Madison County leaders move forward to privatize drug and alcohol treatment services

Madison County leaders began the process of outsourcing the countys alcohol and drug treatment program Tuesday, a transition officials said could be complete by Jan. 1.

Earlier this year, county officials issued a request for proposals for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program, known as ADAPT, which provides psychiatric evaluation and treatment for individuals and families.

On Tuesday, the board agreed to enter into contract negotiations with Family Counseling Services of Cortland County, one of four vendors who replied to the countys call for bids.

The administrative and financial pressures placed on Madison Countys chemical dependency treatment program by the federal and state government under Medicare and Medicaid have become increasingly burdensome, read the resolution that supervisors approved Tuesday.

There are increasing taxpayer concerns and expectations about the public sectors fiscal viability, productivity and accountability, especially as the state and nation moved toward managed health and behavioral healthcare, the resolution read.

The move followed last years sale of the countys 44-employee certified home health agency to Home Care of Rochester Inc. a transition that will save county taxpayers $750,000 in next years budget, said Madison County Administrator Mark Scimone. When supervisors voted to privatize, the home health agency had been operating in the red for at least five years, including a $388,835 deficit in 2009.

The financial impact will be smaller for the alcohol and drug treatment program. Scimone said the program was running a $100,000 deficit several years ago; the figure is now closer to $25,000. The program employs 11 people, including managers, counselors, social workers and clerical staff and serves between 125 and 150 clients a month.

Because of retirements and vacancies, two people are expected to be laid off. The transition will have to be approved by state officials, said Jim Yonai, the countys director of mental health.

Smithfield Supervisor Richard Bargabos cast the only vote against the new provider, pointing out that the countys Community Services Board had voted against the change. The board is made up of professionals and residents who work to give advice and monitor the countys mental health and alcohol/substance abuse services.

Hamilton Supervisor Eve Ann Shwartz said she would be examining the final contract carefully before the full board vote in the coming months.

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Madison County leaders move forward to privatize drug and alcohol treatment services