OASAS Announces $2 Million for Adolescent Pilot Programs

14 Treatment Programs to Implement New Outpatient Models, Provide Hope for Nearly 1,000 New York State Youths and their Families

ALBANY, NY (06/27/2007)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today announced $2 million in funding awards to 14 chemical dependence treatment programs which will target adolescents.

The Adolescent Pilot Programs will reach nearly 1,000 youths and their families across New York over the coming year.

“Adolescents have treatment needs unique to their age group and which impact their entire family. The goal of this initiative is to preserve the family unit by making sure that children receive treatment services, instead of being placed in foster care or other juvenile systems,” said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. “These adolescent pilot programs will focus specifically on treating health issues facing youth, leading to better outcomes and healthier families.”

The treatment of adolescents is a complex matter that must take into account a variety of issues related to adolescent development, such as physical and emotional maturation, brain development, life experiences, family history, physical and mental health related issues, and educational and vocational needs. Chemical use can intensify feelings, behaviors of the adolescent and delay full behavioral and emotional development.

These funds are being provided to OASAS certified, not-for-profit, adolescent outpatient chemical dependence treatment programs that use evidence-based treatment services for adolescents aged 12 to 18 who are at risk of placement in the child welfare or juvenile systems or both. Programs will provide services that combine individual, group, and home visits using an enriched staff to patient ratio of 1 to 15 that will include staff with adolescent treatment and family therapy expertise.

Programs will be addressing the following components research has shown to be effective in treating adolescents: assessment and treatment matching; comprehensive, integrated treatment approaches; family involvement in treatment; developmentally appropriate programming; engaging and retaining teens in treatment; qualified staff; gender and cultural competence; and continuing care. The programs will also be working with family court, schools, mental health, probation and other organizations that provide services to youth in the community.

By implementing research based model programs, the following outcomes are expected to be achieved: abstinence; improved academic performance; family reunification or improve family functioning or both; reduced involvement with the juvenile justice system; and improved retention in treatment. The adolescent outpatient treatment pilot programs will run for three years, contingent upon continued availability of State appropriations in each of the next two fiscal years.

Programs that will implement adolescent outpatient pilots:

(Provider Name - County - Funding)

Odyssey House Inc. - Bronx - $253,724

Hispanic Counseling Center - Nassau - $105,120

Outreach Development Corp.-Queens - Queens - $116,000

Hope For Youth - Suffolk - $207,800

John T. Mather Memorial Hospital - Suffolk - $109,652

Outreach Development Corp.-Suffolk Suffolk - $235,000

YMCA of Greater NY –Staten Island Branch - Staten Island - $170,000

Hudson Mohawk Recovery Center, Inc. - Rensselaer - $110,000

Lexington Center for Recovery - Dutchess - $304,800

Glens Falls Hospital/Center for Recovery - Washington - $50,572

Seneca County Community Services Board - Seneca - $44,900

Champlain Valley Family Center - Clinton - $63,495

Otsego County Community Services Board - Otsego - $146,600

Allegany Rehabilitation Association - Wyoming - $53,400

If you or someone you know needs help or has questions about OASAS prevention, treatment and recovery services, please call 1-800-522-5353 or visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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