Using These Materials
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Access to this record group is mainly unrestricted; the exceptions are folders 20 through 26 in Series 5, Box 2. Researchers seeking access to this material should contact the head of archives.
Navigate the Collection
Summary
- Abstract:
- The records of the New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors trace the development of mental healthcare throughout the state from the early 1950s through the beginning of the twenty-first century. Established in the mid-1970s, the Conference's records include correspondence, memos, meeting minutes, reports, and manuals that chronicle the efforts of mental health professionals as they encourage local, county, and state agencies to provide quality, affordable services for persons living with mental illness, chemical dependency, and/or developmental disability.
- Extent:
- 36.5 cubic ft.
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors (NYSCLMHD) Records, 1950-2009. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the NYSCLMHD Records).
Background
- Scope and Content:
The records of the New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors (NYSCLMHD) contain meeting minutes, correspondence, reports, and newsletters documenting the founding and day-to-day activities of the group, including original by-laws and articles of incorporation. There are also records of many of the NYSCLMHD's specific projects from the late 1970s through the early 2000s, such as managed care/Medicaid/special needs plans, grant applications, juvenile care issues, housing concerns, partnerships with other organizations, disaster preparedness, and care of mental needs patients in prison.
Researchers will also find some materials on the history of mental health care in the state of New York. In addition, there are documents pertaining to mental health professionals' increased efforts to partner with law enforcement to achieve better understanding of those living with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or the effects of substance abuse.
In most instances, folder titles have been retained according to the record-keeping habits of the NYSCLMHD.
- Biographical / Historical:
The New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors (NYSCLMHD) specializes in advocacy for the mentally ill, the developmentally disabled, and/or people with chemical dependencies. The Conference also extends outreach efforts to the families of those they serve. Its efforts focus on ensuring that people with various mental health needs have quality, affordable care, guiding formation of local and state policies to make sure that they are as current and relevant as possible. [1]
The NYSCLMHD was formed in 1976 under Article 41 of the state Mental Hygiene Law, which covers local and unified services. Article 41 was "designed to enable and encourage local governments to develop in the community preventive, rehabilitative, and treatment services offering continuity of care" and stresses the need for cooperation among local, county, and state governments in order to provide the best level of mental healthcare. [2] As such, the Conference— operating at the county level—serves as a link between statewide and local services, confirming that policies are carried out efficiently in the realms of clinical and rehabilitative work. The Conference opened its Albany, New York headquarters in 1978, and as an affiliate of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), it was originally located in the NYSAC building on State Street. [3] The Conference continues to be affiliated with NYSAC but has since moved to a different building in downtown Albany.
The NYSCLMHD, which is a not-for-profit organization, oversees a complex and extensive network of professionals, requiring participation by mental health directors and commissioners from New York State's 57 counties and New York City*. [4] These are the people who are already coordinating mental health care services in their own counties and therefore have the knowledge and background to correlate services between local, county, and state agencies. Over the years they have worked closely with the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Mental Health, Division of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, and Division of Substance Abuse as they analyze the state's mental healthcare system and make recommendations for improvement. Daily operations are overseen by the Conference's executive director, who in turn reports to the executive committee and chairperson. The executive committee, which meets monthly, is made up of past and present committee chairpersons, current officers, and regional representatives. All members meet twice a year at conferences, and officers are elected for two-year terms, as per the Conference's bylaws. [5]
The Conference has devoted itself to a vast number of projects since its inception in the mid-1970s. A sample of its work includes children's mental welfare, adult housing needs, affordable services, and care of the mentally ill during and after prison sentences. Over the years, members have both sponsored and attended many workshops and conferences designed to enhance the skills of those working on behalf of the mentally ill, chemically dependent, and developmentally disabled. It also continues to focus effort on bringing greater understanding of mental health issues to the general public as well as to key professions, such as law enforcement and education, so that people with special needs can be more efficiently integrated into everyday life.
*New York State officially has 62 counties; New York City's five boroughs are each considered to be a separate county. (See www.nysegov.com)
[1] New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors, Inc. "About Us." Accessed 18 January 2011 from http://www.clmhd.org/aboutus.aspx.
[2] Justia US Law. "2006 New York Code: Declaration of Purpose. Article 41.01." Accessed 28 February 2011 from http://law.justia.com/newyork/codes/2006/mental-hygiene/mhy041.01_41.01.html.
[3] Background information on Conference's formation/early days, Series 1 Administrative, Box 1, Folder 7 New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors Records, 1950-2008. M. E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York.
[4] New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors, Inc. Home page. Accessed 15 February 2011 from http://www.clmhd.org.
[5] Background information on Conference's formation/early days, Series 1 Administrative, Box 1, Folder 7 New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors Records, 1950-2008. M. E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York.
- Acquisition information:
- All items in the New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors Records were donated by the Conference to the University Libraries, M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, in 2009.
- Processing information:
Processed in 2011 by Kerry Lynch.
- Arrangement:
The collection is organized into the following series:
- Series 1 - Administrative Files, 1950-2005, Undated
- Series 2 - Chronological Files, 1995-2005, Undated
- Series 3 - Office of Legislative and Government Affairs Director, 1991-2003, Undated
- Series 4 - County Plans, Operations, and Government, 1980-2009, Undated
- Series 5 - Projects and Committees, 1979-2001, Undated
- Series 6 - Managed Care and Special Needs Plans, 1991-2000, Undated
- Series 7 - Subject Files, 1985-2008, Undated
- Series 8 - NYSCLMHD Newsletters, 1980-2008, Undated
- Series 9 - Reports and Publications, 1982, 1989-2006, Undated
Most of the series in the New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors Records are arranged in alphabetical order. Exceptions are Series #2, Chronological Files, which are in order by date, and Series #8, NYSCLMHD Newsletters, which are also arranged by date.
- Physical location:
- The materials are located onsite in the department.
Subjects
- Subjects:
- Medicine and Health Care
Mental health--United States.
Mental health--Adolescent.
Mental health--New York (State)
Substance abuse--Treatment--United States.
Mental illness--Treatment--United States.
Chemical dependency
Developmental disability
Correspondence
Photographs
Newsletters
Newspaper clippings
Legal documents
Manuals (instructional materials)
Minutes
Bills (legislative records) - Names:
- New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors
New York State Association of Counties
Dvoskin, Joel - Places:
- Albany (NY)
New York (State)
Contents
Access
Using These Materials
- ACCESS:
- The archives are open to the public and anyone is welcome to visit and view the collections.
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Access to this record group is mainly unrestricted; the exceptions are folders 20 through 26 in Series 5, Box 2. Researchers seeking access to this material should contact the head of archives.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives will provide information about copyright owners and other restrictions, but the legal determination ultimately rests with the researcher. Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Head of Special Collections and Archives.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors (NYSCLMHD) Records, 1950-2009. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the NYSCLMHD Records).