Island Park group home reopens

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The New York State Office of Mental Health has reopened a community residence in Island Park for individuals with behavioral health concerns that sustained damaged in Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The home is located at the corner of Quebec and Sagamore Roads.

Funds from the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and a federal Social Services Block Grant distributed through the New York Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery were used to rebuild the South Shore Association for Independent Living Inc.’s (SAIL) residence.

On June 22 local homeowners complained about one of the residents of the home, alleging he was walking around Quebec Road approaching young children and saying inappropriate things. Neighbors called both the Mayor’s office and the police.

Island Park Mayor Michael McGinty met with representatives of SAIL on June 24th. They said one patient was an inappropriate addition to the group home, and had to leave the home that afternoon, under supervision. He added that SAIL had been cooperative with the village.

The building is a New York State Office of Mental Health licensed community residence where individuals receive behavioral health services in addition to life skills training to help them thrive in the community. These services, provided on-site, encourage independence and recovery. The building features 11 bedrooms and related living facilities, including common rooms and kitchen-dining areas. 

“The Island Park community has always been welcoming and provides the Agency and our residents with the support and acceptance needed to integrate into the community and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, which is, in essence, the goal of the community residence model,” said the Association’s Executive Director Marge Vezer. “We appreciate the support of everyone involved, but especially the Island Park community. In particular, we would like to thank Mayor McGinty, Father (John) Tutone and our many neighbors, who have been cooperative and understanding throughout. In the end, we were given an opportunity to rebuild a house that is larger, safer and provides a congenial, home-like setting, with private bedrooms and landscaped outdoor spaces, in a thriving community.”

The federal block grant of $1,051,606 was used to replace, renovate and repair the debilitated structure. An additional $335,000 in OMH funding financed the reconstruction of the facility. With this funding, the residence was elevated above the new flood level set by the Federal Emergency Management Administration and the house was reconfigured to be handicapped accessible enabling the residence to serve individuals who have behavioral health concerns as well as physical limitations. Construction began in May 2015 and was completed in early 2016.