News 12 Staff

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Oct 12, 2023, 12:31 PM

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Updated

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Gov. Kathy Hochul provided an update on the state's $1 billion investment for a multiyear plan to transform mental health care and homelessness.

Hochul touted the work done by homeless outreach teams, known as Safe Options Support, since being launched in April of 2022. The governor says they have made roughly 2,000 contacts with those who are homeless or unsheltered with chronic mental health issues. Of those, over 200 individuals are now in permanent housing with wraparound services.

Another focus for the governor is the New York school system. More money is going into it to help combat the detrimental effects of social media on the youth. This initiative is on top of the Children's Data Privacy Act, which will help parents limit social media outreach for their kids.

In addition to the announcements, Hochul said 99 beds at state-operated psychiatric facilities have opened up and are available. She adds the state is on track to pass the goal of 150 open beds in two years.

The facilities that do not make this happen in a timely manner will be fined.