New York State is developing a plan to strengthen intensive home- and community-based services for children and youth with significant behavioral health needs.
The Children’s Mental Health Settlement Agreement will guide how we improve services to make sure children and youth under age 21 receive timely and quality care while remaining at home with their families and in their communities, whenever possible.
The plan will focus on:
Our goal is to better support the mental health and well-being of children, youth, and families across New York State.
Community input will be essential to this work.
The state will host opportunities for families, youth, providers, advocates and community members to learn about the settlement and share feedback on how services should be implemented. Your feedback will help inform the development of the plan and ensure it reflects the needs of the communities we serve.
Community Stakeholder Feedback Sessions
Registration for local in-person and virtual feedback sessions are now available. This is your opportunity to share ideas and recommendations.
In Person Sessions:
Central Region Registration
July 22, 2026 6:00-8:00pm
OCM BOCES
110 Elwood Road Liverpool 13088
July 23, 2026 9:00-11:00am
OCM BOCES
110 Elwood Road Liverpool 13088
Western Region Registration
August 6, 2026 6:00-8:00pm
Hillside Children’s Center
1 Mustard Street Rochester 14609
August 7, 2026 9:00-11:00am
Hillside Children’s Center
1 Mustard Street Rochester 14609
Hudson River Region Registration
August 11, 2026 6:00-8:00pm
Orange County Community College
One Washington Center, Newburgh, NY 12550
August 12, 2026 9:00-11:00am
Orange County Community College
One Washington Center, Newburgh, NY 12550
Long Island Region Registration
September 17, 2026 6:00-8:00pm
Suffolk Community College
Crooked Hill Rd, Brentwood, NY 11717
September 18, 2026 9:00-11:00am
Suffolk Community College
Crooked Hill Rd, Brentwood, NY 11717
New York City Region
August 24, 2026 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Office of Mental Health NYC Field Office
330 5th Avenue, New York, 10001, 9th floor
August 25, 2026 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Office of Mental Health NYC Field Office
330 5th Avenue, New York, 10001, 9th floor
August 25, 2026 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Office of Mental Health NYC Field Office
330 5th Avenue, New York, 10001, 9th floor
Virtual Sessions:
August 13, 2026 4:00-5:30pm | Zoom Registration
September 2, 2026 2:00-3:30pm | Zoom Registration
September 3, 2026 5:00-6:30pm | Zoom Registration
Introduction to the Children’s Mental Health Settlement Agreement Webinar | March 25, 2026
Join our email list to get updates about the Children’s Mental Health Settlement, plan development, and engagement opportunities.
How to Join the Email List
If you would like to share comments, recommendations, or suggestions related to the Children’s Mental Health Settlement agreement, please email: ChildrensMHSettlement@omh.ny.gov.
The IAC serves in an advisory capacity to the Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Department of Health (DOH). It provides feedback and recommendations to inform the development of the Implementation Plan.
Committee Membership
Membership includes representatives from:
| IAC Member | Organization |
|---|---|
| Raysa Rodriguez | Citizens' Committee for Children of New York |
| Matthew Barron | NY Public Welfare Association (NYPWA) |
| Jill Benson | JBFCS |
| Elizabeth Bruce | NYS Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors, Inc |
| Nicole Bryl | Children's Health Home of Upstate New York (CHHUNY) |
| Gabriela Burgos | Parent To Parent New York State |
| Marnie Davidoff | NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene |
| Jennifer Fuchs | SCO Family of Services |
| William Gettman | Northern Rivers Family of Services |
| David Goldstein | New Alternatives for Children |
| Jessica Grimm-Gonzalez | The Children's Village |
| Brad Hansen | Families Together in NYS (FTNYS) |
| Christina Hauptman | Healthy Minds Healthy Kids, Hands Across Long Island |
| Dr. Jennifer Havens | NYU Grossman School of Medicine and NYC Health and Hospitals |
| Todd Karlin | Astor Services |
| Carolyn May | NYS Office of Children and Family Services |
| Angel Mendoza, MD | NYC Administration for Children's Services |
| Heather Mermel | UnitedHealthcare |
| Jackie Negri | NY Care Management Coalition |
| Dr. Warren Y.K. Ng | NY Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center |
| Mimi Phillips | Families Together in NYS (FTNYS) |
| Sherri Romano | The Child Center of NY |
| David Rossetti | Mental Health Association of Columbia & Greene Counties |
| Jodi Saitowitz | The Collaborative for Children & Families (CCF) |
| Patricia Schaap | Cortland County Department of Mental Health |
| Sara Taylor | BIPOC Peeeeeek |
| John Venza | Outreach |
| Michelle Woolever | Molina |
| Thalia Wright | Monroe County Department of Human Services |
| Kayleigh Zaloga | NYS Coalition for Children's Behavioral Health |
Representatives from OMH, DOH, and each child-serving agency participating in the interagency “State Leadership Workgroup” will attend IAC meetings.
The Workgroup includes members from:
IAC Meetings Notes