The Single Point of Access (SPOA) program helps provider connect people with serious mental illness to mental health service that can connect them to treatment communicate with providers and get help finding benefits.
The program reviews eligibility and make referrals to the following services:
- Non-Medicaid Care Coordination (NMCC): This service is available only for people with a serious mental illness.
- Assertive Community Treatment (ACT): This treatment is for people with a serious mental illness who have high service needs that are not being met in traditional settings. People with serious mental illness who are otherwise unable to connect to community treatment can receive clinical support from an interdisciplinary team.
- Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT): This is available to people with serious mental illness who are eligible for Assertive Community Treatment and have current forensic involvement.
- Intensive Mobile Treatment (IMT): This treatment is intended for people with serious mental illness who have been difficult to engage, including those who are transient and have high service needs.
To refer a person to one of the services described above you must complete the online application through NYCMED. If you do not have a NYCMED account, you must create one.
Your application must include a recent psychiatric evaluation, a recent psychosocial evaluation and a client consent form. If you have any questions on how to apply, email SPOA@health.nyc.gov.
Children’s Single Point of Access (CSPOA) is a centralized referral system for children with serious emotional disturbance who need intensive mental health services to remain at home or in their community. CSPOA can direct patients as old as 21 to a variety of high-end community services. After receiving a referral request, CSPOA will conduct an assessment and interview the family and referrer to determine the child’s needs.
CSPOA refers children and adolescents to services such as:
- Health Home Care Management (ages 0-21): Provides care coordination to youth with chronic behavioral and physical health needs. A care manager will provide various services, including an individualized plan of care and patient advocacy.
- Non-Medicaid Care Coordination (ages 0-21) ): Provides care coordination to youth who are diagnosed with severe emotional disturbance. A care manager will provide various services, including an individualized plan of care and patient advocacy.
- Community Residence (ages 5-17): These small therapeutic group homes provide housing and supervision from specially trained staff. Services include structured daily living activities and training in problem solving skills. Clinical services are provided by local mental health programs.
To refer a patient to CSPOA, see the below forms and instructions.
Instructions for the Children’s Single Point of Access Application
Children’s Single Point of Access Application Part 1
Children’s Single Point of Access Application Part 2
CSPOA Authorization for Release of Information // (Spanish)
In addition to referring by mail or online, you can also refer by faxing your forms to 347-396-8849. For more information about CSPOA or the referral process, call 347-396-7205