Albany, New York - Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus today received the Excellence in Leadership Award from Michael Burgess, Director of the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) and Stephen Acquario, Executive Director of the NYS Association of Counties (NYSAC) at the annual "Aging Concerns Unite Us" Conference.
The "Excellence in Leadership" award is given each year to an elected official responsible for supporting the implementation of NY Connects. This year's award recognizes Mr. Steinhaus's efforts to reform the long-term care system in Dutchess County and his support the NY Connects program implementation. The award is jointly sponsored by NYSOFA and the New York State Association of Counties because the program is county-based.
In presenting the award, Director Burgess said: "Without the support and coordination by county leaders, programs and services for the elderly and disabled continue to be difficult to navigate and access." "Because of the initiative and leadership of Executive Steinhaus, Dutchess County is well on its way to having a premier program in place to serve its elderly and disabled residents," he continued.
In his eighteen years as County Executive, Mr. Steinhaus has spearheaded reform in the County's government including major department and service area consolidations. His wide-ranging cost containment initiatives have proven successful in the areas of criminal justice, health and human services, and administrative realignments. He has championed a collaborative approach to problem solving, in partnership with community organizations, businesses, and government entities.
"In addition to his thirty years of outstanding public service to the residents of Dutchess County, County Executive William Steinhaus has also been a tireless advocate for counties at the state and national levels," said Stephen J. Acquario, executive director of the New York State Association of Counties. "All of our counties face the challenges associated with caring for an increasing number of seniors in our communities and County Executive Steinhaus' efforts are leading the way for counties to address these challenges."
Within county government, Mr. Steinhaus formed a Health and Human Services Cabinet in order to better coordinate delivery of services to county residents. He has taken a number of actions relative to changes in the long term care system through the following efforts:
NY Connects: Choices for Long Term Care is a program launched by the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) and New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to streamline access to information and assistance about long term care. It is a State-wide program administered at the county level. Each local program provides consumer information and assistance for all individuals in need of long term care services, regardless of age, income, or payment source. The establishment of the NY Connects initiative follows a national trend towards long term care systems reform, which offers increased choice and more home and community based alternatives.
To learn more about NYSOFA programs and services call our toll free Help line number at 1-800-342-9871 or visit www.aging.ny.gov
The "Aging Concerns Unite Us" is an award-winning collaborative conference that provides educational programming to leaders in the field of aging and those serving people with disabilities. More than 400 professionals from all regions of the state will be at the conference held through tomorrow at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany.
