September 19, 2013
By Stephanie West
The New York State Legislature will hold the third and final hearing to examine the impact of the NYS Office of Mental Health’s (OMH) proposal to close and redesign state-operated inpatient mental health services on Thursday September 19 in Middletown, NY at 2 pm.
Testimony will be given on the implementation of the OMH Regional Centers of Excellence Plan, including existing system capacity and workforce redeployment as well as meeting the current and prospective needs of communities affected by potential facility closures. This hearing will focus primarily on the slated closure of the Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center.
Earlier this month hearings were held in Farmingdale and Ogdensburg to discuss the impact of the OMH proposal on affected communities and highlight resources that could be reinvested in order to sustain or enhance mental health services.
Testimony is expected from community provider agencies, labor unions and mental health advocates.
