The mission of the Mental Hygiene Division is to provide an affordable, comprehensive, quality system of mental hygiene (mental health, addiction, and developmental disability) services which is responsive to consumers, their families, other agencies, the judicial system and the tax payer; to develop community resources, programs and services for the mental hygiene needs of Oswego County citizens; to initiate essential programs/services (i.e. prevention, intervention, treatment, crisis and support programs) in order to fill program gaps and assure continuity of community mental hygiene services reflective of the current environment.

The position and functions of the Director of Community Services (DCS) are requirements of local governmental units as per NYS Codes, Rules, and Regulations Title 14, Article 41 Mental Hygiene Law. The DCS is responsible for the planning and oversight of the community resources, programs, and services for the mental hygiene needs of county citizens, including identification of gaps in service and development of strategies to fill those gaps. The DCS is responsible for the general supervision and performance monitoring of all local mental hygiene services, regardless of funding, as well as the general supervision of the treatment of consumers who are receiving services in local facilities.

Mental Hygiene Division is funded by three state agencies: Office of Mental Health (OMH), Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and Office for Persons With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). The allocations of state and county funds are determined locally through a participatory planning process overseen by the local community services board that determines the services or programs to be funded. Funds are targeted to serve specific constituencies; persons with disabilities such as intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental illness, or addictions.

• Planning & oversight
• Performance monitoring of purchased services
• Fiscal management
• Police/MH coordination
• Court ordered evaluations

• Advocacy & support services
• Single point of access for adult MH case management
• Single point of access for children's community MH services
• Assisted outpatient treatment program (AOT/Kendra's Law)
• Community education & training services