New York City, New York — New York taxpayers will fund a $2 million state program aimed at coordinating mental health services and wellness initiatives for recently arrived Afghan refugees, according to grant documents reviewed by the Washington Examiner.
The initiative, overseen by New York’s Office of Mental Health, will distribute ten separate grants of $200,000, each to be spent over a six-month period. The funding is intended to support outreach, mental health education, interpretation services, and the direct delivery of counseling and wellness programs tailored to Afghan arrivals. The state says many Afghans arrive in the U.S. with both immediate and long-term mental health needs stemming from displacement, war, and resettlement stress.
Grant guidance emphasizes “culturally informed” care and requires providers to demonstrate familiarity with Afghan culture and refugee experiences. Applicants must also address diversity, equity, and inclusion criteria, which account for 10% of the state’s scoring when awards are issued. The program further encourages hiring staff of Afghan heritage, potentially channeling state funds directly into the local Afghan community.
The documents specify eligibility for Afghans granted refugee status and others approved by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement, though they do not clearly address whether individuals without lawful status could benefit.
The spending comes as New York faces mounting fiscal pressure. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli recently projected a $34.3 billion budget gap, highlighting ongoing concerns about the state’s financial trajectory as it expands social service programs.
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