13-million dollars has been made available to expand home-based crisis intervention services for children and youth.
Governor Hochul made the announcement Friday that the funding will be administered by the Office of Mental Health and help to create 13 new intervention teams and expand 26 existing ones. These teams are able to provide mental health care to those between five and 21 at their homes to allow them to be with their families and avoid the need for hospitalization.
There are currently 26 such teams across the state, serving approximately 26-hundred children.
“Hospital settings can be distressing for anyone, much less a child or young person contending with a mental health issue,” Governor Hochul said. “Home-Based Crisis Intervention teams provide vital mental health care to these individuals in surroundings familiar to them so that they can avoid the emotional trauma often associated with hospitals. Expanding these teams statewide will allow more families to receive this care at home and help reduce the need for hospitalization.”
Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, “Home-based crisis intervention allows us to provide young people dealing with serious mental health issues with the help they need, in their own homes, with their families and caregivers. This is extremely important in the recovery process, enabling children and families to thrive in their communities. Home-Based Crisis Intervention teams are highly effective, and this expansion will help us to serve many more young people and families.”
