By Mark Scott
Hamburg, NY – Hamburg-based Hopevale Inc. is shutting down its operations later this month.
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) has been notified by the Hopevale board that it will close effective December 24, 2010. However, the OCFS has not received Hopevale's official close-down plan.
According to a statement released by OCFS late Friday afternoon, an emergency meeting took place between OCFS and local counties who have children placed at Hopevale to plan the relocation of the young people at Hopevale in a safe and least disruptive fashion. Erie, Niagara, Monroe, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Onondaga and Schoharie counties are aggressively working with OCFS to obtain alternative placements and deal with the impact of "this untimely closure."
Hopevale is a youth and family treatment agency with a 155-year history of providing effservices to troubled adolescents. The agency has been experiencing serious cash flow issues due to reduced numbers of youth in its residential and foster Care programs.
The decision will also affect the Hopevale School, which serves the youth in residence at Hopevale's campus on Howard Rd. in Hamburg.
Hopevale employs 190 people while the school has another 75 employees.