Thank-You Letter - "People First" Coordinated Care Listening Forums

The five People First Listening Forums on behalf of Governor Spitzer gave us the opportunity to hear from individuals, families, advocates, service providers, and organizations and we want to thank you for your participation in these regional forums.

Approximately 2,200 individuals attended the forums and an additional 4,000 watched the live Webcasts. We received 948 comment cards from those in attendance at the forums and 179 e-mail comments. Many individuals and organizations offered thoughtful comments and some provided specific recommendations for change. We appreciate all of the input.

Comments covered an array of subjects and concerns. These ranged from individual descriptions of challenges experienced in one service system to complex issues that cut across services provided through all of the agencies represented at the forums. Comments also addressed services provided through other state agencies including educational issues, family assistance, and services for children and families. The forum feedback we received identified many individual, family, local, and statewide needs. We were pleased to receive so many useful suggestions about how our systems can collaborate to improve quality of services and supports.

Please know that our staff are working together to review every comment, letter, e-mail message, and submission of formal testimony to identify major themes, indicate where work is already under way, and determine strategies to move forward collaboratively to address the issues and concerns. We will continue to meet regularly and will periodically report our progress on the People's First Listening Forums Web pages listed below:

We appreciate the time you took to offer your feedback and to participate in this process, and look forward to a fruitful collaboration that will enhance and improve vital services to New Yorkers.

Sincerely,

Richard F. Daines, MD, Commissioner of Health

Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo, LMSW, Commissioner of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services

Michael F. Hogan, PhD, Commissioner of Mental Health

Diana Jones Ritter, Commissioner of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities