FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2025

Media Contact: Liliana Cifuentes, liliana.cifuentes@berlinrosen.com

New York – Today, the Healthy Minds, Healthy Kids Campaign (HMHK) released the following statement in response to the New York State Senate and Assembly One-House budget resolutions:

“The Healthy Minds, Healthy Kids Campaign applauds the NYS Senate and Assembly for funding essential children’s outpatient mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services in their One House budget proposals.  These investments of $200M and $16.5M, respectively, would help combat unbearably long waitlists, address widespread access barriers, and increase capacity within the system.

New York children, youth and families are facing a crisis in accessing mental health and SUD services. They are forced to wait months or even years for this desperately-needed care. As a result, parents are leaving their jobs so they can navigate the mental health system for their children; children are cycling in and out of ERs and hospitals; and young peoples’ needs are becoming more acute, complex, and difficult to address as they grow into adults.

The Senate and Assembly One House proposals bring our state closer to addressing the needs of children and families. We look forward to working with the Legislature and Governor to ensure that the full $200 million is included in the Enacted Budget to enable rate enhancements for Article 31 clinics, Article 32-822 clinics, Children and Family Treatment and Support Services, and Home and Community Based Services. This investment is necessary to bolster the workforce, address the waitlist crisis and connect children and families to urgently-needed clinical and community-based services.”