People First Coordinated Care Listening Forum in Plattsburgh on July 13

ALBANY, NY (07/13/2007)(readMedia)-- Adding to more than 1,100 comments and questions from New Yorkers across the state, North Country residents will have an opportunity to attend the fifth “People First” Coordinated Care Listening Forum in Plattsburgh on Friday, July 13, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo, LCSW, Commissioner of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, 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; and Diana Jones Ritter, Commissioner of the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities will meet the public at the William H. Forrence Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Center, located at Clinton Community College.

The "People First" Listening Forums are designed to obtain grassroots input from the people who use multiple services in the areas of health care, addiction, mental health, and developmental disabilities. 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. A report will be submitted by the agencies to Governor Spitzer on the findings of the forums, along with plans for addressing the issues identified. Thus far, more than 2,000 New Yorkers have attended and hundreds more have participated via Webcast.

OASAS Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo said, “These landmark forums have proven that New Yorkers all across the state want more of a say in their overall health care needs. I anticipate an excellent discussion between North Country residents and the leaders of four state systems at Clinton Community College, and look forward to receiving important feedback on health care issues affecting individuals and their families.”

DOH Commissioner Richard F. Daines said, "The people using health care services are in the best position to advise us on ways to better meet their health care needs. I look forward to hearing from people in the North Country on what needs to be done to achieve our goal of providing all New Yorkers with access to coordinated, high-quality health care."

OMRDD Commissioner Diana Jones 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 ‘People First’ approach is one that OMRDD fully embraces, and I look forward to receiving more grassroots input as we continue to hear from individuals about how we can better meet their needs.”

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."

The Plattsburgh forum is the fifth in a series that began in New Paltz and traveled to Queens, Buffalo and Syracuse. This week’s forum will feature a Health Fair where local organizations will be offering free health care checks and information. The Clinton County Health Department, Clinton County Mental Health and Chemical Dependency, National Kidney Foundation, Behavioral Health Services North, Adirondack Tobacco-Free Network, National Alliance on Mental Illness and Champlain Valley Family Center will all be participating.

The Commissioners thanked Clinton County officials from the Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene Services, as well as the Community College, for their efforts on behalf of the People First Forums.

“Solving complicated health issues and having a coordinated health care system requires a multi-disciplined approach that includes all of our health care partners,” said Paula Calkins Lacombe, Director of Public Health for Clinton County. “Health problems are tied to behaviors and lifestyle choices, as well as the health care system. To make a difference we need a comprehensive, coordinated, whole-body approach to health.”

“This is an historic event and we are especially gratified and pleased that the commissioners will have the opportunity to hear first hand from our communities what is needed in our primarily rural area,” said Sherrie Gillette, Director of Clinton County Mental Hygiene Services.

Maurice Hickey, President of Clinton Community College said the college was an ideal host for the forum because of its focus as a resource for the North Country community. “The presence of the four commissioners, the themes of access, quality, interagency collaboration and coordination of care demonstrates a commitment to putting the patient first in health care,” said President Hickey. “We are proud to play a small role in that process.”

The Forum 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

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