Mental Health, Office of
skip breadcrumbsAgency Web Site: https://www.omh.ny.gov/
Mission
The Office of Mental Health’s (OMH) mission is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a particular focus on facilitating hope and recovery for adults and children with serious mental illness or emotional disturbances.
Organization and Staffing
The Office of Mental Health (OMH) has a Central Office in Albany, which oversees State Operated and Local Programs, and the State directly operates 24 psychiatric facilities. The Local Programs are delivered by a combination of local government and community-based service providers; oversight is provided by OMH's Central Office program and fiscal staff, and by five regional Field Office Directors, who work with local Directors of Community Services, regional program and fiscal staff, and report to the Commissioner. The overall workforce is projected to decrease by 105 FTEs to 13,652.
Budget Highlights
The Executive Budget provides $4.5 billion All Funds appropriations, a net increase of $50 million (1.1%), reflecting the investment in community-based services, targeted salary increases for direct care and clinical staff, and residential stipend enhancements.
The Executive Budget builds on Governor Cuomo’s efforts to expand OMH community services and transition individuals to more appropriate and cost-effective community settings. OMH has continued to enhance its service offerings in recent years, by expanding supported housing units throughout the State, providing additional peer support services, and developing new services, such as mobile crisis teams. Since FY 2015, the expansion in community-based services has resulted in 52,500 previously unserved individuals receiving services and funded over 1,970 additional supported housing beds. The success of these community investments has resulted in the reduction of over 700 unnecessary, vacant inpatient beds over the same time period. Specifically, the Budget will:
- Enhance Support for Existing Residential Programs. The Budget provides an additional $20 million for existing community-based residential programs. This investment will help preserve access to housing, a critical component of recovery. Since FY 2015, annual funding to enhance support for these existing housing programs has increased by $70 million.
- Transform Kingsboro Psychiatric Center into a Recovery Hub. The FY 2021 Executive Budget includes a plan to develop a voluntary-operated, step-down transition to community residence program on the Kingsboro PC campus and transform the campus into a "Recovery Hub Facility", focused on shortening lengths of stay and providing centralized community support services. This new service delivery model will be supported by new revenue generated through a federal Institutions for Mental Disease (IMD) Medicaid waiver. This transition is consistent with OMH’s patient-centered approach to care with an emphasis on recovery.
- Support High-Need Individuals. The Budget provides an additional $12.5 million for certain individuals living in transitional adult homes in New York City who wish to transition to more integrated settings in the community.
- Invest in Infrastructure. The FY 2020 Budget included $100 million in appropriation authority to support the replacement of the Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center in Orange County, which includes buildings over 100 years old that are not designed for current standards of care. The Executive Budget provides a second $100 million appropriation for this purpose. The Budget also includes $60 million to maintain and preserve community-based residential facilities that allow people with mental illness to live in the most integrated setting possible.
- Establish Jail-Based Restoration Programs for Certain Defendants. The FY 2021 Executive Budget establishes the authority to provide mental health restoration services to inmates in jail awaiting trial. Currently, defendants who are deemed incompetent to stand trial are treated at an OMH inpatient psychiatric hospital until they are restored to competency and returned to jail to await trial. This cycle often repeats itself with multiple inpatient stays at a psychiatric hospital, extending the time individuals are detained prior to trial. OMH will work with counties on a voluntary basis to develop specialized residential treatment units within their jails, ultimately reducing the time individuals with mental illness spend in jail awaiting justice. This program has been identified as a best practice by the National Judicial College and has been implemented successfully in nine other states including California, Colorado, and Virginia.
For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:
Briefing Book – Mental Hygiene (PDF)
Program Highlights
New York State has a large, multi-faceted, public mental health system that serves more than 800,000 individuals each year. OMH operates psychiatric centers across the State, and regulates, certifies and oversees more than 4,500 programs, which are operated by local governments and nonprofit agencies. These programs fall into four major categories:
- State Operated Services: OMH operates two world-renowned Research Institutes and 22 psychiatric centers that provide over 3,800 inpatient beds for Adult, Children and Youth, Forensic, and Sex Offender populations. The agency also runs over 80 outpatient clinics, roughly 1,300 residential beds, and a range of community programs in State prison settings. As part of their ongoing transformation efforts, OMH continues to transition individuals with mental illness to more integrated community-based settings. These efforts have allowed OMH to decrease State operated census and workforce over the last five years without compromising clinical care.
- Adult Residential Programs: For individuals with mental illness, safe and affordable housing is an essential element of recovery. OMH oversees a large array of adult housing resources and residential habilitation programs in New York State, including congregate treatment, licensed apartments, single room residences, and supported housing. Each residential setting is designed to provide the supports and services necessary for individuals to live in the least restrictive setting possible.
- Adult Non-Residential Programs: OMH contracts with local governments and not-for-profit agencies to provide community-based services and supports for individuals with mental illness. The agency supports outpatient programs, including clinic treatment, crisis intervention, emergency services, advocacy and support, and other community services that promote recovery.
- Children and Youth Programs: OMH oversees a variety of programs to support children and youth, and their families, including inpatient programs, residential treatment facilities, and community-based services and supports.
| Category | Available FY 2020 |
Appropriations Recommended FY 2021 |
Change From FY 2020 |
Reappropriations Recommended FY 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Operations | 2,286,733,000 | 2,274,533,000 | (12,200,000) | 3,648,000 |
| Aid To Localities | 1,582,571,500 | 1,645,317,000 | 62,745,500 | 59,926,500 |
| Capital Projects | 534,472,000 | 534,472,000 | 0 | 3,127,979,000 |
| Total | 4,403,776,500 | 4,454,322,000 | 50,545,500 | 3,191,553,500 |
| Program | FY 2020 Estimated FTEs 03/31/20 |
FY 2021 Estimated FTEs 03/31/21 |
FTE Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administration and Finance | |||
| General Fund | 275 | 265 | (10) |
| Special Revenue Funds - Federal | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| Internal Service Funds | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| Adult Services | |||
| General Fund | 8,269 | 7,587 | (682) |
| Capital Planning | |||
| Capital Projects Funds - Other | 683 | 683 | 0 |
| Children and Youth Services | |||
| General Fund | 1,393 | 1,393 | 0 |
| Forensic Services | |||
| General Fund | 2,709 | 2,669 | (40) |
| Research in Mental Illness | |||
| General Fund | 407 | 399 | (8) |
| Secure Treatment | |||
| General Fund | 0 | 635 | 635 |
| Total | 13,757 | 13,652 | (105) |
| Fund Type | Available FY 2020 |
Recommended FY 2021 |
Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise Funds | 8,606,000 | 8,606,000 | 0 |
| General Fund | 2,255,535,000 | 2,243,335,000 | (12,200,000) |
| Internal Service Funds | 2,597,000 | 2,597,000 | 0 |
| Special Revenue Funds - Federal | 2,513,000 | 2,513,000 | 0 |
| Special Revenue Funds - Other | 17,482,000 | 17,482,000 | 0 |
| Total | 2,286,733,000 | 2,274,533,000 | (12,200,000) |
| Program | Available FY 2020 |
Recommended FY 2021 |
Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administration and Finance | |||
| Enterprise Funds | 8,606,000 | 8,606,000 | 0 |
| General Fund | 92,567,000 | 89,067,000 | (3,500,000) |
| Internal Service Funds | 2,597,000 | 2,597,000 | 0 |
| Special Revenue Funds - Federal | 2,513,000 | 2,513,000 | 0 |
| Special Revenue Funds - Other | 4,402,000 | 4,402,000 | 0 |
| Adult Services | |||
| General Fund | 1,492,506,000 | 1,401,105,000 | (91,401,000) |
| Special Revenue Funds - Other | 5,850,000 | 5,850,000 | 0 |
| Children and Youth Services | |||
| General Fund | 248,263,000 | 248,263,000 | 0 |
| Forensic Services | |||
| General Fund | 331,957,000 | 330,257,000 | (1,700,000) |
| Research in Mental Illness | |||
| General Fund | 90,242,000 | 89,742,000 | (500,000) |
| Special Revenue Funds - Other | 7,230,000 | 7,230,000 | 0 |
| Secure Treatment | |||
| General Fund | 0 | 84,901,000 | 84,901,000 |
| Total | 2,286,733,000 | 2,274,533,000 | (12,200,000) |
| Program | Total | Personal Service Regular (Annual Salaried) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Change | Amount | Change | |
| Administration and Finance | 38,960,000 | (500,000) | 37,876,000 | (486,000) |
| Adult Services | 720,045,000 | (49,300,000) | 669,524,000 | (41,699,000) |
| Children and Youth Services | 137,499,000 | 0 | 125,452,000 | 0 |
| Forensic Services | 196,255,000 | (1,500,000) | 164,618,000 | (1,258,000) |
| Research in Mental Illness | 48,416,000 | (500,000) | 47,475,000 | (490,000) |
| Secure Treatment | 46,800,000 | 46,800,000 | 39,388,000 | 39,388,000 |
| Total | 1,187,975,000 | (5,000,000) | 1,084,333,000 | (4,545,000) |
| Program | Temporary Service (Nonannual Salaried) |
Holiday/Overtime Pay | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Change | Amount | Change | |
| Administration and Finance | 830,000 | (11,000) | 254,000 | (3,000) |
| Adult Services | 3,761,000 | (1,016,000) | 46,760,000 | (6,585,000) |
| Children and Youth Services | 2,464,000 | 0 | 9,583,000 | 0 |
| Forensic Services | 2,378,000 | (18,000) | 29,259,000 | (224,000) |
| Research in Mental Illness | 77,000 | (1,000) | 864,000 | (9,000) |
| Secure Treatment | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 6,412,000 | 6,412,000 |
| Total | 10,510,000 | (46,000) | 93,132,000 | (409,000) |
| Program | Total | Supplies and Materials | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Change | Amount | Change | |
| Administration and Finance | 50,107,000 | (3,000,000) | 1,003,000 | (115,000) |
| Adult Services | 681,060,000 | (42,101,000) | 88,291,000 | (6,209,000) |
| Children and Youth Services | 110,764,000 | 0 | 12,973,000 | 0 |
| Forensic Services | 134,002,000 | (200,000) | 11,464,000 | (115,000) |
| Research in Mental Illness | 41,326,000 | 0 | 3,787,000 | 0 |
| Secure Treatment | 38,101,000 | 38,101,000 | 4,498,000 | 4,498,000 |
| Total | 1,055,360,000 | (7,200,000) | 122,016,000 | (1,941,000) |
| Program | Travel | Contractual Services | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Change | Amount | Change | |
| Administration and Finance | 878,000 | (101,000) | 23,598,000 | (2,702,000) |
| Adult Services | 2,382,000 | (114,000) | 117,411,000 | (3,816,000) |
| Children and Youth Services | 680,000 | 0 | 14,215,000 | 0 |
| Forensic Services | 594,000 | (6,000) | 6,831,000 | (69,000) |
| Research in Mental Illness | 30,000 | 0 | 8,025,000 | 0 |
| Secure Treatment | 69,000 | 69,000 | 1,620,000 | 1,620,000 |
| Total | 4,633,000 | (152,000) | 171,700,000 | (4,967,000) |
| Program | Equipment | General State Charges | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Change | Amount | Change | |
| Administration and Finance | 718,000 | (82,000) | 22,788,000 | 0 |
| Adult Services | 2,184,000 | (469,000) | 447,671,000 | (29,887,000) |
| Children and Youth Services | 864,000 | 0 | 78,182,000 | 0 |
| Forensic Services | 990,000 | (10,000) | 108,767,000 | 0 |
| Research in Mental Illness | 300,000 | 0 | 27,814,000 | 0 |
| Secure Treatment | 421,000 | 421,000 | 29,887,000 | 29,887,000 |
| Total | 5,477,000 | (140,000) | 715,109,000 | 0 |
| Program | Special Departmental Charges | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount | Change | |
| Administration and Finance | 1,122,000 | 0 |
| Adult Services | 23,121,000 | (1,606,000) |
| Children and Youth Services | 3,850,000 | 0 |
| Forensic Services | 5,356,000 | 0 |
| Research in Mental Illness | 1,370,000 | 0 |
| Secure Treatment | 1,606,000 | 1,606,000 |
| Total | 36,425,000 | 0 |
| Program | Total | Personal Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Change | Amount | Change | |
| Administration and Finance | 18,118,000 | 0 | 3,044,000 | 0 |
| Adult Services | 5,850,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Research in Mental Illness | 7,230,000 | 0 | 1,915,000 | 0 |
| Total | 31,198,000 | 0 | 4,959,000 | 0 |
| Program | Nonpersonal Service | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount | Change | |
| Administration and Finance | 15,074,000 | 0 |
| Adult Services | 5,850,000 | 0 |
| Research in Mental Illness | 5,315,000 | 0 |
| Total | 26,239,000 | 0 |
| Fund Type | Available FY 2020 |
Recommended FY 2021 |
Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Fund | 1,518,370,500 | 1,581,116,000 | 62,745,500 |
| Special Revenue Funds - Federal | 56,421,000 | 56,421,000 | 0 |
| Special Revenue Funds - Other | 7,780,000 | 7,780,000 | 0 |
| Total | 1,582,571,500 | 1,645,317,000 | 62,745,500 |
| Program | Available FY 2020 |
Recommended FY 2021 |
Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Services | |||
| General Fund | 1,271,053,500 | 1,333,799,000 | 62,745,500 |
| Special Revenue Funds - Federal | 48,905,000 | 48,905,000 | 0 |
| Special Revenue Funds - Other | 7,780,000 | 7,780,000 | 0 |
| Children and Youth Services | |||
| General Fund | 247,317,000 | 247,317,000 | 0 |
| Special Revenue Funds - Federal | 7,516,000 | 7,516,000 | 0 |
| Total | 1,582,571,500 | 1,645,317,000 | 62,745,500 |
| Comprehensive Construction Program | Available FY 2020 |
Recommended FY 2021 |
Change | Reappropriations FY 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Mental Health Facilities | ||||
| Capital Projects Fund | 6,000,000 | 6,000,000 | 0 | 46,751,000 |
| MH Capital Improvements - Authority Bonds | 65,722,000 | 65,722,000 | 0 | 555,323,000 |
| Executive Direction | ||||
| Capital Projects Fund | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2,445,000 |
| Maintenance and Improvements of Existing Facilities | ||||
| Capital Projects Fund | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3,223,000 |
| MH Capital Improvements - Authority Bonds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 936,556,000 |
| Non-Bondable Projects | ||||
| Capital Projects Fund | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 0 | 6,045,000 |
| State Mental Health Facilities | ||||
| Capital Projects Fund | 86,750,000 | 86,750,000 | 0 | 146,956,000 |
| MH Capital Improvements - Authority Bonds | 375,000,000 | 375,000,000 | 0 | 1,430,680,000 |
| Total | 534,472,000 | 534,472,000 | 0 | 3,127,979,000 |
Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/29/2020