NEW YORK, N.Y. (NCC News) — Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday that she is launching an expansion of school-based mental health clinics.
The clinic are offered as a way to combat the mental health crisis in schools across the state.
Hochul says that the expansion will provide students with more resources and keep them safe from certain social media features, and ensure their voices are heard.
“Our kids are in crisis, and as the adults in the room it’s our responsibility to help,” Governor Hochul said. “The mental health crisis is one of the biggest challenges we face, and I’m committed to giving kids, parents and teachers the tools they need to address this issue.”
$20 million in start-up funding for school-based mental health clinics and launched a rolling application, which will make it easier for interested schools to access state funding, according to the state. With support from a school wanting to establish a clinic satellite, providers can now apply for start-up funding on a rolling basis rather than through the state procurement process previously used.
This effort is part of the Governor’s State of the State commitment to put a school-based mental health clinic in every school that wants one, according to the state.
“School-based clinics are an important component of our efforts to expand community-based care throughout the state and ensure all New Yorkers have access to critical mental health supports. By streamlining the process applying for start-up funding, we can help more schools establish mental health clinics and provide greater access to care for youth and their families,” the New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said.
The announcement builds on the $5.1 million awarded in November to support 137 new school-based clinics, including 82 at high needs schools, and bringing the total number of clinics to more than 1,200 statewide, according to the state.