Washington, DC - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton called on the Department of Homeland Security to extend counseling and mental health services for New Yorkers who are still suffering from the September 11th attacks.

In a letter to Mike Brown, the Undersecretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response at the United States Department of Homeland Security, Senator Clinton expressed deep concern over the scheduled termination of the critical counseling services provided under New York's Project Liberty but also that she looked forward to working with the Undersecretary to both extend the availability and secure any additional resources needed to allow the program to continue.

"These dollars, and the services they support through New York's Project Liberty program, have played a critical role in providing crisis counseling and mental health services to fire fighters, police officers, emergency services workers, children and other New Yorkers suffering in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks. I am writing to make sure that these critical services are extended beyond the current termination date of December 31, 2003," wrote Senator Clinton.

"Following September 11, a wave of trauma, grief, shock, and other mental health needs shook New York, and the magnitude of the mental health need was unprecedented. Project Liberty was necessary to meet the mental health epidemic our state faced. I have heard from the New York City first responders and others that the funds have enabled the operation of innovative and effective mental health programs, customized to the individualized needs of particular communities" wrote Senator Clinton.

[A copy of Senator Clinton's letter to Undersecretary Brown is attached]

September 16, 2003

The Honorable Mike Brown Undersecretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response United States Department of Homeland Security Washington, D.C. 20528

Dear Mr. Brown:

As you may know, FEMA allocated just over $130 million for mental health services from funds appropriated by Congress for New York's recovery from September 11. These dollars, and the services they support through New York's Project Liberty program, have played a critical role in providing crisis counseling and mental health services to fire fighters, police officers, emergency services workers, children and other New Yorkers suffering in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks. I am writing to make sure that these critical services are extended beyond the current termination date of December 31, 2003.

Following September 11, a wave of trauma, grief, shock, and other mental health needs shook New York, and the magnitude of the mental health need was unprecedented. Project Liberty was necessary to meet the mental health epidemic our state faced. I have heard from the New York City first responders and others that the funds have enabled the operation of innovative and effective mental health programs, customized to the individualized needs of particular communities.

As I understand it, approximately $100 million of the funds earmarked for Project Liberty have been spent, with the remaining $30-plus million still available as demand for the programs continue. It is critical that this arbitrary deadline for crisis counseling and mental health services be extended beyond December 31 to meet the continuing needs. Also, should the need for these important services continue after the $130 million currently earmarked are fully utilized, I look forward to working with you to secure additional resources needed to address the needs of New Yorkers still suffering from the September 11th attacks.

I look forward to hearing back from you on this urgent matter. Please feel free to contact me directly or Anil Kakani on my staff at (202) 224-8697 if you have any questions.

Sincerely yours,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

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