Change on horizon at OCFS with more jobs, closures
By DEBORAH A. MILES
Some changes are in store for the state Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)
if Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s Executive Budget is passed.
OCFS would lose 60 positions due to the proposed closure of three downstate
group homes and the Great Valley non-secure facility in the Cattaraugus County
area. But 249 new positions will be added to improve health and safety of the
youths at OCFS facilities.
The increase is overdue at OCFS because of its history of low staffing in
environments where youths need special treatment, counseling or education.
Throughout the years, OCFS has been waving red flags about the violence that
occurs in these homes.
In the past, the state has linked the reduced capacity and staff at facilities
to the Evidence Based Community Initiative which aims to treat youths living at
home in their communities.
So the governor’s logic is to propose closing the Great Valley non-secure
facility, which is running at 70 percent of capacity. The majority of youths at
this facility come from other counties.
Another target for closure is the Gloversville community residential home which,
according to the state Division of Budget, has no residents.
Two other community residential homes that are operating at 40 percent of
capacity — Brooklyn and Mount Vernon — are also slated to shut their doors
October 1, 2007. The proposal will require a change in the current law that
requires a one-year notification for the closure of OCFS facilities.
PEF President Ken Brynien said the union has concerns about the proposal.
“We will fight the closures, to preserve the job security of our members, and to
preserve the 12 months notification we fought to achieve,” he said.
The Communicator March
2007
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