The New York State Office of Mental Health today celebrated the opening of the Greater Binghamton Health Center’s (GBHC) new state-of-the-art outpatient clinic for children and adolescents between five and 17 years old.  The new clinic space will improve access to services for members of the community and consolidate children’s services under one roof, greatly improving overall efficiency.

Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, “I am very proud to be in Binghamton today to celebrate the opening of our new Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Center, which will greatly enhance access to services for children and families. Improving access to services increases the likelihood of identifying symptoms and providing treatment earlier, which will help us to improve health outcomes for our young people.”

Commissioner Sullivan was joined at the ribbon cutting by several State and local officials, including Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, Broome County Executive Jason Garner, a representative from Senator Fred Akshar's office, members of the GBHC’s Cabinet, hospital staff, and representatives from several community programs that serve children and families.

Previously, services and administrative operations for the outpatient clinic were located in three separate locations, which created inefficiencies and delays. Now, services are all located under one roof on the second floor of the Keeler building on the Greater Binghamton Health Center Campus.

The central location, in addition to increasing staff efficiency, will make it much easier for families to access the clinic, especially those using public transportation. The additional space and group rooms will allow the clinic to host clinic and community provider meetings, treatment team meetings, as well as educational opportunities for GBHC staff.  The renovations also include the addition of a 25 -space parking lot and designated clinic client parking at both the front and rear entrances of the Keeler Building.

Services provided at the outpatient clinic include:

• Open Access is a mental health program within the clinic with no appointments and no waiting lists. Patients can stop in five days a week to initiate services with an intake coordinator and a clinician;
• Telepsychiatry provides a range of services including psychiatric evaluations, therapy (individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy), patient education and medication management. Telepsychiatry removes transportation barriers, reduces delays in treatment and provides convenient, affordable and readily-accessible mental health services;
• Individual and Family Therapy with individualized treatment planning, provided in collaboration with schools and other community providers;
• Psychological Testing; and
• Mobile Integration Team provides additional support and linkage to community based services.

The total cost of the renovation of the space, which includes interior demolition and construction, furniture, flooring, painting and artwork, was $676,000.  When the project began in 2017, the clinic served approximately 335 children and adolescents.  Today, the clinic serves approximately 550 clients.