Last week, MHANYS held its Annual Membership Meeting/Policy Forum at the Crowne Plaza Albany – The Desmond Hotel. The forum was headlined by a special presentation and discussion with Blake Washington, New York State Budget Director. Outside of the Governor, Mr. Washington is one of the most important officials in the New York State government for the state budget. Mr. Washington had the opportunity to engage with our affiliate members from around New York State. Affiliates highlighted the need for a 2.7% targeted inflationary increase to help contend with ongoing recruitment and retention of staff as well as the risk and loss of funding from federal and state resources.
MHANYS also addressed the urgent need to support first responders’ mental health and wellness. This included special remarks calling for the establishment of first responder peer to peer support in every county from Eugene Perry, President of Firefighters Association of the State New York, and Chris O’Brien, Executive Director, New York State Sheriffs’ Institute. Additionally, the policy forum featured presentations from Bob Moon, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Community Program Policy and Management, New York State Office of Mental Health, and Trisha Schell-Guy, Director, Division of Program Development and Management. We have attached the PowerPoint presentations.
