Governor Hochul Announces $71 Million Available for Development of 12 Supportive Crisis Stabilization Centers

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the state is seeking proposals for $71 million in funding available for the development of 12 new Supportive Crisis Stabilization Centers across New York State. The Centers will provide support and assistance to individuals with mental health and/or substance use crisis symptoms who are experiencing potentially harmful situations.

"Today's investments in mental health and substance use support centers will ensure that no New Yorker ever navigates crises alone, regardless of age, ability to pay, where they live, or where they came from," said Governor Hochul. "Our Supportive Crisis Stabilization Centers will provide around-the-clock, walk-in services to New Yorkers in crisis, and we will continue to lead the way in making investments to eliminate healthcare disparities and offer behavioral health services to those who need it most."

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) issued a Request for Proposals for the development of the new SCSCs.

Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, "Supportive Crisis Stabilization Centers help individuals dealing with emotional problems get the assistance and support they need right away in a welcoming and recovery-focused environment. They will be available 24-hours per day, seven days per week to help people cope with emotional distress or the urge to use substances. They will also link recipients to services including emergency housing, healthcare, food, disability services, substance use, and mental health services."

Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, "Not everyone is able to access the care and services they need during normal business hours, and we need to make sure that help is available whenever people decide they need it. These Centers will be the first step for many people in need of immediate assistance for a mental health or substance use crisis and will be vital to supporting the health of New Yorkers across the state."

Senator Chuck Schumer said, "Too many New Yorkers are suffering in silence whether it be from mental health or the struggles of addiction, which is why I fought so hard to make sure the federal COVID relief bills included historic increases to ramp up mental health resources and help those who need it most. Now thanks to this federal investment, regions across New York will have access to 12 new Supportive Crisis Stabilization Centers to combat the mental health crisis and opioid scourge on the frontlines in the communities that need it most."

Representative Paul Tonko said, "The COVID pandemic brought the too often overlooked and unmet mental health and addiction needs of Americans to the forefront. Since the very start of this pandemic, I pushed to include funding for mental health programs and resources to deliver addiction treatments, and I was proud to successfully deliver that relief in our COVID response with the American Rescue Plan. I'm grateful to see these life-saving resources being delivered and will continue working to ensure the needs of our communities are met."

Harvey Rosenthal, CEO of the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services said, "New York's plan to open new state-of-the-art Crisis Stabilization Centers will support communities in every corner of the state to develop a more comprehensive continuum of crisis services. In doing so, the Centers will provide a critically important follow up resource for those using the state's new 9-8-8 mental health hotline. Great thanks are due to Governor Hochul and Commissioners Sullivan and Cunningham for creating more options for New Yorkers at times when they need it the most."

Glenn Liebman, CEO of the Mental Health Association of New York State said, "We thank Governor Hochul and Commissioners Sullivan and Cunningham for their leadership in responding to the needs of people in a mental health or substance use crisis. The Stabilization Centers will provide a much-needed bridge between 988 and community services. The stabilization centers will also help ensure less engagement with emergency rooms and the criminal justice system."

John Coppola, Executive Director of the New York Association of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers said, "As New York State continues to experience epidemic levels of drug overdose and individuals seeking help for a substance use disorder, the establishment of Supportive Crisis Stabilization Centers by Governor Hochul will encourage a more comprehensive public health approach and will provide new tools to ensure that all New Yorkers are able to access the care they need."

Amy Dorin, President & CEO of The Coalition for Behavioral Health said, "Governor Hochul shows her commitment, along with state agency leaders, to improving care for individuals in behavioral health crisis and building a crisis continuum. Supportive Crisis Stabilization Centers will provide a warm, welcoming space for those with mental health and substance use needs to access services and support. We commend Governor Hochul, Commissioner Sullivan, and Commissioner Cunningham for creating these centers."

The Centers will provide, or contract to provide, all services on-site, twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. All services are voluntary, person-centered, and trauma-informed, with an emphasis on peer support that is resilience and recovery oriented.

The 12 Centers will be jointly certified by NYS OMH and OASAS and developed in collaboration with the communities they serve, including Local Mental Hygiene Directors, schools, community providers, law enforcement agencies, and other identified programs, to provide a comprehensive continuum of care for referrals and follow-up.

Funding includes $15 million in start-up funds from the Federal Community Mental Health Block Grant program administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The funds were awarded to New York State as part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act.

OMH and OASAS encourage all behavioral health providers who meet the eligibility criteria to apply, including those who operate Peer-led organizations. Eligible applicants are not-for-profit agencies with 501(c) (3) incorporation or Public Benefit Corporations that have experience providing mental health and substance use treatment services to persons with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders.

This RFP can be found on the OMH website under Procurement Opportunities at:

https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/ and the OASAS website under Procurement at: https://oasas.ny.gov/procurement.

Proposals to the RFP are due by 1:00 PM EST on 10/05/2022.