From: sussman1@frontiernet.net
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2014 5:42 PM
To: Miller, Darcie
Subject: Re: request to meet Community Services Board
your candor is much appreciated and can serve to re-assure people who depend on these services.
thanks and we will participate in that public process when and if the time comes. best regards.
michael
From: Miller, Darcie
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2014 5:37 PM
To: mailto:sussman1@frontiernet.net
Cc: Bolzan, Thomas
Subject: RE: request to meet Community Services Board
Hi Michael –
Yes I believe I can say with some confidence that the clinic will stay open for now … the state Office of Mental Health will be working together with Rockland Psychiatric Center and the Counties to determine what services they can continue to operate. My confidence that there will not be any movement at this time is connected with the message from Rockland regarding the State Budget … once that is released it may lead to targeting state services for closure, merger, or downsizing that could include the Newburgh Clinic.
Most importantly, we have been assured that is serious discussion begins about closure of this Clinic there will be an opportunity for stakeholder and community input.
I hope this helps to clarify my understanding of the current status.
Regards – Darcie
Darcie M. Miller LCSW-R
Commissioner
Orange County Department of Mental Health
30 Harriman Drive
Goshen New York 10924
Phone 845 - 291 - 2601
Fax 845 - 291 - 2628
damiller@orangecountygov.com
From: sussman1@frontiernet.net [mailto:sussman1@frontiernet.net]
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2014 3:37 PM
To: Miller, Darcie
Cc: Bolzan, Thomas
Subject: Re: request to meet Community Services Board
commissioner – thank you for your response. I know the board meets tomorrow evening; we have
heard from various sources that the push to close the clinic has ceased/eased, but we have no confirmation
of that from anyone I can be assured is reliable. As you know, such "plans" can play havoc with
peoples' heads, especially those dependent on the specific services offered. In this context, if you
do know this trial balloon has burst and the facility will stay open at least for now, conveying that
would be wonderful...thanks for passing our request to carol...michael
From: Miller, Darcie
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2014 2:52 PM
To: mailto:sussman1@frontiernet.net
Cc: Bolzan, Thomas
Subject: request to meet Community Services Board
Mr. Sussman –
I am writing in response to the email you sent Deputy Commissioner, Tom Bolzan (copied below). I greatly appreciate your interest and advocacy on behalf of the state operated outpatient mental health clinic in Newburgh and support of those in our community with mental illness.
I will forward your email to Carol Chichester, Chair of the Community Services Board.
Warm regards – Darcie
Darcie M. Miller LCSW-R
Commissioner
Orange County Department of Mental Health
30 Harriman Drive
Goshen New York 10924
Phone 845 - 291 - 2601
Fax 845 - 291 - 2628
damiller@orangecountygov.com
From: <sussman1@frontiernet.net>
Date: December 8, 2014, 6:22:25 PM EST
To: Thomas Bolzan <tbolzan@orangecountygov.com>
Subject: newburgh
Reply-To: <sussman1@frontiernet.net>
12/7/14
Deputy Commissioner Bolzan:
I wanted to personally thank you and Commissioner Miller for meeting with CVH representatives and
those of us from the Democratic Alliance concerning the possible closure of the Rockland Psych Center
[RPC] sponsored mental health clinic in Newburgh.
From our investigation, we unequivocally support retention of this clinic and believe it serves many who
very desperately need the offered services. Discontinuity and uncertainty adversely affects the served
population who, as three clients expressed, feel this clinic has very well and distinctly served their needs.
Since our meeting, I have learned about the Orange County Department of Mental Health has a functioning
Community Services Board [CSB]. I would like those who attended the meeting we had with you and Ms. Miller
to be able to address that group. I understand it meets this coming Wednesday evening.
While I am unsure whether this Board will be empowered to review any closing proposal from RPC and make
a recommendation, I do know that it has a specific committee dealing with services to the mentally ill
and the current issue seems [to me] germane to that committee's mission and scope.
Kindly convey my request for such an opportunity to the chairperson of the CSB and allow me the courtesy
of a response to this request. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Michael Sussman
Convener, Democratic Alliance
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