McKinstry: Disabled young people caught in political dispute

Kristen Yurczak recently dropped by a classroom at Sail at Ferncliff Manor in Yonkers, a residential facility for the developmentally disabled, and learned that it was a "big day" for one of the students: Aaron turned 21.

"Happy birthday," Yurczak said, as she and another special education teacher showered Aaron with attention.

Unlike most 21-year-olds reaching this age, Aaron -- who is blind, has severe developmental problems and needs a wheelchair -- wasn't going to go out and celebrate at a club, bar or even take a fun road trip. He would enjoy the moment at school -- really his home -- with little fanfare with his teachers and classmates there in a crowded trailer that doubles as a classroom. Ferncliff declined to provide his full name because of his condition.

Aaron is one of 56 students, ages 5 to 21, who live at the facility that takes care of an often forgotten group whose challenges cover all varieties of autism, severe brain impairments and various types of behavioral issues. Some are teenagers, but they have the mental capacity of a baby or toddler and need help with tasks as basic as brushing teeth, opening doors and making their beds.

They come from Westchester, Rockland, Nassau, Suffolk and New York City. Many of the families are poor, and most of these kids will never live on their own. Ferncliff is a program of "last resort for these kids," said Yurczak.

"This population is so overlooked," said Yurczak, director of human resources and granddaughter of the founder, Margaret Brady. "These kids, they matter. They matter to their families. They matter to us."

New York State, which oversees and funds the school, is saying it has to move; the 110-year-old building, which once served as a tuberculosis hospital, is old, overcrowded, lacks a gym and just isn't suitable. Heating and cooling systems require frequent repair.

On my visit to the property -- with a walk through the main building or the cramped trailers where dedicated teachers work under challenging circumstances -- it was clear to me they need new space. The campus, wedged between the Saw Mill Parkway and a Stew Leonard's store, isn't adequate for much anymore, let alone a school for high-needs children.

But the Westchester County Board of Legislators, notably Chairman Ken Jenkins of Yonkers, so far won't entertain their hopes of moving to a now-shuttered homeless shelter on six acres in Greenburgh near Westchester Community College, even though County Executive Rob Astorino, many county legislators, state lawmakers and the Town of Greenburgh support the move.

The machinations are complicated. It's county-owned land, but the town, because of a previous deal, has the rights to it for another 20 years. And then there's the local politics, which many say has made this situation uglier: Astorino, a Republican, and Feiner, a Democrat who has often ruffled his own party's feathers, support the move to town. The belief is that Jenkins effectively killed the concept.

Jenkins rejects that altogether.

The chairman received and filed Astorino's proposal, which in government-speak means he blocked it from further consideration, because the property is designated for affordable housing. And Greenburgh has no authority to change that provision, according to Jenkins.

"We have no legislation in front of us," Jenkins said.

Nonetheless, Jenkins said he's "flexible" and would consider a proposal, if it were reintroduced without Greenburgh getting a slice of rent. "I'm happy to consider a proposal if it comes through," he said.

Other Democrats maintain that they want more assurances from the state, but the state seems to be reluctant to commit to anything unless there is a lease in Ferncliff's hand.

So we go round and round.

Regardless of whom you believe, the kids have been stuck in the middle. They deserve more help from our leaders, who sometimes sound like the children in the room.

Here are the facts: Ferncliff needs a new site. It is willing to invest millions to build new group homes and an administration building and pay $500,000 a year in rent. The town and county have this property that is central, accessible to public transportation and appropriate. They have advocates in the State Legislature in Assembs. Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale), Tom Abinanti (D-Greenburgh), and in Sen. Andrea Stewart Cousins (D-Yonkers).

Legislators need to figure this out. These kids mustn't be treated like pawns in a political game or simply forgotten.

As Yurczak put it so simply: "They matter."

Gerald McKinstry is a member of the Newsday editorial board.