Governor Kathy Hockle recently announced $39.1 million to nine community hospitals across New York State, including in Central New York, to develop comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs. This funding brings the total number of programs statewide to 31, providing additional capacity to serve thousands of patients with behavioral health issues. […]
Governor Kathy Hawkle recently announced $39.1 million in grants to nine community-based hospitals across New York State, including several in Central New York, to develop comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs. The funding brings the total number of programs statewide to 31, further strengthening their capacity to serve thousands of patients experiencing behavioral health crises. “The expansion of hospital-based psychiatric emergency programs is a key component of our efforts to strengthen New York State’s mental health care system,” Governor Hawkle said in a news release. “This funding will allow community-based hospitals to have the resources to establish new programs, allowing them to rapidly evaluate and provide care to those experiencing behavioral health crises.” In 16 Central New York counties, Faxton St. Luke Healthcare, part of the Mohawk Valley Health System in Utica (now closed and replaced by Wynn Hospital), received $493.253 million. Additionally, $4.8 million was allocated to Arnot Ogden Hospital in Chemung County and $4.8 million to Claxton Hepburn Medical Center in St. Lawrence County. Other recipients are in Western New York and New York City. The conditional grants, administered by the state Office of Mental Health (OMH), are for the development and operation of new comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs or the establishment of satellite locations. Such programs are the primary entry point into the mental health system for individuals needing crisis treatment and provide a full range of psychiatric services to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis, including those with co-occurring disorders, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and medical conditions. Programs can hospitalize individuals for up to 72 hours, if necessary. These programs receive referrals from providers, emergency medical service transports, police transports, and walk-ins. Individuals are screened, then assessed and examined to determine needs and provide a treatment plan. Programs also include mobile crisis services to respond to local conditions, reduce the need for emergency evaluations and hospitalizations, and support individuals awaiting follow-up services. This funding is part of a $1 billion plan to strengthen mental health care. The majority of the funding is for procurement, and the plan now provides the necessary funding to launch new programs, expand effective efforts, and develop thousands of specialized housing units to serve individuals living with mental illness.
