Gold Standard Initiative Supports Enhanced Provider Performance and Higher Quality Addiction Services

New Online Toolkits Available for Service Providers

ALBANY, NY (07/30/2010)(readMedia)-- Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today announced the launch of the new Gold Standard Initiative designed to support and recognize exemplary service provider performance, improve long-term recovery outcomes, and increase access to high-quality prevention, treatment and recovery services.

Governor David A. Paterson said, "The Gold Standard Initiative will help to increase long-term recovery outcomes as well as ensure that New Yorkers receive the exceptional addiction services that they expect and deserve."

The Gold Standard is a framework that outlines standards, guidelines and resources that define exemplary service provision. Comprehensive online toolkits have been developed and are now available to help OASAS service providers achieve Gold Standard performance. The new framework will also enable OASAS to develop a system that better recognizes superior performance and improved patient outcomes as Gold Standard criteria and ratings are incorporated within revised certification and funding processes.

"At a time when critical resources are declining, it is essential that we demonstrate our commitment to the efficient use of valuable state resources and ensure that our system utilizes state-of-the-art clinical and management best practices," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "The Gold Standard Initiative is intended to encourage providers to incorporate a range of innovative practices which will ultimately result in better patient care, more cost-effective service delivery, as well as the achievement of critical service goals."

Specifically, the framework establishes consistent performance expectations and a range of resources in six areas: talent management; quality improvement; best, promising and evidence-based practices and programs; recovery support/community partnerships; outcomes management; and compliance. As part of the new online toolkit, the use of program scorecards will enable OASAS and the field to communicate successes and use data to improve the quality of services.

"New York state has long been a leader in the provision of chemical dependence services. This Gold Standard effort will result in even better services for those utilizing chemical dependence prevention, treatment and recovery services," said John Coppola, Executive Director of the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers of New York State, Inc. (ASAP).

"From inception, OASAS has partnered with prevention, treatment and recovery providers in the development of the Gold Standard Initiative in a collaborative process that encourages improved outcomes for patients, families and communities," said Ira J. Marion, Board President of the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers of New York State, Inc. (ASAP).

"Working in partnership with providers to create a new vision of high-quality, person-centered addiction services ensures that New Yorkers struggling with addiction will have access to the best opportunities for sustained recovery," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "The implementation of the new Gold Standard criteria creates a unifying infrastructure for performance, support and recognition for excellence, as well as facilitates the engagement of providers at all levels of our system."

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services systems dedicated to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, with more than 1,550 programs serving over 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day. Through efforts such as the Your Story Matters campaign at www.iamrecovery.com, the agency hopes to foster a movement of recovery, one that sheds the stigma and promotes a life of health and wellness.

Addiction is a chronic disease, but New Yorkers need to know that help and hope is available. Individuals can get help by calling the state's toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day a week HOPEline, 1-877-8-HOPENY, staffed by trained clinicians ready to answer questions, help refer loved ones to treatment and provide other vital resources to facilitate that first step into recovery.

For more information, please visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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