NORWICH – In an effort to deliver services to more county residents, Chenango County Behavioral Health Services has been given the green light to pursue a new outpatient satellite clinic in the Otselic Valley School District.

The Chenango County Board of Supervisors approved the new location at their monthly meeting held Monday. The resolution adopted by the Board permits the Director of Community Services to begin implementation planning for the clinic, as well as any necessary applications, certifications, or assurances to appropriate regulatory agencies.

Behavioral Health Services (based in the County Office Building in Norwich) already has a similar clinic in the Oxford Academy Central School District. Opening an additional location at Otselic Valley will allow the department to reach even more individuals at a younger age, explained Behavioral Health Services Director Ruth Roberts.

“We want to bring services to them,” Roberts said. “Otselic Valley is in a very remote part of our county. The purpose of this clinic is to serve the kids and the families that don’t have the resources or are not likely to get to our Norwich clinic.”

The intent of school-based clinics is simple – to reach kids at a young age in order to prevent more serious behavioral health issues when they’re older. The key is to be proactive, said Roberts.