Long Island Families Together

03/10/2026

New podcast explores employee wellness, workplace mental health, and belonging strategies for leaders and organizations

02/28/2026

New York taxpayers spend $400 million annually for Managed Care Organizations to "arrange" behavioral health services for Medicaid members.

After 10 years, here's what that bought us:

Access to Care:
❌ 43% of public MH clinics STILL have waiting lists
❌ Youth su***de rates UP 9.9%
❌ NY ranks 41st out of 50 states in psychiatrist access
❌ 86% of provider directories are inaccurate "ghost networks"

Provider Impact:
❌ Clinics employ 3-6 full-time staff just fighting for payment
❌ Resources diverted from patient care to administrative warfare

We're paying $400M a year for a system that insurers profit from, not one that improves access to necessary care.

Here's the Alternative — Carve out behavioral health services and return to fee-for-service. That $400M could:
✅ Fund thousands of new staff positions
✅ Eliminate waiting lists
✅ Pay providers directly and on time
✅ Actually improve access to care

The question isn't whether we can afford to change. It's whether we can afford NOT to.

CALL TO ACTION:

📞 Contact your legislators NOW:
Find My Senator —> https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator
Find my Assemblymember —> https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/

And ask them to:
✅ Include the behavioral health carve-out in one-house budgets
✅ Support S.8309-A / A.8055-A

02/28/2026

Here's what most New Yorkers don't know: the insurance companies NY hires to manage your care don't do the work themselves. They outsource to third-party vendors, take little accountability for their actions, and make a profit from gatekeeping and using tactics that delay or deny care to New Yorkers. Layers of middlemen don't improve care—they just make accountability impossible.

The question: Why does New York pay $400M annually to profit-driven insurers instead of investing directly in providers who deliver care?

CALL TO ACTION:
📞 Tell your legislators to END this experiment by include the behavioral health carve-out in one-house budgets and support S.8309-A / A.8055-A

No more middlemen. No more excuses. Carve out mental health and substance use disorder services from Medicaid managed care NOW. Support S.8309-A & A.8055-A

Find your Assemblymember: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/
Find your State Senator: https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator

02/28/2026

Ten years ago, Governor Cuomo transitioned behavioral health into Medicaid managed care with big promises: better coordination, improved access, and cost savings.

Ten years later? The system is in crisis. The managed care experiment failed. Period.

CALL TO ACTION:

📞 Tell your State Senator and Assembly Member:

✅ Include the behavioral health carve-out in your one-house budget

✅ Support S.8309-A / A.8055-A

✅ Invest $400M directly in our workforce and expand access to care

Find your Assemblymember: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/

Find your State Senator: https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator

With federal support at risk, New York must lead. The time is NOW to

02/28/2026

The & can end 10 yrs of a system in crisis this year. Improve access to care by including the carve-out of OMH & OASAS behavioral health services from Medicaid managed care in one-house budgets & support S.8309A/A.8055A.

02/28/2026

State leaders have stepped up to cosponsor critical legislation that carves out most OMH mental health services & OASAS substance use disorder services. Your rep should be on this list. Contact your representative and urge them to become a co-sponsor of S. 8309A & A. 8055A.

Find your Assemblymember:
https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/
or call 518-455-4100

Find your State Senator:
https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator
or call 518-455-2800

02/26/2026

Passing along a free virtual learning opportunity open to all, led by an esteemed presenter.

02/26/2026

HEALI is here to help. Answer a few questions through our self-screening tool at healiny.org or reach our Navigators at 516-505-4434. Tell us what you need and we'll take it step by step, together.

02/24/2026

🍎📚 ✨ Becoming an Effective Advocate for Your Child's Education ✨🍎📚

We know that advocating can be challenging, but it's essential! Many parents, guardians, and grandparents face hurdles getting their child’s educational needs met. Join us to learn the practical skills and strategies necessary to communicate effectively and champion your child's rights. 🗣️🌟

🗓️ Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST
➡️ Click here to register NOW and secure your spot: https://tinyurl.com/KidEdPower2

🍎🌟📚💪👩‍🏫👨‍🎓

02/13/2026

02/11/2026

This FREE_VIRTUAL learning opportunity is available to all New Yorkers!

This approach is valid for all ages and types of relationships. It is effective for behaviorally and emotionally challenged children (ADHD, ODD, ASD, Attachment, etc.) as well as typically developing children. You will leave this series with clear techniques and strategies to face the emotional & be...

02/09/2026

Explore resources for youth at risk of developmental disabilities, mental health issues, or substance use. Know the warning signs; find local support. Early action matters!
See comments for a link to a video presentation on warning signs and how to access resources.
For further information or to schedule a free in-person presentation in your community, contact 631-853-3129 or Colleen.Truocchio@SuffolkCountyny.gov