LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the New
York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
organizations that work to serve the health care needs of citizens of
the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 40th Anniversary of the New York State Conference of Local
Mental Hygiene Directors, Inc. to be celebrated at its Spring Membership
Meeting on Monday, May 2, 2016; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Direc-
tors, Inc. (CLMHD) is comprised of Directors of Community Services
(DCSs) and Mental Health Commissioners in all 57 counties and the
Department of Mental Hygiene for the City of New York; and
WHEREAS, CLMHD advances state and local policies, practices, laws,
regulation and funding for the purpose of ensuring comprehensive, inte-
grated and cost-effective system of care to meet the needs of those
persons, and their families, affected by mental illness, developmental
disability and/or chemical dependency; and
WHEREAS, Directors and Commissioners advocate at the state and local
level for services and resources needed to meet the Mental Hygiene Law
mandate that the Local Governmental Unit (LGU) assure that there is
access to needed services; and
WHEREAS, Directors and Commissioners develop and oversee comprehen-
sive, integrated and cost-effective systems of care locally while work-
ing in partnership with the New York State mental hygiene agencies,
comprised of the Office of Mental Health (OMH), the Office of Alcoholism
and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and the Office for People with
Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD); and
WHEREAS, Directors and Commissioners, in accordance with Mental
Hygiene Law, engage in annual local services planning, quality improve-
ment and programmatic and fiscal oversight activities required to meet
the diverse needs of individuals and families; and
WHEREAS, While the three disability agencies are separate at the State
level, they are integrated at the local level through the LGU; and
WHEREAS, The LGU is embedded in the community and Directors and
Commissioners have and maintain partnerships with a diverse group to
connect the pieces of the local system including mental health,
substance abuse and developmental disability service providers; peers,
families and youth, State operated psychiatric centers (PCs) and
addiction treatment centers (ATCs); Social Service (DSS) and Public
Health Departments; Housing and shelter services; Criminal Justice
(prisons, jails, probation/parole, police, sheriffs, family and criminal
courts); Hospitals (Emergency Departments and CPEPs) and primary care
and providers; and
WHEREAS, Directors and Commissioners fulfill their mission which is to
advocate, plan, mentor and protect individuals and families dealing with
mental health, substance use, alcohol and/or development needs in their
communities; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the New York State Conference of
Local Mental Hygiene Directors, Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Direc-
tors, Inc.