Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra Kicks Off National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health

Following President Joe Biden's State of the Union Address on Tuesday, February 2, 2022, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra kicked off the National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health in an effort to hear directly from Americans across the country about the behavioral health...

Making Prevention a Priority During National Drugs and Alcohol Facts Week

Recent research tells us that how youth and young adults perceive harm from drugs and alcohol is often wrong. SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) from 2020 shows that 57 percent of youth ages 12 to 17 did not think there was great harm in having five or more drinks once or...

NYS Governor Hochul Announces $9.5 Million in Federal Funding to Support the Delivery of Addiction Prevention Services

Governor Hochul recently announced the availability of $9.5 million to expand evidence-based practices for substance use disorder prevention services to youth, families, and communities in New York State. This federal funding will help support providers who had delivery of their services impacted...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

Honoring Donna Colonna’s Contribution to the Field of Human Services

After 25 years of passionate and dedicated service as the CEO of Services for the UnderServed (S:US), Donna Colonna recently announced her plan to retire in February 2022. Donna has spent her nearly 50-year career working to promote self-determination for people who have been disadvantaged by the...

Socializing Safely This Season: National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

December. As individuals, we look forward to getting together with friends and family to celebrate the holidays. It’s also a time when prevention can play an especially important role. December is a deadly month for impaired driving. The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration...

National Council for Mental Wellbeing Selects CBC President and CEO Dr. Jorge Petit for Medical Director Institute

Coordinated Behavioral Care (CBC) today announced that the National Council for Mental Wellbeing has selected CBC President and Chief Executive Officer Jorge Petit, MD, to join the Medical Director Institute. Dr. Petit is the newest member of this nationally renowned group of medical leaders. The...