September 9, 2023
| For Immediate Release: 9/8/2023 | GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL |
GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES $7.7 MILLION TO SUPPORT ADDICTION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH NEW FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Funding To Support Innovative Program at Four New York State Medical Schools
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced more than $7.7 Million in funding will be distributed through the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports to support a new workforce development and fellowship program at four medical schools across New York State. This innovative addiction workforce training initiative will support 83 New York State fellows with professional healthcare experience to gain educational training and development to best meet the needs of New Yorkers impacted by addiction.
“In my 2023 State of the State address, I outlined our commitment to supporting New Yorkers struggling with addiction across our state through significant investment in harm reduction, preventive, and treatment support programs,” Governor Hochul said. “As medical professionals study the disease of addiction, it is imperative that we provide the appropriate professional educational training needed to best serve this population.”
This program will allow medical students, current medical professionals, and certain state workers to enter the fellowship program by supporting their stipends (or salaries) and benefits, and will also support curriculum development, instruction, and supervision of the fellows. Enrolled addiction professionals will gain experience across multiple prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery settings.
Each of the awardees listed below will receive funding through the federal Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Supplemental Grant covering the program’s implementation for two years:
- SUNY Upstate Medical University – $3,562,691
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine – $2,397,908
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine – $921,833
- The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences – $864,627
The enrolled fellows will represent the following healthcare professions: physicians, medical students, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, licensed social workers, occupational therapists, licensed mental health practitioners, psychologists, Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASACs), Credentialed Prevention Professionals (CPPs), Credentialed Prevention Specialists (CPSs), and Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPAs).
New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said. “Expanding and enhancing the addiction workforce is a vital part of OASAS’ efforts to support the full continuum of services across the state. These professionals perform important work on a daily basis to assist New Yorkers who have been affected by addiction. This new, innovative fellowship program will help addiction services workers across multiple disciplines receive vital training and other professional development, which will benefit individuals and communities across the state.”
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, “The opioid crisis continues to take the lives of far too many New Yorkers each and every day. One of the best ways to combat this crisis is ensuring our communities have the resources and addiction service professionals to ensure our most vulnerable populations have the support they need. I am proud to help deliver this $7 million federal boost to help expand our healthcare workforce and addiction service training programs at medical schools across New York.”
Representative Adriano Espaillat said, “Addiction has touched the lives of far too many New Yorkers, and we must ensure resources, including funding for prevention programs, are allocated equitably across our state to support families and individuals who are affected the most,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat.
Representative Paul Tonko said, “We must use every resource at our disposal to address the overdose epidemic, and expanding and training our future healthcare professionals to better enable them to care for those struggling with addiction is a key facet in that effort,” Congressman Paul Tonko said. “I’m proud of my work to secure this federal funding through the Federal Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Supplemental Block Grant and am thankful to those who are ensuring compassionate, comprehensive care for those in our New York communities who need it most.”
State Senator Nathalia Fernandez said, “The people working in the addiction services workforce are essential as our front line in the battle against substance use disorders. That is why it is of the utmost importance to bring more talented individuals to these positions. I believe this fellowship program will do just that. I am hopeful that we will also offer more support to those currently in the workforce for a much deserved improvement on their quality for their increasingly important work.”
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.
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).