Staten Island, NY – March 2025 – The Staten Island Performing Provider System (SI PPS) is proud to announce the continued success of its Hotspotting the Overdose Epidemic program, which has achieved record Year 2 results in overdose prevention. Launched in 2022 and supported by AI-based predictive analytics, the program focuses on identifying and supporting individuals at the highest risk of overdose – leading to significant strides in saving lives, reducing healthcare costs, and improving health outcomes.

Since the program’s launch, the outcomes for those engaged in the program have been notable. In its second year (April 2023 – April 2024), the Hotspotting Program delivered:

• A 77% reduction in fatal overdoses among individuals engaged in the program.
• A 36% reduction in non-fatal overdoses in the engaged group.
• A 63% reduction in substance use disorder-related emergency room visits, reflecting the program’s success in preventing overdose crises that could lead to hospitalization.

In addition to the reductions in overdose-related incidents, Year 2 also saw an increase in the program’s outreach and engagement:

• 98% of clients received harm reduction services, including naloxone kits, xylazine and fentanyl test strips, sterile syringes and access to syringe exchange programs.

• 100% of clients had a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) assigned at initial engagement, with 99% completing social care screenings.  These screenings help to ensure that clients are connected not only to addiction treatment but also necessary behavioral health, medical, and social services.

Building on these successes, SI PPS is expanding the program from four to nine partners in Year 3, with additional growth planned for Year 4. The expansion will increase the program’s reach across New York City, continuing its mission to save lives, improve health outcomes, and address the broader public health crisis created by the opioid epidemic.

To further support this expansion, a national Hotspotting advisory board is being formed, bringing together prominent program advocates, the Hotspotting initiative developers, and healthcare leaders to help other communities implement similar life-saving initiatives. SIPPS is proud to announce that Robin Hood, New York City’s largest local poverty-fighting philanthropy, will join this national Hotspotting advisory board as a founding member. Robin Hood, a leading force in deploying innovative tools to address systemic issues that affect underserved communities, brings invaluable expertise and a shared commitment to improving health outcomes. Robin Hood’s involvement will help strengthen the efforts of the Hotspotting program and enhance its impact throughout the nation.

 

Program Leaders and Experts Weigh In:

Joseph Conte, PhD, Executive Director of the Staten Island PPS, said:
“Hotspotting continues to produce dramatically positive results in the second phase of the program: a 77% mortality risk reduction for individuals who have been engaged. These results demonstrate that actively engaged individuals in the Hotspotting Program who suffer from substance misuse disorder (SUD), with CRPA-led and technology-enabled solutions, saved lives and reduced overall overdose rates for our community members. While national trends for fatal overdoses are down, the crisis is as much a five-alarm fire as it was last year and the year before. We are grateful to the Silverman Family, Elevance Foundation, and the $12 million in Opioid Settlement Funding secured by Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo to continue supporting this evidence-making program.”

Brahim Ardolic, MD, Senior Vice President and Deputy Market President, Northwell Western Market, and President, Staten Island University Hospital, stated:
“Overdose rates demand urgent, data-driven solutions. The Hotspotting Program proves that predictive analytics and targeted care save lives—Staten Island is leading the way, and this model must expand across New York. A 63% reduction in substance use-related emergency room visits shows just how effective this approach is, not only in saving lives but also in alleviating the burden on our healthcare system. Every life saved is a step toward breaking the cycle of addiction and strengthening our communities.”

Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, said:

“As the five-alarm fire of the fentanyl and overdose crisis continues to rage, we must leave no stone unturned in our pursuit to save lives and put an end to this deadly epidemic. An innovative approach to combating  the opioid crisis, our Hotspotting Initiative has prevented countless overdoses while ensuring that some of Staten Island’s most at-risk populations are given the treatment and holistic support they need to improve their lives for the better. I commend our partners in the Staten Island Performing Provider System and local health professionals and treatment providers for their dedication and creative approach to beating back this dire public safety and health crisis and look forward to the continuation of this most important initiative over the next year and beyond.” 

Ileana Acosta, Program Director of the Hotspotting the Overdose Epidemic Program, said:
“As we reflect on Year 2 of our Hotspotting Program, these results represent more than just numbers—they represent lives saved and families kept intact. Overdose deaths are down across the country, but the crisis remains urgent, and our work is far from over. By engaging those at the highest risk, we are preventing crises before they escalate and ensuring people receive the support they need. While these results are promising, we must keep narrowing the gap until preventable overdose deaths are eliminated.”

 

Adena Hernandez, Director of Health and Mental Health at Robin Hood, said:

“There is an opioid-related death every three hours in New York City – and the highest rate of fatalities occur in very-high poverty neighborhoods. This ongoing crisis continues to cut short the lives of too many New Yorkers, destabilizing families, and communities in the process. As a member of this national Hotspotting advisory, we aim to scale and sustain this life-saving initiative that takes a proactive approach, identifying the most vulnerable individuals and engaging them in responsive, holistic care.”

Max Rose, Former U.S. Representative and Advocate for Overdose Prevention, added:
“The Hotspotting program has now clearly demonstrated that it is the leading overdose prevention initiative in the nation. With this demonstrable success in the program’s phase 2, we urge payors and health systems to adopt this innovative approach.”

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About the Hotspotting the Overdose Epidemic Program:

The Hotspotting the Overdose Epidemic Program (Hotspotting Program) is a data-driven program implemented by the Staten Island Performing Provider System (SI PPS) in partnership with nine organizations across Staten Island, including the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office, local hospitals, and various community-based organizations. The program identifies at-risk individuals by analyzing key risk factors using an algorithm developed in collaboration with MIT Sloan School of Management’s Initiative for Health Systems Innovation.

The program focuses on value-based care coordination for opioid use disorder (OUD) and overdose prevention, offering a comprehensive model that combines harm reduction, social care, and recovery support. Key components include Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPAs), personalized care plans, and Contingency Management (CM) for Medication-Assisted Treatment patients.

For more information, visit hotspottingtheoverdoseepidemic.com.

 

About Staten Island Performing Provider System (SI PPS)
The Staten Island Performing Provider System (SI PPS) is the lead Social Care Network for Richmond County. We are an integrated network of medical, behavioral, academic partners, and social service agencies. SI PPS aims to improve the quality of care, reduce costs, and improve health outcomes for Staten Island’s Medicaid and uninsured populations. Originally formed under the DSRIP program, SI PPS continues to refine its transformative work to reduce health disparities, enhance population health outcomes, and improve health equity. Learn more at www.statenislandpps.org.

 

 

Event Details:

• Location–St. George Theatre, 35 Hyatt St, Staten Island NY 10301
• Date and Time –Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 1pm –5pm
• RSVP –Please CLICK HERE to fill out our RSVP form (or copy and paste https://forms.office.com/r/X5n8jXsCUpinto your browser).
• Please contact aoconnor3@northwell.edu with any questions.

 

Staten Island University Hospital’s North Shore Summit:

The “North Shore Summit” is an annual event where SIUH invites local partners, community organizations, elected officials, Northwell Health Leaders, and other key stakeholders to come together and discuss innovative strategies to raise health in our community. This year’s summit will focus on discussing and addressing the various social determinants of health effecting our borough. This year’s event will include guest speakers, panel conversations, and tabling opportunities.

 

Keynote Speaker – Dr.Michelle Morse, Acting Commissioner of NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Dr. Michelle Morse is the Acting Commissioner of Health at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health). She is also the inaugural Chief Medical Officer and Executive Deputy Commissioner at NYC Health, where she leads the agency’s work in bridging public health and health care to reduce health inequities, guiding the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness’s place-based and cross-cutting health equity programs and serving as a key liaison to clinicians and clinical leaders across New York City.

 

View the event flyer here.

“The moment I first learned about Operation Debt-Day and the collaboration between the Veteran Task Force of SI PPS and End Veteran Debt (EVD),” said Alex Marrocco, President and Director of the Road Home Foundation for Injured Warriors and Families, “I was all-in.”

“First, the cause of reducing Veteran suicide by relieving past and current debt burdens for these returned heroes is consistent with our mission and purpose. Secondly, EVD’s unique model of combining funding with awareness raising we feel could attract local and national interest in Road Home.”

Since its launch as a 501(c)(3) public charity in 2014, Road Home has raised and spent over $320,000 to give wounded Veterans and their families much-needed financial grants. Unfortunately, the number of Veterans and active-duty military who could benefit from this help has multiplied over that time.

“We need to treble donations to meet that need,” Alex added. “We won’t do that using yesterday’s marketing or social media skills, and that’s where EVD excels.”

Road Home stepped up to become the first SI PPS Veteran Task Force organization affiliate to donate $2,500 towards the $50,000 campaign goal and becoming the first member of the “Five-Percenter-Plus-Club.” This added lift-off heat to the site’s “thermometer” tracking contributions. When this goal is reached, the $50,000 will buy and eliminate $1,000,000 in Veteran debt nationally and release funds locally to support community efforts.

Not just past debts but here-and-now financial crises will be addressed

Road Home operates on four principles:

#1. Commitment.
#2. Transparency.
#3. Accountability.
#4. Education.

The first three principles were already shared in the DNA of EVD and Road Home. The challenge was how to partner in putting the fourth principle, education, to work. It is easy to see how relieving a Veteran or family member of past unpaid bills is a good thing. However, educating someone on how to deal with an immediate financial problem or, better yet, how to avoid the problem to begin with is even better.

To that end, Road Home and EVD are conducting once-monthly educational seminars through March. The first is How to Handle Calls and Communications from Debt Collectors. Given today’s economic climate, this is a timely subject. Nationally known industry experts will participate in this online webinar during the third week of this month to provide financial do’s and don’ts essential to Veterans and their families’ survival.

Click here to be placed on the attendance list. Click here to donate to the SI SIPPS/EVD Operation Debt-Day Campaign.

 

On Tuesday, November 12th, SI PPS Executive Director, Joseph Conte, joined Blooming Health CEO, Nima Roohi, alongside other Social Care Network (SCN) leaders to discuss the New York State 1115 Health Equity Waiver at Blooming Health’s event. The event focused on preparing Social Care Networks for success to serve 7 million Medicaid members across New York.

Other panelists included:

• Amie Parikh, CEO, Hudson Valley Care Coalition
• Zachariah Hennessey, Chief Strategy Officer & EVP, Public Health Solutions
• Lori Andrade, Executive Vice President, Health & Welfare Council of Long Island

Dr. Joseph Conte, Executive Director of SI PPS and Ileana Acosta, Program Director of the Hotspotting the Overdose Epidemic Program, presented at the NCQA Health Innovation Summit in Nashville, TN on November 1st 2024. They were joined by Raj Lakhanpal, Chief Executive Office of Spectramedix and Michael LaRocca, Founder and CEO of Ready Computing. The Health Summit features over 60 sessions covering a range of health care quality topics, including value-based care, health equity, digital quality solutions and behavioral health.  SI PPS presented on its Hotspotting Program initiative, which is an evidence-based, overdose prevention and outreach initiative. The program leverages predictive analytics and data to identify individuals at-risk of overdose and engage them before an adverse event using a person-centered care management model.  The panel presentation yielded hundreds of participants; the session examined how the program was conceived and implemented, and how Hotspotting can be a promising approach to save lives.

What is Samaritan?

Samaritan is a support network that helps people overcome barriers to housing. The Samaritan community has helped more than 1,000 unhoused individuals take steps towards housing across the US.

Samaritan works by partnering with organizations across the nation that are serving unhoused or housing insecure populations. Our partners can use Samaritan to incentivize steps towards health and housing goals and accelerate outcomes for their clients.

 

Mindy Mannarino, a Care Navigational Manger with Staten Island Performing Provider System, expressed her appreciation for the role Samaritan plays in assisting in her client caseload. “Once you get a client interested and you can get them enrolled, they are floored that a health insurance company collaboration would offer something like this. They’re usually pretty enthusiastic!” Mindy highlighted the distinct advantage Samaritan provides compared to other health programs. “It’s nice to be able to offer something like this because for some of the other programs, you’re not offering an incentive,”she explained. “You’re just kind of saying, ‘Oh, you know, you should do this and you should do that.’ So this is much better.”

When asked about the effectiveness of Samaritan’s Action Steps and Bonuses, Mindy pointed out how these elements have had a tangible impact on clients’ health management. “A lot of folks go to appointments, They try to do all the follow-ups that they need to do,” she said, noting that many of her clients deal with conditions like type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Mindy observed that the incentive structure encourages patients in their personal goals. “It’s interesting, some people said it motivated them to actually set up these appointments, The Members found that this was like an incentive to be more on top of their own health.”

The bonuses, Mindy noted, have been particularly beneficial. “I do notice that the people who indicated, like, ‘I’m really going to use this to buy food,’ they really stick to that,” 

“They are always very thankful and grateful to Samaritan for giving them the opportunity to do this,” she said. “It helps some people feel like it’s more of a priority to take care of their health, because then maybe they can eat a little healthier because they have this extra money.”

Mindy remains optimistic about Samaritan’s ongoing impact. Her experiences illustrate how the program not only provides essential support to those in need but also inspires clients to use their Action Steps toward managing their health effectively.

 

More information about Samaritan can be found on their website: https://www.samaritan.city/

For the past seven years, Staten Island Performing Provider System (SI PPS) has been training Community Health Workers (CHWs). SI PPS is an apprenticeship sponsor and has trained over 200 CHWs in New York City and Long Island. SI PPS partners with employers to graduate trainees by providing additional support such as mentorship, transportation stipends, financial incentives, and job preparation. College of Staten Island is the key training partner to offer a certified community health worker training program.

SI PPS has been designated as a Social Care Network released which was announced by Governor Hochul on August 7, 2024. Social Care Networks will address health disparities in low-income communities by leveraging federal funding to connect Medicaid members to nutritional meals, housing supports, transportation and other social services. CHWs will be an integral member connecting Medicaid members to services to impact the individual’s overall health.

This week is National Community Health Worker Awareness week. Staten Island Performing Provider System is an apprenticeship sponsor and would like to acknowledge the great work being done by our partnering employers and apprentices in Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Long Island.

A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member or has a particularly good understanding of the community served. CHWs are some of the most trusted voices in the community when it comes to health because they come from the communities they serve. And they are one of the best ways to tackle health inequity and health disparities.

CHWs serve as a liaison between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and to improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. CHWs can operate under many different titles including Patient Navigator, Community Health Advisor, Maternal/Infant Health Outreach Specialist, Peer Educator, etc.

One of the CHWs that SI PPS sponsored was Crystal Deleon from Community Health Center of Richmond (CHCR). Crystal leads the Enhanced Postpartum Care Project for CHCR. She creates postpartum plans for the fourth trimester alongside patients. Crystal also provides follow-up postpartum check-ins, educational workshops on childbirth for expecting mothers, safe sleep, and breastfeeding. Crystal said “The most rewarding part of her Community Health Worker apprenticeship is reconnecting with mothers and checking in after they deliver the baby”.

In addition to CHCR, there are several employers that we would like to highlight for the CHW apprenticeship. These partners offer services for the homeless, individuals living with HIV, and people with chronic conditions. These are the partners we have worked with for the CHW program:

1. A Chance in Life

2. AIRnyc

3. Central Family Life Center

4. Community Health Action of Staten Island

5. Community Health Center of Richmond

6. Long Island Coalition for the Homeless

7. Harmony Healthcare Long Island

8. Maimonides

9. Make the Road New York

10. Project Hospitality

11. Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness

The SI PPS CHW training program has 3 phases:

1. The first phase is all virtual. This is the CHW training program provided by College of Staten Island, held 3 evenings per week on Zoom, for 8 weeks. Each session meets for 2-3 hours.

2. The second phase provides upskilling for an additional 5 weeks with three evenings per week virtually on Zoom. Each session meets for 2-3 hours.

3. The third phase is all in-person and is a 6-week on-the-job training program at clinical partner sites such as hospitals, federally qualified health center and/or an ambulatory care center. $600-$1,200 stipend available for trainee.

This past year, Staten Island Performing Provider System (SI PPS) sponsored the Lay Counselor training. The Lay Counselor Academy provided a 14-week course for lay counselors who are people without traditional mental health education but can complete the Lay Counselor Academy training to learn how to provide crucial support to community members in need.

SI PPS will continue to sponsor training programs so if you or anyone you know are interested, please reach out to Connor Stapleton at cstapleton@statenislandpps.org to find out more details. We are accepting applicants until 9/9/24.

Join the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy, Staten Island PPS, and partners for a healthy cooking class! You can also join us for a virtual information session about the Hunger Free Campus Act. Details below. Register here.

 

Join Northwell Health for our job fair on Tuesday, July 11 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University/Northwell, 500 Hofstra Blvd., Hempstead, NY. Learn more and register here: High School Graduate Job Fair – July 2023 (ttcportals.com)