ALBANY, NY (05/22/2008)(readMedia)-- Commissioners and executive leadership representing more than 30 New York state agencies, local governments, armed forces, care providers and related organizations will hear veterans and their families describe some of the challenges faced by veterans returning home from active duty, at an invitation-only workshop to be held Friday (May 23). The group will begin to explore and discuss ways to better provide a coordinated, collaborative system of services for veterans in New York State.

Who: Commissioners and executive leadership representing more than 30 New York state agencies, local governments, armed forces, care providers and related organizations, including but not limited to:

Michael F. Hogan, Commissioner, NYS Office of Mental Health

Karen Carpenter-Palumbo, Commissioner, NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Svcs.

James McDonough, Director, NYS Div. of Veterans' Affairs

Joseph Taluto, Major General (Adjutant General), NYS Div. of Military and Naval Affairs

Amy Barasch, Ex. Dir., NYS Off. for Prevention of Domestic Violence

Deborah Benson, Ex. Dir., NYS Council on Children & Families

Johanna Duncan-Poiter, Sr. Dep., NYS Dept. of Education

Mary Kaveney, Deputy Commissioner/Counsel, NYS Div. of Criminal Justice Services

Jane Lynch, Dep. Commissioner, NYS Office of Children and Family Services

Mario Musolino, Exec. Dep. Commissioner, NYS Dept. of Labor

Wendy Saunders, Chief of Staff, NYS Health Dept.

Russ Sykes, Deputy Commissioner, NYS Office of Temporary Disability Assistance

Stephen Acquario, Ex. Dir., NYS Assoc. of Counties

Col. Jerome Penner, Commander, US Army Medical Dept. at Fort Drum

Linda Weiss, Deputy Network Director, VA Healthcare Network, Upstate NY

Denise Young, Ex. Dir., Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Director

What: An invitation-only roundtable discussion and workshop to explore and discuss ways to better provide a coordinated, collaborative system of services for veterans in New York State.

When: Friday, May 23, 2008. Open to Press 8:00am – 9:15am for Registration (8:00), Color Guard (8:30) and Opening Remarks (8:45-9:15) only.

Where: Hilton Garden Inn at Albany Medical Center, 62 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208.

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Posted Thursday May 22, 2008 at 12:44 pm by New York State Office of Mental Health