June 10, 2022

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES AWARD OF MORE THAN $5 MILLION TO EXPAND ACCESS TO ADDICTION SERVICES IN NEW YORK STATE

More than $4 Million in Funding to Expand Transportation Services to Help People Access Addiction Treatment and Other Resources

More Than $1 Million Being Awarded to Providers to Expand Telehealth Services

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the award of more than $5 million for two initiatives to expand addiction services in New York State and help people in need better access treatment and other support. More than $4 million will be awarded to providers in regional networks to provide transportation assistance and to coordinate care for people seeking addiction services, and more than $1 million will be awarded to help support the expansion of telehealth services in every region of New York State.

“My administration continues to take strong action to address the addiction and overdose crisis and support the health of New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “As we see record overdose numbers across the country, New York will remain committed to providing the necessary support and resources to those who have been impacted and helping them move forward in their recovery.”

New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said, “Expanded telehealth services and increased transportation opportunities are vital to helping break down barriers that keep many people from seeking services. This funding will support our ongoing mission of meeting people wherever they are and giving them an opportunity to access critical help for addiction in the way that best suits their needs.”

Funding for both initiatives was provided to New York State through the Federal Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment Block Grant Supplemental award and administered by NYS OASAS.

Details on each initiative, total funding, and awardees are as follows:

Transportation and Care Coordination – $4,036,084

Thirty-four providers are receiving funding to help provide transportation assistance and care coordination for individuals with multiple and complex barriers to treatment. This includes areas where public transportation services may be limited and other transportation may be unavailable or difficult to access. Many of these providers will be purchasing vehicles to transport clients to treatment, medical appointments, or other necessities, while others will contract with transportation providers.

Visit this link for a full list of awardees

Telehealth Funding – $1,070,717

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of telehealth services throughout New York State, which has made it easier for people to access the care that they need without the need to travel to a doctor’s office. This has been especially important in addiction treatment settings, which often require continuous, uninterrupted care. 

With this funding, providers will be able to purchase and update equipment to expand and enhance their telehealth capability.

Forty providers are receiving funding through this initiative. A full list of awardees can be found at this link.

State Senator Pete Harckham said, “For many residents with substance use disorder, there just is no easy way to receive in-person treatment because of distances, costs and logistics associated with transportation. Governor Hochul understands these prevailing barriers are extant, and with this announced funding, we will improve access to treatment via increased transportation and telehealth services. It’s a good investment that will save lives statewide.”

Assemblymember Phil Steck said, “With the infusion of federal funding we have targeted various programs that remove barriers to substance use disorder treatment.  Access to transportation or telehealth is critical for those in treatment. Patients could have mobility challenges, may not own a car or live near public transportation, or reside in a rural area with limited treatment options. This session I passed legislation that provides for a treatment transportation program; programs such as this and telehealth ensure patients can consistently follow-through with their treatment plan and thus improving their chances of success.”

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. We have worked to expand access to traditional services, including crisis services, inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment programs, as well as medication to treat addiction, and mobile treatment and transportation services. 

Governor Hochul was a member of the NYS Heroin and Opioid Task Force, which in 2016, recommended new, non-traditional services, including recovery centers, youth clubhouses, expanded peer services, and open access centers, which provide immediate assessments and referrals to care. These services have since been established in numerous communities around the state and have helped people in need access care closer to where they live.

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 HOPE line 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.