At the New York State Capitol, our Executive Director, Sybil Newell, stood alongside fellow advocates calling for additional funding to strengthen New York’s mental health and substance-use disorder system.
Community-based providers like RISE are facing a workforce crisis driven by rising costs and lagging wages. As Sybil shared:
“People come to us after cycling through emergency rooms, hospital stays, shelters, and periods of homelessness. They are often described as hard to serve. But the real issue is that care has been fragmented and inconsistent for far too long. When people finally have stable housing, access to treatment, and staff who can stay long enough to build trust, their outcomes change — not instantly, but reliably.”
That stability depends on a functioning, community-based system — and right now, that system is at risk.
A 2.7% targeted inflationary increase in the final state budget is essential. A 1.7% increase simply does not cover the real and rising costs agencies face — from wages and utilities to insurance, food, transportation, rent, and childcare. Without meaningful investment, we cannot fill vacant positions, retain dedicated staff, or ensure our programs remain strong and sustainable.
When we invest in community-based care, we invest in stability, dignity, and better outcomes for our neighbors.
Read More in the Daily Gazette: Addressing Workforce Shortages in Mental Health Sector | Health | dailygazette.com