Sweetser News & Events

Sweetser Consolidates Services in Response to State Budget Cuts

Posted on 06/10/2009 at 02:24 pm

Sweetser, with headquarters in Saco, Maine, is relocating several of its mental health services in order to respond to State budget cuts, while safeguarding the quality of care provided to those in need, said a spokesperson for the agency.

“Even during difficult financial times for the State, Sweetser provides critical safety net services for both families and adults,” said Carl Pendleton, President and CEO. “Our commitment is to continue to provide them well even in the face of shrinking State dollars.”

Sweetser is consolidating its crisis beds for youth currently located in Portland into its state-of-the-art crisis facility in Saco. In addition, group care services for youth with acute mental health issues are relocating from Sanford and Scarborough to one of the Sweetser campuses also in Saco. “Locating these programs for youth in geographic proximity allows us flexibility and efficiency in staffing and other expenses,” states Senior Director for Residential Services, John Center.

“While state support for out-of-home care shrinks, Sweetser has been a leader in developing extensive community-based treatment programs,” Center said. “This allows greater access to care for Mainers needing counseling, case management or psychiatric services.”

“Our ultimate goal is to serve Mainers with a mental health or substance abuse issue in their community as close to their home and family as possible,” said Pendleton. “Reductions in State funding are painful, but we have been successful in serving the needs of Maine for almost 200 years and we will continue to find effective ways to continue for 200 more.”