Governor Cuomo Announces Award of $50.7 Million to Enhance Addiction Services in New York State

 

Funding Will Support a Regional Network Approach to Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services to Address Addiction

 

Funding and Services Provided in Every County of New York State 

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the award of up to $50.7 million to providers throughout New York State to expand access to addiction services. The majority of this funding will go towards regional networks designed to support a continuum of care that includes prevention, treatment and recovery. Further funding will go towards enhancing COTI services, recovery centers, prevention coalitions, and the Triple P prevention program within these network areas. This funding is part of the State Opioid Response federally supported grant administered by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports.

"While we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing opioid epidemic, we are reinforcing our commitment to supporting New Yorkers struggling with addiction," Governor Cuomo said. "This award funds all regions of New York for a broad range of services, including mobile service delivery and telepractice expansion, strengthening our nation-leading continuum of addiction care across the State. These resources are available where and when New Yorkers need them most."

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, co-chair of the New York State Heroin and Opioid Task Force said, "During this extremely challenging time posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to make sure that lifesaving resources and services are available to any individual struggling with addiction in all parts of the state. This funding will further boost prevention, treatment and recovery care, and reinforces New York State's commitment to ending the opioid epidemic once and for all."

OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said, "As we continue to work to address addiction amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that we ensure that all New Yorkers, in all regions of the state, have access to lifesaving addiction services. OASAS has always supported a collaborative care model of addiction services, and with this funding we are able to build on our work with our community-based provider network to strengthen these collaborations and reach more people in need."

New York has a robust system of addiction care, and with better collaboration and coordination people in need will experience easier access to care, including medication for addiction treatment, as well as more successful transitions between residential and outpatient settings, and better integration of prevention and recovery supports. The funding awarded under this initiative supports efforts to find regional approaches to care, and is designed to help prevention, treatment, and recovery providers increase their collaborative efforts to address the entire continuum of addiction services. Providers who receive funding have identified specific needs in their region and proposed services to address the gaps in care.

 

Regional networks are made up of multiple providers, in most cases serving multiple counties, in a region. Award amounts are listed below along with the counties served by the network.

'Citywide Addiction Support Network -  Manhattan, Bronx and Queens - $10,499,410'

In addition to the regional network awards listed above, funding will also support the following initiatives within the counties served by the networks.

 

Center of Treatment Innovation Services - $6 million

COTI service providers are tasked with expanding access to treatment of opioid use disorder through peer services, mobile service delivery, and telepractice capability. COTI providers work to break down existing barriers to treatment and connect people seeking services to the help that they need. Between 2016 and 2019, overdose deaths in counties with COTI services decreased by between 42 percent and 64 percent.

Recovery Centers - $2.9 million

Recovery centers are designed to promote long-term recovery with professional staff, peers, and volunteers who provide multiple services to engage and support people in recovery. Recovery Centers offer skill-building classes, support groups, referrals to services, sober events and recreational programs. These services are designed to empower people in recovery from addiction in a way that is responsive to the needs of the individual, their family, and the community.

Prevention Coalitions - $1.4 million

Community-based substance use prevention coalitions bring together diverse community stakeholders to facilitate, implement, and sustain effective substance use prevention strategies that meet local need. The SOR funded coalitions expand the reach of substance use prevention coalitions into Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative localities to further build local resources in high-risk communities to effectively address addiction health disparities.

Triple P Positive Parenting Program - $938,000

The Triple P Positive Parenting Program is a prevention program that supports families by providing parents or caregivers clear strategies to respond to a child's needs while remaining calm. It promotes healthy familial attachment as children learn and meet developmental milestones. The program has been shown to reduce risky behaviors among youth, such as substance use and juvenile offending, as well as encourage positive social behavior and emotional wellbeing. It has also demonstrated success in reducing parental depression, stress, anxiety, and family conflict, and increasing positive family interactions.

Since taking office, Governor Cuomo has instituted an aggressive, multi-pronged approach to addressing the opioid epidemic, and created a nation-leading continuum of addiction care with full prevention, treatment, and recovery services. To combat this epidemic, the Governor has worked to expand access to traditional services, including crisis services, inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment programs, as well as medication assisted treatment, and mobile treatment and transportation services.

In 2016, Governor Cuomo's Heroin Task Force recommended new, non-traditional services, including recovery centers, youth clubhouses, expanded peer services, and open access centers, which provide immediate assessments and referrals to care. These services have since been established in numerous communities around the state and have helped people in need access care closer to where they live.

The Governor has advanced legislative and regulatory reform to enable people to get treatment faster by eliminating many insurance restrictions, as well as legislation to reduce most opioid prescriptions from 30 days to seven days, and legislation to increase training and education for prescribers. Governor Cuomo has also taken action to combat patient brokering and fraudulent addiction treatment services.

The Governor has also worked to increase training and availability of naloxone, resulting in more than 420,000 individuals in New York State being trained and equipped with the opioid overdose reversal medication. Through Governor Cuomo's actions, pharmacies around New York State are now able to provide naloxone without a prescription.

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.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.

LEANDRA FELIZ ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR ISCHIA BRAVO’S IN CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 15 SPECIAL ELECTION

 Tuesday afternoon Leandra Feliz anti-violence activist, and mother of Lesandro "Junior" Feliz whose tragic murder in the 15th Council District in 2018 shocked the city, announced her support for Ischia Bravo in the March 23rd 15th City Council Special Election. 

On hand at the announcement by Ms. Leandra Feliz were Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., members of the Louella Hatch Democratic Club which has endorsed candidate Bravo' campaign, and other supporters. 

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. introduces candidate Ischia Bravo.

15th City Council Special Election candidate Ischia Bravo thanks Ms. Leandra Feliz for her support, which joins the many unions and community organizations posted on the window in the background.

(L-R) Tisha Hatch (daughter of Louella Hatch), Ms. Leandra Feliz, Candidate Ischia Bravo, Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., and Socrates Caba President Louella Hatch Democratic Club. 

STATEMENTS FROM MAYOR DE BLASIO, CORPORATION COUNSEL JOHNSON AND COMMISSIONER MOSTOFI ON END OF TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S PUBLIC CHARGE RULE

 

Mayor Bill de Blasio, Corporation Counsel James E. Johnson and Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Bitta Mostofi today released the following statements celebrating the end of the Trump Administration’s public charge rule:

 

Statement from Mayor Bill de Blasio:­­ 

 

“Today, hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers can rest easier knowing that the Trump administration’s public charge rule is over, once and for all. We fought relentlessly in court against Trump’s policy that placed millions at risk during the worst public health crisis of our lifetime—and we won. We will never stop fighting for the rights and health of our immigrant neighbors.” 

 

Statement from Corporation Counsel James E. Johnson:

 

“When new immigrants arrive in the city, they come with hopes, dreams, a fresh and enriching perspective and, sometimes, not much more.  We don’t ask ‘how much do you have?’  Rather, we ask ‘what can you become?’  Thankfully, we now have an administration that both acknowledges how much our immigrant community has suffered during the pandemic and wisely recognizes how vital it is to our recovery. Today we welcome the steps taken to reverse this cruel policy and get us back on a just and productive track.”

  

Statement from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affair’s Commissioner Bitta Mostofi: 

 

“We join our partners in celebrating the end of the heartless public charge rule. The Biden administration rightly recognized the devastating impact of this unconscionable Trump administration policy on immigrant communities, perpetuating fear and confusion throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We commend the incredible efforts taken by coalitions of advocates, local governments, and community partners alike in this fight to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all our families. Immigrant New Yorkers: if you have questions about the end of public charge and what it means for you and your loved ones, you can call ActionNYC at 800-354-0365 for City-funded, free and safe immigration legal help.” 

  

297 days and Counting

Democrats in Albany, What's taking you so long to get rid of Andrew Cuomo? I want to run for governor so I can do to New York State what I have done to New York City.

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic March 9,2021

 

4,899 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide

1,011 Patients in the ICU; 675 Intubated

Statewide Positivity Rate is 3.93%

75 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"COVID-19 is continuing to spread across the state, but progress on vaccinations and the numbers are turning the tables in our favor. The hard work, dedication and perseverance of New Yorkers is starting to pay off, and we need to double down on safe behaviors to get the state through to the light at the end of the tunnel," Governor Cuomo said. "Our vast vaccine distribution network continues to expand as we receive more supply and get more shots in arms, and we're working to get the vaccine to underserved communities across the state. New Yorkers should continue washing their hands, wearing masks and staying socially distanced so we can defeat the COVID beast together and look ahead to the future."

It is important to note that data, including test results and hospital rates, reported early in the week are often not completely reflective of the current situation due to lower discharges and testing volume over the weekend. Data trends over a period of time, such as using 7-day averages, are a preferred metric.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 174,514
• Total Positive - 6,850
• Percent Positive - 3.93%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.16%
• Patient Hospitalization - 4,899 (+69)
• Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -470
• Patients Newly Admitted - 478
• Hospital Counties - 51
• Number ICU - 1,011 (+6)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 675 (+6)
• Total Discharges - 150,813 (+340)
• Deaths - 75
• Total Deaths - 39,169

Operator Of Racehorse Doping Websites Sentenced To 18 Months In Prison

 

Scott Robinson also Ordered to Forfeit Over $3,000,000

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that SCOTT ROBINSON was sentenced today to 18 months in prison in connection with ROBINSON’s years-long sale and distribution of adulterated and misbranded drugs, including performance-enhancing drugs marketed to racehorse trainers and others in the racehorse industry.  ROBINSON pled guilty to a one-count Information on September 16, 2020, before U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken, who also imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Scott Robinson created and profited from a system designed to exploit racehorses in the pursuit of speed and prize money, risking their safety and wellbeing.  Robinson sold unsanitary, misbranded, and adulterated drugs, and misled and deceived regulators and law enforcement in the process.”  

According to the Indictment, the Superseding Information to which ROBINSON pled guilty, and other court documents, as well as statements made in public court proceedings:

From at least in or about 2011 through at least in or about March 2020, ROBINSON conspired with others to manufacture, sell, and ship millions of dollars’ worth of adulterated and misbranded equine drugs, including performance-enhancing drugs (“PEDs”) intended to be administered to racehorses for the purpose of improving those horses’ race performances in order to win races and obtain prize money.  ROBINSON sold these drugs through several direct-to-consumer websites designed to appeal to racehorse trainers and owners, including, among others, “horseprerace.com.” 

ROBINSON contributed to the conspiracy by, among other things, sourcing chemicals used to create custom PEDs that were advertised and sold; falsely labeling, packaging, and shipping those PEDs to customers across the country, including in the Southern District of New York; and collecting, reporting, and responding to employee and customer complaints regarding the misbranded and adulterated products advertised and sold online.  Among the drugs advertised and sold during the course of the conspiracy were “blood builders,” which are used by racehorse trainers and others to increase red blood cell counts and/or the oxygenation of muscle tissue of a racehorse in order to stimulate the horse’s endurance, which enhances that horse’s performance in, and recovery from, a race, as well as customized analgesics that are used by racehorse trainers and others to deaden a horse’s nerves and block pain in order to improve a horse’s race performance.  The drugs distributed through the defendant’s websites were manufactured in non-FDA registered facilities and carried significant risks to the animals affected through the administration of those illicit PEDs.  For example, in 2016, ROBINSON received a complaint regarding the effect of his unregulated drugs on a customer’s horse: “starting bout 8 hours after I give the injection and for about 36 hours afterwards both my horses act like they are heavily sedated, can barely walk.  Could I have a bad bottle of medicine, I’m afraid to give it anymore since this has happened three times.”  Commenting on this complaint, ROBINSON wrote simply, “here is another one.”

In addition to his prison sentence, ROBINSON, 46, of Tampa, Florida, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and forfeiture of $3,832,318.90.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York FBI Office’s Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force and its support of the FBI’s Integrity in Sports and Gaming Initiative.  Ms. Strauss also thanked the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the New York State Police, and the New York City Police Department for their support of this investigation, and the Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their assistance and expertise.

MANHATTAN TEEN INDICTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER FOR SHOOTING AT NYPD SERGEANT AND TWO OFFICERS IN SOUTH BRONX

 

Defendant Fired Multiple Shots; Officers Returned Fire, Wounding Him

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Manhattan teen has been indicted on Attempted Murder and additional charges for shooting at an NYPD Sergeant and two NYPD Police Officers during a graffiti stop. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly resisted arrest and fired at an NYPD Sergeant and two NYPD Officers. The cops were not injured but the 18-year-old defendant was shot when they returned fire. Fortunately, no one died that day. It is a stark reminder of how important it is to get guns off the streets, because even a seemingly unremarkable encounter can lead to gunfire.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Messiah Nantwi, 18, of 2333 5th Avenue, Manhattan, was arraigned on March 8, 2021 on three counts of Attempted Murder in the first degree, three counts of Attempted Murder in the second degree, first-degree Criminal Use of a Firearm, second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, three counts of Menacing a Police Officer, Obstructing Governmental Administration in the second degree, Resisting Arrest and Possession of Graffiti Instruments before Bronx Supreme Court Justice David Lewis. Bail was set at $500,000 cash/$500,000 insurance company bond/ $500,000 partially secured bond at 10 percent. The defendant is due back in court on April 15, 2021.

 According to the investigation, at approximately 12:30 a.m. on February 21, 2021 at Elton Avenue and East 153rd Street, uniformed NYPD Officers attempted to stop Nantwi and another individual when they saw them with spray paint cans. While the other individual ran away, the defendant was apprehended. During the arrest, the defendant took out a .22- caliber pistol and fired three shots at NYPD Sergeant Darren Earl and NYPD Officers Malik Underwood and Erick Reyes. The three Officers returned 31 shots, striking Nantwi multiple times. The defendant is currently being treated at Lincoln Hospital. The cops were not injured.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Trial Preparation Assistant Annarese Marcano, of the Public Integrity Bureau, and NYPD Force Investigation Division Detective Kevin Lavin for their assistance in the investigation.

 An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt. 

A RECOVERY FOR ALL OF US: MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES ZONING CHANGES TO CREATE MORE VIBRANT, EQUITABLE CITY

 

Responding to challenges highlighted by COVID-19 pandemic, proposals expected to go into public review this year

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced a set of new citywide zoning actions to bring more grocery stores to local communities, improve accessibility, and support a range of small businesses across the city. These changes will each start public review this spring and remain on track to be adopted by the end of this year.

 

“Building a recovery for all of us means cutting red tape and supporting efforts to make our communities healthier and more accessible,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “These zoning changes will help New Yorkers create the neighborhoods we all want to live in: ones with fresh food, easy access to health and wellness facilities, and equitable transit access for New Yorkers with disabilities.”

 

“We are using every tool at our disposal to advance a fair recovery for New Yorkers. These zoning actions will remove barriers to providing grocery stores, encourage accessible transit, and allow a wide range of small businesses across the five boroughs to open more easily,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been. “We look forward to advancing these actions with our partners and furthering a strong recovery for New York City.”

 

“In our most difficult moments, we find the most innovative solutions to the problems facing us. These zoning proposals focus on our city’s recovery, addressing some of the challenges of today and tomorrow. I look forward to the public discussion around these proposals, and especially how they can contribute to a stronger, more equitable city,” said Department of City Planning (DCP) Director Marisa Lago.

 

“The Zoning for Accessibility (ZFA) proposal will be a game-changer that will enable a more fully accessible subway system at an even faster pace,” said Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities Commissioner and MTA Board Member Victor Calise. “Elevators truly are for everyone and ZFA will enable all New Yorkers and visitors to the city, including those with disabilities, to get to where they need to go.”

 

"Grocery stores are essential community infrastructure and grocery store workers and owners have kept us all fed during these challenging times,” said Kate MacKenzie, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy. “By expanding the FRESH program to additional neighborhoods, the City is acknowledging not only the important role grocery stores have played during the crisis but also that supporting the food sector is essential for an equitable recovery.”

 

These proposals seek to incentivize the creation of green grocery stores in communities facing barriers to food access; improve accessibility to transit stations; remove bureaucratic hurdles to establishing and opening community gyms and other health facilities; and ensure the zoning code is not a barrier to supporting small businesses in the Open Restaurants program. Each proposal has citywide implications, benefitting a wide array of communities across all five boroughs.

 

Public meetings for these actions will be scheduled over the coming months, culminating in the start of public review for each of these proposals this spring or summer, with the goal of reaching approval before the end of the administration.

 

The coming new citywide text amendment proposals are:

 

FRESH II

 

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically highlighted the vital need for local access to fresh food. In partnership with the City Council, DCP will seek to expand the existing Food Retail Expansion to Support Health (FRESH) program, which offers zoning incentives and financial benefits to encourage the creation of convenient, accessible stores that provide fresh fruit, meats and vegetables, and other perishable goods in addition to a full range of grocery products.

 

The new FRESH proposal aims to bring the program to 11 more community districts – in addition to 19 districts currently in the program – including:

 

• Bronx Community Districts 8 and 9
• Brooklyn Community Districts 1, 2, 12 and 13
• Queens Community Districts 1, 3, 4 and 14
• Staten Island Community District 1

 

Elevate Transit: Zoning for Accessibility (ZFA) Text Amendment

 

In collaboration with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), City Council, and advocates, the City will expand and improve zoning rules that allow the MTA to leverage private development to add elevators or other station access to New York City Transit (NYCT), Staten Island Railway (SIR), Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North stations in the City. For example, less than 30% of the 493 NYCT subway and SIR stations in New York City are currently wheelchair accessible.

 

This proposal will expand existing zoning tools to coordinate new developments near transit with the construction of improvements to station accessibility and capacity. Currently, this zoning tool is limited to a few areas of the city, mostly in Manhattan. The proposal would require property owners of developments near stations to proactively work with the MTA to provide station access easements. The proposal will also expand zoning incentives for developments in high-density districts to construct station improvements that advance accessibility.

 

Every elevator and accessible entrance and platform is an invaluable improvement for individuals with physical disabilities, parents with young children who use strollers, seniors, and indeed all New Yorkers and visitors to the city.

 

Health and Fitness Text Amendment

 

Based on outmoded zoning regulations that date to the 1970s, exercise gyms, licensed massage therapy, martial arts studios, and spas, among other health-related businesses, are required to obtain special permission from the City's Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) to open. The process for obtaining a permit is extremely costly, often adding six months and at least $50,000 in additional startup costs to open a gym. This creates a high barrier for small and independent businesses and is likely to slow the economic recovery of a sector that has been significantly impacted by the pandemic.

 

Because health and fitness facilities offer valued and beneficial amenities to communities, the City is working to allow these businesses to open “as of right,” or without first seeking special permission. This text amendment acknowledges the need for health and fitness facilities by removing unnecessary barriers for these small businesses.

 

Open Restaurants

 

New York City’s Open Restaurants program, which has more than 11,000 participants across the five boroughs, has re-energized the city streetscape and saved an estimated 100,000 jobs. The City will secure the future of outdoor dining by reviewing and removing zoning limitations that may hinder efforts to make the program permanent.