NYS: Nearly $1 million to expand mobile addiction treatment services

Funding awarded to providers in 5 regions

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced $972,717 awarded to five addiction treatment service providers across New York to enable them to purchase and operate mobile treatment vehicles. The goal of this initiative is to expand the availability and access to addiction treatment services in underserved regions of the state. Funding is being administered by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports and was awarded through the federal State Opioid Response Grant.

"As we continue our efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 and safeguard public health, we must remain mindful of the ongoing opioid epidemic," Cuomo said. "This impactful investment in addiction treatment services will help to ensure underserved communities have the necessary resources to expand New Yorkers' access to often live-saving services as we battle the deadly scourge of addiction."

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, co-chair of the State Heroin and Opioid Task Force, said, "We are committed to investing in treatment services across the state to help individuals and families struggling with addiction. This funding to expand mobile treatment will help to ensure critical access to care and services needed in five regions of the state. We want to make sure people have access to the resources and services they need to lead healthy and safe lives, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and continue our efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in New York."

Over the past several years, New York has greatly expanded its mobile treatment capability. In 2017, the state established the Centers of Treatment Innovation to serve high-need counties throughout the state. The COTIs are focused on establishing connections with people affected by addiction, who have not been connected to care previously or have been unable to sustain their recovery through traditional treatment approaches. COTI services, including mobile treatment, have helped engage more than 13,000 New Yorkers in treatment through nontraditional means, and has helped providers expand their outreach in previously underserved areas.

OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said "Mobile treatment services have been a critical supplement to traditional services and have given thousands of New Yorkers a chance to connect to important, life-saving treatment. Addiction remains a public health crisis, and Gov. Cuomo has been fully committed to establishing and expanding resources for addiction. This funding will further strengthen the nation-leading help that is in place throughout New York state for people affected by this disease."

Providers in New York utilize two types of mobile treatment vehicles:

√ Modified vans with the ability to provide counseling services one-on-one or in a small group, and tele-practice capability

√ Full "mobile clinics" with bathrooms, exam space, telepractice capability and the ability to provide the full array of outpatient services.

Each provider receiving funding will deliver services throughout the listed region.

• Finger Lakes, Huther Doyle: $215,488
• Long Island, Central Nassau Guidance: $208,554
• New York City, Bridging Access to Care: $225,000
• Southern Tier, Finger Lakes Area Counseling and Recovery Agency: $100,000
• Western New York, Best Self: $223,675

Since taking office, Cuomo has instituted an aggressive, multipronged 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, Cuomo 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.

In 2016, Cuomo's Heroin Task Force recommended new, nontraditional 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.

The governor has advanced legislative and regulatory reform to enable people to get treatment faster and at the same level of coverage as for medical or surgical care by eliminating many insurance restrictions, as well as legislation to reduce most opioid prescriptions from 30 days to seven days, and legislation to increase training and education for prescribers. Cuomo has also taken action to combat patient brokering and fraudulent addiction treatment services.

He has also worked to increase training and availability of naloxone, resulting in more than 420,000 individuals in New York being trained and equipped with the opioid overdose reversal medication. Pharmacies around New York are now able to provide naloxone without a prescription.

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, seven-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, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS treatment availability dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website.