State Leaders Rally to Save Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center

For Immediate Release:

August 22, 2014

Contact: Rep. Kathryn Swan

573.751.1443

State Leaders Rally to Save Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- State legislators and community leaders will come together Monday in an effort to save the Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center, which the governor has targeted for closure by the end of the year. State Rep. Kathryn Swan, State Rep. Donna Lichtenegger and House Speaker Tim Jones will meet with members of the press to discuss options for keeping the facility operational so that it can continue to serve the mental health needs of children and adolescents. The press conference is scheduled for Monday, August 25 at 10 a.m. at the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce.

Cottonwood is a cooperative venture between the Missouri Department of Mental Health and Southeast Missouri State University. The 32-bed residential program is one of only two such facilities in the state, with the other located in St. Louis County. In June, the governor restricted $482,808 in funding for Cottonwood, which prohibited the facility from accepting new admissions. Cottonwood staff members were then informed by officials at the Department of Mental Health that the facility would be closed by the end of the year.

Since that time, concerned members of the community, staff and area legislators have been working together to keep the facility open.

"Our region is committed to working with the Department of Mental Health, the General Assembly and the governor's office to continue to provide mental health treatment services to the children of Missouri," said Swan, R-Cape Girardeau. "While the quality and value of the treatment services provided at Cottonwood are undisputed, the economy has placed the facility in a perilous position."

Speaker Jones praised Swan for her active involvement in working with all parties to resolve this important issue. He said keeping the center open is a priority and questioned the governor's motives for targeting the 32-bed facility.

"There is no question our state has been challenged with a lean budget year, but we know the funds are there to keep this facility open. The governor is simply using this as leverage as he attempts to exert pressure on members of the General Assembly to maintain his vetoes of several important tax clarification bills and budget items that will provide relief and crucial services for Missouri families and businesses," said Jones, R-Eureka. "I am extremely disappointed, but not surprised, to see the governor once again use children as pawns in his political games. The people of Missouri expect more from their governor and deserve to have a chief executive who will work with other elected officials to move our state forward."

WHO: State Rep. Kathryn Swan, State Rep. Donna Lichtenegger, House Speaker Tim Jones

WHAT: Press conference to discuss options for keeping the Cottonwood Treatment Center open

WHEN: Monday, August 25 at 10 a.m.

WHERE: Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce located at 1267 N. Mount Auburn Road

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