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Governor Hochul Announces the Launch of a New COVID-19   Treatment Hotline by the State Department of Health in Partnership With NYC   Health + Hospitals

Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced   the launch of a new free Hotline for those who test positive for COVID-19,   but don’t have a health care provider, as part of the administration’s   ongoing efforts to keep New Yorkers protected throughout the pandemic. The   Hotline, 888-TREAT-NY, was launched by the New York State Department of   Health after reaching an agreement to utilize the Virtual ExpressCare   platform operated by NYC Health + Hospitals.

All New Yorkers outside of New York   City, regardless of income or health insurance coverage who test COVID-19   positive, are eligible to be evaluated for treatment by calling 888-TREAT-NY   (888-873-2869) or completing an evaluation at the NYS COVID-19 ExpressCare   Therapeutics Access website, which includes a telemedicine visit. New York   City residents should call 212-COVID-19.

The Hotline is available 24-hours per   day, seven days a week and operated by experienced Health + Hospitals   professionals who have the clinical training to prescribe treatment and   referrals if needed. The ExpressCare platform is a service that allows New   Yorkers to receive virtual care from a NYC Health + Hospitals provider.

Learn more about COVID-19 treatment   options at health.ny.gov/CovidTreatment

June 7th, 2022  

These past few weeks, there have been a number of traumatic events, leaving us all to deal with emotions, grief, and pain. We wanted to inform everyone about a few additional supports available to help people deal with grief and emotional trauma resulting from the Buffalo tragedy and other recent traumatic events. Below are a few culturally relevant resources to help people navigate feelings and identify healthy ways to cope:  

• MHEP-RISE Center (Mental Health Empowerment Project) is a direct resource for virtual groups as well as 24 hour peer support (1-800-643-7462).   

 • Recovery Options Made Easy (ROME) offers warmline support https://recoveryoptionsny.org/peer-support/. For more information call (716-532-5508). To access their warmline from 4PM -11PM call 844-749-3848. 

 • Mental Health Peer Connection (MHPC offers monthly online support groups and other peer-run supports. 

Please visit http://wnyil.org/Mental-Health-PEER-Connection for more information.    Additional trauma/crisis/grief resources for New Yorkers can be accessed here: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/disaster_resources/emergency-mental-health-resources.html.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 6, 2022 Contact: HHS Press Office 202-690-6343 media@hhs.gov 

 HHS Launches New Maternal Mental Health Hotline Hotline is the latest move of the Biden-Harris Administration to strengthen both maternal health and mental health; President’s FY23 Budget would double the initial investment in the hotline. 

Today, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department’s Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced the launch of the Maternal Mental Health Hotline, a new, confidential, toll-free hotline for expecting and new moms experiencing mental health challenges. With an initial $3 million investment, the hotline will launch on Mother’s Day, May 8, 2022, with counselors available to provide mental health support. The President’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget would more than double this initial investment, allowing HRSA to expand the Maternal Mental Health Hotline’s expert staffing and build additional capacity in its future phases. 

"The Biden-Harris Administration has a bold vision for changing the way we address, treat and integrate mental health—both in and out of health care settings," said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. "This new Maternal Mental Health Hotline will not only advance our priorities of tackling the nation’s mental health crisis, but also support our efforts to ensure healthy pregnancies and support new parents." 

This announcement, being made during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week and Mental Health Awareness Month, supports President Biden’s whole-of-government strategy to transform mental health services for all Americans—a key part of the President’s Unity Agenda that is reflected in the President’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget. Following the President’s State of the Union in March, Secretary Becerra kicked off the HHS National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health to address the mental health challenges that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, including substance use, youth mental health, and suicide. 

Those who contact the hotline can receive a range of support, including brief interventions from trained counselors who are culturally and trauma-informed, as well as referrals to both community-based and telehealth providers as needed. Callers also will receive evidence-based information and referrals to support groups and other community resources. 

"Today, we are creating a safe space for expecting and new moms who are experiencing maternal depression, anxiety or other mental health concerns to have confidential conversations and get the support they need," said HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson. "Moms can call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS and connect with a counselor at no charge. We are going to continue to grow our investments in this resource, as we know it’s what women need." 

The Maternal Mental Health Hotline reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s comprehensive approach to improving maternal health and equity since the President and Vice President first took office. Last year, Vice President Harris hosted the first-ever federal Maternal Day of Action where she announced a historic Call to Action to improve health outcomes for parents and infants in the United States. The launch of this hotline is part of HHS ongoing efforts to support safe pregnancies and childbirth, and eliminate pregnancy-related health disparities. 

Ahead of Mother’s Day weekend, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also announced today that Tennessee and South Carolina can begin offering Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for 12 months postpartum to an estimated 22,000 and 16,000 pregnant and postpartum individuals, respectively, through a new state plan opportunity made available by the American Rescue Plan. 

Last month, HHS released a $9 million funding opportunity to expand HRSA’s State Maternal Health Innovation Program and awarded $16 million to support the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. HHS also recently released a $4.5 million funding opportunity to expand community-based doulas in areas with high rates of adverse maternal and infant health outcomes.  In addition, HHS is funding seven states to support a Screening and Treatment for Maternal Depression Program to expand women’s health care providers’ training in mental health and to provide them with teleconsultation access to mental health specialists to support their patients’ mental health needs. 

The hotline is accessible by phone or text at 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746) in English and Spanish. TTY Users can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 1-833-943-5746. 

The Maternal Mental Health Hotline is not intended as an emergency response line and individuals in behavioral health crisis should continue to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).   

For   Immediate Release:  3/14/2022 

GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES $2.5 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE CENTER FOR SCHOOLS  

Funding is Latest in Long List of Governor's Initiatives and Proposals to Help Children and Families get the Behavioral Healthcare they Need  

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the availability of $2.5 million over five years to create and support a Mental Health Resource and Training Technical Assistance Center for Schools. The center will support all New York State public and private schools, and assist them in providing mental health education as part of the K-12 health curricula.  

"The pandemic has made life difficult for all New Yorkers, including young people who have been through so much these past two years," Governor Hochul said. "This funding will help ensure that schools in New York are able to teach our children about mental health with an age-appropriate curriculum that will decrease fear and stigma and encourage kids to talk to their parents, caregivers or teachers about any concerns they may have." 

OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, "New York has been a national leader in providing mental health education and services for children and youth. OMH has in fact licensed more than 1,000 school-based mental health clinics across NYS, which has increased access to mental health services for children and families. But we must also teach our children that mental health is as important as physical health, and they should not be afraid to ask questions or seek out help if necessary. The resource center will help our schools teach this valuable lesson to all children and their families."  

Mental Health education in school offers the opportunity to provide a positive impact on the overall health of children by enhancing their understanding of mental health. This holistic approach has the ability to reduce stigma and normalize mental health and wellness activities and may also promote help seeking behaviors.   

The Mental Health Resource and Training Technical Assistance Center for Schools will help all New York State public and private schools provide required mental health instruction and assist schools by informing the content and incorporation of mental health into health curriculum.  

More information on the Request for Proposals is available here on the OMH website  

The Governor's announcement is the latest initiative to ensure New York's young people are receiving the mental health services they may need. Her recently released Executive Budget invests heavily in children's mental health services, including:  

Recover from COVID School Program (RECOVS): An investment of $100 million over two years will create a new State matching fund that will prioritize and assist school districts with the highest needs. Funding will support the hiring of mental health professionals and the expansion of school-based mental health services. It will also fund expansion of summer learning, after school, extended-day, and extended-year programs to help students make up academic ground. 

HealthySteps:  The Executive Budget would increase funding by $10 million. HealthySteps helps pediatricians expand their focus on a child's physical health to include social-emotional and behavioral health and to help support family relationships. Healthy Steps is facilitated by a mental health professional with expertise in child and family development who works with families and their pediatricians to provide mental health and trauma-informed care into the primary care setting.  

Child Health Plus Insurance: The Executive Budget includes $11 million in FY 2023 (growing to $44 million in FY 2024) to improve access to children's behavioral health services by aligning Child Health Plus benefits with Medicaid benefits, including mental health and substance use services, home- and community-based services, evidence-based treatment for individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness, and residential rehabilitation for youth.  

Trauma-Informed Care network: The Governor's budget includes $10 million to expand the network and provide specialized treatment that addresses experiences that can traumatize children, including the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Children and Family Treatment and Support Services (CFTSS):  The Executive Budget increases funding for this program by $8 million. CFTSS provides an array of services, including youth and family peer supports and psychosocial rehabilitation, and can work with children and youth before they have a diagnosis, providing individualized and community-based supports for both prevention and treatment.  

Home-Based Crisis Intervention (HBCI): Governor Hochul proposed an increase in funding ($7.5M in 2022-23; $10M Full Annual) to develop new HBCI teams and expand current caseloads to serve 2,640 families each year, doubling the current volume.  HBCI provides short-term, intensive, in-home crisis intervention services to a family in crisis as an alternative to admitting their child in a psychiatric hospital.   

Residential Treatment Facilities: These facilities serve our most vulnerable and highest needs children. The Governor's Budget would significantly increase funding ($7.5 million in State funds, $15 million with matching Federal funds).   

Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, "The challenges today's young people face are unprecedented and uniquely hard to navigate, and the effect on their mental health is devastating. Helping our schools to provide mental health education, mental health professional support, and social emotional learning for students, educators, and families was a priority for the Board and Department even before the pandemic. This mental health resources and technical assistance center will help reduce disparities in access to mental health treatment in our schools and communities." 

State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, "We must think of mental health services in a comprehensive way that supports a transformative whole school, whole child, whole community approach. Embedding resources and learning into all facets of a school helps provide culturally competent care and supports for the stress, trauma, and anxiety faced by students and educators alike. I am grateful to the Governor for this funding and we will continue to work closely with Commissioner Sullivan and her staff." 

State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, "Increasing awareness about mental health through education destigmatizes conversations and makes it easier for students to get the support they need. Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul for making these funds available to enhance mental health curriculum in our schools. The pandemic has been especially difficult for our students - we need to do everything we can to support them." 

State Senator Samra Brouk said, "The social and emotional stress associated with the pandemic have been seriously disruptive for our young people, and the National Center for Health Statistics estimates that 6,600 teens and young adults died by suicide in 2020 alone. Today's announcement of $2.5 million to create a Mental Health Resource and Training Technical Assistance Center for Schools is a step in the right direction. Let's continue to invest in critically needed mental health resources aimed at young people—including investments in tele mental health services, growing our mental health workforce to increase capacity and cultural competence, and crisis intervention services like the new 9-8-8 mental health and substance abuse crisis lifeline." 

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther said, "Mental Health care is vital to all our communities and during my time in the Assembly I have seen firsthand the struggle to provide adequate care. I applaud Governor Kathy Hochul on the announcement of $2.5 million for the creation of a Mental Health Resource and Training center. We know that the pandemic has greatly affected children's mental health, and access to mental health services in schools is vital. As a nurse and an Assemblywoman, I have always fought for what was best for my constituents. I look forward to the positive effects that this funding will have on the children of New York State." 

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Additional news available at www.governor.ny.gov