BUFFALO – Family members will join advocates with the Save Western New York Children’s Psychiatric Center Coalition in a rally outside the Burchfield Penney Art Center today in opposition to a proposed consolidation of the psychiatric facilities. An estimated 50 people are expected to come together in an effort to deter proposed plans to close the WNYCPC in West Seneca, and permanently move children aged 4-18 to the Buffalo Psychiatric Center, an adult facility. The rally will take place outside the Burchfield Penney Art Center as the Office of Mental Health (OMH) holds a public forum on a merger blueprint, inside. OMH has the statutory authority to merge the centers.        

Another public forum will be held tomorrow, Sept. 2, at the Burchfield Penney Art Center from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. State Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I – North Tonawanda), who chairs the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee, will be in attendance to voice his opposition.

WHAT: Rally to Save WNY Children’s Psychiatric Center

WHEN: Tuesday, September 1, 2015 from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Public Forum is from 6-8 p.m.)

WHERE: Burchfield Penney Art Center at SUNY Buffalo State

                  1300 Elmwood Ave.

                  Buffalo, NY 14222 

WHO: Save WNY Children’s Psychiatric Center Coalition Representatives

             Impacted Family Members