FOR-NY E-Bulletin, 3/28/25 by friendsofrecovery

New Certi cation for Recovery Residences

Dear Providers, Colleagues, and Community Partners, OASAS has announced the opening of a new certi cation for recovery residences. This is the rst recovery support service to be certi ed in New York State and allows recovery residences to voluntarily apply for OASAS certi cation. This new initiative is designed to expand the continuum of recovery supports throughout the state and emphasizes the importance of recovery as an essential service for individuals impacted by addiction. Information for the general public as well as interested applicants can be found on the following OASAS webpages: https://oasas.ny.gov/certi ed-recovery-residences and https://oasas.ny.gov/become-certi ed-recovery-residence. In order to support this initiative, award funds are available for newly certi ed recovery residences.

Through Opioid Settlement Funds, OASAS is accepting funding applications on a rst come, rst served basis from recovery residences which have been approved for contingent certi cation and are seeking award funds to enhance their operations as newly certi ed programs. Certi ed recovery residences under OASAS will implement safe, secure, and quality housing for individuals in recovery from substance use disorder. Certi ed recovery residences will serve those in recovery, seeking a non-clinical, supportive residential environment. Operators who have received contingent approval for OASAS certi cation and meet additional requirements will be eligible for award funds.

Funding available:

Total available funding for this procurement is $5,000,000 and will be awarded on a rst come, rst served basis throughout New York State, until the funds are exhausted. Providers with more than one recovery residence may apply for this one-time award for up to three (3) individual sites, and each site may receive up to $75,000 in funding each (up to a maximum possible total of $225,000). Providers may apply for OASAS certi cation of all their recovery residences but will only receive funding for up to three (3) recovery residences. These funds should be used to enhance certi ed Recovery Residences and are not available to be used for purposes of becoming OASAS-certi ed.

Eligible applicants:

• Recovery residences and have submitted a full certi cation application to OASAS.

• Have a contingent approval for a recovery residence certi cation for each location requesting funding from OASAS.

• Non-pro t (charitable organization with tax-exempt status)

• Registered and prequali ed in the Statewide Financial System (SFS)

• Completed and led a New York State Vendor Responsibility Questionnaire (must be updated within the last six months)

• Registered and have current status with the O ce of the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau

• Registered with the New York State Department of State

Application Deadline: 07/31/2025, 4:00 p.m.

Full RFA can be found at: https://oasas.ny.gov/request-applications-sett-24029

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

To view all upcoming CARC and CRPA trainings visit: https://for-ny.org/upcoming-trainings

OC TOBER 19, 20 & 21, 2025

Program Planning Committee Volunteers needed for The NY State Recover y Conference (RECON) 2025! First Wednesday of the month at 9:30 am for 30 minutes email tk norr@for-ny.org to be added to the Zoom calendar invite.

20 Credits for PSP – NO PEER CREDITS, 18 OASAS credits & 20 Social Work Credits

TUES – THURS 2/25/25 – 2/2/25 9:00 am – 4:00 PM & FRI 2/28/25 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Registration is closed. WAIT LIST email: tk norr@for-ny.org

Spend the week with us or choose individual sessions. Spring 202 5 Education & Training

Monday, April 7 - Friday, April 11, 2025

6 CRPA/CARC renewal and CARC Elec tive, CASAC/CPP/CPS and Social Work renewal credits

Monday, April 7, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Register: https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/0v6ld5

3 CRPA/CARC renewal and CARC Elec tive, CASAC/CPP/CPS and Social Work renewal credits

Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM Register: https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/871vr1

6 CASAC/CPP/CPS and Social Work renewal credits – No Peer Credits

Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Register: https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/0v6rp2

Trauma Informed Care

Wellness for Peer Professionals

4 CRPA/CARC renewal and CARC Elec tive, CASAC/CPP/CPS and Social Work renewal credits

Thursday, April 10, 2025, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM Register: https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/p5dr2y

NYCB Professional Development Credits ONLY - PENDING

Friday, April 11, 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Register: https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/ok4x03 Trauma Informed Care Wellness for Peer Professionals

Free Half Day Saturday Symposium May 17th on Zoom – https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/y15oe5

To view all upcoming CARC and CRPA trainings visit: https://for-ny.org/upcoming-trainings

DATE: APRIL 7, 2025

COST $60

To view all upcoming CARC and CRPA trainings visit: https://for-ny.org/upcoming-trainings

DATE: APRIL 8, 2025

COST $35

FACILITATOR:

DATE: APRIL 9, 2025

COST $75 VIRTUAL

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If your organization is able to supervise an intern who completed the CRPA training scholarship program, please contact tknorr@for-ny.org ($1200 stipend for supervision). SAVE THE DATE THU . MAY 22 . 2025 5-9PM

A limited number of CRPA Role Training Scholarships are still available. The scholarship includes: 50 hours of training, CRPA-P OR CRPA certi cation fee ($100 ), Exam fee ($80), six months peer learning collaborative with your trainer, milestone meetings with FOR-NY, bimonthly cohort meetings with FOR-NY and other CRPAs around the state. (Every time you attend you are entered into a drawing for a $100-dollar gift card!) Please email sahmed@for-ny.org for more details.

Peer Learning Collaboratives and Support

Virtual:

Central NY Region

CFLR Peer Collaborative

Every Tuesday – 3:30 PM

email: ccallaghan-kirkland@cflrinc.org

Delaware & Otsego Counties

FOR-DO PLC

3rd Wednesdays – 3:00 PM

email: kyle@friendsofrecoverydo.org

Finger Lakes/Monroe Co

RCU/ROCovery Fitness

3rd Wednesday 4:30-6:00 PM

Jefferson County

Anchor Recovery Center PLC

2nd Thursday 1:00 PM ZOOM: https://pivot2health.zoom.us/j/82755661584?p wd=Mdu3j7asPi6h8gAADEb5RPajsbPoAn.1

Long Island

LIRA Peer Learning Collaborative (PLC)

Last Monday - 7:00 PM email: admin@lirany.org

Mid-Hudson

Foundations Peer Collaborative

2nd Thursday 9:30 – 11:00 AM email: Deb@rhoadesrecovery.com or Ntaylor@rcadd.org

Oswego & Cayuga Counties

Farnham Family Services PLC

Last Monday 4:00 PM

email: Mwalradth@farnhaminc.org

St. Lawrence and Jefferson Counties

SVPC PLC for Recovery Coaches and Peers

1st Wednesday 9:00 – 10:00 AM

Email: amitchell@SVPC.net

Warren & Washington Counties

Hope and Healing Peer Empowerment Support

1st Wednesday – 9:30 -11:00 AM email: Deb@rhoadesrecovery.com

Westchester & Bronx Counties

Tri Center PLC

TBD

email: william.gonzalez@tricenter.com

Western NY Region

FOR-GE Peer Collaborative

Last Monday – 4:00 PM email: restorationrecovery@gmail.com

In Person:

Capital Region - Peer Support Breakfast

Second Chance Opportunities

4th Tuesday 10:00 – 12:00 PM

55 Colvin Ave., Albany, NY

Monroe County

ROCovery Fitness/RCU- PLC

3rd Wednesday 4:30-6:00 PM 1035 Dewey Ave, Rochester NY

PEER SUPERVISORS PLCs

Virtual:

Friends of Recovery – NY

1st Wednesday 11:00 AM– 12:00 PM email: tknorr@for-ny.org

Monroe County Peer Supervision PLC

2nd Thursday – 2:00 -3:00 PM

WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF PEER ADVOCATES TO IMPACT LIVES!

Healthy Aging for Your Brain: Strategies for Women in Recovery

Saturday, May 17, 2025

Following a 12-Step Recovery plan usually has three tenets: stop using your drug of choice, go to meetings, and get a sponsor. As we age however, we need to expand our skill set to deal with the risks of chronic disease and dementia. It’s time for Recovery programs to incorporate a wider lens to help women understand better how to take care of our bodies and our brains.

This FREE virtual education experience for women in recovery will explain the “Wheels Of Health” while focusing specifically on nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management. By incorporating these healthy strategies into recovery plans and aligning with others doing the same, women can improve their own health while they reimagine the future of 12-Step Recovery for generations of women to follow.

Recovery Coaching in the Emergency Room

12 HOUR TRAINING FOR CEs

May 14 and 15, 2025

9am-4pm

Location: Albany Guardian Society

12 Corporate Woods Boulevard Albany, NY 12211

Books and refreshments included

12 Continuing Education Credits for CRPA and CARC

$300 a person

Registration through Eventbrite

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the roles and functions of a recovery coach working in the emergency department

2. Understand and practice the principle of “staying in your lane”

3. Develop skills to advocate and educate staff and patients

4. Demonstrate accountability within the role of recovery coach in the emergency department

5. Use motivational interviewing to bring patients through the stages of change and into recovery

6. Develop your skills in the role of recovery coaching

The Art of Advocacy program (AoA) invites workshop participants to propose installation ideas for our June showcase and exhibition. Accepted Artists-in-Residence have the opportunity to realize their proposal with support from the AoA team. AoA will hold weekly Open Studio hours for artists to work on their installations. Artists-in-Residence have up to $300 to spend on materials and will receive the opportunity to visit Materials for the Arts (MfA).

Selected participants must atend a community-building workshop and are encouraged to participate in AoA programming.

SCAN FOR APPLICATION AND INFO

For over 50 years, Phoenix House New York has helped thousands of people overcome addiction in order to lead healthy, productive, and rewarding lives. The Brooklyn Community Recovery Center is one of the first peer-driven drug and alcohol addiction recovery support centers in New York State.

The Art of Advocacy program at the Recovery Center uses the power of creativity to amplify the voices of individuals in the recovery community by fostering connections with supportive and caring environments that prioritize happiness, health, and wellness.

INSTALLATION ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM

2025 ARTIST IN RESIDENCE SCHEDULE:

March 2025: Application Open 4 sessions for application and proposal coaching April 1, 2025: Notification to Selected Artists

April 6-12, 2025: First meetings and planning sessions with AoA team

April 12-18, 2025: MfA visits scheduled

April-May 2025: Open Studio sessions & biweekly check-ins with AoA team

May 24, 2025: Work complete or in final stages

June 2-6, 2025: Exhibition Install

Art of Advocacy

POLICY CORNER

FOR-NY’s Response to the Proposed Executive Budget: A Call for Urgent Action

and Meaningful Change

Friends of Recovery-New York (FOR-NY) is deeply disappointed by the proposed Executive Budget. In 2023, New York tragically lost nearly 15,000 lives to substance use, including 6,330 overdose deaths and 8,050 fatalities related to excessive alcohol use. This crisis demands urgent action, yet this budget falls short and offers more of the same ineffective approaches.

We appreciate Governor Hochul’s commitment to expanding access to life-saving opioid medications and funding street outreach teams. However, when it comes to supporting the most vulnerable populations in need of substance use treatment and recovery services, the budget is lacking.

Concerns about Opioid Settlement Funds and Transparency

FOR-NY remains deeply concerned about using Opioid Settlement Funds as a stop -gap measure to address New York State’s budget deﬁcit. Despite the Governor’s claim that New York is leading the nation in the amount and distribution of these funds, the reality is troubling. Of the $506,482,000 appropriated for the fund, $290,201,000 approximately 60% has yet to be disbursed. A similar issue exists with the Opioid Stewardship Fund.

We are increasingly concerned that these critical funds are not being allocated timely or meaningfully. Instead of supplementing the state’s budget for substance use services, they are used to supplement existing resources. Additionally, there continues to be a lack of transparency in how these funds are distributed and used. We urge immediate action to ensure that these vital resources are effectively used to address the opioid crisis and support recovery services.

Addressing Co -Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

While we appreciate the Governor’s commitment to addressing mental health, it is essential to recognize that substance use disorders (SUDs), and mental health disorders often co - occur and are deeply interconnected. The Governor has allocated funding to several peer-led solutions, such as INSET Teams, Peer Bridgers, and additional support for Youth Clubhouses. However, there is a signiﬁcant gap in ﬁnancial support for community-

based, peer-led recovery services, which are essential to addressing both the addiction and mental health crises facing New York.

Research shows that approximately 35% of adults over the age of 18 with a mental health disorder also struggle with a substance use disorder. This overlap underscores the need for a comprehensive, integrated care approach that simultaneously addresses both challenges. Yet, the funding disparity between the Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) remains glaring. To prioritize recovery, we must see funding at a comparable rate between OMH and OASAS. In the face of the ongoing addiction crisis, we strongly oppose any cuts to the OASAS budget and urge state leaders to increase funding for this essential agency.

Opposition to Involuntary Commitment and Support for Voluntary, Evidence-Based Models

The recovery community stands united in strong opposition to the expansion of involuntary inpatient and outpatient commitment initiatives. We do not support reactionary, punitive policies that perpetuate a broken mental health and substance use system, leaving individuals at risk and in states of distress. Instead, many of us have spent decades developing and implementing effective, voluntary models that support and engage individuals in recovery.

The most effective way to ensure the well-being of individuals with serious mental health and substance use challenges is through the expansion of evidence-based, communitybased recovery services. These services are more humane and provide the comprehensive support individuals need to thrive in their recovery journey.

Critical Actions for Supporting Vulnerable New Yorkers

To better support those most affected by substance use and mental health challenges, we urge lawmakers to adopt the following recommendations:

1. Expand Recovery Centers: Increase the number of Recovery Centers statewide to meet local community needs, reduce isolation, and provide supportive environments where individuals in or considering recovery can share experiences and offer mutual support. OASAS should certify these centers to allow them to seek public and private insurance reimbursement for the services they provide that are covered in other settings.

2. Invest in Supportive Housing: Expand recovery community centers and provide a reimbursement mechanism for their services to reduce the risk of relapse and support long-term recovery.

3. Increase Salaries for Recovery Professionals: Increase salaries for Certiﬁed Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPAs), Family Support Navigators (FSNs), Youth Peer Advocates, and other essential staff in OASAS-licensed/certiﬁed programs.

4. Raise Reimbursement Rates: Increase reimbursement rates across the OASAS continuum of care to ensure provider viability and support innovative, effective treatment models.

5. Support Community-Based Organizations: Provide meaningful funding to community-based organizations that serve as a vital safety net, helping residents access care and connect with essential resources.

6. Eliminate Co -pays for Substance Use: Establish a global co -pay and deductible amount of $500 for an outpatient substance use treatment episode of care to ensure that New Yorkers can access care without ﬁnancial barriers. Once co -pays were reinstated after the COVID emergency relief, many providers saw 25% fewer individuals seeking treatment.

7. Pass the Recovery Ready Workplace Act and Create a Workforce Loan Repayment Program: Establish a Community Workforce Loan Repayment Program for addiction professionals, modeled after the program available to OMH system practitioners.

8. Invest in Rural and Justice-Involved Populations: Increase investment and targeted services for rural communities and justice-involved individuals who face signiﬁcant barriers to accessing care. The state must take meaningful action to support individuals in recovery and those affected by substance use disorders. FOR-NY urges our leaders to prioritize these recommendations and invest in a future where all New Yorkers can access the resources and support they need to recover and thrive.

Based on data gathered from our 2024 statewide Youth Recovery Needs Survey, developed and disseminated by Youth Voices Matter—NY, in collaboration with OASAS Youth Clubhouse members, leadership, and youth/young adult recovery community partners, we have identi ed THREE priorities for our 2025 Youth Policy Statement. We call on the Governor and the NYS Legislature to take the following actions immediately to address the needs of young people in the recovery community across NYS.

Support services should be equitable and accessible to all communities, speci cally youth and young adults, to support the growth of New York's recovery capital.

• Investing $5 million in the development of more integrated services that would provide treatment and recovery services around primary care, mental health, and substance use for young people with dual diagnoses.

▪ Inclusive of other behavioral addictions (i.e., self-harm, gambling, technology).

• Improve accessibility to harm reduction supplies for youth/young adults in all schools and college campuses in all 62 NYS counties by dedicating funds to expand and develop local initiatives.

▪ Inclusive but not limited to the expansion of harm reduction initiatives like harm reduction vending machines.

• Continued support for Governor Hochul’s ongoing commitment and investment in youth mental health services and educational and career opportunities with increased consideration for the same level of commitment to SUD-related initiatives (i.e. creating a Youth Substance Use Advisory Board alongside the existing Youth Mental Health Advisory Board)

• Continued support and increased funding of $ 4 million dollars for the stability of both The Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) and The New York State Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP) to ensure that all youth and their families, especially those living with serious mental illness and substance use disorders, can have a foundation for stable health and a stable life.

• Continued support for SECTION 409-I Short title; legislative ndings; purpose Social Services (SOS) CHAPTER 55, ARTICLE 6, TITLE 4-B.

• The enactment of the provisions of this title shall maximize the e ectiveness, e ciency, and accountability of support services provided on behalf of pregnant adolescents and teenage parents under eighteen years of age, thereby reducing the long-term dependency needs of this youthful population.

• Investing $5 million to establish more safe spaces outside of school or home that provides a place where youth can access mental wellness and substance use resources, foster positive relationships with their peers, and receive support in a comfortable setting, alongside friends and community members.

• We request that these funds be primarily focused and used to invest in sta training/support so that they can remove barriers of structural and systemic oppression to create pathways to access for our most marginalized youth.

Accessible, recovery-friendly educational opportunities provide youth and young adults with the support they need to feel successful and supported in their recovery.

• $3 million in funding for developing new recovery programs within high schools and collegiate campuses and additional support for existing recovery programs within these systems.

▪ Inclusive of more paid peer support opportunities within schools (high school and college).

• Dedicate $5 million toward funding for an expansive, updated, and inclusive health class curriculum that is inclusive of substance use, behavioral health, LGBTQ+ sexual education, and harm reduction through a non-stigmatizing lens.

• “Support the Recovery Ready Workplace Act” A.252(Steck) with increased consideration of establishments that employ young people under 30.

• Establishes the "recovery ready workplace act," which provides for an employer's certi cation to become a recovery-ready workplace.

Youth and Young adults in recovery need recovery spaces led by youth and for youth. Peer support helps them feel more understood and supported by people of the same age group from their communities who are also in recovery.

• Investing a minimum of $3 million in recovery-speci c scholarship programs that provide recovery certi cations and initiatives will create more employment opportunities for young adults in recovery (ages 17-30) to become Certi ed Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPA).

• Increase funding of a minimum of $3 million for the establishment and continued services of Youth Recovery Community Organizations (YRCOs) and youth clubhouses within all 62 counties of New York State.

Inclusive of OASAS opening their RFP process to provide more funding opportunities for new youth clubhouses, especially in rural communities.

OF New York RECOVERY FRIENDS

Take the survey and help form the FOR-NY 2025 Policy Agenda. The purpose of this survey is to create a peer

https://forms.o ce.com/r/z5B7FeJCd9