NEW YORK — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the award of nearly $6 million in opioid settlement funding to 12 Recovery Community and Outreach Centers across New York state, including funding to the Prevention Council of Saratoga County.
The Prevention Council of Saratoga County received $490,000 as part of the funding, the announcement said.
This initiative will allow these programs to expand their work to include new and additional youth-focused services. Funding is being provided through the New York State Opioid Settlement Fund, overseen by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and aligns with the Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board’s recommendations to increase recovery services and outreach to priority populations.
“As part of my State of the State address in January, I made a commitment to ensuring that young New Yorkers are protected and have the tools and resources they need to live healthy, productive lives,” Hochul said in a news release. “With this important initiative, we are increasing youth-focused services across the state, giving young people more opportunities to find the help and support they need and deserve.”
OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, “Our recovery centers play an important role in helping New Yorkers and their families impacted by addiction and this will help to further expand these services to young people who can be especially vulnerable to the effects of substance use. Governor Hochul has shown strong support for this initiative and others like it, and thanks to this work we have seen a significant drop in overdose deaths across the state.”
OASAS offers numerous services focused on youth, including youth-specific treatment programs, as well as an adolescent designation for other treatment programs, verifying they have the staff and programs in place to support young people impacted by substance use disorder. In addition, OASAS providers operate more than 20 youth clubhouses across the state, which offer services similar to recovery centers but focused on a younger population. The agency also works to implement prevention services for youth, including in schools as well as the community at large.
This funding will be used to expand the availability of youth-appropriate services at existing Recovery Community and Outreach Centers, including education, skill-building, and recreational activities. These services are focused on young people ages 12 to 17 who are in recovery from a substance use disorder, or who are not in recovery but seeking a safe and drug-free environment.
Recovery centers are non-clinical settings that offer a range of supports, including the opportunity to connect to peers who are facing similar challenges. They also provide help to families of those in recovery.
The providers were awarded funding to support these services for two years, with an additional $60,000 included in the first year.