Referred to: The American Rescue Plan Act Special Committee (Chairman Corcoran and Legislators Clinton, Levine, Lopez, and Sperry), The Health, Human Services and Housing Committee (Chairman Uchitelle and Legislators Collins, Corcoran, Harmon, Kitchen, Lopez, and McCollough), and the Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Collins, Hansut, Kovacs, Nolan, and Roberts)

Chairman of the ARPA Special Committee, Thomas Corcoran, Jr., and Deputy Chair Megan Sperry offer the following:

WHEREAS, this resolution has been submitted at the request of the County Executive on behalf of the Ulster County Department of Mental Health; and

            WHEREAS, the Ulster County Department of Mental Health has established that the implementation and operation parameters to establish respite houses in Ulster County have significant barriers, including a lack of housing inventory in certain locations, concerns about program sustainability without ongoing county contributions, and other logistical challenges that hinder the immediate establishment of such facilities; and

WHEREAS, in Ulster County and across the country, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on children's mental health, causing unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, and emotional distress among young people worldwide, and that disruption to daily routines, prolonged periods of social isolation, remote learning challenges, and fears of illness have all contributed to heightened mental health concerns among children and adolescents; and

WHEREAS, as we navigate the ongoing effects of the pandemic, we must prioritize the mental health needs of children and provide them with the support, resources, and interventions necessary to promote resilience and well-being; and

WHEREAS, addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts to expand the mental health workforce, improve care coordination, and implement innovative solutions to reduce wait times and ensure timely access to prescribers for children in need; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Mental Health finds that the Ulster County system of care requires additional support services and continued care for children by establishing an Article 31, OMH Licensed Children’s Mental Health Clinic that will serve a minimum capacity of 100 children monthly, and 1,200 children annually; and

WHEREAS, services provided by the Children’s Mental Health Clinic will include, diagnostic assessments, individual therapy, family therapy, medication management, crisis intervention, and referrals, and will work in collaboration with community providers, specifically school-based mental health support and the crisis stabilization center; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Ulster County Legislature approves the reallocation of $730,000.00 in Crisis Respite ARPA funding to support the establishment of a Children’s Mental Health Clinic, covering clinic startup costs for two years, with the expectation that the clinic will be self-sustaining by the end of the ARPA funding period; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the 2024 Ulster County Budget is hereby amended as follows:

INCREASE                                      AMOUNT

AA.4310.2290-4300.4505              Professional Services Other            $730,000.00

 (App. #)

AA.4310.2290-3400.4095              Federal Aid, ARPA                        $730,000.00

(Rev. #),        

and moves its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                        NOES:      

Passed Committee: American Rescue Plan Act on ________________.

Passed Committee: Health, Human Services and Housing on ________________.

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on ________________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

$730,000.00 – ADDITIONAL COUNTY BUDGETARY APPROPRIATIONS

$730,000.00 – FEDERAL AID, AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT