ALTERNATIVES

In recent years, counties have been opting for less-expensive services than youth facilities, when available.

At-risk youths are also being kept in programs closer to home rather than shipping them to facilities up to 300 miles away.

Most of the kids in the system are from New York City or Suffolk and Nassau counties on Long Island.

In Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties, only one to four kids have been sent to state facilities each year since 2002.

CLOSURES COMING

Borges said that even though many beds may be empty, the facilities remain open, which drives up costs.

He noted that a facility in Cattaraugus County, in extreme western New York, has 25 beds but no kids. Yet, due to contracts, the staff remains on the job.

The state has made moves to correct the situation, announcing that it will close several of these facilities, including Adirondack Youth Center in Schuyler Falls and the one in Cattaraugus County.

But, due to agreements with labor unions, the closures will take up to 12 months.

Ultimately, Borges said, the cuts will save the state about $16.4 million.

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