Governor Hochul Announces Availability of $2 Million to Boost Addiction Services in Fight Against Opioid Crisis

 

Providers Can Receive up to $200,000 to Establish Mobile Medication Units to Provide Addiction Medicine Services

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State has secured $2 million in federal funding through the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant program to aid addiction service providers in the fight against the opioid crisis. The funding will be used to establish Mobile Medication Units (MMUs) to dispense medications to treat substance use disorder, including methadone and buprenorphine. This follows the rules issued by the federal DEA to allow these units to be operated by existing Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) Providers. These will be the first MMUs in New York State.

"Fighting the opioid crisis is a personal battle for me, and we will continue to do all that we can to boost resources and services for those struggling with addiction," Governor Hochul said. "These first-of-their-kind Mobile Medication Units in New York State will bring this important service directly to New Yorkers in need and allow them to receive critical services to support them on their road to recovery." 

Providers that currently operate OASAS-certified OTP programs are eligible to receive funding and will be awarded up to $200,000 to be used to purchase and retrofit an MMU. These mobile units will offer services that include admission assessments and medication induction, medication administration and observation, toxicology tests, and other medical services. 

These mobile units can help people facing barriers to treatment, including geographic proximity to OTP facilities and transportation issues, and increase the availability of medication assisted treatment for addiction. They will supplement already existing mobile services throughout New York State offered by other OASAS-certified providers, including assessment, counseling, medications other than methadone for addiction treatment, telepractice, and transportation services.

Funding will be awarded through an RFA process administered by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). The RFA is available to view here. 

Applications are due on December 6th.