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SCHEDULE SET FOR "PEOPLE FIRST" FORUMS

Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced that 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 a series of Coordinated Care Listening Forums.

The Governor has directed these commissioners to travel the state, listen to the health care needs of New Yorkers, and provide recommendations on how to improve and coordinate support for people who have needs across the four systems.

“For far too long in this state, individuals with multiple needs have had to navigate through a complex myriad of state and local bureaucracies before they even begin to receive the care that they need, which is why a patient-centered system here in New York is necessary,” said Governor Spitzer. “Improved collaboration at all levels of government will be essential in moving our systems of care forward in the twenty-first century.”

The “People First” Coordinated Care Listening Forums are a starting point for new collaborative initiatives aimed at better serving New York’s residents. The forums are designed to listen to people who require services across various systems to better understand their needs with the goal of obtaining insight on how to improve quality and outcomes, as well as coordinate supports for individuals.

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

DOH Commissioner Richard F. 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.”

OASAS Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo said, “Governor Spitzer has asked that my colleagues and I go directly to the residents of this great state and listen to their ideas on ways our health systems can better work together to move his vision of One New York forward. As commissioners, we are accountable for the services our agencies provide. We welcome the input from those who rely on our services, as it will help us improve the coordination of care for New Yorkers.”

OMH Commissioner Michael F. 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 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. What better way to kick-start this effort than to go right to the people who receive or require these services? I look forward to hearing from our residents across the state on how we can better meet their needs.”

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

If you are unable to attend, but would like to provide feedback on how to enhance coordinated care in New York State, please email your thoughts to one or more of the following email addresses: