FUNDING RECOVERY

As we welcome the season of gratitude and giving, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the support and advocacy that makes our work at Caz Recovery possible. In this edition of our newsletter, we’re turning our attention to the policies that shape the landscape of substance use disorder (SUD) services—and how those policies directly impact our work at Caz Recovery. Our funding serves as the backbone of our ability to provide life-changing services. Understanding our funding structure is not only essential to sustaining our mission but also to advocating for the improvements that ensure brighter futures for those we serve.

The Building Blocks of Our Funding

The foundation of our financial health lies in diverse funding streams. A significant portion—89%—comes from New York State. This includes funding from the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), as well as Medicaid and Managed Care Organization (MCO) funding (42%), which supports our day-to-day program operations. The state also assists through Congregate Care Level 2 funding (17%), which partially funds our scattered-site reintegration sites as well. Federal programs also play a role in the programs we offer. For instance, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides rental assistance and support services for our Housing programs, while the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps offset food costs in our congregate programs. These funds, though crucial, often require extensive documentation and compliance efforts to secure and maintain.

Grant Funding: Driving Innovation and Growth

Grants, while comprising just 3% of Caz Recovery’s overall funding, play an outsized role in driving transformative initiatives that enhance our care and services. Over the past year, we’ve secured vital support for projects aligned with our mission, including over $445,000 from Erie County to sustain staffing and community programming, and a $230,000 OASAS grant to upgrade our electronic medical record systems. The Grigg Lewis Foundation provided Caz $75,000 for appliances and equipment at Madonna House, while $25,000 from the M&T Bank Foundation funded critical repairs and upgrades at Somerset and Unity House. Together, these grants have significantly strengthened our ability to deliver innovative, high-quality recovery services.

Advocacy is at the Heart of Our Strategy

Caz Recovery’s leadership team has worked tirelessly to secure and expand funding streams while advocating for policy changes that directly impact individuals affected by substance use disorder such as housing affordability, mental health services, and peer support. Thanks to these efforts, our Reintegration programs now receive funding through Medicaid and MCOs, and we have seen increased funding from HUD. These wins reflect the power of collective advocacy and the importance of speaking up for the needs of SUD services.

Our strategic approach to advocacy is ongoing. We continue to push for increased state funding to support better pay for our dedicated staff and ensure that our programs remain fully resourced. While we have worked to offer competitive pay rates to all of our staff, finding qualified applicants in a field that is equally difficult as rewarding remains challenging. Given our funding structure limitations, we aim to put money back into our employees by offering monetized professional development plans, paying for certifications and training, and assisting with health premium costs. Caz Recovery will continue to advocate for our staff, since without the amazing staff we have, we would not be nearly as successful as we have been.

Looking Ahead

Caz Recovery is excited for 2025. Our new Strategic Framework is committed to sustainability and growth, ensuring that we reach even more individuals suffering from substance use disorder. We’re also committed to further strengthening our advocacy efforts, securing sustainable funding, and investing in our incredible team. Together, we’re making a real difference in the lives of those we serve.