COVID-19 INFORMATION
Updates and general information to help the Recovery Community navigate the ever-changing situation pertaining to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
UPDATES AS OF 7-16-2020
Online Recovery Resources
During this COVID-19 Pandemic, and while orders from the NYS Governor are in place to stay home, it is imperative for our Recovery Community to stay connected. There are several online recovery resources & meetings to utilize. Please download this Online Resource PDF or visit our Get Help page on this website.
Please remember, You Are Not Alone; Your Friends Are Here. FOR-NY provided this weekly resource of immediate and regional assistance throughout the month of April. Please take a look and use as needed.
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OASAS Updates
- 2020 Telepractice Capacity Expansion to Increase Access to Treatment for Opioid Disorder – RFA here! Applications being accepted starting July 27.
- Telepractice FAQs – including the Peer Services Waiver updates
- Medication-Assisted Treatment via Telehealth
- The Executive Order (EO) allowing for expanded telehealth was extended by the Governor to August 5th is here.
- OASAS Advocacy Unit – if patients feel that they are not getting the care they need, they can contact this unit by emailing [email protected] or calling calling 1-800-553-5790. Download brochure.
- DOH’s Checklist for Long-Term Care Facilities
- OASAS Person Centered Care Training In A Box
- OASAS Resources Link
- CHAMP Helpline Information
Any questions regarding telepractice during this time, may be directed to [email protected]
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Other Shared Resources
- ASAP’s Coronavirus Helpine
To help address concerns and questions arising in the field about the Corona virus, ASAP has created an e-mail resource to serve as a central communication vehicle. [email protected] will be monitored by ASAP, used to identify questions and concerns, and will be a vehicle to directly respond to all e-mail questions. We have been encouraged to emphasize the importance of having a key contact person at your LOCAL county/city Department of Health to get current information or to respond to your questions and concerns. The ASAP e-mail is not a substitute for the immediate actions and communications that should take place locally. We are here to provide additional information and support. - FindTreatment.gov – find a treatment facility near you
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or 1-800-273-8255 – free and confidential support for people in distress, 24/7
- Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator – free treatment facilities confidentially and anonymously, 24/7
- National Help Hotline or 1-800-662-4357 – treatment referral and information, 24/7
- Crisis Text Line – crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text 741741 from anywhere in the US to text with a trained Crisis Counselor. Crisis Text Line trains volunteers to support people in crisis
- Peer Recovery Support Webinars
- Assurance Wireless Program
- Free phones can be provided to clients from Assurance or Safelink
- For those of you experiencing issues with accessing another level of care for an individual, please contact the CHAMPS/Ombudsman hotline 888-614-5400 or [email protected]
- The attached list Naloxone (Narcan) at New York City Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs that was recently revised. It is also available online-thank you Susie for sending along at: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/basas/naloxone-list-of-prevention-programs.pdf
- Find a listing of providers here that have agreed to conduct buprenorphine inductions using telehealth.
- Coronavirus-Anxiety-Workbook by The Wellness Society
- COVID 19 Screening Sample
- DOH’s Checklist for Long-Term Care Facilities 4/10/2020
- Insurance for All
- Language Access Services
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Youth Voices Matter – NY
- If you need to connect with one of our Youth Voices Matter Youth Recovery Program Specialists, please visit their website at www.youthvoicesmatterny.org
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NYS Coronavirus Response
- What you need to know now here
- NYS on Pause… learn more here
- NYS Essential Employees / Businesses Defined here
- NYS Health Departments by County here
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NY State of Health
Special Information on New York’s Health Plan Marketplace
Pursuant to the new federal law, Families First Coronavirus Response Act, that went into effect on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, all Medicaid coverage in effect on the date the law was enacted will continue during the COVID-19 emergency. Although some Medicaid enrollees may have already received notices from NY State of Health that their coverage will end on March 31, 2020, the coverage will not end, it will be continued. Any cases terminated after March 18, 2020 during the period of the COVID-19 emergency will be reinstated with no gap in coverage. Additionally, all Medicaid, Child Health Plus and Essential Plan cases that are due for recertification during the COVID-19 emergency period will be automatically renewed for a four month period. The situation will be re-evaluated to determine if additional changes need to be made. We will be following up with additional guidance soon. In the meantime, please prioritize your outreach to consumers accordingly so that we can all serve those who are most in need.
For more information on enrollment, please visit NY State of Health’s website.
To enroll, use this link.
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Stigma and the Coronavirus
“Fear and anxiety about a disease can lead to social stigma toward people, places, or things. For example, stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate a disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality, even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk for the disease. Stigma can also occur after a person has been released from COVID-19 quarantine even though they are not considered a risk for spreading the virus to others.” – taken from the CDC website. Read and learn more on the CDC website here.
The CDC offers ways to help counter COVID-19 Stigma here:
- Maintain privacy and confidentiality of those seeking healthcare and those who may be part of any contact investigation.
- Quickly communicate the risk or lack of risk from associations with products, people, and places.
- Raise awareness about COVID-19 without increasing fear.
- Share accurate information about how the virus spreads.
- Speak out against negative behaviors, including negative statements on social media about groups of people, or exclusion of people who pose no risk from regular activities.
- Be cautious about the images that are shared. Make sure they do not reinforce stereotypes.
- Engage with stigmatized groups in person and through media channels including news media and social media.
- Thank healthcare workers and responders. People who have traveled to areas where the COVID-19 outbreak is happening to help have performed a valuable service to everyone by helping make sure this disease does not spread further.
- Share the need for social support for people who have returned from China or are worried about friends or relatives in the affected region.