Page 8 - Work Force June 2023

County, schools partner to fill needed mental health services
WAMPSVILLE — CSEA members employed by the Madison County Department of Mental Health are helping fill a major community need - providing mental health services for students at schools across the county.
Teisha Cook, director of Community Mental Health Services at the Madison County Department of Mental Health, was a driving force behind placing mental health social workers in school districts throughout the county.
“We have four staff members
in three different districts – Chittenango, Hamilton and Cazenovia – and more districts are now interested in signing on,” said Cook.
The agreement allows for the county’s Department of Mental Health to pay for the employees, but the school districts share the responsibilities by providing space and resources such as furniture
and office supplies, as well as having school staff such as school counselors and teachers involved in planning.
“These are not school social workers, so they aren’t employees of the school district,” said Cook. “They won’t get pulled into other work in their schools. They are dedicated very intently to working with those children who have very specific mental health needs.”
Carlyne “Carly”
Martin, a CSEA
member and staff
social worker at the
Madison County
Department of
Mental Health, is
filling one of the
new positions. She
is based at the
Chittenango School
District, where she provides mental health services to students.
Martin has worked at two of the district’s elementary schools since July 2022.
“I love coming to work every single day,” said Martin. “I come in and see however many students in sessions. If I walk into a classroom, I get at least five other kids who say,
‘do I get to see you? Are you coming to get me?’”
Filling a need
The process of having Madison County Department of Mental Health workers provide services at the schools started several years ago when county officials asked, “what does the community need to recover from COVID?”
School-based mental health services were quickly identified as such a need.
What ensued was a coalition between the county, the Chittenango, Hamilton and Cazenovia school districts, municipalities and community members to make this plan a reality.
“One of the biggest benefits of
me being in the schools is that it provides direct access for students who need these services,” said Martin. “It removes barriers like transportation issues, where parents have to take time off from work to take their children for services, which means a lot less disruption for
the children and their parents.” Nearly 100 children in the
Chittenango School District receive services through this arrangement. All of the school sites must be
officially licensed with the state Office of Mental Health, meaning they have to follow all regulations, are able to diagnose children and abide by treatment plans.
The presence of these new positions in the schools has benefited other CSEA members as well, including those who work for the Madison County Department of Social Services.
“A good number of transfers come from the Department of Social Services, where children may need additional support,” said Martin.
“If I can start seeing that child immediately, it can be extremely beneficial. I see the children in the hallways and in their classrooms as I walk by and I get to engage them even if they don’t come to see me. It’s a real community and I love it.”
— Mathew L. Cantore
that your local is dealing with? TM: Trying to keep all our
members happy and content is a constant challenge, however,
I believe our current challenges refer to inflation and how to cope with outside influences.
JA: How are you (in your union) working to solve these challenges?
TM: We are trying to
stay competitive with good contracts and stick together to make our voices heard.
JA: Is there anything else you would like to add?
TM: I have always been thankful for all the hard work CSEA provides for
Courts Corner: Tommy McKenna
Editor’s Note: This
feature is the fifth
in a series that
will highlight CSEA
members employed
at the New York
State Unified Court
System. The Work
Force’s Jill Asencio
recently spoke with
Tommy McKenna,
who serves as 1st Vice President of the Region IV Judiciary Local in our union’s Capital Region.
Jill Asencio (JA): What is your position, and what do you do in that position?
Tommy McKenna (TM): I am a New York State court officer and I provide security in and around the courthouse I work in.
JA: How is this position important to the community you serve?
TM: As peace officers, we provide a level of security and peace of mind for the community, working closely with other law enforcement agencies.
JA: What is rewarding about your role?
TM: Every day is a brand-new
day, which brings brand-new expectations along with opportunities to strengthening the bond with the public.
JA: Can you tell me a little about yourself and your role in CSEA?
TM: I have been a New York State court officer for 22 years and a CSEA [local] vice president for 18 years
to date. I enjoy my boots-on-the- ground approach and treating all my members and co-workers with utmost importance. I am a humble individual who enjoys the gifts of the new day every chance afforded to me and strive to be the best person I can be.
JA: Why you think it is important to be in CSEA?
Martin
8 The Work Force
June 2023
McKenna
TM: CSEA is the governing body watching closely
to make sure our employer and employees play by
the rules. I believe being a part of CSEA is instrumental in making our working lives comfortable.
JA: As a courts worker, what about CSEA makes it perfect for courts workers?
TM: I believe our wide range of benefits make being a court worker all that more satisfying.
JA: What are some challenges
all of us and look forward to positive days ahead.
Courts Corner