Access: Supports for Living Inc. Wins Federal Grant to Develop Urgent Care for Mental Health & Substance Abuse

Middletown, NY – Access: Supports for Living Inc. (Access) has been awarded nearly $4 million over the next two years to create an innovative, behavioral health urgent care at their community counseling centers in Middletown and Newburgh, giving residents of Orange County and around the Hudson Valley on-demand treatment for mental health and substance use disorders.

When operational, Access: Supports for Living will offer immediate access to care for people with mental health and substance use disorders, including opioid addiction, at the Middletown Community Counseling Center and the Kaplan Family Counseling Center in Newburgh.

The award, from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), enables Access to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), a federal initiative to increase access to mental health and addiction services in community-based settings.

“Far too often, adults and children experiencing an urgent behavioral health need utilize their local emergency department because there are not yet options for immediate care in the community,” said Amy Anderson-Winchell, LCSW, President and CEO of Access: Supports for Living.  “This award will change that by creating a welcoming alternative that provides immediate, evidence-based treatment and integrated care with our partners in the community.”

Access’s innovative model will provide immediate screening, assessment, and access to the right combination of care, including behavioral health recovery services, primary care, and peer support, for people seeking treatment, including those who have been hospitalized for a mental health or substance use disorder or have been treated with naloxone (NARCAN). Adults and children will have treatment close to home, the moment they need it.

“Access is one of the largest providers of behavioral health care in the Hudson Valley and proud to be on the cutting-edge of service delivery,” said Ron Colavito, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Access.  “While this funding will substantially increase our capacity to serve the community and create a new model for care, it will take all of us, including other behavioral health providers, FQHCs, hospitals, government, and schools, working together to create real change and reverse the devastating impact of opioid addiction and suicide risk on our community.”

“It seems a week does not go by without hearing or reading about a young person unexpectedly struck down in their prime, and I can’t help but fear that opioids may have been involved,” said Todd Kelson, Chair of the Access: Supports for Living Inc. Board of Directors.  “This transformative grant will help Access address an urgent need for behavioral health services in our community.”

Access: Supports for Living was founded 55 years ago by a group of families who believed in a bright, positive future for their children with disabilities. Today Access touches more than 10,000 lives annually and provides services to people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Behavioral Health needs, and Children and Families facing challenges. Access summarizes its worldview in four words: Rewarding Lives, Healthy Communities. The Access: Supports for Living Foundation supports the work of Access through ongoing and annual fundraising events.  More information is available at accesssupports.org or by calling 845-692-4454.