Categories: New York State
11.13.2024
On November 12th, the Supportive Housing Network of New York’s State Policy Manager Stephen Piasecki joined advocates at the New York State Capitol Building in Albany for a rally to urge Governor Hochul to include a 7.8% increase in rates and contracts for community mental health and substance use disorder services in the FY26 executive budget proposal. This investment would reduce staff vacancies, and turnover rates depending on provider type. The group also sent this sign-on letter to the Governor.
Stephen Piasecki said, “Over 200 nonprofit supportive housing providers in New York State continue to lose ground against higher costs of doing business, even under the Hochul administration. While this governor has been better than most administrations, she is still not fully addressing real world inflationary pressures. Human service providers need and deserve a 7.8% increase on their whole contracts to meet the rising costs of staffing, utilities, insurance and to catch up on long-deferred maintenance. Further, we ask that the Governor specifically address the long term needs of the New York State Supportive Housing Program as part of a comprehensive Supportive Housing Modernization Act.”
MHANYS CEO Glenn Liebman said, “In order to contend with decades of disinvestment, rising operational and program costs, continued challenges with recruitment and retention of workers exacerbated by the ongoing workforce crisis among behavioral health and human services providers, New York must support a 7.8% increase in rates and contracts in the FY 2025-26 New York State budget.”
The Association for Community Living Executive Director Sebrina Barrett said, “With the reality of inflation and the evolving and growing intensive needs of our residents, our funding request is not just about supporting our programs—it’s about sustaining the quality of life for thousands of New Yorkers facing serious mental health challenges.”
NYS Coalition for Children’s Behavioral Health President and CEO Kayleigh Zaloga said, “Youth and families across New York are facing unacceptably long wait times—often months or more—just to access routine behavioral health services… The State must prioritize stabilizing and expanding the capacity of our behavioral health system, and this 7.8% increase is an essential step toward ensuring that every young person gets the care they need, when they need it.”
Families Together in New York State CEO Paige Pierce said, “A society that financially undercuts providers that administer care and healing to those who are struggling with emotional wellness and/or addiction is a society that devalues both the employees who do the work and the individuals, youth and families who need the help. Better, healthier communities start with better resources and investments in mental health and addiction services staff and programs.”
NAMI-NYS Senior Director of Government and Community Affairs Matthew Shapiro said, “Despite the renewed focus on mental health, too many New Yorkers continue to face barriers when they try to access mental health services. A major barrier stems from the inability of nonprofit community providers to hire and retain skilled and caring staff. This is why NAMI-NYS is proud to care for those who care for us and are asking Governor Hochul to provide a 7.8% investment in rates and contracts and invest in community providers. Doing so brings us closer to our vision of people with mental illness living healthy lives supported by communities that care.”
Remarks were also given by Joseph’s House and Shelter Executive Director Amy LaFountain, Astor Services Family Member and Director of Strategic Initiatives Jeannine Mendez, Mohawk Opportunities CEO Steve Klein, VNS Health Director of Behavioral Health Programs Patricia Kissi, Dynamic Youth’s Youth Advocate Representative, FTNYS Director of DEI Kim Kaiser, NAMI Capital Region Vice President Marybeth Honsinger, The Alliance for Rights and Recovery Director of Public Policy Luke Sikinyi,
Press Coverage: