NYS OASAS Announces Award of More Than $475,000 to Support Addiction Prevention Workforce

 

Funding Will Support Paid Internship Programs at Prevention Providers in Every Region of NYS

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports today announced the award of $478,874 to 23 prevention providers across New York State to support the creation of paid internship positions. This program is designed to provide individuals a pathway into the prevention field, and to increase diversity within the prevention workforce.

“The prevention workforce and our certified prevention providers are both a critical part of the system of addiction care that is available throughout New York State,” OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said. “This program will attract new, dedicated workers to the prevention field and give them a path towards a rewarding career, while also helping our providers to further support the critical services that they deliver every day.”

The Paid Prevention Internship Opportunity (PPIO) program offers those interested in a career in the prevention field a way to receive valuable on the job experience, and provides an entry-level path towards a professional credential, such as Certified Prevention Professional (CPP) or Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS).

In addition, it allows prevention providers an opportunity to recruit talented and dedicated staff to the field. A key objective of the program is also to foster diversity within the prevention workforce in order to best meet the needs of the communities they serve.

Funding for this initiative was provided to New York State through the federal Supplemental Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant. Each of the providers below is receiving between $18,000 and $21,000, depending on the amount requested. All eligible providers who applied were awarded the full requested funding amount.

Capital Region

• New Choices Recovery Center
• University at Albany, Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research

Central New York

• Farnham, Inc

Finger Lakes

• DePaul Community Services, Inc.
• CASA-Trinity, Inc.

Long Island

• Huntington Youth Bureau Youth Development Research Institute, Inc.
• Youth Environmental Services, Inc.
• Riverhead Community Awareness Program, Inc

Mid-Hudson

• Warwick Community Bandwagon
• Family Services, Inc.
• Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster
• Student Services Assistance Services Corp.

Mohawk Valley

• LEAF, Inc.

New York City

• Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities, Inc.
• Sports Foundation, Inc
• Hebrew Educational Society of Brooklyn
• The Children's Aid Society

North Country

• Champlain Valley Family Center for Drug Treatment and Youth Services, Inc.
• Seaway Valley Council for Alcohol Substance Abuse Prevention

Southern Tier

• Hornell Area Concern for Youth, Inc.
• Alcohol and Drug Council of Tompkins County, Inc
• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester dba Catholic Charities Steuben Livingston

Western NY

• Western New York United Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Inc.

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, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website. 

If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.