Friday, April 26, 2024 | St. Lawrence County, NY
As a local task force fights her plan for the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center, the acting commissioner of the state Office of Mental Health is leaving that position at the end of July. Kristin …
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As a local task force fights her plan for the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center, the acting commissioner of the state Office of Mental Health is leaving that position at the end of July.
Kristin Woodlock, who presided over creation of the new “Centers of Excellence” plan for state mental health facilities that would shut down inpatient services at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center in Ogdensburg, will be relocating with her family to New York City, according to an announcement from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office.
Once the acting commissioner leaves, another acting commissioner will be appointed to replace her until the nomination of yet another acting commissioner is sent to state lawmakers at their next legislative session.
The interim acting commissioner, to start Aug. 1, is John Tauriello, legal counsel and current deputy commissioner at OMH, who will serve until November, when the governor’s office expects the Senate will confirm as the “permanent” acting commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan, who has served at downstate mental health centers and works with many mental health related organizations.
There was no word on whom the governor might be considering for full commissioner.
Woodlock is leaving after the release this month of her plan to reduce the number mental health facilities and cut programs in New York State, to bring it more in line with states that have fewer such facilities.
The plan called for the closure of six wards at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center in Ogdensburg by 2017.
In a letter to Sen. Patty Ritchie, Woodlock said no jobs would be eliminated as a result of the facilities closure. However members of St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center Task Force, a group dedicated to keeping the facility intact, say jobs will likely be lost and people seeking treatment will suffer.
“(Woodlock’s) statement she originally gave said there would be no residents on campus by 2017," Task Force Chairman Chuck Kelly said. "I just don't see how you can close the children's unit, close the adult unit and keep those jobs."
