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Health & Fitness

Bipartisan Group Tours Sagamore Children's Psychiatric Center in Effort To Keep Facility Open

Earlier this week, Assemblymembers Chad Lupinacci (R,C,WF,I-Huntington Station), Andrew Raia (R,I,C-East Northport), Michaelle Solages (D-Elmont), Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst), Edward Hennessey (D-Medford) and Senators Carl Marcellino (R- Syosset), Kemp Hannon (R-Nassau),  joined Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester), Chairman of the Senate Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee and Allison Horan, Chief of Staff for Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D,I,WF- Forestburgh), the Chairwoman of the Assembly Mental Health Committee for a tour of the Sagamore Children’s Psychiatric Center. The Senators and Assemblymembers are currently working on bipartisan legislation to keep the facility operating in its current form despite a proposed scale back in services by the Office of Mental Health (OMH).
 
“I was pleased to join my colleagues to tour the facility today and reaffirm our commitment to continuing mental health services to those in need, especially our children. When services lapse for someone suffering from a mental health issue, the impact can be tragic for the individual, their family and too often for innocent individuals around them. I’m dedicated to ensuring the important services offered at Sagamore remain available because we can’t let some of the most vulnerable in our community suffer when treatment and care is available. The Sagamore Children's Psychiatric Center in Dix Hills has a long history of providing quality and accessible care to many children suffering from psychological issues,” said Assemblyman Lupinacci.
 
“The possibility of even considering to close Sagamore Children’s Psychiatric Center not only compromises the emotional and mental well-being of our children, it could inevitably increase the strain on families who are already trying to navigate through an already complex mental healthcare system. I implore the State Office of Mental Health to reconsider the closing of Long Island’s only inpatient children’s psychiatric program. Sagamore Children’s Psychiatric Center
 
"Sagamore is a crucial resource for our children here on Long Island.  Forcing Long Island families to travel all the way into Queens and the Bronx to receive these vital services would put an undo burden on already struggling Long Islanders. I believe this is a step in the wrong direction for mental health services here in a New York,” said Assemblyman Andrew Raia.
 
Under the current proposal by OMH, in-patient services would cease at Sagamore and many children suffering from mental health aliments could be forced to travel to Queens or the Bronx for care. Lupinacci is also encouraging residents to add their names to his petition. Those wishing to sign the petition can do so by visiting https://apps.facebook.com/my-surveys/tyacu.
 
“I strongly encourage residents across Long Island to show their support for our children and the facility at Sagamore. The staff at Sagamore is an integral part of our community, and I will continue to work to ensure the facility remains open, providing the quality psychiatric treatment we all expect,” concluded Lupinacci. not only provides our children with the best mental health care but also allows them to continue with their education. This is a national model that should be replicated not dismantled,” said Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages.

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