Committee accepts $1,000 grant to refresh county clinic’s therapeutic play space

The committee voted April 7 to accept a $1,000 grant from the Saratoga County Citizens Committee for Mental Health to refresh a therapeutic play space used by children at the county Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services clinic.

Commissioner Megan Johnson told the committee the citizens committee originally funded the play space’s furnishings about 10 years ago; the department plans to use the awarded funds to replace a therapy table, some furnishings, a rug, lighting, books and games and to modernize resources. "We’ll use as much of it as we can and... reapply" if further needs arise, Johnson said.

A committee member asked whether $1,000 would be sufficient; Johnson replied that the department has some items already and will prioritize replacements now, and will approach the citizens committee again if additional funds are needed. The department said the clinic is located at 135 South Broadway and that the play space has been in use for about 12 years.

The committee carried the resolution to accept the award by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript. The grant is described as coming from a nonprofit charitable organization that supports mental health awareness and education in Saratoga County.