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There is a Better Way, Stop the Waste, Stop the Closure and Down Sizing of Youth Facilities
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 2009-10 Executive Budget proposes the closure of Adirondack Residential Center in Clinton County, Great Valley and Cattaraugus Residential Centers in Cattaraugus County, and Pyramid Reception Center in the Bronx, the downsizing of Tryon Residential Center in Fulton County and Allen Residential Center in Delaware County, and the elimination of Evening Reporting Centers in Albany, Syracuse and Buffalo.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: I am strongly opposed to the proposed downsizing of Office of Children and Family Services
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
As a local resident and constituent, I am strongly opposed to the proposed downsizing of Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) facilities.
The closure of Adirondack Residential Center in Clinton County, Great Valley and Cattaraugus Residential Centers in Cattaraugus County, and Pyramid Reception Center in the Bronx, the downsizing of Tryon Residential Center in Fulton County and Allen Residential Center in Delaware County, and the elimination of Evening Reporting Centers in Albany, Syracuse and Buffalo will adversely impact hundreds of local employees, families, children, community partnerships and public vendors. We ask that you seek to restore funding in the budget for these facilities.
As you know, last year the Legislature mandated that OCFS undertake a study on recidivism in the private and public residential treatment programs. The Governor also appointed a task force of experts to make recommendations on transforming New York's juvenile justice system. It is premature to be dismantling the system before these evaluations are completed as valuable resources may be lost.
The State should not close any OCFS facility when so many youth have severe mental, educational, addiction and other social problems that cannot be safely and successfully treated in private facilities or in the community. 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.
The courts often send children to private agencies without an accurate assessment of their dysfunction and needs. Many of the private agencies are not equipped to handle the level of dysfunction that is prevalent in this population.
Numerous research studies have documented that small scale environments enable improved treatments for youth. OCFS' current bed plan, which includes eliminating several small scale facility treatment programs, contradicts this treatment philosophy. OCFS should repatriate children receiving services in privately run facilities and treat them at underutilized facilities.
I believe OCFS is being short sighted in its rush to close facilities for the treatment of youth. The need for residential facilities for juvenile offenders is cyclical and recent evidence points to an increase in juvenile crime, including a 41% increase in juvenile crime in New York City in five years.
I urge you to restore funding for OCFS facilities for the future of our children and our community.
Sincerely,
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Action Center
