Published:
Westchester County Commissioner of the Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH), Michael Orth, MSW, was named Chair of the New York State Conference of Mental Hygiene Directors on June 11, taking the leadership position in the statewide organization representing all of New York’s Mental and Behavioral Health Commissioners and Community Service Directors.
Orth has been DCMH Commissioner for more than eight years, having served as Deputy Commissioner and working in various units of the Department during his more than 30 years with the County. He has been involved with several statewide organizations over the years, and has risen through the ranks of CLMHD as both second and first Vice-Chair, prior to becoming Chair.
The Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors is a statewide organization under the umbrella of the New York State Association of Counties, which serves all sixty-two of New York’s counties and their governments. CLMHD is the organization of high level county government officials in the Mental Health, Addiction and Intellectual and Developmental Disability service systems. The CLMHD Chair role involves working directly with NYS government partners (OMH, OASAS, OPWDD, DOH, and others) as well as representing all County MH Commissioners at various events and forums.
The organization also serves to bring statewide information sharing, information and data collection and review, and advocacy to counties large and small across the state. Orth is elected to a four-year term, and succeeds Laura Keleman, the Director of Community Services for Niagara County.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “I am so proud that the outstanding leader of our County’s Department of Community Mental Health, Michael Orth, has been chosen to lead this very important statewide group. CLMHD is in no small part involved in making New York’s system of care better for many of our most vulnerable people, and the recognition that Michael is the right person to move us all forward is a great credit to the organization and to Westchester.”
Orth said: “I am honored to be selected to take on this role, especially during what can be described as rather trying times. My ability to serve the Conference is clearly enhanced through the amazing County leadership team supporting me, and the great work both our Westchester and CLMHD staff are doing.”
