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WNY Children's Psychiatric Center to stay in West Seneca

Posted at 5:13 PM, Apr 03, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-03 23:13:11-04

A state official confirms to 7 Eyewitness News that the Western New York Children's Psychiatric Center will remain in West Seneca.

“It’s very clear that the will of the community is to keep the center where it is,” said the state official.

The decision comes after years of fighting from patients, families and lawmakers to keep the location in West Seneca.

Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration was planning on moving the center to the current Buffalo Psychiatric Center, which also houses adults.

On Tuesday, WNY Children's Psychiatric Attorney Steven Cohen had called on an investigation into the Governor's office as to why they were deciding to move the facility. After it was revealed that the facility would not be moved, he said it was a huge win for the families. 

"We're not at all surprised at the end result, it only makes sense," Cohen said, "We're sorry that it took so long to achieve this result but we're glad we did not have to go to trial or an investigation of the governor to get there."

The Governor's reversal is a considerable victory for Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns and NY State Senator Patrick Gallivan, who strongly advocated to stop the facility from relocating.

"It's quite surprising, however we've been fighting and advocating for this for many years," Kearns said.

Kearns said he and Gallivan secured more than 17,000 signatures for a petition to keep the psychiatric center in West Seneca.

"I am grateful these services will continue well into the future," Senator Patrick Gallivan said in a statement.

"It's the right thing to do. I'm so happy that Albany finally decided to listen to the people," Kearns said.

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