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Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Another Illinois Budget Casualty Of A Disability Social Service Agency, 'Centerstone' - SHAME ON ILLINOIS LEGISLATORS!

Centerstone describes itself as “one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit providers of community-based behavioral health care, offering a full range of mental health services, substance abuse treatment and intellectual and developmental disabilities services in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.”


From Centerstone CEO John Markley on June 21, 2016…
For the last 11 months, Centerstone has, in good faith, offered services we were contracted to provide by the state of Illinois, but because our state officials have not passed a budget, we have not been paid for these services. Today, our state owes Centerstone more than $6 million.

We, along with other organizations, have warned public officials for months that we could not sustain the losses the state of Illinois was imposing on us, but our concerns have been ignored.

With no end to this state contract crisis in sight, the viability of our entire organization is being threatened. So, after careful review of the situation, we are enacting difficult measures to protect Centerstone, our 600 employees across the state and the 16,000 people of all ages who depend on us.

In the coming fiscal year, we will eliminate several state contracts because of the risk involved. These contracts represent vital services in our communities, but we cannot sustain them in such uncertain times. This means, as of June 30, 2016, the following services will close:
  • · Comprehensive Community Based Youth services (CCBYS) in Franklin, Jackson, Perry and Williamson Counties;
  • · Crisis Stabilization services at the Centerstone Crisis Center in Williamson County, a service which has saved our state more than $4 million in healthcare costs;
  • · DMH Juvenile Justice services in Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson and Williamson Counties;
  • · Homeless Youth services in Franklin, Jackson, Perry and Williamson Counties;
  • · Psychiatric Medication funds used in Calhoun, Franklin, Jackson, Jersey, Madison, and Williamson Counties;
  • · Supported Residential services (one group home) in Alton; and
  • · Teen Pregnancy Prevention services in Franklin County.
Additionally, Halfway House beds in Marion will be reduced.

A total of 700 clients and 39 staff members will be affected by these changes. The loss of our colleagues and services is painful, but our state has offered us little choice.

It is our sincere hope that our Governor and legislature finally do the right thing and act in the best interests of all of their constituents by ending this state budget crisis.

For Centerstone, visit: https://www.centerstone.org/

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