Help Address Mental Health and Substance Use in Tompkins County
Published on January 06, 2025
Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) seeks individuals with a passion for addressing issues regarding mental health and substance use to join a subcommittee of the Tompkins County Community Services Board (CSB). The CSB has multiple vacancies and invites interested candidates to apply. The Board encourages individuals who seek public involvement in mental and behavioral health issues impacting our community to apply.
The CSB is a volunteer board that serves as the governing body for the Mental Health Local Governmental Unit (LGU). Under New York State law, the CSB is responsible for developing the community's preventative, rehabilitative, and treatment services to ensure continuity of care for individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and those experiencing or recovering from substance use disorders. The CSB has 3 subcommittees: Substance Use Subcommittee; Developmental Disabilities Subcommittee; and Mental Health Subcommittee.
The current vacancies include:
- Mental Health Subcommittee: 3 vacancies
- Substance Use Subcommittee: 3 vacancies
Chair of the CSB Substance Use Subcommittee, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Jacob Parker Carver stated, “The Substance Use Subcommittee is a group of passionate, dedicated community members working to support individuals facing substance use challenges and all those whose lives have been impacted by addiction. By distributing relevant data and information, reducing barriers to appropriate treatment and services, and promoting evidence-based best practice we aim to reduce stigma and reinforce the hopeful message that recovery is possible. As the addiction crisis continues in our community and across the country, we invite community members to join the Substance Use Subcommittee to help inform real and meaningful change!”
Applicants must complete an Advisory Board Application form to indicate interest in serving on a CSB Subcommittee. The form may be obtained from the County Legislature office, located at the Governor Daniel D. Tompkins Building (Old Court House), entrance is on the Dewitt Park side of the building, 121 E. Court Street, Ithaca, (607) 274-5434. The form is also available for download online at: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/files/assets/county/v/1/legislature/documents/application-form.pdf
After the application is submitted, candidates may be interviewed prior to recommendation, and they must be approved by both the CSB and the County Legislature. Minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.
For more information on the CSB, please contact Frank Kruppa, Whole Health Commissioner, at (607) 274-6200. To obtain an application form, contact the Legislature office at (607) 274-5434, or visit their webpage for more information: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/Government-Resources/County-Legislature/Advisory-Boards.
Tompkins County Whole Health: envisioning a future where every person in Tompkins County can achieve wellness. Find us online at https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/All-Departments/Whole-Health and follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Sign up to receive Whole Health updates or other county announcements via email or text.
- end -