Can't afford to lose adolescent facility
Eliminating adolescent psychiatric beds at the [John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents] is a cost to society well over the $800,000 in projected savings during fiscal year 2010. JLG-RICA combines a model Department of Health and Mental Hygiene facility and a first class Montgomery County school. In addition the RICA Association, a 501(c)3, provides the patients with funding to learn independent living skills, scholarships for graduates and reinforcements to help with behavior modification. The children served by JLG-RICA have already failed out of numerous, less-intense programs. JLG-RICA is the last hope for helping these kids become productive members of society. Gov. Martin O'Malley, Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot do not sacrifice our children.
Ann Miller, Damascus