Brain center looking at NNY

Since the New York Institute for Brain Injury, Carthage, seems to have fizzled, another traumatic brain injury rehabilitation service might roll into town.

Joseph J. Abdulla, executive director of Cortland Community Reentry Program Inc., said Friday afternoon that he plans to open a north country satellite office.

"We are looking at expanding services in the Watertown area, and we have had some meetings with regional resource development specialists," he said. "We are looking at bringing a provider in that region, as there are none now. There are many issues in that area with neurological rehabilitation, and we're looking to be that provider."

There hasn't been a local provider since the Carthage brain institute partners and employees got into a spat nearly two months ago. John E. Young, the institute's former chief operating officer, allegedly locked out Chief Executive Officer David L. McCoy, according Mr. McCoy.

Mr. McCoy alleged Mr. Young took over his business while he was out of town, and said Mr. Young was upset when he and three others were handed termination letters. The doors at 410 State St., Carthage, have been locked since.

When a Times reporter called Mr. Young for comment Friday, he hung up.

Mr. Abdulla said that within the next few weeks, he will be able to divulge the location and other information about the Cortland Community Reentry Program office in Watertown.

"What I can say is, the services we'll provide in the Watertown area are structured day program, service coordination, independent living skills training, community-integrated counseling and behavioral programming," he said.

Mr. McCoy said he's been talking with Mr. Abdulla about expanding services here. New York Institute for Brain Injury's Newburgh location has made referrals to Cortland Community Reentry for the past decade, Mr. McCoy said.

There are no plans to reopen the New York Institute for Brain Injury's Carthage location. Mr. McCoy said he's still locked out of the building and was never given a chance to get his personal belongings or business-related items.

Mr. McCoy said he won't set foot near there.

"I'll let the courts work it out," Mr. McCoy said. "It's tragic what happened to the Carthage program, but what's coming up from Cortland is going to be better."