Funding Will Help Cover Expenses and Revenue Loss during COVID-19 Pandemic
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State has secured $20 million in federal funding through the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant program to assist addiction service providers with loss of revenue and operating expenses incurred as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic.
Prevention, treatment, and recovery providers overseen by the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports will receive this funding to address fiscal and programmatic stabilization needs as they continue to deal with the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic.
«As addiction providers continue to deal with the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic, this funding will greatly help them recover from the financial stress on their operating costs and infrastructure.» Governor Houchul said. «This funding will also ensure that they continue providing uninterrupted and crucial addiction services to all New Yorkers in need.»
Funding will address both fiscal and programmatic gaps and can be used for program operating costs, debt relief, equipment, minor renovations, personnel costs, and other costs related to operational and infrastructure modifications made as a direct result of the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic.
Approximately 350 providers are eligible for funding. Eligible providers will receive notification from OASAS as to the amount available and required next steps to secure the funding. Providers can review the scope of work for this funding opportunity here.
Over the past several years, New York State has instituted an aggressive, multi-pronged approach to addressing the opioid epidemic, and created a nation-leading continuum of addiction care with full prevention, treatment, and recovery services. To combat this epidemic, the state has worked to expand access to traditional services, including crisis services, inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment programs, as well as medication assisted treatment, 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.
OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said, «As we continue to navigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are doing all that we can to support our community-based providers who are facing unprecedented challenges. These providers are vital to the mission of OASAS to reach all New Yorkers in need, and with this funding they will be able to continue to provide uninterrupted services to those affected by addiction and their families.»
Chair of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Senator Pete Harckham said, «Governor Hochul’s securing of major federal funding for Substance Use Disorder treatment providers across New York to help stabilize operations and programming is great news. Providers are still trying to bounce back from disruptions to service caused by the Covid-19 pandemic while the need for treatment services increases. More resources for treatment providers mean more lives saved—it’s that simple.»
Chair of the Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Assemblymember Phil Steck said, «Thank you, once again, to Governor Hochul for recognizing the importance of funding on every level of addiction treatment. I am pleased to partner with OASAS in promoting and advocating for these important resources; especially during COVID and beyond.»
New Yorkers struggling with 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, 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 [email protected].