"People First" Coordinated Care Listening Forum In Place in New Paltz May 14

ALBANY, NY (05/11/2007)(readMedia)-- Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., of the Department of Health (DOH), Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), Commissioner Michael F. Hogan, Ph.D., of the Office of Mental Health (OMH), and Commissioner Diana Jones Ritter of the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) will be conducting the first in a series of "People First" Coordinated Care Listening Forums from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 14 at the SUNY New Paltz Lecture Center, 1 Hawk Drive, New Paltz.

Other forums are scheduled in Queens, Buffalo, Syracuse and Plattsburgh for these Commissioners to travel the state to listen to the health care needs of New Yorkers. They will then provide recommendations to the Governor to improve and coordinate support for people who have needs across the four systems.

The "People First" Coordinated Care Listening Forums are a starting point for new collaborative initiatives aimed at better serving New York's citizens. The forums are designed to listen to people with multiple health concerns, including addiction, mental health and/or developmental disabilities, who need support and services from any of these agencies. With better insight into people's needs, the Commissioners plan to improve quality and outcomes, as well as coordinate supports for individuals.

In each area, the Commissioners will be seeking feedback from local communities on access to resources, quality of care, interagency collaboration and coordination of care.

"For far too long, individuals with multiple health needs have had to navigate a complex and fragmented system of care," Dr. Daines said. "Rather than a complex system of care that must be 'negotiated' by patients, we want a system that guides patients through the system. We want to follow the patient's health and health care over time, with the goal of improving and maintaining the patient's overall health and wellness."

OASAS Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo said, "Addiction is a major public health care issue that may require the services of more than one system of care, which is why improved communication and coordination between our four systems is essential. Through these forums, we are sending a message to all New Yorkers that people come first. I look forward to joining my colleagues at DOH, OMRDD and OMH to listen to the health care needs of Hudson Valley residents."

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."

OMRDD Commissioner Ritter said, "We will work with our sister agencies in government to enhance collaboration and provide more seamless services to people who have multiple disabilities. The forum in New Paltz marks a new beginning. Together, we will achieve Governor Spitzer's vision of One New York and assure that our citizens with mental health, developmental disabilities and alcohol and substance abuse addictions get the care and treatment they need."

Ulster County Public Health Director Dean Palen said, "At the Ulster County Health Department our mission is the prevention of the leading causes of disability, disease and premature death. Our ability to achieve our mission will be strengthened by hearing from consumers and providers related to access, quality and coordination of care."

Marshall Beckman, Director of Community Mental Health Services for Ulster County said, "The provision of services to persons whose needs span multiple service systems has long been recognized by local administrators and service providers as a huge challenge. These are the consumers who frequently fall between the cracks in our service systems, and for whom we have the greatest difficulties coordinating and securing services and funding. Our failure to tackle these problems and deliver services more efficiently results in great expenditures of resources, yet poor quality of life for these consumers. These issues can not be successfully addressed without a commitment from our State leadership. The Listening Tour reflects this administration's acknowledgment of the magnitude of these issues and the urgent need for collaboration among State agencies."

The other Coordinated Care Listening Forums will be held on the following dates:

  • June 6, noon-2 p.m., York College, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica.
  • June 19, 4-6 p.m., Research Studies Center, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, corner of Elm and Carlton streets, Buffalo.
  • June 20, 2-4 p.m., Lafayette Theater in the Renaissance Hotel, 701 E. Genesee St., Syracuse.
  • July 13, 1-3 p.m., Stafford Center for Arts and Technology, Clinton County Community College, 136 Clinton Point Drive, Plattsburgh.

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
  • OMRDD: public.affairs@omr.state.ny.us
  • OASAS: public.affairs@oasas.state.ny.us
  • DOH: dohweb@health.state.ny.us

Driving directions are listed on the agencies' websites.