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We Can Help. 914-345-5900 • help@mhawestchester.org |
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Advocacy & Advisory Groups You Can Join or Seek Appointment ToGroups That Do Not Require Formal AppointmentWestchester Mental Health Councils The Westchester Department of Community Mental Health (WDCMH) operates five Area Mental Hygiene Councils, representing the various mental health districts in Westchester County. The districts are: Mt. Vernon, Yonkers, Sound Shore, Central Westchester, and Northern Westchester. Customarily, the Mt. Vernon and Yonkers Councils meet together and the Sound Shore and Central Westchester councils meet together. The Commissioner of the Department of Community Mental Health appoints the chairs of the councils. But the councils' meetings are open to anyone interested in mental health. Each council meets four times a year and serves to keep WDCMH apprised of local needs and issues. The councils cover mental retardation/developmental disabilities and alcohol/drug abuse as well as mental health. For further information call WDCMH at 914-995-5220 The Mental Health Association of Westchester County The Mental Health Association of Westchester County is an advocacy organization, which seeks to bring together all people who are interested in mental health--concerned citizens, professionals, recipients of mental health services, and family members. It is a membership organization, which welcomes new members. Members are required to pay annual dues. To become a member of MHA, call 914-345-0700, extension 202 NYAPRS, Clubhouses, and Peer Run Programs The New York State Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS) represents psychiatric rehabilitation providers, including peer run programs as well as clubhouses and programs using other rehabilitation approaches. It welcomes people with psychiatric disabilities as well as professionals and paraprofessionals as both leaders and participants in mental health advocacy. Joining a clubhouse or a peer run program is a good route to active advocacy. For information call NYAPRS at 518-436-0008 NAMI-Westchester NAMI-Westchester represents families of people with mental illnesses. It is affiliated with the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill (NAMI). It welcomes participants who are diagnosed with mental illnesses as well as family members. For information call NAMI-Westchester at 914-592-5248 Mental Health Consumer Advocacy Organizations There are several advocacy groups in Westchester, which are led by people with a history of serious mental illnesses. Two such groups are: CHOICE
Westchester Consumer Empowerment Center
Westchester Independent Living Center Independent Living Centers (ILCs) are organizations, which exist in order to help people with either physical or mental disabilities or both to live independently in the community. All ILCs provide peer advocacy services and some provide other services as well. In Westchester contact: Westchester Independent Living Center
Trade Associations Some advocacy groups represent different kinds of mental health service providers. In Westchester they include: The National Association of Social Workers
The Northern Metropolitan Hospital Association
The Psychiatric Society of Westchester
Westchester County Psychological Association
Service Organizations as Advocacy Groups Many service organizations engage in advocacy and provide opportunities for people who use their programs, their staffs, their volunteers, and their Boards to participate in advocacy. For example, they may ask people to send letters or make calls to elected officials or even to participate in meetings with public officials. Groups In Westchester and New York State That Require Formal AppointmentThe Westchester County Community Services Board Under New York State law, every locality must have a Community Services Board, which reviews local plans and advises the local director of community mental health services. Community Services Boards have three subcommittees--the mental health subcommittee, the mental retardation subcommittee, and the alcoholism and substance abuse subcommittee. In Westchester County, there are 14 members of the Community Services Board who are appointed by the County Executive with the approval of the County Board of Legislators, and one member who is appointed by the Chairman of the Board of Legislators. These members make recommendations to the Commissioner of Mental Health on important issues concerning existing services and the development of new programs to meet current and anticipated needs. For further information call WDCMH at 914-995-5220 The NYS Mental Health Planning Advisory Committee (MHPAC) The NYS Mental Health Planning Advisory Committee was established to comply with federal requirements that each state develop and update plans for mental services for adults with serious mental illnesses. In NYS the MHPAC also relates to other populations. The NYS Commissioner of Mental Health appoints members. For information call: NYS OMH Bureau of Design and Planning at 518-473-7161. The NYS Mental Health Services Council New York State law requires that there be a Mental Health Services Council, which reviews fiscal, regulatory, and new program proposals and makes recommendations to the Commissioner of Mental Health. Members are appointed by the Governor and by the Senate. For information call OMH's Director of Intergovernmental Relations at 518-474-4403. State Psychiatric Centers All State psychiatric centers have Boards of Visitors, which oversee the operations of state facilities, and most also have Family and Consumer Advisory Committees. The Governor appoints Boards of Visitors. The facility directors appoint advisory committees. For further information call the psychiatric center in which you are interested. The primary state facilities serving residents of Westchester County are: Rockland State Psychiatric Center
Rockland State Children’s Psychiatric Center
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