New York is making up to $8 million available to establish four additional behavioral-health crisis response teams, including at least one pilot serving a rural community.
The state Office of Mental Health says eligible applicants may seek as much as $2 million for each team. County agencies and qualifying nonprofit providers can apply to develop programs intended to respond when people are experiencing a behavioral-health crisis and connect them with appropriate community care.
Broome, Tioga, Chemung and Steuben counties were not among the areas that received the first round of awards and are eligible under the new funding opportunity. That gives local governments and providers across the Twin Tiers a chance to propose a team tailored to the needs of urban, suburban or rural communities.
The state previously awarded $6 million for three pilot programs. Those awards went to a Rochester program, the Children’s Home of Jefferson County and Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Services on Long Island.
State officials say the broader effort is designed to support a health-led response to behavioral-health emergencies. The teams are expected to work within local crisis systems, respond to people where help is needed and connect them with ongoing services.
The Office of Mental Health has not announced which communities will receive the four new awards. Local applicants will compete through the state’s funding process, with at least one award reserved for a rural pilot.
