New Facility Provides Addiction Treatment Services Tailored For Women, Mothers
(September 30, 2016) - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the grand opening of a new $3.6 million Fairview Recovery Services, Inc. women's facility in Binghamton. The new disorder treatment facility is certified by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services to offer treatment and accommodations for women, specifically offering mothers the opportunity to have their children stay with them during treatment.
"This state-of-the-art facility will help women in the Southern Tier who are suffering with addiction receive the help they need, while also allowing mothers to continue to be close to their children," Governor Cuomo said. "This approach will help families through a very difficult time and bring us one step closer to a stronger, healthier, New York for all."
The new Fairview Recovery Services facility, located at 8 Clapham Street, Binghamton, features 16 beds for adult women and two beds for women with children. The facility also includes new clinical and treatment program areas, and recreational space. The center will focus on serving women from Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego and Tioga counties, and will welcome women from other parts of the state as well. Fairview also has a 24-bed community residence for men at its Merrick Street campus, near the new women's facility.
"Women that are struggling with substance use disorder who have children come forward more often for help if they know they can keep their child with them during treatment," said New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. "This new facility will help keep families in tact by giving mothers a safe place to be while they get the care that they need so that the family unit can begin the journey of recovery together. This facility will cater to women and their unique needs."
The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, in partnership with OASAS, supported this project with $3.6 million in funding and provided management services guiding the project from design through construction and completion. In addition, NYS OASAS will provide ongoing annual operational funding to the facility.
"DASNY is proud to partner with OASAS to provide this community with a safe and secure facility that will provide women and their children the support they need on their path to renewal," said DASNY President and CEO Gerrard P. Bushell. "Healthy communities care for all of their residents."
New York State Senator Fred Akshar said, "Expanding treatment services in our region is crucial in our fight against the heroin and opioid epidemic. Fairview's addition of 18 treatment beds for women and their children moves us closer to that goal. The partnership between New York State and Fairview is so important - by working together we'll be able to reach women who weren't getting the help they desperately need. Our work isn't done but this is an important step in making more services available for those who are suffering."
State Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, Chair of the Assembly's Legislative Women's Caucus said, "Expanding inpatient treatment is an important part of addressing the local opioid epidemic. The availability of beds for both women and their children will ensure that women can seek treatment without fear of being separated from their children. I'll be working with my colleagues at all levels of government to make sure we continue to secure the resources necessary to help those in need. I'd like to thank OASAS for their support."
Broome County Executive Debbie Preston said, "I want to thank New York State for recognizing the need for this kind of facility in our community and working with us to build a place where mothers and babies can stay together during the most formative months of the child's life. The addition of these beds is just one more step in fighting opioid addiction not only in Broome County, but also the Southern Tier and New York State."
Binghamton Mayor Richard C. David said, "The City of Binghamton is proud to stand with our partners today to open this new facility for women affected by addiction. Thank you to Governor Cuomo, Commissioner González-Sánchez and OASAS for funding this new state-of-the art facility that will enable families to stay together during treatment. Congratulations to Fairview for all your hard work in making this new center a reality and for all the work you do each day to help those suffering from addiction."
Executive Director of Fairview Recovery Services, Inc. Michele Napolitano, MSEd, CRC, CASAC said, "Fairview Recovery Services' new Women's Community Residence will expand to allow mothers and children to remain together in care that supports family permanence and offers hope and encouragement for women to begin a new life. We know that addiction can harm not only the individual, but can also tear apart families. Mothers in recovery face many obstacles, the potential loss of their children being one of the most serious. But we've seen firsthand at Fairview that lives and relationships can be healed and obstacles can be overcome. We thank Governor Cuomo and the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services for their support in adding these important services for women."
This new facility is the latest to come from the partnership between NYS OASAS and Fairview, which also includes an increase from 18 to 22 beds at Fairview’s medically monitored detoxification program at 247 Court Street in Binghamton.
New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). New Yorkers can find an OASAS-certified substance use disorder treatment provider any time by using the OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard on the NYS OASAS website. For additional help with accessing substance use disorder care and obtaining insurance coverage, visit the Access Treatment page also on www.oasas.ny.gov.
Visit www.combatheroin.ny.gov for more information on addressing heroin and prescription opioid abuse, including a Kitchen Table Tool Kit to help start the conversation about the warning signs of addiction and where to get help. For additional tools to use in talking to young people about preventing underage drinking or drug use, visit the State's Talk2Prevent website.