Governor Hochul Announces $100 Million for Behavioral Health Crisis Stabilization Centers

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced availability of more than $100 million in funding over the next five years for 12 new Intensive Crisis Stabilization Centers across the State that will provide immediate care for people who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), have issued a joint Request for Proposals to fund development of the Centers.

"Every New Yorker deserves the dignity of having access to quality health care, especially during a public health crisis," Governor Hochul said. "These behavioral health centers will provide immediate assistance to people in crisis before their condition worsens. New York will continue to lead the way in making important investments to eliminate healthcare disparities and help ensure that behavioral health services are available to every New Yorker who needs it."

OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, "Crisis Stabilization Centers serve adults, children and families who need an urgent response to critical situations. The Centers will be open all-day every day of the year and will provide help when it is needed most. Thanks to Governor Hochul's direction and leadership we have an opportunity to fund these proven and effective community-based services."

OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, "For those unable to access alcohol or substance use disorder treatment during normal business hours, Crisis Stabilization Centers will provide a 24/7 front door to address their addiction. After supporting a handful of these sites over the past few years, OASAS is proud to finally be able to promote the establishment of this model across New York State. Now, people in more communities will have access to these vital services which are critical to help improve their health."

State contracts awarded through the RFP will provide more than $100 million for the 12 Crisis Stabilization Centers over five years, including $20 million for start-up costs and more than $80 million in operating funds. Start-up funding is provided through the Federal Supplemental Community Mental Health Services Block Grant.

All crisis services are offered in a safe, welcoming, and therapeutic environment. Walk-in care is available to all individuals, including adults, children, adolescents, and families. The Centers will be open 24/7, 365 days per year and recipients may receive services for up to 24 hours.

The Centers will provide care, observation and urgent treatment to individuals experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis. These services will be provided right in the community and will divert individuals away from unnecessary emergency room visits. The Centers will provide peer and recovery-oriented support services, in addition to referral and follow-up services to ensure people continue to receive the support they need after discharge.

The Crisis Stabilization Centers are part of a comprehensive crisis response system that includes mobile crisis teams, crisis residential programs, and other community services and supports.

The RFP calls for development of three Crisis Stabilization Centers in New York City and nine across the remainder of the State. The Centers are to be jointly certified by OMH and OASAS and developed in collaboration with the communities they serve, including Local Mental Hygiene Directors, schools, community providers, law enforcement agencies and other identified programs to provide a comprehensive continuum of care for referrals and follow-up.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, "Addressing the mental health crisis in New York City is critical to building a robust recovery and requires collaboration across all levels of government. These Behavioral Crisis Stabilization Centers will serve New Yorkers 24/7 and provide them with immediate support and resources. I'm grateful for Governor Hochul's partnership on this issue and applaud her work to expanding these proven and effective programs across New York."

Senator Samra Brouk said, "As Chair of the Senate Committee on Mental Health, I have fought tirelessly to expand the implementation of crisis stabilization centers into more communities across New York State, and I am glad to see that a request for proposals has been issued to expand access to these important services. These stabilization centers will become critical to our mental health infrastructure in New York State, and are essential to making sure that we can respond to mental health crises with care and compassion, rather than force."

Senator Pete Harckham said, "Residents in crisis deserve access to evidenced-based care 24 hours a day. The new funding announced by Governor Hochul for a dozen new crisis centers statewide arises from her strong understanding of how important access to immediate care is in many situations. This will benefit our communities, link residents to vital care and save lives."

Assemblymember Aileen M. Gunther said, "Mental Health care is vital to all our communities. During my time in the Assembly I have seen firsthand the struggle to provide adequate care. I applaud Governor Kathy Hochul on the addition of 12 new crisis stabilization centers in New York State. These centers are for individuals with known or suspected mental health issues. As a nurse and as an Assemblywoman I have always fought for what was best for my constituents, and I look forward to working with Governor Hochul."

Harvey Rosenthal, CEO of New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS) said, "With today's commitment and investment in these innovative new Crisis Stabilization Centers, Governor Hochul is adding an essential component to New York's continuum of crisis responses to people in acute distress. The Centers will offer a voluntary one stop comprehensive urgent care setting that will offer an array of mental health and addiction recovery and medical services at a time when they are most needed. Great thanks to Governor Hochul for taking swift action to address the mental health and homeliness crises we face across New York City and New York State."

Glenn Liebman, CEO of the Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc. (MHANYS) said, "We thank Governor Hochul and Commissioners Sullivan and Cunningham for their leadership in the funding of crisis stabilization center for behavioral health. The Stabilization Centers will serve as an 'urgent care' center for individuals in a mental health or addictions crisis. They will help mitigate the need for law enforcement engagement and emergency room responses. The combination of capacity for Crisis Stabilization Centers, combined with resources for 988 and a robust commitment to Mobile Crisis Teams will create a strong response to the needs of individuals and their families when they are in a mental health or addictions crisis."

New York City Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams said, “By ensuring behavior health services reach New Yorkers in crisis, we can intervene earlier to improve public health and safety. This investment to establish three behavioral health crisis stabilization centers within New York City is an important step towards making communities safer and stronger by focusing on New Yorkers’ well-being. In order to address our public safety challenges, we must prioritize mental health care reaching those who need it most. I thank Governor Hochul for investing state funds in this model of behavior health care at the community level."

This RFP can be found on both the OMH website under Procurement Opportunities at: https://www.omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/ and the OASAS website under Procurement at: https://oasas.ny.gov/procurement.

A bidders' conference, open to all interested individuals, will be held on February 28, 2022, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. Refer to RFP for additional information on the conference.

Responses to the RFP are due 5/19/2022.