Page 3 - Work Force March 2016

eye to those who need mental health services.
Cuomo’s budget fails in basic needs
There’s less than meets the eye in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed state budget.
It’s particularly clear in the failure to meet basic human service needs.
Consider mental health.
There’s plenty of lofty rhetoric about new state initiatives to reach out to
homeless people
with mental illness. There’s not a word of acknowledgement about flawed state policies that have contributed to the problem
by downsizing facilities and services without ensuring alternative care.
But it’s not just a homeless problem.
“Today, there are more individuals receiving mental health care in jails and prisons than state mental health facilities,” said CSEA President Danny Donohue. “This not only costs local taxpayers, but the state is turning a blind eye to those who need mental health services.”
To make matters worse, the governor is proposing to eliminate
another 400 mental health beds
in state psychiatric facilities. The budget’s lack of transparency not only fails to identify where, but also asks for a blanket waiver from the legal requirement to provide a year’s notice to the affected communities.
It’s just as bad in developmental disabilities
services. There’s a
continued erosion of state services and underfunding of the entire sector along with an unwillingness to address clearly identified service needs. More than 11,000 individuals and families are
on waiting lists in need of services.
The administration’s
inadequate commitment to developmental disabilities services is shocking considering the high profile challenges in this area.
These are just a few examples
of things that are unacceptable in this budget. How we treat the most vulnerable people in our midst is a reflection of who we are and how we should be judged as a society. But it
is more than just a moral obligation. It is the responsibility of
government to address these needs and provide help with compassion
and care. The proposed budget falls far too short in doing what is right and necessary.
See more concerns, pages 10-11.
“Today, there are more individuals receiving mental health care in jails and prisons than state mental health facilities. This not only costs local taxpayers, but the state is turning a blind eye to those who need mental health services.”
“When you decrease funding for mental health services and provide no beds for folks who need around-the-clock care, it affects every other aspect of community life, such as public safety, ” education and the economy.
— CSEA Western New York DDSO Local President Tom Weston, who has served individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illness for more than 25 years.
“New York state citizens
had better contact their state legislative representatives to make sure we direct our funding priorities on protecting our most vulnerable residents. We need
to make sure workers have the tools and resources necessary so
they can pro” populations.
perly care for these
March 2016
The Work Force 3
— Western Region Political Action Chair Tim Finnegan, a SUNY Geneseo employee