Oswego Health Expands Access to Student Mental Health Services with New School-Based Clinic at CiTi BOCES Mexico Campus

OSWEGO – Oswego Health is proud to announce the opening of a new school-based therapy clinic in partnership with CiTi BOCES, further expanding access to critical mental health and wellness services for students across Oswego County. The clinic, located onsite at CiTi BOCES Mexico Campus, will serve approximately 2,000 students, ensuring convenient, timely access to behavioral health support in a familiar and supportive environment.

The clinic will operate Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., offering individualized care in two private treatment rooms, along with a dedicated space for family meetings to support a collaborative, whole-family approach to care.

“We are truly excited about this partnership with Oswego Health and what it means for our students from across Oswego County”, shared CiTi Director of Assessment, Professional Growth, and Community Services Initiatives, Dr. Julie Landy. “Students cannot fully engage in learning when their mental health needs go unmet. By bringing high-quality, school-based mental health services directly to our campus, we are removing barriers to care and reinforcing our commitment to supporting the whole student—academically, emotionally, and socially.”

This marks the fifteenth school-based clinic operated by Oswego Health, building on existing partnerships within the Hannibal Central School District, Fulton City School District, and Oswego City School District. These embedded clinics are part of Oswego Health’s broader commitment to addressing the growing need for accessible, adolescent-focused mental health services across the region.

Leading the CiTi BOCES clinic is Susan Valazza, LMHC, a dedicated mental health professional with a strong background in school-based counseling and family-focused therapy. Valazza holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and English from the State University of New York. Her diverse experience includes providing telehealth and in-person counseling, leading family therapy programs, and working directly with students to assess needs and develop individualized treatment plans. Most recently, she has served as a school-based counselor, supporting elementary students through referral management, assessments, and care coordination.

Oswego Health’s adolescent mental health services are designed to meet young people where they are—both physically and emotionally—by providing comprehensive, compassionate care that supports emotional well-being, resilience, and long-term success. Services include individual counseling, family engagement, and coordination with school personnel to ensure students receive holistic, integrated support.

“This expansion into CiTi BOCES represents another important step in our mission to break down barriers to mental health care for our youth,” said Clark Sargeant, Executive Director of Mental Health & Wellness at Oswego Health. “We know that early access to behavioral health services can make a profound difference in a young person’s life. Our team is incredibly honored to partner with CiTi BOCES and to serve these students—meeting them where they are and helping them build the skills and support systems they need to thrive.”

Through continued investment in school-based services, Oswego Health remains committed to strengthening the mental health infrastructure of the community and ensuring that every student has access to the care they need to succeed—both in and out of the classroom.

For more information about Oswego Health and its services, visit www.oswegohealth.org.

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About Oswego Health
The mission of Oswego Health is to provide accessible, quality care and improve the health of residents throughout Central New York. As a nonprofit healthcare system established in 1881, Oswego Health is proud to be one of Oswego County’s largest private employers. More than 1,500 employees spread throughout its 25 campuses, work for the Oswego Health system, which includes the 132-bed community Oswego Hospital, a 32-bed psychiatric acute-care facility with multiple outpatient behavioral health service locations, The Manor at Seneca Hill, a 120-bed skilled nursing facility, and Springside at Seneca Hill, an independent retirement community.  The health system also operates Oswego Health Home Care, the only hospital-based certified home healthcare agency in the County, as well as two outpatient centers, including the Fulton Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, physical therapy, and occupational health services, and the Central Square Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, and physical therapy services. In addition, the healthcare system includes Oswego Health Medical Practice, a multi-specialty medical group offering the community accessible, high-quality healthcare. 100+ physicians and advanced practice providers offer an extensive array of services across CNY, including primary care and specialty care in orthopedics, cardiology, ENT, gastroenterology, breast care, general surgery, urology, pulmonology, and bariatrics; for more information about Oswego Health, visit www.oswegohealth.org.

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