OCFS Announces $1.25 Million to Help Vulnerable Youth

RENSSELAER, NY (08/28/2007)(readMedia)-- New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq., today announced the award of $1.25 million in grants to help juvenile delinquents overcome mental health and substance abuse problems. Known as the Mental Health/Juvenile Justice (MH/JJ) Diversion Project, these state-funded grants are aimed at providing services to youth in their own communities rather than in institutional or residential facilities, and to their families.

“These grants will help our young people and their families receive the essential services and support they need, in the communities they live in, with no disruption to family and school life,” said Commissioner Carrión. “These awards will make a tremendous difference by helping young people remain with their families, keeping them in school and guiding them on the path to a long, happy and rewarding life.”

The grants, totaling $1,250,000, provide for the co-location of therapeutic teams within the county probation department. A therapeutic team is made up of professionals with clinical expertise in accessing and providing direct services to youth identified with mental health and/or substance abuse treatment needs. The team will provide a wide range of services for youth and families such as mental health and/or substance abuse assessments, referrals and follow-up to community-based services, and the development of effective community resources.

Governor Eliot Spitzer recently announced several strategic initiatives that aim to place the health and well-being of children and families as a top policy priority. His Children’s Agenda is a comprehensive strategy to ensure that all of New York's children are given an equal opportunity for success. The governor established a Children's Cabinet, an ongoing task force of high-level state officials, to advance programs and policies to benefit children. The Children's Cabinet priorities include helping to ensure the successful implementation of the Governor's plan for providing health insurance coverage for currently uninsured children and offering high-quality pre-kindergarten programs to young children. The Mental Health/Juvenile Justice Diversion Project is in keeping with Governor Spitzer’s policy priority of expanding initiatives that foster opportunities that build on the strengths of families and which promote the health and well-being of children.

The following counties have been awarded MH/JJ Diversion Project grants:

Broome County: $140,000

Columbia County: $66,000

Dutchess County: $212,000

New York City: $350,000

Orange County: $122,000

Schenectady County: $150,000

Westchester County: $210,000

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