Don’t leave them out in the cold!
Lawmakers: Stop the closures of Great Valley Youth Facility and the Brooklyn, Gloversville and Mt. Vernon group homes.

Juveniles enter youth facilities and group homes with many serious needs for services. Those needs are being met by dedicated state employees who work for the state Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).

Research shows appropriate services for troubled youth promote more successful outcomes when they return to their communities. Effective treatment requires commitment to consistency and the quality services that already exist.

Yet, the state Executive Budget would close Great Valley non-secure youth facility and three group homes in Brooklyn, Gloversville and Mt. Vernon leaving these young people out in the cold with no where to turn. Closing these facilities will only set them up for failure — almost guaranteeing the next stop for them will be a prison.

While the needs of our troubled youth have risen, the Executive Budget recommendation would cut the number of residential beds available.

Let’s not make a bad situation worse. Stop this misguided proposal — for the kids’ sake. Give these kids the opportunity to succeed.

Tell your state lawmakers to keep these facilities open.
Call 1-877-255-9417 today.

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This ad was created by the PEF PR department and appeared as a black & white version in The Olean Times Herald on March 16, 2007 and a similar version during the week of March 19 and 26, 2007 in The Albany Legislative Gazette. © Copyright 2007.