Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced $500,000 will be awarded to expand access to addiction treatment services and family supports in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley. The funding will support on-call peer outreach services to connect patients in hospital Emergency Departments to appropriate addiction treatment, and a family support navigator program to assist families as they access substance use disorder care for a loved one. Both initiatives were developed by the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

“This funding will help ensure New Yorkers battling addiction have access to the programs and resources they need to put them on the path towards recovery,” Governor Cuomo said. “Substance abuse has devastating consequences for families across this state and this is yet another step we’re taking towards building a stronger and healthier New York.”

The new initiatives were first unveiled during Governor Cuomo’s Capital for a Day events last summer and are the latest addition to the Governor’s multi-pronged approach to addressing substance use disorders in New York State. The new services will be delivered by addiction treatment and recovery support providers in Onondaga and Oneida counties.

The on-call peer outreach coordinator, who is knowledgeable about the alcohol and substance abuse treatment system, will work with hospital Emergency Department personnel to help patients establish connections to addiction treatment after an opioid overdose reversal or after discharge from another addiction-related ED visit. This connection to treatment after an opioid overdose reversal is critical to a person’s start on the path to recovery, and can help prevent relapse and a potential overdose reoccurrence.

The family support navigator will develop relationships with local addiction prevention, treatment and recovery services, managed care organizations, local substance use disorder councils and community stakeholders to assist families with accessing local treatment and support services.

“The disease of addiction is a powerful adversary, but it is one that can be overcome, with treatment and supports,” said NYS OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. “These services are the latest addition to our ongoing efforts, with Governor Cuomo’s leadership, to increase access to substance use disorder care. They will help guide individuals and families to the treatment and services they need so that they can begin their journey towards recovery.”

In Central New York:

• $150,000 was awarded to Onondaga County Department of Adult & Long Term Care Services to support on-call peer outreach services
• $100,000 was awarded to Prevention Network/Onondaga Council on Alcoholism Addictions, Inc. to support the family support navigator initiative.

Onondaga County Executive Joanne M. Mahoney said, “Thank you to Governor Cuomo and NYS OASAS for supporting these bold, new initiatives. The number of people struggling with addiction is increasing every day and they need services like these to engage in treatment and begin a life in recovery.”

These programs will serve those in need in Onondaga, Madison and Cortland Counties. The Onondaga County Department of Adult & Long Term Care Services is in the process of hiring its on-call peer outreach coordinator. Prevention Network/OCAA has hired a family support navigator who is already working with families. For information about the family support navigator program, contact the Prevention Network/OCAA at 315-471-1359 or contact Ashley Dailey via e-mail at adailey@preventionnetworkcny.org.

In the Mohawk Valley:

• $150,000 was awarded to the Rescue Mission of Utica to support on-call peer outreach services
• $100,000 was awarded to the Center for Family Life & Recovery to support the family support navigator initiative.

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. said, “Families and individuals in need of addiction treatment services will now have another new and vital place to turn with the help of these two new initiatives. As we aggressively work to address the heroin and opioid problem in our communities, these types of supports for those who are struggling will ensure that more New Yorkers who need treatment, especially for opioid addiction, will get the services they need right here in our community.”

Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri said, “Congratulations to the Rescue Mission and the Center for Family Life and Recovery for being awarded the funding to deliver these new addiction support services. We are lucky to have these organizations in our community that are working every day to connect those struggling with addiction with the treatment and supports that they need to begin a life in recovery.”

Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol said, “Connecting those who are struggling with an addiction to heroin or other opioids to treatment is vital. The on-call peer outreach program is much needed so that those who are reversed from an opioid overdose can get treatment. And the family support navigator will also be a great resource for families so that do not feel they are alone in their struggle.”

The Mohawk Valley programs will serve those in need living in Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida and Otsego Counties. The Center for Family Life and Recovery has hired its family support navigator and the navigator is now working with families in need of services. The Rescue Mission anticipates the on-call peer outreach program will begin May 1. For information about the family support navigator program, contact the Center for Life and Recovery at 315-768-2665 or contact Ambi Daniel via e-mail at ADaniel@CFLRinc.org.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the State’s HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). New Yorkers can find an OASAS-certified substance use disorder treatment provider by using the OASAS Bed Availability Dashboard or by visiting the NYS OASAS Find Help web page. Visit www.combatheroin.ny.gov for more information on addressing heroin and prescription opioid abuse, including a Kitchen Table Tool Kit to help start the conversation about the warning signs of addiction and where to get help. For additional tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing underage drinking or drug use, visit the State’s Talk2Prevent website.