Harrison Youth Council Awarded Funding to
Support Addiction Prevention
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the award of more than $3.7 million to expand evidence-based addiction prevention services throughout New York State. Funding was awarded to providers in each of New York State’s ten economic development regions and will support prevention providers who had their services negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) is administering this funding. Locally, the Harrison Youth Council, Inc. was awarded $40,000.
“Like many New Yorkers, my family has been affected by addiction,” Governor Hochul said. “Expanding support services for those dealing with addiction is as vital as ever as we battle the opioid crisis. We will continue to work with local partners to boost preventative measures and treatment to help set New Yorkers on the path to recovery.”
OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said, “Prevention is an important pillar of the OASAS continuum of care, and during the COVID-19 pandemic our prevention providers have faced unprecedented challenges in delivering their services. Providers awarded funding through this initiative have the opportunity to greatly increase their prevention infrastructure and make the changes that they need to continue to provide these lifesaving services in the communities they serve.”
Throughout the pandemic, many providers have had to pivot from in-person services to using remote and virtual services, which presented challenges in continuing to reach individuals and communities in need. Providers can use these awards either as start-up funding to create new services, or to support continued delivery of existing services and update programs. It can also be used to upgrade IT systems and videoconferencing platforms.
Senator Peter Harckham said, “Providing increased state funding aimed at prevention programs for residents with substance use disorder will save lives. More resources in the fight against the overdose epidemic will allow providers and advocates to continue work on reducing easy access to substances and empowering communities through education and risk perception on substance use. Once again, I commend Governor Hochul for her tireless work in safeguarding our residents and ensuring that important public health initiatives like this are properly funded.”
Assemblymember Phil Steck said, “The introduction of telehealth and video-conferencing has allowed for those in substance use treatment during COVID-19 to still receive outpatient services for both substance use and mental health disorders, as well as provide prevention services. However, it is well-known that both private and public organizations in this arena are woefully underfunded. This funding will allow these awardees to expand their services beyond just those individuals onsite. I am very pleased that this award went specifically to “evidence-based” addiction prevention services, and to see that many Capital Region organizations are in receipt of these funds.”
All eligible providers who applied were awarded funding.
In the Mid-Hudson Region, the following organizations were also awarded funding: Community Awareness Network For A Drug-Free Life And Environment, Inc. (CANDLE): $33,700; Family Services, Inc.: $9,833; and City of White Plains Youth Bureau: $34,907;