At the request of our affiliates, the American Health Council is assisting parents, children, workers, and elected officials in preventing the merger of the Western New York Children’s Psychiatric Center into Buffalo Psychiatric Adult Center.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mental Health Commissioner Ann Sullivan are working together to combine the facilities. However, they are mistakenly ignoring how invaluable a resource the WNYCPC truly is.
With bi-partisan support, State Sen. Patrick Gallivan (R) and Sen. Timothy Kennedy (D), as well as State Assembly members Michael Kearns (D) and Crystal Peoples-Stokes (D), have all voiced their strong opinion in favor of the WNYCPC.
A facility specifically designed to be therapeutic for children through its myriad services and excellent location, the WNYCPC has obtained one of the lowest rates of seclusion and restraint. This facility should not be combined with an adult psychiatric center, as it would only be detrimental to the safety, mental health, and well-being of vulnerable children.
On Nov. 30, 2017, Gov. Cuomo vetoed the proposal preventing the merger of the facilities. However, this has not stopped Sen. Gallivan from calling upon other legislators to override the veto. His efforts are not alone, as Assemblyman Kearns rallies his fellow assemblymen to override the governor’s unreasonable actions.
Please lend your support to these fragile children in need of assistance. Learn more here:
https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/10/31/1169855/0/en/American-Health-Council-Calls-for-Support-to-Prevent-Closure-of-Children-s-Psychiatric-Center.html