New York State Announces Groundbreaking for Intensive Crisis Stabilization Center on Long Island

The New York State Office of Mental Health today announced the groundbreaking for an intensive crisis stabilization center to provide voluntary urgent care services for individuals experiencing symptoms of mental health or substance use crises and needing immediate stabilization or treatment. Developed by CN Guidance & Counseling Services in the Nassau County hamlet of Hicksville, the Community Crisis Center will help stabilize individuals in crisis before connecting them other community-based services and supports.

Crisis stabilization centers support and enhance our ability to quickly respond to New Yorkers experiencing a behavioral health crisis so they can avoid higher levels of care and unnecessary emergency room visits," Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said. "Once completed, CN Guidance's Community Crisis Center will provide the residents of Long Island with yet another resource they can rely on to get the care they need within their community in a welcoming and supportive environment. This center, like others being developed statewide, reflect Governor Kathy Hochul's ongoing commitment to helping all individuals access to quality integrated behavioral health care."

Slated to open in Summer 2025, the Community Crisis Center will provide an expertly staffed, effective, and cost-efficient alternative to often-stressful hospital emergency departments. The center will be dually certified by OMH and the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports.

"It is vital that we help people experiencing a substance use or mental health crisis connect to help as quickly as possible and ensure that they are able to access a wide range of services," Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said. "Working closely with the Office of Mental Health, we are expanding the Crisis Stabilization Center program initiative across the state, including here on Long Island, enhancing our efforts to link New Yorkers to the help and support that they need."

The center will operate 24-hours per day, seven days per week, providing services including screenings, assessments, therapeutic interventions, peer support, ongoing observation, care collaboration, and discharge and aftercare planning. Once established, the center will coordinate with local mobile crisis providers, law enforcement, and community treatment and support services.

The center will help stabilize individuals in crisis before connecting them to community services and supports. The facility will also maintain collaborative relationships within the state's system of care to ensure those individuals utilizing the facility can access follow-up services after leaving.

"Our new Community Crisis Center will address a critical need for crisis support on Long Island by enhancing access to care and helping families avoid unnecessary ER visits," CN Guidance Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Friedman said. "The center will offer 24/7 urgent walk-in care for anyone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, providing immediate stabilization and connecting individuals to long-term support. We extend our gratitude to the state of New York, including OMH and OASAS, as well as our local governments and regional partners, for their support in keeping the Community Crisis Center on track to open in 2025 and serve those in need.

CN Guidance was awarded $8.6 million in state aid and start-up funding to undertake the project. In addition, the project was awarded $1 million in capital funding to develop the center.

Crisis Stabilization Centers provide voluntary urgent care services for individuals experiencing symptoms of mental health or substance use crises and needing immediate stabilization or treatment. In total, OMH has awarded more than $95 million to develop 11 intensive crisis stabilization centers statewide, including the Helio Health Crisis Stabilization Center in Onondaga County, which was the first to receive an operating certificate and open in December 2023.