Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $90 million initiative aimed at supporting critical youth mental health services across New York State on Tuesday, September 24th. This five-year program, administered by the State Office of Mental Health, targets youth between the ages of 11 and 17 who struggle with complex mental health issues. The funding will support six service providers, enabling them to offer one-on-one support to children and their families, helping them avoid extended stays in emergency departments or psychiatric programs.
Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of local, community-based care for youth with mental health challenges. By investing in these programs, the state aims to provide a home-like environment where children can receive the care they need. These services will include mental health treatment, rehabilitative skills training, and educational planning, allowing children to transition back to their communities more stable and supportedly.
The six service providers selected to receive the funding include Northeast Parent and Child (Schenectady County), ACCESS CNY (Onondaga County), and the Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference (Broome County), among others. Each provider will receive $14.5 million over five years to establish transitional residential settings for up to eight youths, where children can stay for up to 120 days while receiving intensive support.
Dr. Ann Sullivan, Office of Mental Health Commissioner, said, “It is always a priority to provide services for our youth in a community-based setting avoiding hospitals and emergency rooms. This Critical Time Transition Program will provide intensive services for youth and their families in a welcoming and healing community environment. This innovative program is a result of the forward-thinking approach Governor Hochul has demonstrated with her continued emphasis on strengthening our state’s mental health system.”
This funding comes in response to the growing need for mental health services for youth with complex needs, including those with developmental disabilities. Studies have shown that extended hospital stays for these children can negatively affect their outcomes, making this new program critical for their recovery and reintegration into the community.
Governor Hochul’s initiative has been praised by state officials, mental health advocates, and healthcare providers as a major step forward in addressing the mental health crisis affecting young New Yorkers.
