PEF peers into budget, page by page, department by department
Threat to close Middletown Psych Center clouds future for patients, employees
The Executive Budget proposal to close Middletown Psychiatric Center is no surprise. This is the fourth time it has been proposed.
However, the proposal to reinvest the savings from the center’s closing in local mental health services is a new wrinkle.
If Middletown PC is closed April 1, 2006, as proposed, PEF insists the plan include adequate provisions for a network of state-operated community-based services in Orange and Sullivan counties and continuity of employment for affected state employees.
These community-based programs operated by the state should include transitional services, assertive community treatment, crisis residences, partial hospitalization, psychiatric triage, community residences, intensive housing case management and visiting nurse services.
“Middletown has provided quality mental health care for more than 100 years,” said PEF Division 279 Council Leader Cindy Bartley-Horn.
“We are committed to continuing a comprehensive system of mental health services for the citizens of Orange and Sullivan counties. This battle is not about brick and mortar. It’s about services to the mentally ill and the continuity of employment for our members who have dedicated their careers to helping them,” she said.
The state Office of Mental Health would have authorization for 356 positions in community-based services under this proposal. PEF insists every effort be made to transfer displaced employees from Middletown PC into these jobs in their own communities.
PEF members at Middletown PC have built strong community and local legislative support, and PEF has an advertising and continuing lobbying effort on this issue.
— Sherry Halbrook
KNOW THE FACTS — Download the OMH fact sheet at
www.pef.org
The
Communicator March 05
Features
PEF speaks up on NYS budget
Backup budget: Sweet & sour
Fairer
taxes, less waste
PEF peers into NYS
budget:
- DOCS
- AG&MKT
- DOT
- OCFS
- OMH
- SUNY
- PAROLE
- MUSEUM
- DOL
Departments
President's
Message
Member's Mailbag; You Said It
Nurses Station
Health
& Safety
Member Highlights
Retirees In Action
PEF
Membership Benefits &Travel
Union Matters
Reg.
1 offers Scanlon scholarship
Connecting troops for the holidays
Converting feepayers on the rise
PEF: Legal ground ruling is tough
Submit ’04 Empire Plan claims...
Other Links
Professional
Directory
Members'
Classified
Member
Communicator Feedback
Do You Prefer The
Online Edition?
How To
Advertise Here
The
Communicator Staff
Questions on this
site?
Email the Webmaster