$1.1M in Warren Co. ARPA funds toward mental health services

QUEENSBURY | The staff at WAIT House, the Glens Falls non-profit that assists homeless and at-risk youth, has seen firsthand the impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on local youth. "The unprecedented struggles that our youth are experiencing, such as trauma, mental health and substance use concerns, have significantly increased over the past three years," explained Jason McLaughlin, WAIT House's Executive Director. To address the growing need for mental health help across Warren County, WAIT House was among nine programs chosen to receive a share of more than $1.1 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that the Warren County Board of Supervisors allocated earlier this year to improve mental health care in Warren County. The $88,517 provided to WAIT House allowed the organization to hire a social worker to assist youth and families at WAIT House to engage in the services they need as soon as possible. "In some cases that can be a matter of life or death," McLaughlin explained. "The ARPA funding that WAIT House has been approved for will help combat and reduce the strain on the substance use and mental health agencies in our community." The use of Warren County ARPA funding for mental health improvements is being overseen by the Warren County Office of Community Services, which coordinates services for individuals and families impacted by mental illness, intellectual/developmental issues, and addiction issues in Warren County. The largest recipient of the $1.1 million in ARPA mental health improvements funding is Glens Falls Hospital, which is to receive $444,448 to fund expansion of its Crisis Unit. The hospital has submitted plans for the project to New York State Department of Health, and is awaiting NY State approval to begin work. "The ARPA funding we received not only makes this important project possible, it inspired others to make contributions, ensuring that the project is fully funded," Glens Falls Hospital President & CEO Paul Scimeca said. Also receiving a portion of the $1.1 million Warren County ARPA Mental Health funds were: -ASCEND Mental Wellness (formerly Warren-Washington Association for Mental Health) – $245,531 for additional personnel who have been hired to expand outreach in the community. -People USA Warren County Transitional Care Wellness Team - $167,137 to provide "Community Oriented Recovery and Empowerment" services. -National Council for Mental Wellbeing - $65,000 for Mental Health First Aid Training in Warren County. -ADK Employee Assistance Program - $26,367 for the Health and Wellness Platform known as MyLIfeExpert, which has been purchased and is in use with various entities that contract with Adirondack EAP. -LOOK Media Resource - $25,000 to produce a series of educational documentary videos featuring local individuals working with youth who are impacted by homelessness, mental health and/or addiction. Production has begun. -Brayton Psychological Services – $3,000 for equipment to offer virtual therapeutic treatment for youth, which is in use. -Additional funding has been allocated for mental health improvements for the homeless. Applications are being solicited from the participants of the local Continuum of Care group, which consists of various community not-for-profit agencies planning and collaborating together to address homelessness. Robert York, Warren County Director of Community Services, said: "I would again like to thank the Warren County Board of Supervisors for their commitment to addressing the behavioral health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. I would also like to thank the ARPA Behavioral Health awardees for developing and implementing such creative, meaningful projects that will benefit many individuals in need in our community." Warren County is scheduled to receive $12.4 million in ARPA funding. All of Warren County's ARPA expenditures can be viewed at warrencountyny.gov/ARPA.

Signup for our newsletter

$1.1M in Warren Co. ARPA funds toward mental health services

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS