Options for Community Living, Inc. (Options) is pleased to announce that it has received a $256,000 grant from The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to support Long Islanders with serious mental illness or substance use disorder. Grant funds allow Options to provide valuable home and community-based services to adults with low incomes who currently fall short of qualifying for Medicaid funded services.
In 2018, Options began to provide Behavioral Health Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) for eligible adults who are in a Medicaid managed care plan. These personalized, goal-oriented services are offered in the home or community rather than at institutions or other isolated settings. The primary purpose of Home and Community Based Services is to help individuals with complex needs develop long-term recovery while promoting community inclusion. Eligibility for HCB Services is a state designation based upon an individual’s behavioral health history. In many cases, this excludes people who are newly diagnosed, transitioning from the prison system, aging out of parental benefits into the Medicaid system and those who are uninsured.
“Grant funding from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation allows us to fill a gap and provide these services according to need, rather than insurance status,” stated Program Supervisor, Liz Perry. “Every day I see the value of these services,” continued Perry. “One of our clients suffered overwhelming social anxiety. She would not leave her home unless accompanied by a family member. She and her service provider built a trusting relationship, and slowly, as her confidence grew, she learned to cope and overcome her fear. Now she takes herself shopping, visits the local library and has made new friends.”
“Home and community-based services empower people to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals,” explained Yolanda Robano-Gross, Options’ Executive Director. “Our service providers help people improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life. They help people pursue education and employment goals, reconnect with family and their community. We are grateful to the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation for its generous support.”
“We are honored to support such a wide range of organizations doing critically important work to improve the health and well-being of New York’s most vulnerable communities.” — Alfred F. Kelly, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Visa and Chair of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Board.
About Options for Community Living, Inc.
Established in 1982, Options for Community Living, Inc. operates residential programs for adults recovering from mental illness, care coordination services for adults and children with chronic health conditions, and housing and services for homeless people with disabilities and/or HIV/AIDS. Options’ mission to assist people to live independently and with dignity in the community has grown through the years to serve more than 2,300 adults and children annually. For more information about Options for Community Living, Inc., please visit their website at http://optionscl.org or call 631.361.9020.
About Mother Cabrini Health Foundation
The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization with the mission to improve the health and well-being of the vulnerable New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of targeted communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. The Foundation – which is named in memory of a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor – provides flexible support for new and innovative approaches that enhance health and wellness across New York State. For more information, visit https://www.cabrinihealth.org/
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