Mental Health, Office of

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Agency Web Site: https://www.omh.ny.gov/Link to External Website

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 increase by 40 FTEs to 13,717.

Budget Highlights

The Executive Budget provides $4.4 billion All Funds appropriations, a net increase of $131 million (3.1%), reflecting increased capital authority, the investment in community-based services, minimum wage and residential stipend enhancements.

The Executive Budget builds on Governor Cuomo’s effort to expand community services and transition individuals to more appropriate and cost-effective community settings. With substantial investments in community-based services made in recent years, OMH developed new mobile crisis teams, established first episode psychosis programs, provided additional peer support services, and funded the expansion of supported housing units throughout the State. The expansion in community-based capacity since FY 2015 has resulted in 50,700 new individuals receiving services and funded over 1,305 supported housing beds. Since FY 2015, the success of these community investments has resulted in the reduction of over 650 unnecessary, vacant inpatient beds. The Budget continues to improve quality and expand capacity of services in the community. Specifically, the Budget will:

  • Enhance Support for Existing Residential Programs. The Budget provides an additional $10 million for existing supported housing and single residence occupancy programs. This investment will help preserve access and maintain current housing capacity as the State brings new housing units online through the Empire State Supported Housing Initiative. Since FY 2014, funding to enhance support for these existing housing programs has increased by over $50 million annually.
  • Expand Community-Based Services. The Budget continues to support the expansion of community-based programs serving individuals in less restrictive settings that are closer to family and other natural supports by efficiencies in operating inpatient programs. New investments offset by equivalent spending efficiencies in inpatient and other services will bring the full annual investment since FY 2015 to more than $100 million.
  • Support High-Need Individuals. The Budget provides an additional $10 million for specialized supports, such as peer support and in-reach, to engage individuals with mental illness who require a higher level of care to transition and live successfully in the community. These resources will be utilized for individuals currently residing in impacted adult homes.
  • Invest in Infrastructure. The Budget provides an additional appropriation of $100 million to support the replacement of the Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center in Orange County, which includes buildings over 100 years old and not designed for current standards of care. 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 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. The Executive Budget invests $850,000 to assist up to two county jails in making any necessary infrastructure improvements to provide these separate treatment units. This program has been identified as a best practice by the National Judicial College, and has been implemented successfully in ten other states including California, Virginia, and Colorado.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

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 also 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 83 outpatient clinics, 1,298 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 non-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.
ALL FUNDS
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Category Available
FY 2019
Appropriations
Recommended
FY 2020
Change From
FY 2019
Reappropriations
Recommended
FY 2020
State Operations 2,285,758,000 2,285,033,000 (725,000) 1,815,000
Aid To Localities 1,544,514,000 1,576,049,000 31,535,000 33,792,000
Capital Projects 434,472,000 534,472,000 100,000,000 2,857,910,000
Total 4,264,744,000 4,395,554,000 130,810,000 2,893,517,000

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program FY 2019
Estimated FTEs
03/31/19
FY 2020
Estimated FTEs
03/31/20
FTE Change
Administration and Finance
General Fund 275 275 0
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 11 11 0
Internal Service Funds 10 10 0
Adult Services
General Fund 8,269 8,269 0
Capital Planning
Capital Projects Funds - Other 683 683 0
Children and Youth Services
General Fund 1,393 1,393 0
Forensic Services
General Fund 2,629 2,669 40
Research in Mental Illness
General Fund 407 407 0
Total 13,677 13,717 40

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Enterprise Funds 8,606,000 8,606,000 0
General Fund 2,255,535,000 2,253,835,000 (1,700,000)
Internal Service Funds 2,597,000 2,597,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 1,538,000 2,513,000 975,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other 17,482,000 17,482,000 0
Total 2,285,758,000 2,285,033,000 (725,000)
Adjustments:
Transfer(s) To
Civil Service, Department of
General Fund 197,000
Employee Relations, Office of
General Fund 442,000
Appropriated FY 2019 2,286,397,000

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Administration and Finance
Enterprise Funds 8,606,000 8,606,000 0
General Fund 92,567,000 92,567,000 0
Internal Service Funds 2,597,000 2,597,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 1,538,000 2,513,000 975,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other 3,954,000 4,402,000 448,000
Adult Services
General Fund 1,492,506,000 1,492,506,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 6,298,000 5,850,000 (448,000)
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 90,242,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 7,230,000 7,230,000 0
Total 2,285,758,000 2,285,033,000 (725,000)

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service Regular
(Annual Salaried)
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration and Finance 39,460,000 0 38,362,000 0
Adult Services 769,345,000 0 711,223,000 0
Children and Youth Services 137,499,000 0 125,452,000 0
Forensic Services 196,255,000 (1,500,000) 164,376,000 (1,500,000)
Research in Mental Illness 48,916,000 0 47,965,000 0
Total 1,191,475,000 (1,500,000) 1,087,378,000 (1,500,000)
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Temporary Service
(Nonannual Salaried)
Holiday/Overtime Pay
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration and Finance 841,000 0 257,000 0
Adult Services 4,777,000 0 53,345,000 0
Children and Youth Services 2,464,000 0 9,583,000 0
Forensic Services 2,396,000 0 29,483,000 0
Research in Mental Illness 78,000 0 873,000 0
Total 10,556,000 0 93,541,000 0

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Supplies and Materials
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration and Finance 53,107,000 0 1,118,000 0
Adult Services 723,161,000 0 94,500,000 0
Children and Youth Services 110,764,000 0 12,973,000 0
Forensic Services 134,002,000 (200,000) 11,379,000 (200,000)
Research in Mental Illness 41,326,000 0 3,787,000 0
Total 1,062,360,000 (200,000) 123,757,000 (200,000)
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Travel Contractual Services
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration and Finance 979,000 0 26,300,000 0
Adult Services 2,496,000 0 121,227,000 0
Children and Youth Services 680,000 0 14,215,000 0
Forensic Services 600,000 0 6,900,000 0
Research in Mental Illness 30,000 0 8,025,000 0
Total 4,785,000 0 176,667,000 0
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Equipment General State Charges
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration and Finance 800,000 0 22,788,000 0
Adult Services 2,653,000 0 477,558,000 0
Children and Youth Services 864,000 0 78,182,000 0
Forensic Services 1,000,000 0 108,767,000 0
Research in Mental Illness 300,000 0 27,814,000 0
Total 5,617,000 0 715,109,000 0
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Special Departmental Charges
Amount Change
Administration and Finance 1,122,000 0
Adult Services 24,727,000 0
Children and Youth Services 3,850,000 0
Forensic Services 5,356,000 0
Research in Mental Illness 1,370,000 0
Total 36,425,000 0

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration and Finance 18,118,000 1,423,000 3,044,000 475,000
Adult Services 5,850,000 (448,000) 0 0
Research in Mental Illness 7,230,000 0 1,915,000 0
Total 31,198,000 975,000 4,959,000 475,000
STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Nonpersonal Service
Amount Change
Administration and Finance 15,074,000 948,000
Adult Services 5,850,000 (448,000)
Research in Mental Illness 5,315,000 0
Total 26,239,000 500,000

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
General Fund 1,490,408,000 1,511,848,000 21,440,000
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 46,326,000 56,421,000 10,095,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other 7,780,000 7,780,000 0
Total 1,544,514,000 1,576,049,000 31,535,000

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Adult Services
General Fund 1,243,091,000 1,264,531,000 21,440,000
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 38,810,000 48,905,000 10,095,000
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 1,544,514,000 1,576,049,000 31,535,000

CAPITAL PROJECTS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Comprehensive Construction Program Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change Reappropriations
FY 2020
Community Mental Health Facilities
Capital Projects Fund 6,000,000 6,000,000 0 41,601,000
MH Capital Improvements - Authority Bonds 65,722,000 65,722,000 0 513,589,000
Executive Direction
Capital Projects Fund 0 0 0 2,445,000
Maintenance and Improvements of Existing Facilities
Capital Projects Fund 0 0 0 5,791,000
MH Capital Improvements - Authority Bonds 0 0 0 1,044,201,000
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 0 147,428,000
MH Capital Improvements - Authority Bonds 275,000,000 375,000,000 100,000,000 1,096,810,000
Total 434,472,000 534,472,000 100,000,000 2,857,910,000

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/15/2019