Many of our partners around the state have advocated for additional supports for youth and young adults in recovery. Decision makers are now signing on to the need to support our young people through the development of Recovery High Schools.  Our advocacy as well as the advocacy of our allies on the Governor’s task force to combat the Heroin/Opioid Epidemic, has resulted in a Request For Information (RFI) regarding implementing Recovery High Schools in New York State, through the NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). OASAS is seeking information from respondents about the level of interest that exists to create recovery high school models in New York, supports required for success, and any barriers to implementation. The goal of this effort is to further a substantial advancement in the planning of an educational environment that supports recovery from a substance use disorder, in programming, staffing and enrollment.

Below is an overview of the RFI.  Please refer to the RFI for more detailed information.

What is a recovery high school?  “A recovery high school is an alternative, multi-service high school program for adolescents with (or at risk for) a diagnosed substance use disorder (SUD) that provides a safe, sober and supportive educational environment. Treatment and recovery supports are incorporated into the normal school day to facilitate personal, academic, vocational and recovery success for the student.”

Preferred/Eligible Respondents: Preferred respondents are a single, or consortia of, Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) or a nonprofit organization working in collaboration with one or more BOCES.

Information Requested:

  • Lead Organization: Which BOCES in your community are interested in creating a partnership within their region to support the development of a recovery high school?
  • Partnerships: What community partnerships already exist that will help facilitate the creation of a successful recovery high school; what partnerships are missing?
  • Barriers: What are the barriers to the development, implementation and sustainability of a recovery high school?
  • Optional information: Number of students that could potentially benefit in your community; Space identification for high school; staffing model (what new staff would need to be hired, what staff is available to contribute); any additional issues?

Submission:

Final submissions are to be delivered by 5:00 PM EST on October 31, 2017 and should be mailed to the following address:

Karen C. Stackrow
Division of Fiscal Administration
Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
1450 Western Avenue, 5th Floor
Albany, New York 12203-3526

Reference: “RFI #17102—Recovery High School”

Responses will not be accepted by electronic mail or facsimile.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact FOR-NY’s Director of Policy, Allison Weingarten at [email protected].