The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports announced approximately $24 million in capital funding for expansions of addiction treatment facilities in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes Regions.
The Binghamton Evaluation Center is receiving more than $13 million to add 50 new stabilization and rehabilitation beds, and the Rochester Evaluation Center for Medically Supervised Withdrawal and Stabilization Services is receiving nearly $11 million to relocate to a new building and add 13 beds. Both programs are operated by Helio Health.
“During these difficult times, it’s important to help ensure individuals and families get the resources they need to be healthy and well,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Co-Chair of the NYS Heroin and Opioid Task Force. “This funding will expand Helio Health’s Binghamton and Rochester Evaluation Centers to address various needs for those struggling with drug abuse including counseling, peer support, and coping strategies. Facilities like these are providing the care and services needed to help save lives and continue to combat the opioid epidemic across the state.”
“The expansion of these facilities will offer additional options for treatment that will help individuals find a new outlook on a life through recovery,” OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. “This new development demonstrates New York State’s commitment to ensure we continue expanding our services for people affected by addiction, and helping them access this lifesaving help.”
Binghamton Evaluation Center
The Phase II expansion of Helio Health’s Binghamton Evaluation Center will add 50 new stabilization and rehabilitation beds. This is in addition to the existing 50 medically supervised withdrawal and inpatient rehabilitation beds and will allow the facility to offer comprehensive addiction care to individuals in the Southern Tier region. Contract funding for this project began in July 2020.
These fifty residential beds will increase the options and community capacity for patients who need residential services to manage mild withdrawal and provide medical and psychiatric care.
Individuals receiving treatment in the Binghamton Evaluation Center will have access to a seamless continuum of care in one facility, including Medication Assisted Treatment, Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help the individual reach his or her goals.
There will also be an onsite fitness room, recreation room as well as nutritionist planned meals and snacks designed specifically for individuals receiving services in this facility.
The Binghamton Evaluation Center is located at the former Broome County Developmental Center at 249 Glenwood Road, Binghamton, NY 13905.
Rochester Evaluation Center for Medically Supervised Withdrawal and Stabilization Services
Helio Health is also receiving $11 million in capital funding to relocate and expand its Rochester Evaluation Center for Medically Supervised Withdrawal and Stabilization Services. The current 40-bed location at 1350 University Avenue in Rochester will move to a new location at 1850 Brighton Henrietta Townline Road. When completed, this newly renovated facility, will accommodate up to 53 residential treatment beds and provide adults with comprehensive addiction services.
The newly renovated building will increase access to residential addiction treatment services for men and women, ages 18 and over, in the greater Rochester region by providing 24-hour care from medical and clinical staff for patients with mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms within a structured setting. This new 53-bed facility will ensure that each individual receives the necessary services and supports needed to begin the recovery process and successfully transition back into their communities. Residential treatment services also include case management services, group counseling, skill-building, training in life skills and parenting, and recreational activities.
The new building has additional space for programming and effective supervision, including renovations of resident bedrooms, resident and staff bathrooms, a full kitchen, dining area and program space.
Contract funding for this project began in January 2020.
Senator Fred Akshar said, “New York must continue to tackle the heroin and opioid epidemic through responsible investments in prevention, education, treatment, rehabilitation and enforcement. I’m proud to see OASAS and Helio Health continue their commitment to our community as we move forward with the next phase of this project.”
Senator Joe Robach said, “I am proud that New York State has many avenues to assist those who want to break the terrible ties of addiction. Additional services such as those provided by Helio Health strengthen the entire community.”
Assemblyman Clifford Crouch said, “Addiction, like many illnesses, takes a lot of work to fight. And also like a great many other terrible illnesses, it can be a lifelong fight. To see such an influx of capital to the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes Regions’ addiction treatment facilities from the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) is incredible. To make strong, sustainable, comfortable facilities that those struggling with addiction can go to in order to recover, especially in the midst of an ongoing pandemic, is wonderful to see, and I am thrilled that the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes Regions will be recipient to such a generous and surely important funding program.”
New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).
Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website.
If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at [email protected].
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