AUBURN - Mental health professionals rallied around their work and their boss at a special meeting between Cayuga County legislators and the Community Services Board Tuesday.
Members of the county Health and Human Services Committee showed support for a potential Community Mental Health Center move from the Historic Post Office to Auburn Memorial Hospital.
Robert Bergan, the president of the AMH Board of Trustees, indicated the county and hospital will know if that's possible soon. AMH is consulting with architects already working on a capital project there.
An assessment of space and project costs could be available within a week and a half.
“We have an energetic chief executive who wants to collaborate with the county,” Bergan said. “If that's something that's positive for the county, then we would want to move forward.”
A state commission called for the hospital to reduce its bed count in December.
The vacant space may help the county Community Mental Health Center restore funding the state Office of Mental Health began withholding about two weeks ago.
The state cited problems with the space in the Historic Post Office including the poor building conditions, lack of privacy for patients and inadequate medication storage.
County Legislators have been unable to muster support for a $3 million renovation project at the Historic Post Office, but agreed to look at the AMH space as an option in light of state sanctions that amount to about $100,000.
The state also cited the county for incomplete records and insufficient guidelines for care. A number of employees in attendance Tuesday defended the quality of care at the mental health center.
“I think the issue is the building, it's always been the building,” said Cindy Mazzeo, coordinator of the alcohol and substance abuse program. “The bad press has to stop.”
Child psychiatrist Kevin Denny told Legislators he hasn't commuted from Canandaigua for the past eight years to work at a second-class mental health center.
“The reason I continue to work here is the service in this mental health center is superior from top to bottom,” Denny said. “Don't take us for granted anymore. Take us as a partner.”
He added the state citations overlook the actual care that is provided at the health center. Community Service Board member and mental health service user Arleen Egry credited the center for her personal success.
“They saved my life many times,” Egry said.
About a dozen employees held signs stating “Mental Health Matters” and backed the center's director, David Blair.
“He is the most diplomatic employer and advocate for the mentally ill and we are here to back him,” Peggy Lattimore said to applause from the gallery.
Blair has submitted a corrective action plan to the state, which will determine whether to lift sanctions by the end of the month.
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
Robert Bergan, the president of the AMH Board of Trustees, indicated the county and hospital will know if that's possible soon. AMH is consulting with architects already working on a capital project there.
An assessment of space and project costs could be available within a week and a half.
“We have an energetic chief executive who wants to collaborate with the county,” Bergan said. “If that's something that's positive for the county, then we would want to move forward.”
A state commission called for the hospital to reduce its bed count in December.
The vacant space may help the county Community Mental Health Center restore funding the state Office of Mental Health began withholding about two weeks ago.
The state cited problems with the space in the Historic Post Office including the poor building conditions, lack of privacy for patients and inadequate medication storage.
County Legislators have been unable to muster support for a $3 million renovation project at the Historic Post Office, but agreed to look at the AMH space as an option in light of state sanctions that amount to about $100,000.
The state also cited the county for incomplete records and insufficient guidelines for care. A number of employees in attendance Tuesday defended the quality of care at the mental health center.
“I think the issue is the building, it's always been the building,” said Cindy Mazzeo, coordinator of the alcohol and substance abuse program. “The bad press has to stop.”
Child psychiatrist Kevin Denny told Legislators he hasn't commuted from Canandaigua for the past eight years to work at a second-class mental health center.
“The reason I continue to work here is the service in this mental health center is superior from top to bottom,” Denny said. “Don't take us for granted anymore. Take us as a partner.”
He added the state citations overlook the actual care that is provided at the health center. Community Service Board member and mental health service user Arleen Egry credited the center for her personal success.
“They saved my life many times,” Egry said.
About a dozen employees held signs stating “Mental Health Matters” and backed the center's director, David Blair.
“He is the most diplomatic employer and advocate for the mentally ill and we are here to back him,” Peggy Lattimore said to applause from the gallery.
Blair has submitted a corrective action plan to the state, which will determine whether to lift sanctions by the end of the month.
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
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