Putnam To Get Mental Health Stabilization Center With ARPA Funding

SOUTHEAST, NY — A center for people with various mental health needs will open soon in Southeast.

"A stabilization center will be an enormous benefit to the mental health of our residents, especially children, in crisis," said Putnam Mental Health Commissioner Michael J. Piazza, Jr. in a letter to Southeast Town Supervisor Tony Hay.

People USA will operate it and a similar center in Westchester County, both modeled after the Dutchess County center they have operated for six years.

"Between 40%-50% of the individuals receiving support from the Dutchess County Stabilization
Center are children and adolescents brought there by parents or referred by school districts," Piazza said. "This staggering statistic could very well extend into Putnam County in a post-pandemic environment."

Last year, the Putnam County Legislature committed $2.5 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to help People USA with start-up costs for the center. Except for the initial ARPA funding provided by the county, the agency will operate independently, from insurance revenue, he said.

The agency had trouble finding space. The county participated in unsuccessful talks with People USA and Putnam Hospital officials about a place on the campus.

Finally, they found office space at 2505 Carmel Ave. that was previously occupied by a New York State Office of Mental Health outpatient treatment program. More recently, the Mental Health Association of Putnam County had its office space in the same building where it served clients including those seeking services and support through the Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer to Peer Program. The building provides the agency with the opportunity to develop the space to their specifications, including a private entrance and separate parking lot in the back.

The County is not renting the space or operating the center, and People USA has worked its lease agreement directly with the landlord, Piazza said.

Piazza acknowledged that some town residents have expressed concern that the building also houses a day care center.

"The day care center at 2505 Carmel Avenue is well known to the Department of Mental Health, Social Services and Youth Bureau," he said, because the department partners with the day care center through the NYS Child Care Program. "It is also well known that the day care center operated in that location when a previous tenant provided an outpatient mental health treatment program in the same location the center will be located."

The first of its kind in New York State, the Dutchess County site provides an environment that is designed to assist individuals and children away from traumatic environments and experiences, and on a voluntary basis, so that the success of recovery is greater, Piazza said. Most of the adult, adolescent and child clients who seek services at the Dutchess site are presenting with symptoms of anxiety, and stabilization centers provide assistance to residents for non-emergency related health matters. Please remember that recovery looks different for every person and the range of support received at the center depends on the individual needs, he said.

The Department of Mental Health, Social Services and Youth Bureau, together with its provider agencies, develop annually a comprehensive local plan for services that identifies the needs and gaps in the system of care for individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities and those that are dealing with alcohol and other drug abuse, he said. "The two highest prioritized unmet needs in Putnam County’s system of care have consistently been a mobile crisis team and a stabilization center."

The county will schedule a public forum to discuss it, Piazza said.