LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the New York State Conference of Local
Mental Hygiene Directors upon the occasion of celebrating the 40th Anni-
versary of its incorporation on May 18, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
organizations that work to serve the behavioral 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 commend
the New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors upon the
occasion of celebrating the 40th Anniversary of its incorporation on May
18, 2016; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Direc-
tors, Inc. was statutorily incorporated under Article 41 of the Mental
Hygiene Law on May 18, 1976; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Conference was created to promote the
interests and protect the needs of persons, and their families, affected
by mental illness, developmental disability and/or chemical dependency,
to promote the concept that the needs and rights of these individuals
are best served by a network of diverse services available within the
community, and to aid and encourage cooperation among those providing
mental hygiene services in New York State; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Conference is comprised of Directors of
Community Services (DCSs) and Mental Health Commissioners in all of the
57 counties and the Department of Mental Hygiene for the City of New
York; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Conference advances state and local poli-
cies, practices, laws, regulation and funding for the purpose of ensur-
ing comprehensive, integrated 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 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, In accordance with Mental Hygiene Law, Directors and Commis-
sioners engage in annual local services planning, quality improvement
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; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the vital importance of the
New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors in providing
excellence in care through prevention, education and treatment, and its
evident commitment to this mission; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors
upon the occasion of celebrating the 40th Anniversary of its incorpo-
ration on May 18, 2016; 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.