Freeport Crisis Center to Receive Increased Funding

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano, Acting Police Commissioner Thomas C. Krumpter and Human Services Acting Commissioner Dr. James Dolan announced on Wednesday that the county’s residential crisis center -- New Hope in Freeport -- will soon be staffed and able to assist those who have just been revived from a heroin overdose or are in eminent danger of overdosing, by providing the necessary medical or psychiatric care.

Nassau’s Department of Human Services was recently awarded $230,864 in annual state funding for New Hope to expand its services, by hiring a licensed full-time social worker and adding hours to bring a nurse practitioner to full-time there. Emotionally distressed individuals in the community will also be able to be transported to New Hope as an alternative to costly hospital emergency visits. New Hope expects to hire other medical staff -- including a doctor and psychiatrist -- with money designated for them last year by Nassau District Attorney Madeline Singas, which will come out of the DA’s asset-forfeiture funds.

Nassau County Police Officers and Academy Recruits have been specially trained in “Mental Health First Aid” to better identify and assist those with serious mental health concerns. Officers will now be able to refer these individuals to New Hope to address their specific needs. Those identified by police as being in extreme emotional distress, including exhibiting irrational behavior and/or at high risk of overdosing.

Referrals to New Hope will be made by police and the Mobile Crisis Team that is located within the County’s Office of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency; or an individual may contact the center directly for a pre-admission by calling (516) 546-7070. Walk-ins without prior screening are accepted; however, admittance is based on bed availability.

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