YES Community Counseling Airs Concerns About Funding

YES Community Counseling Center is concerned that a fiscal battle in Nassau County could cause them to lose a major funding source.

YES Director Jamie Bogenshutz sent out an email last week asking supporters to contact their County legislators over a proposal that could eliminate the Nassau County Youth Board and other service Departments.

Our agency may be on the verge of shutting down programs that provide service to thousands of children and families," Bogenshutz said in the email. "We are speaking about a dramatic reduction in services, and in some instances, we are talking about eliminating resources that help those most in need in our community."

Nassau County executive Ed Mangano, a Republican, sent a letter to 58 youth and mental health agencies Thursday informing them that the county will cancel their funding unless Democrats in the County Legislature agree to fund the county's $41 million tax refund debt.

"We must let our elected officials know that this will not be tolerated from either political party," Bogenshutz said. "Our elected officials must find a way to avoid these cuts."

YES provides a variety of counseling services to the areas it serves in Massapequa, Plainedge and Farmingdale, including drug counseling, domestic violence prevention and school based services. Other agencies such as the would also be affected.

"We are getting caught in the crossfire of this policical battle," Bogenshutz said. She is urging supporters of the social service programs to get in touch with lawmakers prior to a vote scheduled on June 18.