Search for…
Back to All

Long Islanders will benefit from the $5.7million NYS grant which will fund addiction prevention, crisis care, treatment, and recovery!

Huntington, NY (March 22, 2021) – The Long Island Network, comprising 12 human service and behavioral health organizations from Nassau and Suffolk Counties, has been awarded a New York State (NYS) grant of $5,745,233 in support of addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery programs.  This funding will be an effective way to directly impact the lives of Long Islanders by supporting a broad continuum of care for those facing the obstacles of engaging in addiction treatment.  This innovative award is part of the federally supported NYS Opioid Response Grant administered by the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). 

The Long Island Network is composed of Bridge Back to Life Center, Inc., CSEDNY, Central Nassau (CN) Guidance & Counseling Services, Family & Children’s Association (FCA), Family Service League, Inc. (FSL), Hispanic Counseling Center Inc., Mercy Hospital, Northwell Health – Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Outreach Development Corporation, South Shore Child Guidance/EPIC Long Island, and Sun River Health.  “Working together under this unified grant helps our network of Nassau and Suffolk agencies provide a wider selection of services for those most vulnerable,” said Karen Boorshtein, President and CEO of FSL, a nonprofit based in Huntington and lead applicant for the Long Island Network. “Each of the organizations will be able to increase programs for those struggling with the many challenges associated with addiction.  Our goal is to empower people, and their families, throughout the recovery process.”

“This essential funding will help to ensure that individuals and families who are dealing with addiction continue to have access to life-saving prevention, treatment and recovery services through an effective, evidence-based and integrated approach from localized partners and programs,” said OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. “Working together through these collaborative networks is vitally important to the Long Island community.”

The Long Island Network is a regional association of Advanced Health Network and Recovery Health Solutions (AHN-RHS), which consists of 50 NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) and Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) licensed agencies.  Carol Cassell, Executive Director stated that, “AHN/RHS is pleased to support the Long Island Network in its ongoing implementation of a seamless delivery system through collaborative community partnerships furthering evidence-based best practices in neighborhood programs along with data analytics and quality measurement.”

“At a time when overdose fatalities are again on the rise and alcohol use is skyrocketing, we are thrilled to be part of this network, laser-focused on boosting efforts Island-wide,” said Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D. President/CEO of FCA. “Our unified, coordinated regional approach will harness the use of technology, evidence-based practices, and people with lived experience to increase access to services and care, especially for underserved communities.”

Expanding behavioral health services will break down barriers to treatment and connect people seeking services to resources. “These funds will increase access to prevention and treatment for critical substance use services in communities across Long Island. It will give us the ability to deploy staff in high need communities and reach individuals outside of traditional hours when people need services the most.  We are grateful that NYS OASAS has recognized that our community needs these vital funds to continue our fight against substance use,” stated Jeffrey Friedman, CEO of CN Guidance and Counseling Services based in Hicksville.

Further funding will go towards enhancing accompanying services which include:

Center of Treatment Innovation (COTI) services expand access to treatment of opioid use disorder through peer services, mobile service delivery, and telehealth capability.

Recovery Centers designed to promote long-term recovery by offering skill-building classes, support groups, referrals to services, sober events, and recreational programs.

Prevention Services evidenced- based education programming will be expanded into a variety of different locations, reaching at-risk youth, parents, educators, and human service professionals in schools, homeless shelters, foster care, juvenile detention facilities, and mental healthcare programs across Long Island.

This $5,745,233 award is part of the up to $50.7 million grant announced on March 10,2021 by Governor Andrew Cuomo, created to enhance addiction services in regions across the state. Each of the regional networks are made up of multiple providers in multiple counties, and all who received funding have identified specific needs with accompanying proposed services to address the gaps in care.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges and difficulties for everyone, and it is more critical than ever to ensure that tangible resources are available for those struggling emotional and financial hardships.  This grant will have a positive impact on prevention, treatment, and recovery care, further reinforcing NYS’s commitment to ending the opioid epidemic and assisting those facing a crisis.  The organizations of the Long Island Network are committed to providing comprehensive community-based behavioral health services and programs to Long Islands most susceptible population.

 

To find help:

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, 7-day-a-week HOPE line 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.

For information or to schedule an interview:

Advanced Health Network, IPA and Recovery Health Solutions, IPA (AHN-RHS) is a network comprising  more than 50 New York State OMH/OASAS licensed agencies in the five boroughs of New York City, Nassau, and Suffolk counties.  It works as an Independent Practice Association with the shared goal of improving the health and wellness of individuals experiencing behavioral health disorders, often further complicated by medical and/or social determinants of health issues.

Family Service League (FSL), established in 1926, is a Long Island non-profit human service organization providing a safety net for people in need.  FSL touches the lives of 50,000 people annually, addressing some of the most prevalent and pressing human needs facing Long Island communities. FSL delivers tangible help and crisis intervention across a spectrum of service areas including mental health counseling, addiction prevention and treatment, housing, trauma counseling, early education, and family and senior support services.  In all, FSL offers over 60 programs at 20 locations throughout Long Island.

To learn more about FSL visit www.fsl-li.org and like us on Facebook!

 FSL Press Contact:

Tricia O’Hare, Director of Development & Communications

Family Service League

tohare@fsl-li.org