Governor Hochul Announces More Than $86 Million Awarded to Create and Preserve 513 Units of Supportive, Emergency, and Transitional Housing Across New York State

State Funding Will Create 479 Units and 665 Beds of Permanent Supportive Housing and Create and Preserve 34 Units and 130 Beds of Emergency and Transitional Housing in Chenango, Cortland, Dutchess, Erie, Monroe, Oneida, Orange, Ulster, and Bronx Counties

Combination of Housing with On-Site Support Services to Assist Formerly Homeless Veterans, Domestic Violence Survivors, and Individuals Living with Serious Mental Illness and/or Substance Use Disorders and Their Families

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than $86 million has been awarded to 11 projects across New York State that will create 479 units and 665 beds of permanent supportive housing and create and preserve 34 units and 130 beds of emergency and transitional housing for families and individuals who have experienced homelessness. Projects awarded funding will create or preserve housing in Chenango, Cortland, Dutchess, Erie, Monroe, Oneida, Orange, Ulster, and Bronx Counties.

“Expanding New York’s supply of permanent affordable housing with easy access to support services is a top priority of my administration,” Governor Hochul said. “When completed, these diverse projects across New York State will provide vulnerable New Yorkers, including homeless veterans and survivors of domestic violence, with safe, stable homes and the services and support necessary to help them overcome their circumstances and break the cycle of homelessness.”

The grants awarded through a competitive process by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program are an important component of Governor Hochul's $25 billion comprehensive Housing Plan that will help create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York State, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations.

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Acting Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “We are grateful for Governor Hochul’s longstanding commitment to increasing the supply of much-needed permanent supportive housing across New York State and for recognizing the power of supportive housing to transform the lives of families and individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. When completed, this group of projects, funded through OTDA’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, will provide housing security and targeted on-site support services to hundreds of vulnerable New Yorkers.”

With these latest awards, HHAP has committed the full $128 million in funding provided in the FY 2024 Budget and more than $50 million of the $128 million in funding included in the FY Enacted 2025 Budget.

Organization	County	Amount
Catholic Charities of Chenango	Chenango County	$2 million
Dutchess County Department of Social Services	Dutchess County	$13 million
Cortland Housing Assistance Council	Cortland County	$2 million
Rochester Housing Authority	Monroe County	$4.5 million
WellLife Network, Inc.	Bronx County	$9.9 million
Regional Economic Community Action Program, Inc.	Orange County	$4.9 million
Samaritan Daytop Village, Inc.	Bronx County	$15 million
Unique People Services, Inc.	Bronx County	$10 million
The Utica Center for Development, Inc.	Oneida County	$10 million
RUPCO, Inc.	Ulster County	$15 million
Friends of Little Portion Friary	Erie County	$150,000*

*Emergency shelter repairs.

NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP WEEK, EXPANDED APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW YORK STUDENTS

Governor Hochul Issues Proclamation Declaring

May 5-11, 2024, Youth Apprenticeship Week in New York State

NYSDOL Unveils New Online Portal to Help Businesses Start Their Own Youth Apprenticeship Programs and Create a Pipeline Into the Workforce for New York Students

The New York State Department of Labor today announced that Governor Kathy Hochul proclaimed this week (May 5-11) to be the inaugural Youth Apprenticeship Week in New York State, in line with the federal Youth Apprenticeship Week and events taking place across the nation to highlight pathways for youth into Registered Apprenticeship. This initiative underscores the state's commitment to enhancing work-based learning opportunities for youth, enabling them to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings alongside professionals.

“Today, the opportunity of using the time-honored earn-while-you-learn Registered Apprenticeship model is growing in popularity both with those looking to comprehensively learn an occupation and with businesses who find this approach successful to train and retain their own workers,” Governor Hochul said. “There is significant interest in expanding this model as an opportunity for youth while they are in high school, and we are proud to partner with businesses and education leaders to grow awareness and expand this opportunity.”

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) oversees Registered Apprenticeship programs, in partnership with the State Education Department, which approves the Related Instruction portion of the program. Registered Apprenticeship is regulated by rules at both the state and federal level and includes a nationally recognized and portable credential upon completion.

Beginning as part of the inaugural Youth Apprenticeship Week, NYSDOL will aim to:

• Increase awareness about Registered Apprenticeship and the spectrum of career exploration and training models that lead to and include Apprenticeship.
• Show how youth as young as 16 can take part, including in taking part in career exploration and pre-apprenticeship programs that prepare them for Registered Apprenticeships.
• Offer businesses a direct pathway to learn more about starting or expanding a Registered Apprenticeship program.

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “As youth begin exploring their occupational interests, it is important that they consider all possible career pathways. Registered Apprenticeships continue to help young New Yorkers into great occupations while businesses secure a workforce catered to its needs. It is my hope that more employers will consider launching Registered Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeships programs to provide the inheritors of our economy with the skills they need to succeed.”

NYSDOL today unveiled a new resource outlining for the first time a comprehensive look at the spectrum of training opportunities that build into these highly sought after programs, including pre-apprenticeship programs, which help individual build skills needed to be successful in both Registered Apprenticeship programs and informal apprenticeships, which do not come with portable credentials and are not consistent across programs.

Registered Apprenticeship programs bring with them numerous benefits. Apprentices learn from experts in their field, find a structured, proven, and intentional way of learning their occupation, get support from mentors along the way and complete their programs with a nationally certified credential. For businesses, advantages include having a pipeline of skilled workers trained in their specific processes along with increased retention and attendance and workers who are more connected to their business.

The Registered Apprenticeship program in New York State, traditionally a gold standard in building and construction trades and the core of how labor unions train workers through joint labor management training programs, is expanding into additional high-demand fields like IT, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and education. Over $6.5 million has been awarded by NYSDOL to support this expansion, with an additional $3 million committed this year to further increase apprenticeships in high-demand occupations. The Department is also providing $2 million to support pre-apprenticeship programs that help underrepresented groups gain entry into these apprenticeships.

The State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY) are involved in growing these programs. SUNY offers funding and incentives to support apprentices and employers, while CUNY has integrated pre-apprenticeships into degree programs at 10 colleges. Additional efforts include tax credits for employers, a social media campaign, educational videos, and a state apprenticeship summit scheduled for November 2024 to raise awareness and participation in these programs.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. said, “We thank Governor Hochul for her support of pre- and registered apprenticeships and the designation of Youth Apprenticeship Week to engage future generations in high quality apprenticeship opportunities that can lead to a successful career. SUNY is proud to offer thousands of apprenticeship opportunities in high-demand industries in partnership with employers across the state, providing important benefits for students and employers alike. Students can gain hands-on skills, training, and mentorship, while employers benefit from training apprentices on-the-job while maintaining productivity and retaining a highly skilled workforce.”

“We applaud and thank Governor Hochul for spotlighting the value of paid work experience through Youth Apprenticeship Week, and also for supporting the expansion of these opportunities to high school students, which will expose them to more possibilities and increase their chances for career success,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “At CUNY, we have seen time and again how valuable apprenticeships are for our students, and we are proud to help prepare the next generation of talent to lead New York’s workforce.”

State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “Apprenticeships provide invaluable hands-on experience and connect students, schools, and employers, ensuring our young people are equipped with the skills needed to succeed and achieve their goals. Working with Governor Hochul and our partner agencies, we are excited to collaborate to expand apprenticeship opportunities for all students across the state.”

NYC Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development Executive Director Abby Jo Sigal said, “We applaud Governor Hochul for recognizing the power of the apprenticeship model by designating May 5-11th as the inaugural youth apprenticeship week in New York State. Apprenticeships have proven to be one of the most effective ways to build onramps to economic mobility and prosperity for our youth through career connected learning and paid on the job training, which allows employers to tap the talent they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy."

Any business interested in learning more about registered apprenticeship should complete the form on the Department’s new portal.

For individuals interested in learning more about apprenticeship and opportunities in various occupations, visit: https://dol.ny.gov/apprenticeship/

NYS OASAS TO AIR 30-MINUTE SPECIAL ACROSS NEW YORK STATE TO HIGHLIGHT ONGOING EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THE IMPACT OF OPIOIDS AND THE OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC ON NEW YORK

New Special Educates Public on Dangers of Fentanyl, Work to Address Stigma, and Efforts to Support Addiction Workforce

 

Features Q&A With OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham

Program Coincides with National Prevention Week Which Begins May 12 (link to local listings here) 

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS) will air a new 30-minute special TV presentation of the OASAS podcast “Addiction: The Next Step” on stations across the state during the week of May 12^th, highlighting the impact the opioid and overdose epidemic has had on New York State, and the steps OASAS is taking to address this crisis. The new special features real stories of several New Yorkers, including 19-year-old Paige Gibbons who died after overdosing on a counterfeit pill that contained fentanyl without her knowledge. It also includes personal stories of other New Yorkers who have benefitted from OASAS services, and information about how to access scholarships for those interested in a career in addiction services. 

The program also features insight from OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham about each of the segments, and how they relate to the work of OASAS. 

“New Yorkers in every community across the state are being impacted by the opioid and overdose crisis. At OASAS, we continue to focus on addressing this issue through new education and prevention efforts, as well as expanding and enhancing services throughout the state,” OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said. “This new special program is an opportunity for us to continue to educate the public about the dangers of illicit substances and where they can get help for addiction, as well as highlight some of the personal stories of New Yorkers and their families who have felt the effects of this crisis.”

This special presentation of “Addiction: The Next Step” is part of an ongoing OASAS fentanyl awareness campaign, and also coincides with the start of SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week. This nationwide observance dedicated to the prevention of substance use and the promotion of positive mental health.

This special focuses on three important aspects of OASAS’ work:

 

Education on the Dangers of Fentanyl

Rochester-area teenager Paige Gibbons was 19 years old when she died of an accidental overdose, after taking a counterfeit pill that contained fentanyl without her knowledge. This program features Paige’s parents, who say they want her story to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and prevent more tragedies.

 

As part of this segment, Commissioner Cunningham speaks to recent research that shows there are fewer instances of substance use disorder among teens, but rising rates of overdoses, indicating that Paige’s story is not unique, and underscoring the dangers of illicit fentanyl, which is often added to substances without the knowledge of the person taking it.

 

Addressing Stigma

This segment, entitled “Routine for Recovery” highlights the work of Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) providers, and the stories of clients who have received lifesaving services at these facilities. The goal is to explain the work that these providers do and emphasize that medication for addiction treatment is a safe, effective, and proven way to save lives and support the long-term health of those impacted by addiction. As the Commissioner highlights in this segment, this is part of the ongoing work by OASAS to address the stigma surrounding addiction services, which keeps many people from seeking the help they need and prevents the expansion of these services in many areas.

 

Workforce

To support the addiction services workforce, last year OASAS announced the establishment of a new scholarship program through the New York State Opioid Settlement Fund. This initiative helps students pursue various certifications, or a bachelor’s degree at three different colleges in New York State to either enter the addiction services workforce, or advance in their careers. This segment features interviews with scholarship recipients, a professor overseeing the addiction services program at Empire State University, and Commissioner Cunningham.

 

As the Commissioner highlights in this segment, growing and supporting the addiction services workforce is something that is brought up in meetings throughout the state. Workforce matters were discussed often during the Commissioner's recently concluded Listening Tour, which covered eight locations statewide. The scholarship program is the latest in a series of efforts related to workforce development, which includes cost of living increases over each of the last three years, loan forgiveness programs, training, and funding to providers to support workforce retention and development.

 

More information on the scholarships is available on the OASAS website, and links to other episodes of “Addiction: The Next Step” can be found here.

 

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports oversees one of the nation’s largest systems of addiction services with approximately 1,700 prevention, treatment and recovery programs serving over 731,000 individuals per year. This includes the direct operation of 12 Addiction Treatment Centers where our doctors, nurses, and clinical staff provide inpatient and residential services to approximately 8,000 individuals per year. 

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-days-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). 

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.