$42.9M funds job training for recovering victims of addiction

ALBANY | Gov. Kathy Hochul today announced awards totaling $42.9 million to fund job training and placement efforts across New York State for individuals impacted by addiction who are ready to join the workforce. This includes more than $35.6 million for the hiring and retention of vocational rehabilitation counselors at addiction services providers, as well as an additional $7.3 million for two organizations that will provide regional support services for the counselors hired through this program and the organizations providing services. Research shows stable employment for someone in recovery can have several key benefits, including financial stability, as well as providing structure and purpose, and social connections which can help prevent isolation. "Supporting individuals struggling with addiction is the initial step, but it's equally important to empower these New Yorkers to secure stable employment," Gov. Hochul said. "This funding will be distributed to every region across the state, reinforcing our commitment to support New Yorkers who have been impacted by addiction in starting a new chapter, while simultaneously bolstering critical workforces statewide." This initiative will help to improve employment outcomes for individuals in treatment and recovery for substance use disorders by offering employment training and job placement assistance. Funding provided allows each recipient to hire or retain two counselors. Each of the following providers was awarded a five-year contract for the amount listed, for a total of $35,620,085: CAPITAL DISTRICT Behavioral Health Services North, Inc.: $1,456,360 CENTRAL NY Farnham Family Services: $1,278,805 FINGER LAKES Finger Lakes Area Counseling Recovery Agency, Inc.: $1,750,000 LONG ISLAND Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services, Inc.: $1,587,895 Long Island Home (The) d/b/a South Oaks Hospital at Northwell Health: $1,177,000 MID-HUDSON Access Supports for Living Inc.: $1,736,855 MOHAWK VALLEY Helio Health, Inc.: $1,616,185 Helio Health, Inc.: $1,616,185 NEW YORK CITY Samaritan Daytop Village (Bronx): $1,750,000 Samaritan Daytop Village (Queens): $1,750,000 Community Health Action of Staten Island, Inc.: $1,750,000 StartCare, Inc. (Brooklyn): $1,750,000 StartCare, Inc. (Manhattan): $1,750,000 Housing Works Health Services III: $1,750,000 Educational Alliance, Inc.: $1,652,250 Montefiore Medical Center: $1,749,995 NORTH COUNTRY Champlain Valley Family Center for Drug Treatment and Youth Services, Inc.: $1,750,000 Behavioral Health Services North, Inc.: $1,456,360 SOUTHERN TIER Catholic Charities Steuben/Livingston: $1,745,395 St. John's Community Services: $1,750,000 WESTERN NY Horizon Village: $1,739,375 Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc.: $1,057,425 Additionally, $7.3 million is being awarded to one upstate organization (NADAP) and one downstate organization (Easter Seals) to support the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors initiative. These organizations are working with counselors to help generate job leads and connect those seeking employment to opportunities, and will assist with referrals, tracking outcomes from the program, and supporting the success of those seeking jobs. They will also work to ensure that services are delivered equitably between urban, suburban, and rural areas, in order to maximize access to the program for anyone seeking assistance. OASAS has several programs to facilitate employment connections for those in recovery, including a program that provides tax credits to employers that hire people in recovery, as well as an Addiction Professionals Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships to individuals seeking a certification or degree in the addiction services field. Many of those receiving these scholarships are in recovery. OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, "Employment can play a major role in the recovery of individuals impacted by addiction. Unfortunately, many still face stigma and barriers to finding work. This innovative effort will strengthen the support system here in New York, helping people build job skills through training efforts, and providing job placement assistance supporting their recovery and long-term health goals." 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 on the NYS OASAS website.

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$42.9M funds job training for recovering victims of addiction

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