Walk-in and Virtual Service will expand same-day access to Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment for Ulster County Residents

Expansion will include dedicated, community-based, mobile support for opioid addiction

Kingston, NY – Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan and Ron Colavito, President and CEO of Access: Supports for Living Inc., announced today the opening of a new walk-in Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care facility that will expand same-day access to mental health and substance use treatment in Ulster County starting on June 1st. 

Earlier this month, County Executive Ryan formed a countywide Behavioral Health Task Force to identify gaps in the County’s existing mental health and addiction landscape to inform potential investments. This Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care will fill a key gap identified by the task force by removing barriers to receiving same day service for residents who urgently need access to treatment.

“The opening of a mental health and substance use Urgent Care in Ulster County is more essential than ever as we continue to see more and more of our residents struggling with mental health and addiction,” County Executive Pat Ryan said. “This program will strengthen our efforts to ensure we are responsive to the needs of the community and provide our residents with the absolute best quality behavioral health services, both now and in the future.”

The partnership leverages several funding sources including NIDA/SAMHSA HEALing Communities funding to create a new service delivery model for Ulster County residents that provides convenient, community-based mental health and substance use treatment and builds on the resources already available, including the Ulster County Mobile Mental Health Team. New services include:

• Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care clinic, available 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday in Midtown Kingston and virtually 24/7.
• A mobile Registered Nurse/Care Manager to support individuals and families seeking substance use treatment, including opioid use, in their home or anywhere in the community convenient for them. This service will be connected to the Urgent Care, as well as the Ulster County Mobile Mental Health Team. 

“Access is proud to partner with the County Executive and his team to make sure that care is available where and when it’s needed, even outside of the four walls of a counseling center,” President and CEO of Access: Supports for Living Ron Colavito said. “Our shared goal is keeping people safe and out of hospital emergency rooms. That’s why these services are designed to be approachable and, equally as important, flexible so that we can meet the needs of the community today and tomorrow.” 

Access opened its first Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care locations in Middletown and Newburgh in 2019 with support of federal funding. In two years, more than 4,000 people have received care at the Urgent Care, a majority having never previously done so with Access, one of the largest providers in the region. This includes same-day access to a psychiatrist, either in person or via telehealth.

The Ulster Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care will be available in person 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday at 368 Broadway, Suite 205, Kingston or by calling 888-750-2266, option 2, 24/7. The Registered Nurse/Care Manager for substance use treatment is also available by calling the Urgent Care or the Ulster County Mobile Mental Health Team at 844-277-4820.

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Attached: Ulster County Recovery Task Force Member James Shaughnessy, Ulster County Behavioral Task Force Member Tim Hunt, Deputy Commissioner, Ulster County Department of Mental Health Tara McDonald, County Executive Pat Ryan, Access: Supports for Living Inc. CEO Ron Colavito