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Public Health moves to add psychiatric nurse hours, approve $41,250 contract increase
Summary
Public Health staff asked the board to amend an LLC contract with Sonia, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, for 330 hours and an increase of $41,250 to restore one day a week of in‑person services at the Cornell clinic after other prescribers cut hours; the board approved the amendment.
A Public Health staff member asked the Steuben County meeting to approve an amendment to an LLC contract with Sonia, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, to add 330 hours and increase the contract by $41,250 so Sonia can provide one day per week of in‑person services at the Cornell clinic.
The staffer said the county lost in‑person coverage after two prescribers reduced hours following retirements and that telehealth had not been sufficient for some patients who require in‑person assessment. "We have an LLC contract with Sonia, 1 of our psychiatric nurse practitioners, for 330 hours and an increase of $41,250," the staff member said. The staff member added that Sonia is at the lower end of the pay band and can provide medication‑assisted treatment, which officials regarded as an additional benefit.
Chair (speaker 1) called for a motion to approve the amendment; members moved, seconded and voted to carry the motion. The board did not record individual named votes in the transcript; the motion passed following the roll call of ayes.
The action is intended to restore one regular in‑person clinical day at the Cornell clinic to meet demand from patients who, per the staff presentation, do not do well with telehealth alone.
