POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – First announced in her State of the County address, Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino announced today that the three major service areas under the Department of Behavioral & Community Health (DBCH) – Mental Health, Public Health and Veterans Services – are now on their way to becoming independent departments. The reorganization was formally approved last night during the Dutchess County Legislature’s August Board Meeting with bipartisan support.
“Mental health, in particular, is an issue that is near and dear to my heart and having heard from neighbors of all ages about their own challenges, we need to commit ourselves to increasing and expanding services to meet this growing need,” said Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino. “When people are looking for services and resources in times of need, we want to be doing all that we can to make it easy to figure out where to go and who to talk to. Which is why, one of the very first steps our administration took earlier this year was to start the planning process for a reorganization of the Department of Behavioral and Community Health, so both mental health and public health could have their own seat at the table. This alignment also ensures Dutchess County can take advantage of the growing resources that may be available and focus on the critical issues that are affecting our neighbors.”
As independent departments, there is greater visibility for each service area, making it easier for residents to find the services and resources they need. Additionally, the change positions the County to take advantage of increasing mental health resources at the state and federal level as mental health challenges continue to grow nationally.
The law will take effect once filed with the Secretary of State, which will be done following the conclusion of a public hearing and signing by the County Executive.
The three independent departments/units will be known as, and led by:
• Department of Health (DOH) led by Commissioner Dr. Livia Santiago-Rosado
• Department of Mental Health (DMH) led by Commissioner Jean-Marie Niebuhr, LCSW-R
• Office of Veterans Affairs led by Director Adam Roche, United States Marines (Ret)
In separate resolutions, the County Legislature confirmed Jean-Marie Niebuhr as Commissioner for the newly created Department of Mental Health and Adam Roche as Director of the Office of Veterans Affairs.
“Having dedicated her career to improving mental health, Jean-Marie has been a tremendous resource to Dutchess County, and I am confident that as Commissioner she will guide the new department well and strive to expand mental health services for our entire community,” Serino continued. “As mental health challenges continue to affect individuals of all ages and walks of life, she has the compassion and experience needed to address this ongoing crisis.”
Jean-Marie Niebuhr has served as the Deputy Commissioner for DBCH and Director of Community Services since 2017, when she began working with the County after a long tenure in social work with various mental health organizations and government partners. As Commissioner, she will continue to oversee all activities related to mental health, including the community mental health, chemical dependency, and intellectual and developmental disabilities services.
The Department of Mental Health, located at 230 North Road in Poughkeepsie, provides services and programs for individuals living with mental health and/or substance use issues including prevention, treatment, recovery and support, in cooperation with a local network of contract agency partners. Among the services offered through DMH are 24/7 crisis services, including Dutchess County’s 988 Suicide & Crisis HELPLINE, the walk-in Stabilization Center at 230 North Road and the Mobile Crisis Intervention Team. As part of the reorganization, the All-Abilities Division, as well as the Commission on Human Rights, will be part of the new Mental Health Department.
Adam Roche has served as Veterans Services Director since 2020. Before serving with Dutchess County Government, he led Mental Health America of Dutchess County’s Vet2Vet Program as the Program Manager, where he connected countless veterans from across the County with the critical resources necessary to adjust back to civilian life and assist those struggling with PTSD, TBI or other mental health challenges. A veteran himself, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2000, when he trained as an infantry machine gunner. He was deployed three times, including being one of the first units deployed to Iraq.
The Dutchess County Office of Veterans Affairs, located in Suite #2 at the MHA Veterans One-Stop facility at 1335 Route 44 in Pleasant Valley, provides professional, personalized analysis for every veteran and their family for the greatest assurance they receive all benefits they have earned from the veteran's Honorable Service, rendering nearly 20,000 contact services annually to veterans and families.
Serino said, “I have always been amazed by the way Adam fully dedicates himself to advocating for the local veterans across our region, but especially those here in Dutchess County. Never seeking acknowledgement, the number of lives he has touched is immeasurable as he always goes above and beyond to help our community’s veterans. Adam is a true American hero; his continued dedication to service is a testament to his remarkable character.”
The Department of Health, located at 85 Civic Center Plaza in Poughkeepsie (with satellite offices in Millbrook and Beacon) will continue its focus on public health and providing services and resources to help people lead healthy lives, under the direction of current Commissioner Santiago. Key functional areas will continue be Environmental Health Services, Public Health & Disease Prevention, Medical Examiner’s Office and Emergency Preparedness (in partnership with the Department of Emergency Response). Early Intervention/Preschool Special Education and Weights & Measures will continue to be divisions within the Department of Health.
The reorganization has no fiscal impact to the County for fiscal year 2024, as the three departments will use funding previously appropriated to the Department of Behavioral and Community Health. The Department's new organizational charts were presented to the Legislature and can be found here.
To learn more about Dutchess County’s mental health, public health and veteran services, visit www.dutchessny.gov.
