LIBERTY - The Sullivan County Department of Community Services (DCS) provides direct services in mental health, alcoholism and substance abuse to all residents of the county.

With 43 employees and a handful of contracted psychiatrists and tele-health practitioners, the office offers everything from individual and group therapy, case management, crisis intervention and more.

In a press release issued last Wednesday, the county announced they are issuing a request for proposals (RFP) seeking firms that would be able to provide the programming currently offered by DCS.

County Manager Josh Potosek said in the press release that this is exploratory in nature and does not obligate the county.

“We simply want to better understand whether the services DCS provides - which are necessarily costly - can be more efficiently delivered without reducing those services,” he stated.

If they don't find that to be the case, Potosek said, then the department will continue as present.

If they do find services that can be given at a lower cost without “harming those we serve,” they will make a recommendation for the legislature to consider. The state will have to sign off on any plan that might be proposed.

“Just like with the Care Center, a public-private partnership is worth exploring, as it's worked well in other municipalities, and our residents deserve the best care we can give them,” said Legislature Chairman Robert Doherty.

Last July, the county announced that it would begin the process of selling the Care Center at Sunset Lake, the county-owned nursing home, due to financial concerns. However, it was met with swift opposition by some residents and employees of the Care Center.

The county is now in contract negotiations with Infinite Care, based in Brooklyn, to take management of the facility.

Legislator Nadia Rajsz, Chair of the legislature's Health and Family Services Committee, said there will be opportunities for the public and staff to weigh in on any changes, if proposed.

“Even if we do go with a particular firm, DCS administration will remain with the county and continue to have oversight of every service,” Rajsz said. “The intent here is to enhance and support our existing services, not to wholesale replace them.”

According to the county's press release, county employees will have the chance to meet with the provider, if selected, to explore employment offers.

Health and Family Services Commissioner John Liddle, whose division encompasses DCS, said the move is part of their intent to significantly improve the county's health rankings (61 out of 62 in the state).

“If we can expand and improve access to care in a more responsive, flexible manner, I want to know about it,” Liddle said. “And if that saves taxpayers' dollars in the process, so much the better.”

Additionally, Liddle says the office is short staffed and they have open positions that they are unable to fill and current employees that will be retiring soon.

He hopes that the RFP process will allow them to find a solution and meet the growing demands.

The RFP was launched on May 28 with an expected deadline of June 25, although that could be extended.

Any proposals that come back will be analyzed by county officials with a recommendation made to the legislature, who will then discuss and vote, if there is desire to proceed.

This process, including approval by the state, is expected to take around two years, with a contracted provider assuming operation by the end of 2022/beginning of 2023.

The public is anticipated to weigh in at upcoming meetings of the legislature, and we will continue to update this story.