Schumer Calls On FEMA To Fully Fund Crisis Counseling Services In Southern Tier Mohawk Valley In Wake Of Summer Floods
FEMA Only Funded 50 Percent Of Grant Application Without Full Funding Staff Cuts Will Prevent Effectively Addressing Needs Of Community
Program Offers Mental Health And Crisis Counseling To Victims Of Summer Floods In Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Montgomery, Otsego And Tioga Counties
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to fully fund the New York State Office of Mental Healths (NYSOMH) application for Crisis Counseling Services, Regular Services Program. Project Recovery is a state coordinated program offering mental health and crisis counseling to victims of this past summers disastrous flooding from Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Montgomery, Otsego and Tioga Counties. The State will submit an appeal to FEMA for increased funding, as their initial grant application was only funded at 50 percent.
The residents of the Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley have endured significant trauma as a result of the floods this past summer. It is vital then that we provide the services needed to recover from this tragedy, Schumer said. FEMAs initial contract awarded to Project Recovery acknowledges the programs essential role in these communities, but without full funding, staffing cuts will stand in the way of effectively addressing the need.
The funding requested to continue Project Recovery was carefully calculated by teams at both the county and state level to guarantee the most effective support system available for families, schools, businesses, and all those whose lives were disrupted by the devastating storms. The amount requested will allow Project Recovery to properly staff the program with mental health professionals who provide much needed counseling, education and referral services to those individuals and groups who have suffered and continue to suffer tremendous physical and emotional losses. In funding the full amount specified in NYSOMHs appeal, the affected residents will have a fighting chance to recover from this natural disaster and rebound to greater successes.
In a personal letter to R. David Paulison, FEMA Director, Schumer wrote, Project Recovery seeks to continue to provide thorough and complex mental health services to residents across New York State in this time of great need. This goal will best be attained only by a full and complete realization of the funding requested by the New York State Office of Mental Health. Anything less than full funding does not do justice to those individuals affected by the storm. I therefore urge you to fully fund Project Recovery and its remarkable efforts.
