[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6091810,"mediaKeyId","2858191-27694c4e0f2a11f4fb455a280cdcb48d","parentId",2858191,"title","Votes at a glance: Orange County Health & Mental Health Committee, March 19, 2025","audioSeconds",2841,"startMs",233000,"endMs",3074000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2858191-27694c4e0f2a11f4fb455a280cdcb48d&start=233&end=3074","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2858191-27694c4e0f2a11f4fb455a280cdcb48d/thumbnail_233000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6091810/Orange-County/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Orange-County-Health-Mental-Health-Committee-March-19-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091810-49a25aeae173614b25efb3a052219e86/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144414&Signature=MmSDoq1ylL0gu1gKAc8Aj4y2NKNV0NXUNoso0n1aAvElny3qxBUGMewj2RskGJ2Y3e4JdEi-tzCftbLRdijqM~HO2R8EsaTR4wmDdGYEn8gXsjpHnDjDu6d511GokQEonP0-4K-~SoPf-8Z7OEoPd2~~LFOPFKXNPupMfu4KV8iXYka8xc9tK7JfGc~unFDJrfOt0~E4DL7ABM-BAsbueoJCzlzMc1XHmD2uJk2esd339sET2cZibwtRe~jWRSmd-y28cvkajbahsSN4ki1rwJ-TV7QWXdLIyngbxkeFZCclnNLqhxrUItxpn1Bdgwcl8rjuE8-DoI0Hr3MuGvB-yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Orange County New York","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","This ‘votes at a glance’ roundup lists formal committee actions recorded during the March 19 Health and Mental Health Committee meeting. Where the transcript recorded only a voice vote, roll-call tallies and named voter records were not provided; the committee reported ‘‘motion carries’’ or ‘‘aye’’ on the record in each case below.

- Create autopsy assistant — approved. Legislative request number 59: create one autopsy assistant (CSEA Grade 11, Step 2 salary cited in packet). Committee recorded ‘‘all in favor’’ and ‘‘motion carries’’; no roll-call tally in transcript.

- Create rental-registry positions — approved. Legislative request number 57: create one data program coordinator (Grade 15), one senior public-health sanitarian (Grade 15) and two public-health technicians (Grade 11). Committee added language that positions be abolished upon grant termination.

- Accept LEHI rental-registry grant funds — approved. Legislative request number 64: accept and appropriate second-year funds for the LEHI rental registry program from NYS Department of Health for 04/01/2025–03/31/2026 in the amount of $728,600.

- Accept Healthy Neighbors grant funds — approved. Legislative request number 61: supplemental appropriation for FY2025 Healthy Neighbors grant from NYS Department of Health in the amount of $275,000 to provide preventive environmental health services focused on childhood lead prevention, asthma, indoor air and fire prevention in target communities.

- Accept ATUPA funds (adolescent tobacco use prevention) — approved. Legislative request number 63: appropriate second-year funds for the adolescent tobacco use prevention act grant in the amount of $116,050.

- Accept Immunization Action Program funds — approved. Legislative request number 62: accept and appropriate year-three funds for the Immunization Action Program (amount cited in packet: $202,263).

- Supplemental appropriation for a small OMH-funded program rollover — approved. Legislative request number 60: roll unspent 2024 funds into the Department of Mental Health 2025 budget to continue specified home-modification services (amount cited in packet: $13,271.22).

How to read this list: All items above were moved and seconded as recorded in the meeting; voice votes were used in committee and the transcript records ‘‘aye’’ and ‘‘motion carries’’ language for each approved item. The transcript did not include roll-call vote counts for these items; committees that require roll-call may record tallies in the formal minutes.

Ending: Committee business continued after these approvals with department updates and presentations on Valley View campus planning and other topics.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Orange County Legislature's Health & Mental Health Meeting 2025-03-19","oneSentenceSummary","A summary of motions the Health and Mental Health Committee voted on March 19, 2025, including position creation and grant appropriations approved by voice vote.","taxTitle","Orange County, New York","taxId",14532,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":46,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6091814,"County approves state-funded rental-registry staff and second-year grant funds to enforce lead inspection law",794,2280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2858191-27694c4e0f2a11f4fb455a280cdcb48d&start=2280&end=3074","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2858191-27694c4e0f2a11f4fb455a280cdcb48d/thumbnail_2280000.jpg","/articles/6091814/Orange-County/New-York/County-approves-state-funded-rental-registry-staff-and-second-year-grant-funds-to-enforce-lead-inspection-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091814-1f4210437646c7ad49371ab692e49fbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144414&Signature=nPYSA0OofO86qa40oII8xfgMhS9VRK82PvWXXrwHLfOqqmUA7~mCu7kBUtOZ8O7A-JvYcjSkAWNNdCdZMx0TcL19FZFshbm8I0MOGU8Lyif4AQmo4Q6KqGbghD5X1bVxUIMJ~RjLW24O2fIqpjuaVaYxuOyNfwP-ig-LRpnga4yUDrWSMEbFYU3MxCwXW-sYtY9VcS7Fjf5hpnFgQZYskFGYogeCaYIWR369Zt-k0I8D0YbFrw7hzDrA3VanhLpQFUbcCV~6Q0ndMqLcV82GmxeDgfn65HvIXsxO12JO4OJcyy4Z4-xqQ4Lg6IfZijgmfoVGeOtAe36izYSdVj2vWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Orange County legislators on March 19 approved four new public-health positions funded entirely by a New York State Landlord Rental Registry grant and accepted the grant’s second-year appropriation of $728,600 for 2025–26.

What was approved: The committee approved creation of one data-program coordinator (Grade 15), one senior public-health sanitarian (Grade 15) to supervise the effort and two public-health technician positions (Grade 11). County officials said the positions will be funded by the state rental-registry grant and will support landlord outreach, registry administration, inspection auditing and enforcement when landlords fail to comply.

Why it matters: New York’s Public Health Law 1377 (passed in 2023, as cited by county staff during the meeting) requires owners of rental buildings built before 1980 in designated ‘‘communities of concern’’ to register units and to have lead-hazard inspections every three years. County staff said the state-identified communities of concern in this grant are the city of Newburgh and the city of Middletown; Port Jervis was discussed as a possible later expansion but is not included in the current grant.

County staff explained the program will rely on landlords to perform required inspection test kits and submit results to the state registry; the health department must then audit 10% of registered units each year and pursue enforcement for landlords who do not comply. Officials said most responsible, locally based landlords comply, and estimated roughly 10% of landlords require enforcement action, often because of bankruptcy or property abandonment.

Sunset and oversight debate: Committee members added — and approved by voice vote — language that the positions be abolished if the grant funding terminates. Legislators discussed the practical effect of the five-year grant cycle, noting the county could evaluate program impact before deciding whether to continue positions after the grant ends.

Funding and next steps: The committee approved the second-year appropriation for the rental-registry grant (legislative request number 64) and the personnel actions to create the four positions (legislative request number 57). Officials said the department will support landlords with registry entry and outreach, audit 10% of registered units per year, and handle enforcement hearings through the county process when necessary.

Ending: The committee approved the positions and the grant appropriation; county staff said they will monitor compliance rates, track enforcement cases and report back on the program’s progress.","Orange County approved four new public health positions funded by a New York State rental-registry grant and accepted the program's second-year appropriation; legislators debated a five-year sunset tied to grant funding and enforcement steps for noncompliant landlords.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6091819,"County approves permanent autopsy assistant position for medical examiner after staffing concerns",768,1477000,2245000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2858191-27694c4e0f2a11f4fb455a280cdcb48d&start=1477&end=2245","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2858191-27694c4e0f2a11f4fb455a280cdcb48d/thumbnail_1477000.jpg","/articles/6091819/Orange-County/New-York/County-approves-permanent-autopsy-assistant-position-for-medical-examiner-after-staffing-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091819-90407f4e5c934252611921ff188e2425/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144414&Signature=ekoVy9Zkzru1u4foSIbweSaX9CWM7K9xSmqYAfxU5-Ruy40HU1fayMFqfefVXOUXn3dQBRLVlA8ubqAx1yhkH0Sn209yCrlMKshZTxzSl8bOWXyIc3Kz8AwlZZIBEbYsrCkqUColXMg7eBKkg6CceKF4huqORTKXyoNZnnkjYqEOM9wUf4rULnxBePPujWszFIEq4e-EhHfv5yUSxkQXF~MMvHG2cyyP6KqBfTN4KYWCn4qbTYFsTVO~vJSAESRDHuLAxUfH0M26cLxSx1c3jc59hVgQf6i6CiuI9QWuFhH~1dqd6WVGNkbxmGMAEwcvD5eWlzcPgsGguHLT6Gz04g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Orange County legislators voted March 19 to create a full-time autopsy assistant position (CSEA Grade 11) in the Medical Examiner’s Office after officials described delays and coverage gaps that have interrupted timely autopsy work.

Why it matters: Medical examiner staff told the committee that the office currently relies on per-diem autopsy assistants whose limited hours and outside jobs make immediate coverage inconsistent. Dr. Jennifer Roman, medical examiner and acting commissioner of health, and Deputy Commissioner Lisa Laheed said having three full-time autopsy assistants in the new facility would improve flexibility, allow routine two-doctor autopsies when needed and reduce delays when staff are on vacation or sick.

Dr. Roman described imaging equipment in current use at the facility as a postmortem x-ray system and stressed that the technology ‘‘by no means replaces autopsy’’ because autopsy permits in-situ visual documentation and forensic procedures the scanners cannot fully substitute. ‘‘The root of the word autopsy literally means see for yourself, and that will remain the gold standard in the field,’’ Dr. Roman said.

The committee heard operational detail from Deputy Commissioner Laheed, who said that in 2024 the office investigated 994 deaths that resulted in 319 autopsies and 87 external examinations; year-to-date totals through the previous Friday were 50 autopsies and 13 external examinations.

Vote and outcome: A voice vote approved the request to create the position. Committee members announced ‘‘all in favor’’ and ‘‘motion carries’’ on the record; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

What the county will do: County staff said the new full-time position will reduce reliance on per-diem assistants, allow more consistent autopsy scheduling and help the office manage larger caseloads or concurrent autopsies safely. The personnel request identified a CSEA Grade 11 Step 2 annual salary figure in the legislative packet.

Ending: The committee approved the position. Medical examiner leadership said they will return with operational updates as staffing changes take effect.","Legislators approved creation of a full-time autopsy assistant position in the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office to increase staffing flexibility and reduce delayed autopsies, county officials said.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6091824,"Orange County mental health department details program closures, client transfers and new supports",118,350000,468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2858191-27694c4e0f2a11f4fb455a280cdcb48d&start=350&end=468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2858191-27694c4e0f2a11f4fb455a280cdcb48d/thumbnail_350000.jpg","/articles/6091824/Orange-County/New-York/Orange-County-mental-health-department-details-program-closures-client-transfers-and-new-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091824-e92d20e2ea7b917b44b5fe115b704ccd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144414&Signature=Sm1bUP8gJdpq7rg-0p2kNfHZwPov2Fn~5zbGfzxAV-cLt~QDYi2oOiCDhYohhRinaEoxIh9tVKpwhV-h6I7nDW0SaNOT9zuRswgq6f4yxWlvKnYCnEJH3VG3RZvAxyLpwMxvBg9eoWCq7tZIGGgg-0X9QGu5GkDi~m14cLThCkTUTwikz-7PbRNjmWoQkAld3tkowhwLNSzrLdeq1AQqplnoV1pS9hdJy3Agsn1p4Tpq-Zky5OAmd1pb9mut86pMsIhVMv-rtuS4C365J78VpcjVHlgcXXmW36-v~3L6ZkfYr6P5kd8OwqToxIVj1FcQnIlVSvxPwrJGf2LjRp0AbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Orange County Department of Mental Health officials told the Health and Mental Health Committee on March 19 that several contract-operated treatment programs across Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties will close this spring and that the department is arranging transfers and ‘‘soft landings’’ for affected clients.

The department said two locations—Monroe and Walden—did not reopen in 2025 because of staffing shortages. Port Jervis is scheduled to cease operations on March 21, and that location had 29 clients who were either completing discharge or being transferred. Newburgh’s program is slated to close in mid-April; staff reported 28 clients there had received referrals and were awaiting first appointments. The provider’s largest site, in Goshen, had 81 clients and officials said it planned to try to wind down that program by May.

Why it matters: County officials said the closures are driven by staffing shortages at the contract agencies and that state aid allows the county to roll over certain unspent funds to support home-modification services and other elements of the program. County staff emphasized they were coordinating with community partners to avoid service gaps and to place clients in other programs when appropriate.

Department of Mental Health Commissioner Lacey Bridal (as introduced at the meeting) told the committee the county has a draft RFP to replace the services and is meeting regularly with the named providers and local partners to ensure continuity. Bridal said some clients will be served by other county clinics, and that the county hopes to preserve the Restart program, which offers substance use disorder treatment to students through BOCES and helps them continue their education.

The department also outlined prevention and response work: a ‘‘Substance Use Summit Part 2’’ is scheduled for April 27 with a daytime session for providers and an evening session for community members and first responders; the county’s ADAC poster contest drew more than 1,600 entries from 33 schools across 10 districts and selected a sixth grader from Monroe-Woodbury as the overall winner; and the county’s Disaster Mental Health Team has been deployed twice since the last report, including once to support cheerleaders after a stir at a Texas competition and once as a potential resource for correctional institutions (that request had not yet resulted in deployment of county staff).

First-responder peer support funding: The county won New York CARES grant funding to support first-responder peer support. The award supplies $30,000 a year for two years to train staff, and the department said the total commitment will amount to $60,000 for each of three responder groups—fire, law enforcement and dispatchers—over two years. Officials said EMS was not included in this award and staff are seeking clarification.

Clinic operations and outcomes: Department leaders provided clinic performance data showing increased service volume compared with the prior year: they reported 11 more admissions, an 8% increase in people served and 16% more services in 2024 than in 2023, with numbers trending higher so far in 2025.

What the department said next: Staff asked the committee to approve a small supplemental appropriation earlier in the meeting to roll unspent state 2024 funds into the 2025 budget for the home-modification portion of an OMH-funded program; the committee approved that appropriation by voice vote.

Ending: Department officials said they would continue to coordinate transfers, post the RFP for replacement services, and work with community partners and county clinics to minimize interruption while the contracted providers reduce or cease operations.","County Department of Mental Health reported several contract-operated treatment sites will close this spring, described arrangements for transferring clients, and highlighted prevention and first-responder support funding in its monthly update.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Orange County Health & Mental Health Committee, March 19, 2025

County approves state-funded rental-registry staff and second-year grant funds to enforce lead inspection law

County approves permanent autopsy assistant position for medical examiner after staffing concerns

Orange County mental health department details program closures, client transfers and new supports