The mission of the Ulster County Department of Mental Health is to ensure that people with mental health and/or substance abuse problems or developmental disabilities receive the behavioral health services they need to achieve the best quality of life possible.
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING AFTER A DISASTER
Call the Disaster Distress Hotline at: 1-800-985-5990
or Text 'TalkWithUs' to 66746
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Commissioner of Health & Mental Health: Dr. Carol Smith, MD, MPH (845) 340-3009
Deputy Commissioner of Mental Health: Tara McDonald, LMSW, MPA (845) 340-4110
Deputy Director for Administration/Fiscal for Health & Mental Health: Kristin Carney, MBA (845) 340–4110
LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL UNIT
The Ulster County Department of Mental Health (UCDMH) is designated under NYS Mental Hygiene Law as the Local Governmental Unit (LGU) and has a statutory role in overseeing publicly funded services for mentally ill, chemically dependent and developmentally disabled persons within Ulster County’s behavioral health service system.
UCDMH LGU oversight ensures that local, state and federal dollars are used for appropriate, quality services which meet the needs of Ulster County residents. UCDMH LGU acts as a conduit for State Aid funding distributed to not–for–profit agencies for the provision of a variety of mental health and substance abuse services, and services for the developmentally disabled. The department administers contracts and monitors outcomes, associated with program/service financing.
The UCDMH LGU also executes a review of County behavioral health services, determines the need, and directs, develops, and submits an Annual Plan to New York State to ensure that the broad array of services are coordinated, accessible and efficiently provided.
ASSISTED OUTPATIENT TREATMENT (AOT)
Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT or Kendra’s Law) is legislation enacted by New York State. The Law provides for either voluntary or court-ordered treatment for eligible adults who have a mental illness and who are unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision. Referrals may come from treatment providers, family members, probation officers, courts or police, and each referral is investigated to ensure the individual meets AOT criteria. AOT assists with priority assignment to treatment, case management services, and when applicable, housing services. Information on eligibility criteria can be found on the NYSOMH website. For further information contact the AOT Coordinator at (845) 340-4110.
SINGLE POINT OF ACCESS/ACCOUNTABILITY (SPOA)
SPOA is a New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) regulated initiative. UCDMH is tasked with facilitating timely access and linkage to an array of intensive OMH services for high risk adults, children/adolescents and families. SPOA services are designed to promote recovery and are personally tailored and responsive to individual needs and preferences. Following are links to SPOA information and applications:
Child and Adult SPOA Application
Universal NYS Child SPOA Application (optional)
SPOA Adult Resident Services Application
SUICIDE PREVENTION, EDUCATION, AWARENESS & KNOWLEDGE (SPEAK)
Ulster County SPEAK (Suicide Prevention Coalition) has a suicide response team that provides assistance to individuals, families, schools or organizations in the event of a suicide. To speak with someone from the team during business hours call 845-340-4110 or to reach someone from the team after business hours call Family of Woodstock at 845-338-2370....Read more
ULSTER COUNTY MOBILE MENTAL HEALTH
Mobile Mental Health is operated by ACCESS: Supports for Living, between the hours of 10 AM - 10 PM. Call 1-844-277-4820. Connect with a trained counselor when stress, depression or other mental health issues create a personal crisis. Help is only a phone call away. Your call with a trained counselor will be kept confidential. This service is available to all Ulster County residents at NO CHARGE.
