The Network Hosts its 21st Annual New York State Supportive Housing Conference |
On June 29th over 1,500 members of the supportive housing community joined the Network for its 21st Annual New York State Supportive Housing Conference. The conference featured 23 panels with experts sharing updates and best practices and tools for providers in supportive housing including how to utilize harm reduction, affirm LGBTQIA+ communities, the importance of using humanizing language, de-escalation, clinical risk management and supporting staff.
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The Network Joins the National Alliance to End Homelessness' Advocacy Day |
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On July 17th at the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the Network once again spearheaded the advocacy day, leading over 30 New Yorkers to the Hill. This year, people with lived experience played a prominent role, leading several meetings including a key visit to the Capitol in which we met with New York’s Senior Senator, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
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Project Renewal Tops Off Bedford Green House Phase II |
On Friday, July 14 Project Renewal joined project partners and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson for a topping-off celebration of Bedford Green House Phase II, which will create 116 new affordable apartments, 70 supportive, in the Fordham Heights section of the Bronx. Bedford Green House Phase I opened in January 2022 and created 117 affordable apartments, including 71 supportive.
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The recently passed New York State budget included increases for Office of Mental Health-funded residential programs including scattered site. These rates include both the second year of enhancements and the additional 4% COLA and went into effect April 1, 2023. Rates for OMH scattered site are highest in NYC, rising by $2,751/unit to $27,372/year. Note that for NYC direct contracts, the rate increases should be added to your new contract.
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NYC Council and Adams Administration Adopt FY24 Budget |
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On Friday, June 30th, the New York City Council and Mayor Adams concluded budget negotiations and adopted the Fiscal Year 2024 budget.
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OMH has added two new features to its website, that we want to highlight:
New RFP plan:
The governor’s new mental health plan is beginning to roll out, and OMH has published their tentative plan for RFP release. Note that this only features the new initiatives, and doesn’t include all RFPs that OMH will be issuing (ESSHI for example).
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NYS OMH Senior Deputy Commissioner Bob Myers Retires |
Bob Myers, New York State Office of Mental Health Senior Deputy Commissioner, Division of Community Program Management and Managed Care has retired after a half century of leadership in community mental health. Bob championed a succession of OMH housing initiatives from “creating a continuum of care to the creation of a large OMH portfolio of licensed and unlicensed housing, including the three New York/New York Agreements".
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The Network is deeply saddened by the passing of Father John Felice, a leading light who, with Father John McVean, co-founded St. Francis Residence 1 – the first permanent, affordable housing with on-site services for people with serious mental illness who did not have a home...the start of what is now called supportive housing.
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988 - Fourth Edition Newsletter |
988 is the three-digit number that connects callers with behavioral health crisis counselors. The fourth edition of the OMH 988 Updates and Education Newsletter is now available. This edition highlights important facts about 988, including where 988 calls are routed to in New York, as well as information about the new LGBTQ+ Youth and Young Adult Support Line.
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BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month, started by Bebe Moore Campbell who was a writer, teacher, NPR commentator and advocate for mental health, particularly for the Black community, is a dedicated time to raise awareness about the mental health challenges faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities.
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Nicole Elton and Edwin Chen Join the Network |
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Nicole Elton (pronouns: they/them) is the new Executive Assistant at the Network. Nicole has previously worked as Receptionist and Office Manager for H&M and is excited to be making the move into the nonprofit sector. They have a BA in Communications from the University of Colorado. |
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Edwin Chen (pronouns: he/him) is the new Finance & Administrative Associate at the Network. Edwin comes to the Network having worked for the past two years at Global Health Corps. He also worked two summers at the Fresh Air Fund.
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- Former OTDA Commissioner Dan Tietz resigned from OTDA
- Daniel Girard is the new Supportive Housing Loan Program Director at HPD
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Have a groundbreaking or an opening coming up? Email us!
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We'd love to hear what you thought of this newsletter! Please email us to share any questions or feedback.
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