About Us

CLMHD Committee Chairs

Addiction Services and Recovery Committee
The ASR Committee is responsible for updating members on key issues impacting local governments, as well as the delivery and funding of ASR services and support.

Co-Chair: Suzanne Lavigne, MHA, CASAC-M, DCS, Franklin County Community Services

Co-Chair: Margaret Morse, LMSW, DCS, Seneca County Department of Mental Health

Children and Families Committee 
The duties of the Children and Families Committee include maintaining ongoing familiarity with the major issues affecting children and youth in need of mental hygiene services, and their families, in New York State.

Co-Chair: Michael Orth, MSW, Commissioner, Westchester County Department of Mental Health

Co-Chair: Richelle Gregory, M.Ed., DCS, Clinton County Mental Health and Addictions Services

Developmental Disabilities Committee
The Developmental Disabilities Committee is responsible for maintaining ongoing familiarity with the major issues affecting local governments and the delivery of services for the intellectually/developmentally disabled.

Co-Chair: Melissa Stickle, LCSW, CASAC, DCS, Sullivan County Department of Community Services

Co-Chair: Susan Hoerter, DO, Commissioner, Rockland County Department of Mental Health

Mental Health Committee
The duties of the Mental Health Committee include maintaining ongoing familiarity with the major issues affecting local governments and the delivery of mental health services.

Co-Chair: Katherine (Kathy) Alonge-Coons, LCSW-R, Commissioner, Rensselaer County Dept. of Mental Health

Co-Chair: Sarah Nies, LMHC, DCS, Schoharie County Community/Mental Hygiene Services

Mental Hygiene Planning Committee 
Effective local planning is the ongoing process of helping to define service needs and gaps—and providing the framework needed to align available resources with identified priorities. The duties of the Mental Hygiene Planning Committee are to enhance the partnership between counties and the three state disability agencies (OMH, OASAS, OPWDD) through the development of an efficient, integrated, uniform planning system that helps to: identify and quantify current and emerging needs; support local management and coordination; promote the continued development of person-centered services; and ultimately, inform state policy and budget decisions.

Co-Chair: Lynda Battaglia, LCSW, DCS, Genesee County Mental Health Services

Co-Chair: Michael Prezioso, PhD, DCS, Saratoga County Mental Health & Addiction Services

Nominating Committee
The duties of Nominating Committee are to notify all regular members no less than 90 days prior to an election of Officers, for the purpose of soliciting candidates for any of the elected positions; and no less than 45 days prior to an election of officers, reporting to the Executive Committee of the status of its polling and soliciting activities.

Chair: Mary O'Leary, LCSW, DCS, Cattaraugus County Department of Community Services