Sen. Forby reacts to closure of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Southern Illinois
From Illinois Business Journal news services
SPRINGFIELD — A state impasse that prompted Centerstone health agency to close its Big Brothers Big Sisters locations in Southern Illinois is drawing the ire of state Gary Forby, D-Benton.
Centerstone, one of nation’s largest not-for-profit community-based behavioral health care providers for mental health services, said it could not continue providing services without state payment. It is short some $4.5 million pyaments in various progams including Big Brothers.
In response, Forby released the following statement:
“Unacceptable is an understatement. Not only is this yet another example of our most vulnerable populations being dumped on by this impasse, we are also losing more jobs. This governor is playing games with us here, and Southern Illinois is the loser. This essential program allows our youth the opportunity to grow. This closure will strike another blow to those in our community.”
Centerstone’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Illinois program impacts youth, volunteers and supporters in Jackson, Franklin, Union, Perry and Williamson counties.
