Early childhood detection efforts under fire again
NORWICH – Even though it wasn’t on the agenda, a program that would identify school-aged youths in the county who are in need of mental health services came under fire again within the Finance Committee last week.
The program, Child and Family Clinic Plus, would spur the hiring of three social workers and one clerical staff for the Chenango County Mental Hygiene Department. It was first introduced in August and has been discussed within three standing committees. Health and Human Services approved the measure last week and members of Personnel will take it up at the end of the month.
Town of Pharasalia Supervisor Dennis Brown, a member of Finance, said his research found a large number of qualified therapists and, in some cases, certified psychologists employed by school districts in the area. He found five in South Otselic schools and seven in the Cincinnatus schools.
“What makes her (Mental Hygiene Department Director Mary Ann Spryn) more qualified to identify kids who need help?” he asked.
Supervisor Richard Schlag, D-German, asked whether the county would be duplicating efforts. “I see that these assessments (of students) could be redundant.”
“How can they say it’s not a duplication of efforts?” Brown asked.
Last month, Brown specifically objected to the in-school screening and identification component of Child and Family Clinic Plus, calling it a matter of “drumming up clients” and “just another way to add staff.”
Spryn has said the county’s mental health clinic currently falls short of its care for youths. The new program would be more intensive and more responsible. “We see kids every two or three weeks. We’ll be able to see them weekly and see a better outcome,” she said.
Smyrna Supervisor James B. Bays supported the initiative within the Health and Human Services Committee, saying that early intervention “is crucially important.”
Spryn pointed out that the program was the first effort ever made by the New York State Office of Mental Health to “put money into prevention” and “help prevent people from developing more serious problems.
Nearly $220,000 in state funds are available for the program and conservative estimates project it could carry a local share cost of $10,000. Based on Spyrn’s calculations, the program could net $72,000 in revenue over expenses after the first full year of caseloads.
“The money is available and we will be able to track it,” Spryn said.
Finance Committee Chairman Lawrence Wilcox said he was told long ago that “sometimes you can’t afford free money.”
The new staff would start in January. The Finance Committee will next review the matter as part of the entire Mental Hygiene Services budget.
The program, Child and Family Clinic Plus, would spur the hiring of three social workers and one clerical staff for the Chenango County Mental Hygiene Department. It was first introduced in August and has been discussed within three standing committees. Health and Human Services approved the measure last week and members of Personnel will take it up at the end of the month.
Town of Pharasalia Supervisor Dennis Brown, a member of Finance, said his research found a large number of qualified therapists and, in some cases, certified psychologists employed by school districts in the area. He found five in South Otselic schools and seven in the Cincinnatus schools.
“What makes her (Mental Hygiene Department Director Mary Ann Spryn) more qualified to identify kids who need help?” he asked.
Supervisor Richard Schlag, D-German, asked whether the county would be duplicating efforts. “I see that these assessments (of students) could be redundant.”
“How can they say it’s not a duplication of efforts?” Brown asked.
Last month, Brown specifically objected to the in-school screening and identification component of Child and Family Clinic Plus, calling it a matter of “drumming up clients” and “just another way to add staff.”
Spryn has said the county’s mental health clinic currently falls short of its care for youths. The new program would be more intensive and more responsible. “We see kids every two or three weeks. We’ll be able to see them weekly and see a better outcome,” she said.
Smyrna Supervisor James B. Bays supported the initiative within the Health and Human Services Committee, saying that early intervention “is crucially important.”
Spryn pointed out that the program was the first effort ever made by the New York State Office of Mental Health to “put money into prevention” and “help prevent people from developing more serious problems.
Nearly $220,000 in state funds are available for the program and conservative estimates project it could carry a local share cost of $10,000. Based on Spyrn’s calculations, the program could net $72,000 in revenue over expenses after the first full year of caseloads.
“The money is available and we will be able to track it,” Spryn said.
Finance Committee Chairman Lawrence Wilcox said he was told long ago that “sometimes you can’t afford free money.”
The new staff would start in January. The Finance Committee will next review the matter as part of the entire Mental Hygiene Services budget.
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