New York Among States Selected to Pilot New National Rating System for Addiction Treatment Providers

The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) today announced that New York is one of five states selected to partner with Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending addiction, to develop and implement a rating system for addiction treatment programs. During the 24-month pilot program, OASAS will work with Shatterproof to align the rating system with ongoing initiatives in New York to improve the quality of addiction treatment by ensuring care is delivered using evidence-based best practices.

“We’re committed to continuing our efforts and partnerships to combat the opioid epidemic impacting communities across the state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, co-chair of the NYS Heroin and Opioid Abuse Task Force. “This program with national nonprofit Shatterproof will implement a rating system for treatment programs and determine best practices to end addiction and help individuals on the road to recovery.”

“Although addiction can be a lifelong battle, recovery is possible with the appropriate treatment,” said OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. “This new rating system will help us to monitor the quality and effectiveness of our services to ensure that people obtain the same quality of care anywhere in the State.”

The Shatterproof Rating System pilot will launch in five states over two years with the goal of transforming the quality of addiction treatment based on eight core Principles of Care. They include: universal screening for substance use disorders (SUDs) across medical settings; rapid access to appropriate SUD care; personalized diagnosis, assessment and treatment; continuing long-term outpatient care; concurrent, coordinated care for physical and mental health; access to fully trained behavioral health professionals; access to FDA-approved medications; and access to non-medical recovery support services.

“The Shatterproof Rating System can help families better understand the quality of care their loved ones will receive from addiction treatment providers,” said Senator Pete Harckham, the Chairman of the New York State Senate’s Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. “Since addiction treatment quality varies greatly, Shatterproof can be a useful tool for those seeking the vital help they need to make a difference in their recovery.”

“Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease that can be treated with the same effectiveness as other illnesses when using evidence-based best practices,” said Gary Mendell, Founder and CEO of Shatterproof. “Tragically, though, the quality of care varies widely among addiction treatment programs and individuals looking for care can’t identify high-quality programs. It is time that a standard be set across all addiction treatment, and that the entire system aligns behind evidence-based care ”

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website CombatAddiction.ny.gov to learn more about the warning signs of addiction, review information on how to get help, and access resources on how to facilitate conversations with loved ones and communities about addiction.

For tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing alcohol or drug use, visit the state’s Talk2Prevent website. 

Source: OASAS