Establishes an intensive addiction recovery and mental health integrated services pilot program

• Republican1

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Cordell Cleare says this is needed

Topher's Law is an initiative designed to support individuals suffering from co-occurring disorders (substance use disorders and significant mental health diagnoses) by developing models that remove barriers to obtaining treatment and promote greater access to appropriate services. Most current OASAS treatment programs are not able to treat individuals who have significant co-occurring disorders. This demonstration program would assist individuals with both sets of diagnoses and create a person-centered treatment model that ensures each individual receives a level of care appropriate to them. Services encompassed by such a person-centered treatment model may include: *Peer Support; *Family Counseling/Family Support; * Mental Health Counseling; *Substance Use Disorder Treatment; *Medication Assisted Recovery; *Regular employment transportation; *Education transportation, such as trade school, 2- or 4-year degree programs, or apprenticeships; *Shopping for healthy food, clothing, and other essential items; *Trips to Mutual Aid Meetings Narcotics Anonymous/Alcoholics Anonymous; *Trips to court or drug court, or court-related appointments (probation officer, social worker, etc.); *Trips that reduce social isolation, such as social outings with others engaged in sober living; and *Trips to local recovery community outreach centers or other community- based supports. Because this model is tailored to individual needs, the program will help individuals improve their situation by providing them with hope and confidence to move forward. COVID-19 has increased social isolation and unemployment leading to especially disastrous results for individuals with co-occurring disorders. The primary purpose of this pilot program is to provide services which are not currently offered to one of the most vulnerable populations in OASAS treatment settings. Giving people support they need to get back on their feet by providing integrated services will pay back dividends in increased productivity, earning potential, and a decrease in re-admittance in existing programs.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.