ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The behavioral health treatment system, which includes mental health service providers, has entered the final phase of its transition to a Medicaid managed care service delivery model, and it is expected that services for children will fully transition to managed care by December 31, 2017. To accomplish this transition the state has invested additional resources into community based behavioral health treatment services and support, downsized state facilities and proposed to consolidate or merge programs across the state, including the potential closure of the Western New York Children's Psychiatric Center (WNY-CPC). Over time, Western New York has developed a network of nearly 300 providers who deliver mental health services to children. Moving forward, it will be critical that the state not only continue to provide additional resources for the state's behavioral health treatment system, but also protect and maintain the mental health programs and service providers that have proven to be effective, such as those that are provided at WNY-CPC. The purpose of this hearing is to provide an opportunity for the committee to determine the availability of children's mental health services in Western New York and examine the impact on children and their families as it relates to the potential closure of the WNY-CPC.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

Aileen Gunther
Member of Assembly
Chair
Assembly Standing Committee on
Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities

ORAL TESTIMONY BY INVITATION ONLY

I plan to attend the following public hearing on Children's Mental Health Services in Western New York to be conducted by the Assembly Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities on Friday, May 29th in Buffalo, NY.

I have been invited to make a public statement at the hearing. My statement will be limited to 10 minutes, and I will answer any questions which may arise. I will provide 10 copies of my prepared statement.

I will address my remarks to the following subjects:

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I do not plan to attend the above hearing.

I would like to be added to the Committee's mailing list for notices and reports.

I would like to be removed from the Committee's mailing list.

I will require assistance and/or handicapped accessibility information. Please specify the type of assistance required:

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