ALBANY — Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-119, Marcy, recently held a roundtable meeting to discuss the needs of area youth with state agency representatives, local providers and leaders.

Over the last year, Buttenschon has hosted and attended meetings with local providers, school leaders, and agencies regarding the needs of local youth. As a result of these meetings it was determined that there are further needs for safe living and supportive services for our youth in crisis and this roundtable was held to understand what services are available.

Currently, Buttenschon said, youth in crisis face many challenges and have an excessive impact on all agencies in the district including our local hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and those that provide support services to put our children on a path to success.

The roundtable further discussed the topics that include safe living for youth, fulfilling the need for wrap-around services, providing targeted programs for in-crisis youth as well as early intervention preventative measures and mental health services.

Also in attendance were Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, chair of the Committee on Children and Families, as well as Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright, chair of the Committee on People with Disabilities, and fellow NY State Assembly members from across the state.

Representatives from the state Department of Education, the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, New York State Office of Mental Health and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services attended the meeting as well.

There were also district organizations and officials at the meeting from Mohawk Valley Health System, The House of the Good Shepherd, and Oneida County Family Court Judge Randal Caldwell.

“It is imperative that we secure the funding necessary to expand services for our children in crisis,” Buttenschon said. “Our youth are always a priority. I was grateful to have met with several officials and members of our state agencies that provide services to our youth. We will continue to look for solutions legislatively and within the organizations to combat the issues our youth face.”