Orange County accepts OMH grant for forensic court navigator and adds state aid for mental-health contract agencies

Orange County legislators approved accepting $210,090 from the New York State Office of Mental Health to fund a forensic court navigator position intended to coordinate voluntary care for people involved in the criminal court system who have mental health needs. The funding, introduced as legislative request number 37, passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Lacey Bridal, Commissioner of Social Services and Mental Health, said the state determined the allocation before the county submitted its operational plan. Bridal said the position will “help us improve coordination between the court and service providers with the goal of improving outcomes and reducing recidivism of people who are involved with the court system and have co‑occurring mental health needs.” Bridal added the funding will be used to standardize processes across the county’s specialty courts.

During questions, a commissioner asked about the portion of funds labeled “specialty payments.” Bridal said the county is waiting for the Office of Mental Health to clarify eligible uses for that category, such as transportation or housing supports, and that clarifications are expected from OMH soon. Bridal also said the forensic navigator’s salary would be about $81,000 plus benefits.

Separately, the Legislature approved a motion to accept and appropriate additional state funding from multiple New York state agencies — the Office of Mental Health, the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, and OPWDD — to increase state aid to contract agencies. That item appeared in the agenda as legislative request number 38 and was described in the meeting as the difference between the county’s 2025 budgeted state aid for contract agencies ($18,843,706) and the state’s 2025 funding letters. The amount stated when the motion was made was $267,481; during the staff explanation the difference was described as $264,487. County staff said the funds are earmarked for specific programs administered by contract agencies.

Bridal reported additional program activity and training: county staff partnered with the Sheriff’s Office to host a three‑day Homeland Security threat evaluation reporting course facilitated by the New York State Office of Counterterrorism and Domestic Terrorism Prevention Unit. She described the county’s threat assessment and management team and a longstanding disaster mental health team that county staff said has operated since 1990. The Department of Mental Health also opened a satellite clinic at Valley Central Middle School and is recruiting contractual clinicians for that location. For January, Bridal reported about 1,558 people served across county clinics and satellites, 1,623 services provided, and near‑1,000 satellite services.

Bridal also discussed possible state policy changes mentioned in the governor’s State of the State, including a proposed expansion to Assisted Outpatient Treatment (commonly called Kendra’s Law) and possible changes to involuntary commitment rules. She said the county is tracking any potential changes closely because expanding AOT or changing commitment regulations would increase demand for intensive case management and other services; the county said it is working to expand case management capacity and to certify additional agencies to provide intensive case management services.