AGENCY TESTIMONY
Introduction and overview of school mental health initiatives
0:07:01
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83 sec
Dr. Erica Lynne Smith, Director of the School Mental Health Program, introduces herself and provides an overview of the testimony's purpose. She discusses the proposed legislation and introduces her colleagues from various departments.
- Introduces the School Mental Health Program (SMH) within the Office of School Health (OSH)
- Mentions the legislation to be discussed: Introductions 986, 989, 996, and 1103
- Highlights the partnership between the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and NYC Public Schools
Dr. Erica Lynne Smith
0:07:01
So good morning, Chair Lee and members of the Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction.
0:07:06
I'm sorry that, Councilwoman Joseph is stuck in traffic.
0:07:12
My name is doctor Erica Lynn Smith, and I'm the director of the School Mental Health Program, which we call SMH, within the Office of School Health, which we call OSH.
0:07:23
OS OSH is a joint office in New York City Public Schools in the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
0:07:29
We thank you for the opportunity to discuss introductions 986, 989, and 996 regarding supports around student wellness.
0:07:40
I'm joined today by by Marni Davidoff, assistant commissioner for the Bureau of Children, Youth, and Families or SIF, at the health department, and Beverly Logan, executive director of counseling supports, and Amalia Orman, director of student voice from the office of safety and youth development at New York City Public Schools or OSID.
0:07:59
I'm also joined by my colleagues, Jamie Nichols, assistant commissioner for the Bureau of Mental Health at the health department, who will be addressing introduction 1103 in her testimony.
0:08:09
We do greatly appreciate your continued partnership in supporting our students, families, and schools.
0:08:15
Before I discuss the proposed legislation, I want to provide a landscape of what school mental health looks like today across New York City public schools.
