A bi-partisan group of local lawmakers stood with health care workers and mental health professionals yesterday to urge the state not to close the Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center in Orangeburg as an inpatient facility. State senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick said it’s outrageous to send area kids instead to the Bronx and eliminate local mental health jobs …
Rockland Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski said those who don’t live here don’t know what it’s like to drive to the Bronx…
And that was state North Rockland state senator James Skoufis. Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther from Sullivan and Orange County chairs the mental health committee, was skeptical over the benefits of the center becoming privatized, should the state close it down…
And that was Public Employees Federation president Wayne Spence preceded by CSEA Southern Region President Anthony Adamo. Rockland Assemblyman Mike Lawler, whose district includes the Psychiatric Center, said the state is morally obligated to help those in need and those who can’t help themselves…
The facility serves children between the ages of 5 and 18.