Closing residential centers means troubled youths will fall through the cracks.

The governor’s budget proposal to close or consolidate several youth residential facilities is shortsighted, particularly now when juvenile crime is on the rise. Juvenile arrests in New York City increased 41 percent from 2002 to 2006 and hard economic times often lead to higher crime rates.

Fewer state residential centers means troubled youths will fall through the cracks. The commissioner of the state Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is behind the rush to close these facilities, without even waiting for the governor’s task force on Transforming New York State’s Juvenile Justice System to make its recommendations for reform.

The commissioner claims the facilities are underused and a waste of taxpayers’ dollars.

In reality, however, OCFS deliberately kept youths out of these facilities and sent them to private centers. One-third of them failed in those placements and were returned to state facilities for more appropriate treatment.

This isn’t a game. These are real lives, real kids who need help and guidance. Research shows appropriate services promote more successful outcomes in the community.

Tell the governor and legislative leaders to support services for youths in OCFS facilities for the future of our children and our communities. Make the right call.

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This ad was created by the PEF PR department and appeared as a spot color ad on the week of February 2, 2009 of The Albany Legislative Gazette © Copyright 2009.