Johnston to help Citizen Advocates establish centers

Press-Republican (Plattsburgh, NY)

Jan. 15--MALONE -- Citizen Advocates' new leader will focus on setting up two new facilities: a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic and a Crisis Stabilization Center.

Also on Dean Johnston's agenda now will be dealing with the fire late Wednesday that destroyed the Adirondack Wood Furnishings vocational work facility and damaged the bottle-redemption site, both in Malone.

Johnston, who was the health-and-human-services agency's chief operating officer, was recently unanimously promoted to CEO by the Board of Directors.

That was the culmination of a months-long, nationwide recruitment effort that was narrowed to "six highly qualified candidates from a broad range of backgrounds," the agency said in a news release.

"Following a thorough interview process, the board recognized Dean's years of experience, his impressive understanding of services and health-care reform, along with a deep passion for the organization, among the many attributes that make him uniquely qualified to lead Citizen Advocates," Chuck Mason, chair of the Citizen Advocates Board of Directors, said in a statement.

Johnston will replace Susan Delehanty, who had been the agency's CEO since 2009. She retired on Dec. 31, 2016.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINIC

New York is one of eight states selected for a federal pilot program to integrate behavioral health with physical health care through evidence-based, person-centered care.

Thirteen agencies in New York, including Citizen Advocates, were chosen to establish one of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics.

The clinic must directly provide or contract with a partner organization to give nine required types of services, with an emphasis on crisis care, evidence-based practices, care coordination and integration with physical health, Citizen Advocates explained in the news release.

CRISIS CLINIC

Another key project on Johnston's radar this year is the establishment of a Crisis Stabilization Center, Joseph Riccio, Citizen Advocates director of communications and government affairs, told the Press-Republican.

The state's Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program approved the center, which will be located in leased space at Alice Hyde Medical Center, on the first floor of the former Alice Hyde Nursing Home.

The stabilization center is a 24/7 resource intended to provide care for patients in need of urgent behavioral health crisis treatment or withdrawal management services, Riccio said.

It is a voluntary unit, meant to divert patients from emergency departments or inpatient settings to a lower-cost treatment option where crisis de-escalation is available, he said.

NATIONAL ISSUES

"Much like the CEOs of other health and human service organizations, Dean Johnston will be watching the national conversation in Congress around repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," Riccio said.

"He will advocate on both the state and federal level on behalf of the individuals and families supported by Citizen Advocates to ensure any changes to the health law or funding streams don't undermine the progress made toward increased access to care, enhanced quality, cost control and investment in workforce development."

Riccio said Johnston's financial background and "deep experience working with state agencies and understanding of service delivery" are strong assets.

JOINED AGENCY IN 1997

Johnston first joined Citizen Advocates in 1997 as chief financial officer and had held the position of chief operating officer since 2009.

"Throughout the region and on the state level, Citizen Advocates is known as a leading-edge organization with a solid reputation for making a positive difference in the lives of so many North Country residents," Johnston said in a statement.

"I am deeply honored to have this opportunity and look forward to working with the skilled and caring individuals who focus daily on our mission to provide exceptional, high-quality services to the individuals and families we support."

Mason said Delehanty was "instrumental in moving this organization to the next level, and since Dean was such a key part of Sue's leadership team, we expect a very smooth transition as he takes over his new duties as CEO."

SERVING THOUSANDS

Citizen Advocates, based in Malone, provides developmental, behavioral health and substance-abuse prevention, treatment and recovery services throughout Franklin, Clinton, Essex, Hamilton and St. Lawrence counties.

The agency employs 725 health professionals and support staff who serve 6,500 people on an annual basis.

During Johnston's tenure as chief operating officer, Citizen Advocates operations grew 126 percent. While he was part of the leadership team, the agency added 190 new full-time jobs, growing from 425 employees to 615.

He is trustee on the boards of University of Vermont Health Network, Community Providers Inc. and UVMHN Alice Hyde Medical Center. He was chair of the Alice Hyde Medical Center Board of Directors from 2011 to 2014.

He is on the board of the New York State Rehabilitation Association and is a past member and president of the Malone Rotary Club and past member and assistant chief of Malone Callfiremen.

A Malone native, he lives in North Bangor with his wife, Melissa, and their children, Jennifer and Jacob.

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