NEW YORK STATE RECOGNIZES ULSTER COUNTY’S CHILD SYSTEM OF CARE FOR DEDICATION TO CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH

 

NEW YORK STATE RECOGNIZES ULSTER COUNTY’S CHILD SYSTEM OF CARE FOR DEDICATION TO CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH

 

System of Care Team Honored for Working Collaboratively to Improve Access to Mental Health Care in the Hudson Valley Region 

 

New York State honored Ulster County’s Child System of Care Committee with the 2026 ‘What’s Great in our State’ System of Care Award, which recognizes the coordinated network that is family-driven, youth-guided, community-based, and both culturally and linguistically responsive. County officials were presented award the award Tuesday during the event in Albany and recognized for collaborating with local schools to provide effective mental health services to young people and their families.  

 

 “Ulster County’s Child System of Care Committee brings together providers to collaborate on innovative strategies aimed at closing gaps and more effectively delivering care to our families,” Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said.  “By establishing these meaningful partnerships and taking a holistic approach, they connect vital components within the mental health care system to help youth and their families access services.” 

 

The Child System of Care Committee is a part of Integrated Ulster, a partnership of organizations dedicated to creating a system of care that is welcoming and effective in addressing complex needs of individuals. The committee is focused on establishing a universal approach for service providers that is welcoming, accessible and capable of providing person- and family-centered care that is recovery-oriented, trauma- informed, and culturally responsive.  

 

Notably, the county created a groundbreaking program at the LaSalle School to provide every middle school in Ulster County with service slots staffed by a therapist and care manager, offering care at no cost and reducing barriers related to insurance, transportation, and stigma. In 2025, the program operated at 95 percent capacity, with 87 percent of participants successfully connected to longer-term support and 82 percent achieving at least half of their treatment goals. 

 

The system of care hosts standing meetings with schools, providers, and community partners to help identify gaps, improve coordination, and ensure timely, appropriate services. This integrated, school-centered and community-based model emphasizes person-centered care, family and youth voice, and cross-system collaboration.  

 

“Since 2018, we've made the system of care framework the cornerstone of the work of our department and have applied it broadly through our Integrated Ulster initiative,” Department of Social Services Deputy Commissioner Katrina Huller said. “We aim to break down silos, improve collaboration and help ensure that when our residents come to our doors for help, they are met with caring, competent, and open arms. We are excited to be celebrated for what makes Ulster truly great –our teamwork." 

 

‘What’s Great in Our State’ recognizes individuals and programs that are successfully advancing the cause of children’s mental health in New York State and is celebrated annually during Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Established in 2010, the day-long conference in Albany features a ceremony recognizing honorees, workshops, and an art show featuring artwork created by children receiving services from New York State’s mental health system.  

Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul issued a proclamation recognizing Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month, the What’s Great in Our State event and the importance of fostering positive mental well-being among youth. Under her leadership, the state has undertaken key initiatives to improve youth mental health, including expanding Teen Mental Health First Aid training in schools, establishing the Youth Mental Health Advisory Board, funding Youth Safe Spaces, and adopting strong digital and social media protections for young people, including the nation’s first bell-to-bell restrictions on smart phone use during school.

The event is sponsored by the state Office of Mental Health, Department of Health, Department of Education, Office of Children and Family Services and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports. In addition, several children’s mental health advocacy organizations sponsor the event, including the Council on Children and Families, the Early Care & Learning Council, Families Together in New York State, Inc., Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc., National Alliance on Mental Illness - New York State, New York State Network for Youth Success, and Prevent Child Abuse New York.  

 

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