Four NYS Commissioners Hold Listening Forum June 20 at Renaissance Hotel

ALBANY, NY (06/20/2007)(readMedia)-- Michael F. Hogan, PhD, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health; Richard F. Daines, M.D., Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health; Diana Jones Ritter, Commissioner of the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities; and Karen Carpenter-Palumbo, LMSW, Commissioner of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, will be conducting a “People First” Listening Forum on Wednesday, June 20 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel in Syracuse.

“People First” Listening Forums are being conducted across New York State, to obtain grassroots input from the people who use multiple services in the areas of health care, addiction, mental health, and developmental disabilities and their families. Conducted in a “town meeting” format, they are part of Governor Spitzer’s efforts to put people and their needs at the center of New York’s systems of care. With better insight into people's needs, the Commissioners plan to develop methods of improving and coordinating support for people who have needs across the systems of care.

OMH Commissioner Hogan said, “Governor Spitzer’s vision is for a health system that is person-centered, not focused on the needs of institutions. We face that challenge within each of the service systems represented here, and additionally we must break down the ‘silos’ that create barriers to integrated care. We know that mental health is critical to overall health, but also that mental health recovery requires overall wellness.”

DOH Commissioner Daines said, “Access to appropriate, high-quality care is our goal for all New Yorkers in need. Often the people using these services are in the best position to advise us on the changes they need. I look forward to hearing from the people in their communities to spark the innovative solutions we seek.”

OMRDD Commissioner Ritter said, "New Yorkers who have multiple disabilities including developmental disabilities must have access to high quality care that assures their various and continuing needs are met. I am committed to working together with my sister agencies toward a more seamless service system that puts the person receiving services first and provides each individual with opportunities and choices for and about their own care. The forums have been very informative and I look forward to receiving more grassroots input as we continue to hear from people across the state on how we can better meet their needs."

OASAS Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo said, "Nearly halfway through the "People First" Forums, we have already learned a great deal from New Yorkers about the diversity of their health care needs. My colleagues and I appreciate the more than 1,200 citizens who have attended the forums. Every comment is important to us and will help us put forth a comprehensive plan to improve access and quality of care for all New Yorkers, including the 1.8 million with substance abuse problems."

David Brownell, LMSW, Commissioner, Onondaga County Department of Mental Health said, “Governor Spitzer's “People First” vision is welcome news for consumers, families and providers. Change begins at the top but success depends on a unified vision at all levels. These “Listening Tours” are a great first step.”

Cynthia Morrow, MD, MPH, Commissioner, Onondaga County Department of Health said, “The World Health Organization defines health as being a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. I applaud the State Commissioners involved in this initiative, and Governor Spitzer for embracing this comprehensive definition and for bringing people together in an effort to create a more coordinated health care system that supports the health needs of all New Yorkers.”

“People First” forums have already been held in New Paltz, New York City and Buffalo; in addition to the Syracuse forum, another is scheduled to be held in Plattsburgh on July 13.

The "People First" forums will be webcast live, and links for viewing are available on each of the agencies' websites. In addition, people who are unable to attend, but want to provide feedback on coordinated care in New York State, can send email directly to the following addresses:

OMH: transformation@omh.state.ny.us

DOH: dohweb@health.state.ny.us

OMRDD: public.affairs@omr.state.ny.us

OASAS: public.affairs@oasas.state.ny.us

-30-