to provide quality health care services to underserved communities. This year's theme is Powering Communities Through Caring Connections. "Everyone is welcome at their Community Health Center, as they are great places to access primary care, oral health, mental health care and more," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "Community Health Centers are a beacon of strength, hope and empowerment within communities, which is why we are honoring them this week." Community Health Centers were established during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. Today, more than 70 Community Health Centers in New York State provide community-based care for almost 1-in-9 New Yorkers. Read more here.
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6 Essential Supports for Behavioral Health Crisis Responders
Cities and counties seeking to implement alternative response teams for mental health emergencies can support these efforts by improving other aspects of their crisis care systems, according to a recent report from the Texas-based Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. The analysis identifies six essential elements of a crisis care system that can aid multidisciplinary response teams (MDRTs). Those typically include a law enforcement officer, paramedic, and licensed mental health professional who identify and respond to emergencies involving people experiencing behavioral health issues. The goal of MDRTs is to connect people in crisis with quality care, outside of jails and hospital emergency departments. The Meadows Institute, which received support from The Pew Charitable Trusts for this work, gathered information from Texas MDRT programs in Galveston and Dallas. Researchers identified six critical community investments that best support these teams. Read more here.
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Attorney General James Provides Opportunity to Comment on Rulemaking Efforts to Protect Children Online
New York Attorney General Letitia James last week issued two advanced notices of proposed rulemaking for the recently signed children’s online safety laws to protect minors on social media platforms and websites. These notices will provide parents, children, advocates, stakeholders, social media companies, and tech industry professionals with the opportunity to submit comments, suggestions, information, and data about the rules that the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is charged with creating to protect New York children online. The two laws, sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Nily Rozic, and advanced by Attorney General James in October 2023, both direct OAG to generate rules to ensure that children are protected against the addictive features of social media platforms, and that websites and mobile apps cannot collect and share children’s personal data. Stakeholders will have 60 days to submit comments and information to OAG. Read more here.
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Kids Online Health and Safety Task Force Announces Recommendations and Best Practices for Safe Internet Use
The Biden-Harris Administration’s Kids Online Health and Safety Task Force, co-led by the HHS, SAMHSA, and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), released a new report with recommendations and best practices for safer social media and online platform use for youth. The recommendations in the report, Online Health and Safety for Children and Youth: Best Practices for Families and Guidance for Industry, underscore the Administration’s efforts to address the ongoing youth mental health crisis and support the President’s Unity Agenda for the nation. Task Force members also committed to future actions, including providing more resources for kids, teenagers, and families, guidance for pediatricians and conducting more research.
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Sending Unarmed Responders Instead of Police: What We’ve Learned
In the four years since George Floyd’s murder, many sweeping attempts to reform policing have faltered. But one proposal that has taken hold across the country, and continues to spread, is launching alternative first response units that send unarmed civilians, instead of armed officers, to some emergencies. In Dayton, Ohio, trained mediators are dispatched to neighbor disputes and trespassing calls. In Los Angeles, outreach workers who have lived through homelessness, incarceration or addiction respond to 911 calls concerning people living on the street. In Anchorage, Alaska, trained clinicians and paramedics are showing up to mental health crises. As many programs transition out of the pilot phase, they face new challenges: How do they scale up and become big enough to meaningfully reduce the presence of police? How do cities sustainably fund these new agencies and find the right people to staff them? And are these teams on track to become the sea change in public safety that was promised? Read more here.
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We’re Not 'Out of the Woods' in the Youth Mental Health Crisis, a CDC Researcher Says
The mental health of high school students has largely worsened in the past decade, except between 2021 and 2023, when things improved slightly. Those are among the findings of a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which features results from the latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey, conducted every two years. "I don't think we are out of the woods by any means in terms of the crisis in youth mental health," says Kathleen Ethier, director of the CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health. "However, we're seeing some really promising small yet significant improvements in a couple of key places," she adds. For example, between 2021 and 2023, overall reports of poor mental health went down. Read more here.
Related: Sadness Among Teen Girls May Be Improving, C.D.C. Finds
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UPCOMING EVENTS & TRAININGS
Innovative Initiatives to Serve the Needs of Older Adults with Serious Mental Illness
August 12, 12 - 1:30 pm, NASMHPD
Learn the Law About Service and Support Animals
August 13, 10 - 11 am, Disability Rights New York
What Is Harm Reduction for Alcohol?
August 14, 3 - 4 pm, NAADAC
Interdisciplinary Care in Opioid Treatment: The Role of Physicians and Nurses in Opioid Care — Bridging the Gap
August 14, 3 - 430 pm, NAADAC
Strategies for Implementing a Cascade of Care for Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder in Rural Jails
August 15, 12 - 1 pm, NCROTAC
Person-Centered Care: Applications in Methadone Maintenance Treatment and Outpatient Program Settings
August 15, 2 - 4 pm, NCROTAC
Telemedicine and Treating Opioid Use Disorder in Rural Populations
August 19, 1 - 2 pm, NCROTAC
School Mental Health Resource & Training Center Summer Academy for School Staff
August 20, 8:30 am - 12 pm, August 21, 9 am - 12 pm, MHANYS
Workforce Solutions Jam | Payment Reform: The Promise and Potential of Value Based Purchasing for a Thriving Workforce
August 20, 1 - 2 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Ask the Expert: Collaborative Approaches to Providing Mental Health and Law Enforcement Services
August 20, 2 - 3:30 pm, CSG Justice Center
Interdisciplinary Care in Opioid Treatment: The Role of Addiction Psychiatrists in Opioid Treatment — Mastering the Art of Opioid Treatment
August 20, 3 - 4:30 pm, NAADAC
Barriers to Care: Solutions for Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Provision in Rural Communities
August 21, 12 - 1 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Peer Recovery Support Series: Passionate Professionals; Dispassionate Practice — Ethical Boundaries in Non-Clinical Roles
August 22, 12 - 1:30 pm, NAADAC
Guiding Principles and Recommendations for Trauma-Responsive Treatment Courts
August 22, 12:30 - 2 pm, SAMHSA's GAINS Center
Behavioral Treatments for Alcohol Use Disorder: Using Harm Reduction as a Path Forward
August 22, 1 - 2 pm, PCSS
Understanding Mental Health Disparities Within Rural LGBTQ+ Communities
August 22, 1:30 - 3 pm, NIMH
What Now: Xylazine in the Age of Opioid Use Disorder
August 27, 1 - 2 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Assessing Equity in Crisis Response Organizations and Systems: Tools, Challenges, and Strategies
August 27, 1 - 2 pm, SAMHSA
Interdisciplinary Care in Opioid Treatment: The Role of Counselors in Opioid Treatment — Guiding the Path to Recovery
August 27, 3 - 4:30 pm, NAADAC
Building Bridges Between Harm Reduction and Treatment for People with Substance Use Disorders
August 28, 11 am - 12 pm, NCROTAC
Peer Recovery Support Series: Infinite Pathways — Embracing Diverse Identities to Support Recovery
August 29, 12 - 1:30 pm, NAADAC
State Peer to Peer Learning Session: Facilitating Care Across the Crisis Continuum: The Roles of Peers Throughout the Crisis Service System
August 29, 3 - 4 pm, SAMHSA
Three Crucial Factors in Treating Suicide Risk Lessons Learned from the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide
September 12, 1 - 2 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Increasing Accessibility of Mental Health Services for Unhoused Populations in Rural and Urban Communities
September 18, 12 - 1 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Rural Health Symposium - Binghamton, NY
September 19 - 20, NYS Association for Rural Health
Ask the Expert: Family-Centered Reentry Programming
September 25, 2 - 3:30 pm, CSG Justice Center
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CLMHD CALENDAR
AUGUST
LGU Clinic Operators Meeting
August 13: 10 - 11:00 am
Children & Families Committee Meeting
August 20: 11:30 am - 1 pm
Membership Call
August 21: 9 - 10:30 am
SEPTEMBER
CLMHD Office Closed - Labor Day
September 2
Executive Committee Meeting
September 4: 8 - 9 am
LGU Clinic Operators Meeting
September 10: 10 - 11:00 am
Addiction Services & Supports (ASR) Committee Meeting
September 12: 11 am - 12 pm
Developmental Disabilities Committee Meeting
September 12: 1 - 2:30 pm
Mental Health Committee Meeting
September 12: 3 - 4 pm
Children & Families Committee Meeting
September 17: 11:30 am - 1 pm
Membership Call
September 18: 9 - 10:30 am
Mental Hygiene Planning Committee Meeting
September 19: 1 - 3 pm
SAVE THE DATE
Fall 2024 Full Membership Meeting
October 23-25, Clayton, NY (Jefferson County)
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