Gov. Kathy Hochul is rushing up the deployment of psychological well being employees to assist tackle homelessness within the New York Metropolis subway system within the wake of a deadly shove on the Instances Sq. cease.
The state’s Workplace of Psychological Well being will ship 12 rapid-response groups of eight to 10 members to the Massive Apple to assist cope with often-ignored diseases which have led to a number of the extra horrific crimes lately.
The preliminary two-team deployment to New York Metropolis will see 20 members within the subway system as early as subsequent week, Hochul’s workplace mentioned. The members will double by spring throughout 4 groups and ultimately swell to a minimum of 96 staffers by the summer season.
A further eight groups might be deployed to different cities throughout the state by the top of the yr, the governor’s workplace mentioned.
The announcement comes simply days after Michelle Go was pushed to her demise at a Instances Sq. subway station, allegedly by Martial Simon, 61, who was ordered to a psychiatric facility after showing in courtroom.
The groups, dubbed “protected choices help,” might be comprised of social employees despatched all through the subway system and might be rolled out as quickly as subsequent week.
The information got here Friday with the state posting a request for proposals on-line, permitting nonprofits to submit bids on this system.
“Working with our companions in New York Metropolis, we’re taking motion to assist make our streets and subways safer,” Hochul mentioned in saying the rollout.
“Too many New Yorkers are sleeping on our streets and subways — they want assets and help to get again on their toes. By deploying outreach professionals to focused areas, we'll assist enhance security and guarantee New Yorkers experiencing homelessness have the help they want.”
The growth fulfills a promise from Hochul’s state of the state speech.
The preliminary plan for a $21 million annual funding into new psychological well being companies was introduced two weeks in the past by the governor and Mayor Eric Adams. On this fiscal yr, this system will include an $11 million price ticket.
Adams praised the speedy rollout Friday, calling homelessness a nationwide downside that requires “collaboration throughout all ranges of presidency” to deal with.
“We applaud Governor Hochul for this new initiative centered on reaching and supporting fellow New Yorkers experiencing unsheltered homelessness, and we look ahead to constructing on our partnership to determine new and compassionate methods by which we may also help a few of our metropolis’s most weak residents get again on their toes,” Adams mentioned.
The groups might be assisted by the MTA, NYPD, NYC Homeless companies and different metropolis companies, the mayor added.
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