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).  The Executive Budget proposes the closure of Auburn Residential Center, Brace Residential Center, Great Valley Residential Center, Pyramid Reception Center, and downsizing the Adirondack programs and the Lansing Residential Center.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As you are aware the Executive Budget proposes downsizing of Office of Children and Family Services' (OCFS) facilities, including the closure of Auburn Residential Center in Cayuga County, Brace Residential Center in Delaware County, Great Valley Residential Center in Cattaraugus County, and Pyramid Reception Center in the Bronx, as well as the downsizing of the Adirondack programs in Clinton County and the Lansing Residential Center in Tompkins County.

The New York State Senate budget proposal prohibits the state from closing Great Valley, Brace and Auburn residential centers and seeks to convert Great Valley Residential Center into a limited secure youth facility in their budget resolution. As the conference committees negotiate the differences in the budget proposals it is imperative that these items remain in the final budget proposal.

It would be wrong to close and downsize these facilities when so many of the state's youth have severe psychological and educational issues, addictions, and other social problems that cannot be safely and successfully treated in private facilities or in the community; especially, when community-based treatment methods have already failed them.

Most youth currently in OCFS residential programs were unsuccessfully treated in community programs prior to their placement with OCFS. Furthermore, one-third of youth placed by OCFS in private residential facilities fail in these placements and are transferred to OCFS facilities for more appropriate treatment.

If these closures are allowed to proceed, there will be an adverse impact on hundreds of local employees, families and troubled youth in need of residential treatment.

I ask you to help keep these facilities as well as the Pyramid Reception Center open, and make sure that the budget language included in the Senate's budget resolution remains in the final state budget.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
February 25, 2008