Legislation that would allow Medicaid reimbursement for violence prevention programs serving survivors of community violence has been signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul. The bill directs the New York State Department of Health to apply to the federal government to make community violence prevention available to qualifying Medicaid beneficiaries, as well as determine rates for program service providers.
Violence Specialists will be required to complete at least six months of raining in providing prevention services or youth development services; complete a training and certification program through the New York State Department of Health in violence prevention; and complete four hours of continuing education annually.
“Violence has a wide range of consequences, impacting not only victims, but communities as a whole,” Governor Hochul said. “This legislation recognizes that New York’s community-based programs are best positioned to support survivors of violence and that training more violence prevention specialists is key when it comes to keeping our neighborhoods safe.”
