The Division of Community Mental Hygiene Services is the local governmental unit responsible for the coordination and oversight of all community services to persons with alcohol and substance abuse problems, mental illness, mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities. Community Mental Hygiene Services is authorized under the New York State Mental Hygiene Law. It functions in concert with New York State's Office of Mental Health; Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
The scope of the Division's responsibilities include:
- Coordinate and oversee treatment services for mental health, substance abuse and those with mental retardation or developmental disabilities in Suffolk County;
- Work with communities, consumers and other interested groups to improve services and to pursue program development that is consistent with the Suffolk County/New York State planning process;
- Establish procedures and implement programs either directly or through contracts with other agencies to serve people suffering from mental illness, substance abuse problems, mental retardation or developmental disabilities.
- Evaluate those services to ensure that they comply with all pertinent regulations and appropriately serve their intended populations; and
- Provide education and training either directly or through contracts to increase awareness of chemical dependency, mental illness and developmental disabilities.
*from www.SuffolkCountyny.gov