Chautauqua County recently concluded a multi-session System of Care (SOC) Action Planning Series, bringing together cross-system leaders to collaboratively strengthen services and supports for children, youth, and families across the county’s SOC. Facilitated in partnership with the New York State Office of Mental Health, and the local SOC grantee, Chautauqua Tapestry, the series focused on identifying shared priorities, strengthening collaboration, and laying the groundwork for sustainable system improvements.
Throughout the series, participants demonstrated strong engagement and a clear sense of community. Jessica Stanis, from the New York State Office of Mental Health who facilitated the workshops, noted the high level of participation, shared commitment, and genuine collaboration across systems, highlighting the county’s readiness to move from planning to action.
As a result of the action planning process, stakeholders identified access to services as the top priority, with three key focus areas emerging: workforce, access and awareness of services, and transportation. Participants emphasized the importance of ensuring families know how to access supports, strengthening workforce recruitment and retention, and improving transportation options so services are truly reachable for those who need them…