Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Nearly $30 Million In Federal Funding For Mental Health And Addiction Treatment Centers Across New York State

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $29,949,721 in funding for mental health and addiction treatment centers throughout New York State under the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) expansion grant program through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The funding was allocated through last year’s Consolidated Appropriations Act and will provide necessary resources for CCBHCs to transform communities by providing 24/7 crisis response, reducing hospital and emergency department visits, increasing addiction treatment participation, and raising the bar for quality care. 

“It should never be necessary for anyone to fight the battle against substance abuse and mental illness alone,” said Senator Schumer. “As New Yorkers, we are stronger when we are together, and today’s federal funding will work to rally community resources and outreach surrounding mental health care and addiction treatment. The pandemic can only isolate us from our neighbors if we let it, so I am proud to deliver this SAMHSA funding that will bring 24/7 support for our most vulnerable community members.”                     

“The pandemic has exacerbated our country’s ongoing mental health crisis and we must address the stark reality that significant resources are needed to meet the needs of those seeking treatment,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This funding will provide essential services to face this crisis head on, including 24/7 crisis response for timely access to comprehensive, integrated care. Those living with mental illness and addiction need our support now more than ever, and I will continue to fight for SAMHSA funding and its inclusion in the next COVID-response package.”

“Access is grateful to receive this federal funding so we can continue our critically important mental health and substance use services for Hudson Valley residents,” said Ron Colavito, President and CEO of Access: Supports for Living. “It’s no surprise that demand for mental health and substance use services has drastically increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this award allows us to continue providing critical support the moment it’s needed, eliminating gaps our community has faced fighting addiction and mental health issues. We thank Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand for their steadfast support and advocacy for improved, close to home care for the nearly 4,000 people we have served at our Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care since opening.”

“I want to thank Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand for their tireless advocacy for these critically needed funds. COVID has hit all of Westchester very deeply but it has been particularly hard on the underserved communities of Peekskill and Mt Vernon. Westchester Jewish Community Services looks forward to using these funds to provide integrated trauma informed mental health and substance use services to help the people of these communities heal and recover from the devastation they have faced,” said Seth Diamond, Chief Executive Director of Westchester Jewish Community Services.

Senator Gillibrand has consistently fought for funding to address the spike in mental health concerns due to the pandemic. In March of 2020, she signed on to a letter asking for $250 million for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) grants and $757.5 million in HHS Community Mental Health Block Grants (CMHBG). Earlier this year, Gillibrand outlined the profound impact of COVID-19 on mental health and substance abuse disorders and the need for funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) grants in the next COVID-response package.

Senator Schumer has been a staunch advocate for Hudson Valley nonprofits seeking to provide services to address mental health and substance use needs during the pandemic. In May of 2020, he successfully pushed to secure a meeting between Access: Supports for Living and SAMHSA in support of its Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care. Schumer explained that Access saw an 81% increase in encounters between 2019 and November 2020 at its Urgent Care, making the funding announced today critical for Hudson Valley residents. Furthermore, Senator Schumer played a critical role in the inception of the Access Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care, securing $2 million in investment back in December of 2018 so the facility could open its doors in May 2019. Additionally, in August of 2020, Senator Schumer also successfully assisted Westchester Jewish Community Services in securing a meeting with SAMHSA in support of its proposal to provide substance use and mental health services for the residents of Mt. Vernon and Peekskill. These two significantly underserved Westchester communities will greatly benefit from the funding announced today for Westchester Jewish Community Services.  

The CMHBG is the single largest federal funding source for mental health programs across the country. It is dedicated to improving state and local mental health safety net systems and serves over six million Americans each year. The funding serves every state and is used to improve community-based services and programs aimed at reducing reliance on hospitalization. This funding also supports case management for complex patients, peer services, suicide prevention programs, and provider training, among other things. 

List of Recipients Below: