In Pursuit Of Emergency Mental Health Center Money

State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. is taking a belt-and-suspenders approach in his push to enhance mental health services on the East End.

Working with his counterpart in the State Senate, Anthony Palumbo, Thiele is pushing for a line in the state budget that would fund the creation of an emergency mental health crisis center in Riverhead.

There’s a Diagnostic, Assessment, and Stabilization Hub (DASH) in Hauppauge designed to help people in crisis due to substance use or mental illness. The program has a mobile response team and a crisis hotline for telephone triage, clinical assessments and therapeutic support. Implemented by the Family Service League, the DASH center in Hauppauge filled a gap in central Suffolk’s treatment infrastructures.

But it’s in Hauppauge. Services so far away are of little use to needy patients on the East End; it isn’t feasible for East End residents to travel there for help in a crisis. Thiele wants to see a second such facility on the East End.

In addition to pushing for an appropriations line in the state budget, there’s a second way to try for funding.

Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that grant awards for intensive crisis stabilization centers totaling $100 million would become available, and Thiele believes one should be pursued for an East End DASH.

Over the next five years, the governor wants to fund 12 new centers geared toward immediate care for people who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis, across the state. The Office of Mental Health and the Office of Addiction Services and Support, have issued a joint request for proposals to fund development of the centers. State contracts awarded through the RFP would provide more than $100 million for the 12 crisis stabilization centers over five years, including $20 million for start-up costs and more than $80 million in operating funds.

“Every New Yorker deserves the dignity of having access to quality health care, especially during a public health crisis,” Governor Hochul said in a release announcing the measure. “These behavioral health centers will provide immediate assistance to people in crisis before their condition worsens. New York will continue to lead the way in making important investments to eliminate health care disparities and help ensure that behavioral health services are available to every New Yorker who needs it.”

Open 24/7 with walk-in care available, the centers will serve people who need an urgent response to critical situations. Available services will help individuals avoid unnecessary emergency room visits.

The RFP calls for development of three crisis stabilization centers in New York City and nine across the remainder of the state.

Thiele acknowledged that some officials may feel that money funneled down to Long Island may more likely go to establishing a crisis center in Nassau County, since Suffolk already has DASH.

He wants to apply for the grant just the same. “My theory is apply, and let’s see what happens.

“We’ll work both ends on this,” he continued, speaking of seeking funding in the state budget and through a grant award. “It’s that important.”