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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Diedre De Leo, Director of Behavioral Health Programs at VNS Health
4:50:55
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126 sec
Diedre De Leo from VNS Health testified about their behavioral health programs and highlighted two initiatives funded by discretionary funding. She requested continued support for these programs to expand their reach and impact.
- The Geriatric Mental Health Initiative provides in-home mental healthcare to older adults in the Bronx, with a request for $200,000 to sustain and expand the program.
- The Promise Zone initiative places mental health professionals in nine Bronx public schools, with a request for $200,000 to meet growing demand and strengthen staffing.
Diedre De Leo
4:50:55
Good afternoon chairs.
4:50:57
My name is Dieter DeLeo and I'm a director of behavioral health programs at VNS Health.
4:51:02
Thank you for the opportunity to testify and for your continued leadership and partnership in advancing mental health across our city.
4:51:09
For over a hundred and thirty years, VNS has supported New Yorkers where they live in their homes and communities.
4:51:16
Everyday VNS services VNS Health services over 70,000 people, and to date we have reached more than 31,000 New York City residents through behavioral health services.
4:51:27
We focus on early intervention and meeting people where they are.
4:51:31
Our programs include mobile crisis teams, ACT teams, intensive mobile treatment, and our newly launched certified community behavioral health clinic in the South Bronx.
4:51:42
Today I wanna highlight two initiatives that are made possible through your discretionary funding.
4:51:47
First, the Geriatric Mental Health Initiative brings mental healthcare directly to homebound older adults in the Bronx.
4:51:54
The impact of this work is transformative for our patients.
4:51:58
One family shared with us, as my mother faces the challenge of advancing dementia and aphasia, she has struggled to find ways to express herself, often feeling frustrated and isolated.
4:52:09
Our staff member has become her guide, her advocate, and her voice when words escape her.
4:52:14
Her daughter also shared, my mother often says, Beth, the worker, understands me even when I don't have the words.
4:52:21
What set Beth what sets Beth apart is our unwavering commitment to meeting my mother where she is with dignity and compassion.
4:52:29
With continued support of $200,000, we can sustain and expand this work ensuring that our city's older adults get the support.
4:52:38
Second, our Promise Zone initiative places mental health professionals inside nine Bronx public schools.
4:52:44
These clinicians provide trauma informed care to students facing emotional and behavioral challenges.
4:52:50
With your help, we're asking for $200,000 to meet the growing demand, strengthen staffing, and ensure more students are receive critical support.
4:53:00
Thank you.