New York Invests Nearly $6 Million in Opioid Settlement Funds to Expand Youth Recovery Services
Governor Hochul awards opioid settlement funding to 12 Recovery Community and Outreach Centers across New York State, expanding youth-focused addiction services for ages 12-17.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced Thursday the award of nearly $6 million in opioid settlement funding to 12 Recovery Community and Outreach Centers across New York State. The investment fulfills a key promise from the governor's 2026 State of the State address and will expand youth-focused addiction services to help young people ages 12-17 who are in recovery or at risk of substance use disorders.
What This Funding Means for Families
The funding, distributed through the New York State Opioid Settlement Fund overseen by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), will allow existing recovery centers to add new youth-appropriate services including education, skill-building, and recreational activities. These services are designed for two groups of young people: those currently in recovery from a substance use disorder, and those not in recovery but seeking a safe, drug-free environment.
Recovery centers are non-clinical settings where young people can connect with peers facing similar challenges and receive support in a judgment-free space. They also provide help to families navigating a loved one's substance use.
"Young people struggling with substance use should never have to face it alone or wait until a crisis to receive support," said State Senator Nathalia Fernandez. "Recovery begins when they have safe places to turn, trusted providers who understand their challenges, and opportunities to see a future beyond addiction."
Where the Funding Is Going
The $6 million will be distributed across all regions of New York State, with each of the 12 selected providers receiving approximately $450,000 to $510,000 for two years of programming. An additional $60,000 is included in the first year for startup costs.
Capital Region
- The Prevention Council of Saratoga County: $490,000
Central New York
- Center for Community Alternatives, Inc.: $510,000
- Helio Health, Inc.: $510,000
Finger Lakes
- Center for Community Alternatives, Inc.: $510,000
- UConnectCare, Inc.: $509,990
Long Island
- Family and Children's Association (FCA): $450,000
Mid-Hudson
- Independent Living, Inc.: $510,000
Mohawk Valley
- Catholic Charities of Herkimer County: $510,000
- Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Council of Hamilton, Fulton, and Montgomery Counties (HFM Prevention Council): $489,000
New York City
- Community Health Action of Staten Island (CHASI): $450,000
- Let's Talk SAFETY, Inc. The PILLARS: $510,000
Southern Tier
- Friends of Recovery Dedicated to Others, Inc.: $502,000
The Bigger Picture: New York's Opioid Settlement Strategy
This investment is part of New York's nation-leading effort to distribute opioid settlement money. The state has already received $2.8 billion through various settlement agreements with opioid manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies, secured by Attorney General Letitia James. To date, New York has made more than $454 million available through the Opioid Settlement Fund—the most of any state in the country.
A portion of settlement funding goes directly to municipalities, while the remainder is deposited into a dedicated state fund supporting prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery efforts. The state maintains a public tracker showing how these funds are spent.
OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham noted that this expansion builds on existing youth services, including more than 20 youth clubhouses across the state that offer recovery support tailored to younger populations. The agency also implements prevention services in schools and communities.
How Families Can Access These Services
Families seeking help for a young person struggling with substance use have several pathways:
Recovery Community and Outreach Centers: These non-clinical spaces offer peer support, family resources, and connections to treatment. With this new funding, 12 centers across the state will now offer specialized programming for ages 12-17.
OASAS Youth Clubhouses: More than 20 locations statewide provide similar services specifically designed for adolescents.
Treatment Programs: OASAS operates youth-specific treatment programs and certifies other providers with adolescent designations, ensuring they have staff and programming equipped to support young people.
SAMHSA National Helpline: Available 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential treatment referral and information.
Context: Why Youth-Focused Services Matter
Adolescence is a critical window for intervention. Early substance use can disrupt brain development, academic performance, and social relationships. Yet young people often face unique barriers to seeking help, including stigma, fear of judgment, and lack of age-appropriate resources.
Recovery centers address these barriers by offering non-clinical, peer-based support in environments that feel welcoming rather than institutional. For families, these centers provide education, coping strategies, and connections to additional resources.
New York's investment reflects growing recognition that supporting young people in recovery requires more than clinical treatment—it requires community, connection, and safe spaces where they can build healthy identities beyond substance use.
What's Next
The funded programs will launch over the coming months, with providers using the first-year startup funds to hire staff, develop curricula, and establish youth-specific programming. Families can contact their regional OASAS office or visit the New York State Opioid Settlement Fund tracker for updates on specific programs and availability.
For immediate help, the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) provides free, confidential treatment referral and information services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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