New York Receives $10 Million for Mental Health Care
The federal grant will expand the Collaborative Care model to eight health centers across the state.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Mental Health
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New York State is launching the ACCESS-NY initiative using $10 million in federal funding to improve behavioral health services. The program aims to provide care for 1,750 individuals by integrating mental health support into primary care settings.
Why it matters
The initiative seeks to eliminate barriers to care for residents facing complex physical and behavioral health needs. By connecting primary care with specialized mental health services, the state hopes to better support vulnerable patients.
The federal grant provides $4 million for the first two years, followed by $2 million annually for three years. This initiative expects to treat 1,750 individuals aged 6 and older across eight rural health and federally qualified centers.
The players
New York State Office of Mental Health
This state agency oversees mental health services and is responsible for implementing the expanded Collaborative Care model.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
This federal agency is the primary source of the $10 million grant designated for the ACCESS-NY behavioral health initiative.
The details
The program funds technology that integrates clinical decision support tools directly into existing electronic health records. This expansion targets rural regions, where residents account for more than 17% of the state population.
Timeline
The Collaborative Care model was first established in New York in 2012.
The $10 million federal grant was announced on October 27, 2026.
Health Landscape
The state's adoption of the Collaborative Care model continues a trend of integrating behavioral health into primary care settings. This initiative extends the existing model, which is already utilized by more than 450 physical health practices in New York.
Patients at participating rural and federally qualified health centers will gain easier access to mental health services integrated with their primary care visits. This model reduces the need for patients to navigate separate systems for complex physical and behavioral health needs.
The takeaway
Integrating behavioral health into primary care settings simplifies treatment navigation for patients with multiple health conditions. Residents in rural areas stand to benefit significantly as the state works to bridge the gap between physical and mental health services.
Further reading
For more information on state behavioral health initiatives, visit New York Mental Health.
Source note: This article includes information reported by LongIsland.
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