I went to yet another neighborhood meeting last night regarding the possible placement of another social service agency in the midtown area. A a retired clinical social worker who spent many years working for and advocating for humane and appropriate treatment for the mentally ill. As a member of the Sacramento community, I acknowlege that many, if not most to the mentally ill are also members of our Sacramento community. They are ours. And to the extent that we are reasonably able, we are responsible for their care. But where? It's not that I don't want "them" in my "back yard", it's that my "back yard" is already full, and it's time for the less concentrated area to accept their fair share of our mentally disabled citizens. To that end I will continue to request that appropriate legislation be drawn to prohibit the kind of over concentration of Social Service agencies we experience in Midtown, Del Paso, Oak Park, and similar residential neighborhoods. What are your thoughts?







By Gene Taylor

community mental health

Gene,

You are preaching to the choir. After spending almost 20 years working with community social service programs I also feel that we all have a responsibility for our fellow citizens. I think that the client population comes from all segments of our city. Mentally ill people or drug or alcohol abusers come from every part of the city and county. An argument is often made that community programs should be located near available services. Does this mean that there should be social service ghettos? I think not. Shouldn't patients be near their families? shouldn't they be throughout the county so that they can live in "normal" neighborhoods. I don't think that any other part of town has social service programs located so close together. Sitting hear in my home I can think of at least seven halfway homes and social sevice programs within 3 blocks of here. I probably am missing some.
What do we do?

Joe

By Joe wolfenden

Residential mental health

As a midtown resident who walks home most nights, I've passed by a number of treatment/residential mental health facilities, clinics, and other facilities. I've been curious what all these places are, what they do, and what clients they serve. I've also wondered how to find out where some are that might otherwise be unmarked or not obvious. Can anyone let me know? I'm not necessarily opposed or in favor of any of them, but I'm curious. Thanks.

By barry