GOVERNOR CUOMO TO PROVIDE NEW YORKERS WITH OPIOID TREATMENT TRANSPORTATION
New York Press Release – Providers Purchased More Than 20 Vehicles to Provide Mobile Treatment Services, and Transport People to Treatment Programs
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the expansion of mobile addiction treatment and transportation services in New York. More than 20 vehicles have now been purchased by nine providers across the state, with more expected to be purchased in the coming months. More than $1.6 million has been made available for providers to purchase vehicles through this initiative.
“While the nation struggles with an ongoing opioid epidemic, New York is doing everything in its power to expand treatment options and resources to anyone seeking to get on the road to recovery,” Governor Cuomo said. “By providing funding for these mobile services, we are making it easier for people suffering from addiction to access the services they need, taking one more step toward a stronger and healthier New York for all.”
“We are taking bold and aggressive action to tackle the substance abuse crisis head on,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, co-chair of the Governor’s Heroin & Opioid Task Force. “Expanding mobile treatment services will remove transportation barriers so those struggling with addiction have access to lifesaving support. New York is paving the road to recovery for countless individuals in need.”
“Governor Cuomo’s efforts to expand mobile treatment services are making a difference, and saving lives in New York State,” New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. “Location and access to transportation should never be a barrier for someone to receive the services they need to fight this disease.”
Providers have purchased and outfitted several different types of vehicles, such as:
- Mobile clinics, which provide telepractice capabilities and exam rooms;
- Mini-mobile clinics, which offer telepractice, without a full exam room; and
- Vehicles to use for either transportation of staff to deliver services or to transport clients to clinics.
A full list of providers who have purchased vehicles through this initiative is listed below:
Capital Region and Mohawk Valley
- New Choices (Saratoga & Montgomery Counties): Two cars to be used for transport, with plans to buy four more vans, which will be outfitted for telepractice.
- Twin Counties (Greene County): One van which will be outfitted as a mobile clinic, with plans to buy two additional vehicles to be outfitted as mobile clinics.
Central New York
- Syracuse Brick House (Onondaga, Cayuga, Madison, & Oswego Counties): Four vehicles to be used for transport and mobile services.
Finger Lakes
- Finger Lakes Area Counseling and Recovery Agency (Yates & Ontario Counties): Two vehicles to provide transport and telepractice.
Mid-Hudson Valley
- Catholic Charities (Sullivan & Ulster Counties): Four vehicles to be used for transport.
North Country
- Credo (Jefferson County): One vehicle to provide transport services.
Southern Tier
- Trinity (Tioga & Tompkins Counties): Two RVs which will be outfitted as mobile clinics.
- Addiction Center of Broome County (Tioga & Tompkins Counties): Two vans which will be outfitted for telepractice.
The following vehicle purchase was announced previously but is part of the same initiative:
Western New York
- Best Self Behavioral Health, formerly Lake Shore Behavioral Health (Erie & Niagara Counties): Six vehicles, two outfitted as mobile clinics, others to be used for transport.
The mobile treatment and transportation services are part of Governor Cuomo’s efforts to expand access to substance use disorder treatment in New York State. Among those initiatives are proposed regulations to authorize payments to Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors who provide services in OASAS-approved settings via telepractice.
New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).
Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.