Carole Estabrook's column is right to point out job replacement opportunities promised by the state Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is an “empty offer.” She is correct in realizing many families can't simply uproot to larger more expensive cities. This is all part of the uncertainty as a result of the agency's plan to close several youth facilities including Auburn Residential Center.

However Ms. Estabrook is too quick to applaud OCFS's plan to return our troubled youths to family care with “intense therapy.” This “new idea” is untested and a gamble. The future of our troubled youth is left hanging in the balance. The fact is that many of the children that are and would be diverted from the state facilities are critical needs children, many of which have already failed in community placement.

We too recognize these difficult financial times, but shutting down facilities without a concrete tested plan to rehabilitate juvenile offenders is not the answer.

Ken Brynien

Albany

Brynien is president of the NYS Public Employees Federation