You Spoke, We Listened
Public input is vital to our work. That’s why we were thrilled to have hundreds of residents across eight counties join Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham for a statewide listening tour beginning in August 2023.
Over several months, residents engaged in meaningful discussions about addiction and the impact of the overdose epidemic in their local communities. Participants included local government officials, law enforcement, providers, addiction treatment professionals, students, individuals with lived experiences, and the general public.
The meetings allowed the commissioner to share state and regional data regarding the opioid overdose epidemic and the latest information on opioid settlement fund initiatives. Most importantly, participants shared concerns, questions, and observations about addiction in their local communities.
Counties Visited
- Hamilton County
- Livingston County
- Richmond County
- Rockland County
- Schoharie County
- Suffolk County
- Tioga County
- Wayne County
Key Themes
Four key themes emerged from the conversations.
- Workforce
- State/Local Collaboration
- Youth Services/Prevention
- Harm Reduction and Stigma
Actions
- Addiction Workforce Investments
- Cannabis Toolkit Resource
- Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs): Tripling Clinics from 13 to 39
- Scholarships (>$13 million)
- State/Agency Collaborations
- Funding for 22 Crisis Stabilization Centers
- Increased Street-Level Outreach
- Leadership Institute & Paid Internship Program
- Minimum Wage Increase
- Naloxone & Test Strip Distribution
- Residential Rehabilitation for Youth
- School-Based Clinics
- Teen Intervene
- Transportation Initiatives