Hospital emergency departments in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties are eligible for a state grant to facilitate use of buprenorphine induction and links to community based peer treatment.

The grant is part of a $7.5 million state program to help prevent addiction and increase drug treatment and recovery services in New York state.

Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties are eligible for a share of $1,750,000. Up to five awards of $350,000 will be issued to expand the availability of buprenorphine to treat addiction in emergency departments. The funding will be used to train staff in hospital emergency departments on medication assisted treatment, how to screen for and respond to instances of opioid misuse and the implementation of protocols to link patients with peers and community-based treatment providers. OASAS identified applicants in areas of high unmet need for this service. Eligible applicants are emergency departments in the following counties: Allegheny, Bronx, Brooklyn, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chenango, Delaware, Essex, Hamilton, Nassau, Richmond, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, and Warren. Emergency departments must partner with an OASAS-certified outpatient program to receive funding, with a maximum amount of $350,000 per partnership ($200,000 for emergency department and $150,000 for provider).

“We are committed to fighting addiction and ensuring all New Yorkers have the resources and support they need for recovery,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “As we build on the progress we have made to combat this disease across the state, we will continue to fund these ongoing initiatives.”

Other programs include:

¯ $3,500,000 to establish medication assisted treatment services in federally qualified health centers in partnership with OASAS-certified treatment programs. OASAS will issue up to 10 awards of up to $350,000 each to Federally Qualified Health Centers. The funding will help enable the centers to establish opioid use disorder services, including increasing prescriber capacity, counseling, behavioral therapies, and recovery supports. Staff will be trained on the utilization of all three FDA-approved medications used in the treatment of opioid use disorder. One award will be issued to a FQHC in each of the 10 Empire State Development Regions. Centers must partner with at least one OASAS-certified provider to receive funding.

¯ $1,815,000 to implement the PAX Good Behavior Game in classrooms to prevent opioid use disorder. OASAS will issue up to 11 awards, with a maximum amount of $165,000 each, to expand the use of the PAX Good Behavior Game, an evidence-based prevention program. The initiative uses a classroom-wide game format with teams and reinforcement to equip students with the skills necessary for self-regulation. Research has shown use of the game can reduce aggression and disruptive behavior, which are risk factors for adolescent and adult illicit drug use. Funding will help train prevention staff in the PAX Good Behavior Game, who will partner with teachers to implement the program. Providers must have existing formal relationships with school districts, or individual schools, or must establish them for this project.

¯ $100,000 to create peer-driven recovery networks for youth and young adults. OASAS will issue up to 10 awards, with a maximum amount of $10,000 each, to support in-person or virtual networking among youth and young adults in recovery from substance use disorders, as well as activities that promote recovery. Successful applicants will participate in the state Alumni Network and collaborate with Youth Voices Matter, a statewide network of youth and young adults in recovery.