Putnam Officials Schedule Forum On Stabilization Center In Southeast

SOUTHEAST, NY — Putnam County officials will host a public forum on a center for people with various mental health needs opening soon in Southeast.

The crisis center will be located at 2505 Carmel Ave. in space previously occupied by a New York State Office of Mental Health outpatient treatment program. It will be operated by People USA, an agency that runs a similar center in Dutchess County and which has a lease agreement with the landlord of Brewster Square Plaza.

Putnam Mental Health Commissioner Michael J. Piazza, Jr. said the info session was scheduled because some town residents have expressed concern.

"The goal of this forum is to provide accurate information regarding the scope of services provided by a stabilization center," he said in a letter to the community.

People USA and the county, which committed $2.5 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to help the agency with start-up costs only, worked hard to find a suitable location and kept town officials in Southeast informed in August and September, Piazza said.

Stabilization centers provide non-emergency assistance. The first of its kind in New York, the Dutchess site provides an environment that is designed to assist adults 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 have symptoms of anxiety. About 40-50 percent of those receiving support from the Dutchess County Stabilization Center are children and adolescents brought there by parents or referred by school districts, he said.

"The creation of a stabilization center was a direct answer to the needs expressed by the residents of Putnam County," Piazza said. "For several years, residents, parents, school administrators and stakeholders have consistently identified this gap in service in our county."

The forum will be held:

• WHEN: 6 p.m. Oct. 24
• WHERE: Bureau of Emergency Services auditorium, Donald Smith Government Center, 110 Old Route 6 in Carmel

SEE ALSO: Putnam To Get Mental Health Stabilization Center With ARPA Funding