AGENCY TESTIMONY
Single Point of Access (SPOA) system for specialized mental health services
1:01:07
·
75 sec
Jamie Neckles explains the Single Point of Access (SPOA) system, which manages referrals to specialized treatment and recovery services for individuals with complex behavioral health needs in New York City.
- SPOA is managed by the health department and accessible through their website
- Referrals come from various sources, including crisis service providers, community-based mental health providers, shelter and housing providers, hospitals, jails, and prisons
- The system received 4,107 referrals in fiscal year 2024
- SPOA programs include Assertive Community Treatment and Intensive Mobile Treatment
- These programs have a combined capacity to serve about 6,500 people at a time
- Clinicians at the health department review eligibility and make referrals to appropriate levels and locations of care
Jamie Neckles
1:01:07
People are connected to these programs by providers who make referrals through the health department's website.
1:01:12
Referral sources include the crisis service providers I just described, as well as community based mental health, shelter, and housing providers who recognize that their client could benefit from a higher level of care.
1:01:25
Hospitals, jails, and prisons also make referrals to our single point of access as a part of their discharge planning process.
1:01:33
Our single point of access received 4107 referrals in FY 24.
1:01:42
Single point of access, otherwise known as Spoa, sorry, for the acronyms, programs include assertive community treatment and intensive mobile treatment, which have a combined capacity to serve about 6500 people at a time.
1:02:00
These programs provide longer term engagement and treatment for people with serious mental illness who have not found the support they need in traditional settings.
1:02:10
1 of the many benefits of these programs is reduced risk to future mental health crises.
1:02:15
Clinicians at the health department SPO review eligibility and make referrals to the appropriate level and location of care.
