Horizon Health Services to Announce

Construction of New Veterans Treatment Center

$500,000 in funding from NYS secured through

NYS Senator Stachowski 
 

Buffalo, NY – New York State Senator William Stachowski joined Anne D. Constantino, president and CEO, Horizon Health Services, and Honorable Judge Robert T. Russell, Jr. to announce the receipt of a $500,000 state grant, secured by Senator Stachowski, to help build Horizon Health Service’s new Veterans Treatment Center.  The new Veterans Treatment Center, dedicated to providing specialized mental health/substance abuse services to all veterans and their families will be constructed as part of the Horizon Village Campus in Sanborn, NY, and will include a 25-bed residential treatment unit and primary care and wellness center. 

“I want to acknowledge the commitment our veterans have made to their county and acknowledge their service and bravery.  I am proud to have played a small part in improving the services available to our returning veterans and their families.  This new Center will provide vital services to those who protect our country,” said Senator Stachowski.  “Horizon has been recognized for its outstanding work in our community, and will now have a one-of-a-kind, state of the art Veterans’ Rehabilitation Center. It is my honor to have been a part of the team that has worked towards making this project a reality in bringing it to Western New York and more importantly, to our very deserving veterans.  This Center will assist our Vets and their transition back in to our community for years to come.” 

“Veterans face significant barriers to accessing mental health and substance use treatment.  Some of the most serious roadblocks that prevent veterans from getting treatment include access, stigma and lack of family involvement,” stated Anne Constantino, president and CEO, Horizon Corp.  “Horizon, with the assistance of NY State, led by Sen. Stachowski, as well as other community funders, have all stepped up to help veterans in the Western New York community.  Our new intensive residential drug treatment center and adjacent wellness and community center will provide vital, needed services for veterans and their families in their own community.  It is the least we can do for those who have served their country.” 

Speaking of the special court he created for veterans, Judge Robert Russell, Buffalo Drug Treatment Court stated, "Veterans referred to the special treatment court for veterans are often homeless, helpless, in despair and suffering from addiction or serious mental illness. Yet many refuse to acknowledge their need for help. The treatment court team finds them and gives them an opportunity to change their lives."  

The recent survey of National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare members nationwide shows some of the most serious roadblocks that prevent veterans from getting treatment include:

•   Access to Care:  Almost two-thirds of respondents said veterans and their families experience long delays to get initial appointments for people in crisis and excessive waits in between appointments
  
• Long Distances:  Veterans often must travel long distances to the VA or a military base.  Travel times can be as long as five hours in rural areas.
• Stigma: Many veterans are concerned that seeking treatment from the VA or military will be noted in their personnel records, negatively impact their careers, and label them as “weak” or “crazy.”
• Lack of Family Involvement:  Few family members are involved in treatment.  Respondents suggested these services are either not being provided or have not been widely promoted. 
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  Horizon Services is filling these service gaps, and will provide a range of treatment and support services for veterans, service members and their families.  Services include treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and substance use disorders.  It is estimated that Horizon will serve more than 200 veterans and their families each year.  The project will add 30 new full-time jobs. 
  

  In addition to New York State, funding has been secured from the following organizations:

  • NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS)
  • NYS Department of Health
  • Grigg-Lewis Foundation
  • James H. Cummings Foundation
  • KeyBank

Horizon Health Services is the largest and most comprehensive provider of fully-integrated mental health, behavioral health, chemical dependency, medical and vocational treatment and recovery services in Western New York. The not-for-profit organization operates outpatient clinics in Erie, Niagara and Genesee Counties, as well as Horizon Village, a 50-bed residential facility in Sanborn, NY. 

For more information about Horizon Health Services, visit www.horizon-health.org.