July 1, 2022 (Reprinted from NYAPRS ENews)
NYAPRS Note: On the eve of the July 16 launch of the nation’s new mental health emergency hotline 9-8-8 system, advocates have underscored the critical importance of putting services and supports in place should callers require more than the 9-8-8 phone support, as referenced by NAMI-NYC in the article below.
Just yesterday, the Offices of Mental Health (OMH) and Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) released an RFP for a second round of 12 supportive crisis stabilization centers that “will provide voluntary services with an emphasis on peer support that is resilience and recovery-oriented for twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. Recipients may receive services in a SCSC for up to twenty-four hours.” 3 of the programs will be operated in NYC and the remaining 9 will correspond to the state’s Regional Economic Development Zones.
These models may be similar to a crisis stabilization center model operated by People USA and components of living room program models like those operated by Human Development Services of Westchester and the Mental Health Empowerment Project and Rehabilitation Support Services in the Capital District.
NYAPRS has long advocated for these models and also an expanded set of ‘step down’ or ‘follow along’ services after the 24 hour stays at the CSCs that could include other NYS models based on:
- peer run 10 day crisis respite programs like those created, operated or supported by People-USA and
- after-hours peer-run engagement center with nursing supports and up to 28 days of peer-run short-term crisis respite services like those operated by Recovery Options Made Easy.
We also believe that people leaving these program should be afforded a peer bridger for as long as is needed based on the NYAPRS Peer Bridger™ Model.
Another essential component of the new crisis continuum should be the use of alternative-to-police first responder teams of peers and EMTs as proposed in NYC by Correct Crisis Intervention Today, which is based on the nationally acclaimed Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets (CAHOOTs) model pioneered some 30 years ago in Oregon.