At the end of 2022, FEMA ended the NY Project Hope initiative that BPC was honored to have been awarded and to have participated in for almost two years. As Project Hope came to a close, we encouraged OMH to provide a means to retain the infrastructure of the program and OMH subsequently developed a new Statewide program, Community Mental Health Promotion and Support (COMHPS) to address the ongoing mental health crises in our communities. COMHPS teams provide emotional support, wellness activities, and screenings and referral when needed, to licensed mental health professionals. They cover all five boroughs and meet clients where they are at. The COMHPS program aims to support individuals with mental health needs and establish, maintain, and improve individual mental health and wellness. The team consist of one Team Leader and five Outreach workers.

Program services include:

• Community Outreach: Active engagement to identify and assist those in need
• Support Beyond Therapy: Working in conjunction with our clinical department, COMHPS addresses food and job insecurity, education, health, and other stress-related issues that persist beyond the therapy room
• Educational Workshops: Offering workshops on mental health awareness, stress and time management, substance use, spirituality, and healthy living.
• Academic and Vocational Support: Assisting clients with educational and job-related challenges.
• Temporary Counseling: Providing brief individual and group counseling for those waiting for regular sessions or transfers within our service framework to individual and families.
• Organized recreational activities
• Individual screenings for mental health issues
• Links and referrals to community resources and other qualified health professionals