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Volunteers: A Critical Support for Families Involved in the Child Welfare System
Volunteers at The Mental Health Association of Westchester play a critical role in improving the lives of children and families served by the child welfare system. Through two unique programs that rely on trained, supervised community volunteers, we advocate for the well-being of youth in family...
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Buprenorphine Misuse Decreased Among U.S. Adults with Opioid Use Disorder From 2015-2019
Data from a nationally representative survey indicate that in 2019, nearly three-fourths of U.S. adults reporting buprenorphine use did not misuse the medication in the past 12 months. In addition, buprenorphine misuse among people with opioid use disorder trended downward between 2015-2019,...
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NYS Governor Hochul Appoints Dr. Mary T. Bassett as Commissioner of the Department of Health
Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that Mary T. Bassett, MD, MPH, has been appointed Commissioner of the Department of Health. With more than 30 years of experience devoted to promoting health equity and social justice, both in the United States and abroad, Dr. Bassett’s career has spanned...
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Office of Mental Health Receives Grant to Expand Access to Fresh Healthy Produce to People with Mental Illness
The NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) has received a $200,000 award to help people with mental illness gain access to healthy, fresh produce. The grant, from the NYS Health Foundation, will be used to expand the FreshConnect Checks Program and bring mobile farmers’ markets to congregate housing...
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SAMHSA Announces Unprecedented $30 Million Harm Reduction Grant Funding Opportunity to Help Address the Nation’s Substance Use and Overdose Epidemic
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is now accepting applications for the first-ever SAMHSA Harm Reduction grant program and expects to issue $30 million in grant awards. This funding, authorized by the American Rescue Plan, will help increase access to a range of...
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Resources to Address Mental Health and Resiliency in School Settings
Going to school during a pandemic can be challenging for families and schools. The following resources are designed to address mental health and resiliency in school settings. Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Resources SAMHSA funds the MHTTC Network, which is a collaborative...
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Adapting the Compeer Volunteer Program During COVID-19
It was mid-March 2020, and I, like so many others, will never forget how concerned I felt as I prepared to leave my office indefinitely to work from home due to the threat of COVID-19-19. It was a time when all of us were worried about our health and our futures, regardless of our circumstances....
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The Important Role Volunteers Play in OMH’s Mission to Help Vulnerable New Yorkers
Volunteers are extraordinary people who play a critical role in behavioral healthcare. This was never more evident than during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic when the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) reached out to mental health care professionals and asked that they...
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Announcing Services for the Underserved’s New CEO
Services for the UnderServed (S:US) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jorge R. Petit as the CEO of S:US effective February 14, 2022. Dr. Petit will replace Donna Colonna, who retires after 25 years of service to S:US. Dr. Petit is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 25...
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Consumer Perspectives: Volunteering Makes a Difference in Our Lives
This article is part of a quarterly series giving voice to the perspectives of individuals with lived experiences as they share their opinions on a particular topic. The authors are served by Services for the UnderServed (S:US), a New York City-based nonprofit that is committed to giving every New...
