“I’m proud to appoint Stephanie Marsequano to the Opioid Settlement Board,” said Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “I’ve known Stephanie for some time, and her commitment and passion stems from a personal loss. I’ve worked with her and am fully supportive of her efforts in advocating for families with children battling opioid addiction. She believes, as I do, that treatments for substance abuse and mental health need to be integrated. I can think of nobody more deserving of this appointment.”
In 2014, Ms. Marquesano founded the Harris Project after she lost her 19-year-old son, Harris, to opioid addiction. The organization advocates for implementing integrated treatment opportunities to improve the lives of teens and young adults diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder, a combination of one or more mental health challenges and substance misuse and/or addiction.
“I am honored to have been appointed by Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins to serve on the Opioid Settlement Board,” said Stephanie Marquesano, President of The Harris Project. “I bring my perspective on the importance of funding programs that integrate care and treatment across the continuum for those with mental health and substance use disorders. This Board provides a critical framework to go beyond rubber-stamping the status quo; ensuring and encouraging the implementation of evidence-based and promising practices statewide.”
Because of legislation championed by the Senate and Assembly, the $1.5 billion in settlements will go to the areas devastated by this epidemic for the development of new services and support. As a result, Westchester County will receive between $10-18 million and the City of Yonkers will receive over $5 million.
Senator Stewart-Cousins appointed Marquesano to the board after the New York State Association of Counties nominated her. She joins the Senator’s other appointees, Lawrence Brown, Joshua Lynch and Joyce Rivera, on the 21-member advisory board.
