A vacant constructing in Cortland is about to accommodate the psychological well being division serving the county and central New York.
Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced Friday that $2 million in American Rescue Plan funds could be devoted to a brand new psychological well being facility in downtown Cortland. Schumer stated Cortland’s present psychological well being division constructing lacks entry to full velocity web so providers like telehealth are sometimes not dependable.
“The vacant constructing behind us proper right here will probably be reworked into one cease store for residents psychological well being wants,” Schumer stated. “Double the area of the earlier facility. That is a recreation changer.”
Schumer stated elevated psychological well being wants throughout the pandemic highlighted the necessity for a extra fashionable well being care facility as extra persons are searching for assist. He stated greater than 1000 rural residents make the most of this system provided by Cortland’s psychological well being division and that quantity is rising.
“Cortland psychological well being simply hit a 30 yr excessive for sufferers within the medical program and so they count on one other 10% enhance subsequent yr,” the bulk chief stated. “The numbers are going up and that isn’t a nasty factor. That may be a good factor as a result of it means folks can get therapy.”
The power, to be situated on Port Watson Avenue, is provided for fiber-optic web for providers like telehealth and has safe parking permitting extra county residents to be handled. Sharon MacDougall, director of neighborhood providers for the Cortland County Psychological Well being Division, stated shifting to a county-owned constructing will assist scale back prices.
“The constructing’s already been bought,” MacDougall stated. “Renovation plans are already in course of and we’re hopeful throughout the subsequent two years to get this renovated and transfer ahead. This monetary assist means every little thing to make that profitable.”
Extra money might be coming as Schumer stated practically $3 million is earmarked for the power within the omnibus spending invoice.
