County Executive Robert P. Astorino on Friday named Melissa Staats, the deputy commissioner of the Department of Community Mental Health since 2009, as acting commissioner, effective July 6.
Staats will succeed Dr. Grant Mitchell, the commissioner since 2007, who has resigned to take a job as the associate vice chair for clinical services in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center. Mitchell will retain his ties to Westchester government by continuing to serve as a volunteer on the county Community Services Board, which advises the department.
Astorino said the county and Department of Community Mental Health would be well served by Staats, who has more than 20 years experience in the field.
"I have seen her professionalism, knowledge and compassion first hand," said Astorino. "She has worked side by side with Grant Mitchell on many issues, including our ongoing Safer Communities initiative, which we launched after the tragic shootings in Newtown, Ct. last December, and our efforts to strengthen partnerships with not-for profit agencies."
He added: "At the same time, I am sorry to see Grant Mitchell leave county government after six years as commissioner. I relied on him for many things, and his accomplishments were numerous."
The Department of Community Mental Health plans, oversees and coordinates services for individuals – and their families – with mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance abuse disorders. (See www.westchestergov.com/mentalhealth.)
Staats, a resident of Sleepy Hollow, has been with the department since 2006, first as director of mental health and rising to deputy commissioner in 2009. Prior to that, she was president and CEO of the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors, where, among other things, she developed county government public policy positions relating to mental health, addictions anddevelopmental disabilities. Her other previous jobs include positions with the New York State Office of Mental Health and the New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors.Staats holds a dual master's degree in sociology and social work.
"I want to thank County Executive Robert Astorino for the opportunity to serve the residents of Westchester County in this expanded capacity," Staats said. "I am confident that I can continue to advance the excellent reputation of the community services provided in Westchester County. It is an honor."
Mitchell was originally appointed commissioner by former County Executive Andrew J. Spano in 2007 and remained as commissioner when Astorino took office in 2010.
Under Astorino, Mitchell improved the delivery of mental health services by successfully transitioning county mental health clinics over to not-for-profit agencies. This effort eliminated an inherent conflict of interest where the county was both a provider and regulator of mental health services. It also eliminated competition and duplication between the county and not-for-profit providers.
"We were able to make this transition in a way that continued high quality service for our clients," Mitchell said.
Mitchell pointed to other accomplishments as well:
- The Care Coordination Program, which was recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for its innovative approach to improving care for people with serious mental illness, while reducing costs.
- The department received a large federal grant to address the high prevalence of chemical dependency in families involved in the child welfare system.
- DCMH staff also worked to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities continued to have access to critical community programs and advanced the autism agenda under the guidance of a special committee.
- Most recently, DCMH has played a significant role in Astorino's Safer Communities initiative designed to reduce violence by creating a "blueprint" to guide changes and create opportunities to improve public safety.
"The health care system for individuals with mental illnesses, chemical dependency and developmental disabilities is changing drastically," Mitchell said. "Despite these changes, the dedicated staff at DCMH has continued to ensure that those in need have access to affordable, high-quality behavioral health services. I am proud of the work they do every day. I want to thank County Executive Astorino for his consistent support over the past 3 ½ years. He clearly understands the needs of individuals with disabilities and has provided great leadership in this area."