Local Government Unit

In accordance with New York State Mental Hygiene Law, as a Local Government Unit (LGU), Orange County Department of Mental Health develops an annual Local Services Plan (LSP) that establishes long-range goals and objectives consistent with statewide goals and objectives. The LSP is submitted to each of the following mental hygiene agencies:

Also, as an LGU, the Department of Mental Health:

  • provides oversight of local behavioral health services in Orange County;
  • collects statistics from various community agencies through the Mental Health Secure Website, which is password-protected

Community Services Board

Orange County Department of Mental Health has a Community Services Board with Subcommittees for Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Mental Health, and Developmental Disabilities. This Board provides advice to Commissioner Darcie Miller and participates in the development of the Local Services Plan. The Community Services Board meets regularly during the year. The Board‘s meetings are open to the general public.  Advance public notice of meetings is given, and minutes are available to the public.

WELCOME Orange 

As a founding member of the WELCOME Orange collaboration of agencies and organizations, Orange County Department of Mental Health encourages leadership and collaboration of multidisciplinary partners to enhance healthy living in Orange County. The Department is committed to providing a hopeful, welcoming, person-centered approach to meet individuals’ needs by collaborating and connecting people to resources for healthy living. As part of the WELCOME Orange initiative, the Department offers a guidance tool known as COMPASS-EZ.  COMPASS-EZ Guidance Tool (DVD)