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Mental Health Services: Single Point of Access (SPOA)

New Application Process

As of June 4, 2018, all Single Point of Access (SPOA) referrals must be completed using NYCMED. Once you create a NYCMED account, you can access the web-based application process, Maven, by going to the list of “Applications,” then the list of “Provider Services" and choosing “Mental Health Maven System.”

Children’s Single Point of Access (CSPOA) referrals can also be made through NYCMED by choosing “Children SPOA” under “Provider Services” in Maven.


The Single Point of Access (SPOA) program helps providers connect people with serious mental illness to mental health services that can accommodate them. Through these services, people with serious mental illness can connect to treatment, communicate with providers and get help finding benefits.

Connection to Services

The program reviews eligibility and makes 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. Learn more about the state guidelines for Assertive Community Treatment.

  • 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.

  • Shelter Partnered ACT (SPACT): This is available to people with serious mental illness who are eligible for ACT and reside in an NYC mental health shelter.

  • 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.

Referral Application

If you want to refer a person with serious mental illness to one of the services described above, you can do so by using NYCMED. Your application must include a recent psychiatric evaluation, a recent psychosocial evaluation and a client consent form.

  1. Complete the online application by logging into NYCMED. If you do not have a NYCMED account, you can create one. For questions or technical assistance, call 888-NYCMED-9 (888-692-6339), or complete the NYC.ID online feedback form.

  2. Access the SPOA Referrals Portal. Maven users can access the portal with the same log-in information.

  3. If you are not a Health + Hospitals employee, enter your nyc.gov account information on the left side of the screen. Health + Hospitals employees should use the "NYC Employees" function on the right side, and log in by entering their account ending in "@nychhc.org".

  4. Begin your application on the SPOA referrals portal entry page and enter pertinent information.

For questions related to a SPOA referral, email SPOA@health.nyc.gov, or call 347-396-7258.

Housing

The Center for Urban Community Services currently oversees the housing referral process.

Children's Single Point of Access (CSPOA)

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. 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.

More Information