County Executive Neuhaus presents Darcie Miller with May’s Citizen of the Month Award

Goshen, N.Y. - Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has named Darcie Miller, Commissioner of Orange County's Departments of Social Services and Mental Health, as May's Citizen of the Month. May is National Mental Health Awareness Month.

Miller has served for thirty-six years in County Government, with the last 23 in Orange County. In October 2016, Miller, then Commissioner of Mental Health and acting Commissioner of Social Services, became the permanent Commissioner of both departments. Commissioner Miller is retiring from County Government next month.

"It was great to spend some time chatting with Darcie," Neuhaus said. "She's been a colleague and a friend for the ten years that I've been County Executive and she's one of the hardest working Department heads in County government. Her dedication in promoting mental health awareness and working towards solutions is exemplary. Darcie will certainly be missed, but fortunately for us and the County, she is leaving both DSS and Mental Health in capable hands."

Lacey Trimble, currently Deputy Commissioner of Mental Health, will take over as Commissioner of both departments when Miller retires toward the end of June.

"It's an honor to be named Citizen of the Month, especially during Mental Health Awareness Month," said Miller. "It's also been such an honor and a privilege to serve in Orange County government these past 23 years. I'm grateful for the fulfilling and humbling experiences, the wonderful staff in both departments, and for the opportunity to make a positive impact in our community. I appreciate County Executive Neuhaus' trust and support through the years, and I know that Lacey will continue the work of improving the quality of programming and care both Mental Health and Social Services provide to the population they serve."

Just a few of Miller's responsibilities include, leading the development and assisting in facilitating WELCOME Orange, Orange County Court Connection Projects, serving as the Principal Investigator for the Children's Mental Health Initiative System of Care, Mental Health Juvenile Justice Projects, supporter of Crisis Intervention Training for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, and participating in bringing evidence-based initiatives to Orange County. She serves on many local and statewide committees and teams, including the multi-disciplinary County Team which focuses on youth needs in the community, SUNY Orange Advisory Committee, the Medical Reserve Corp, and the Cultural Equity Task Force.

Miller has been a successful partner in grant writing and has played a significant role in securing funding from federal, state, and private sources over the course of her career. As a member of Orange County Government's "Team Orange," she has become Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certified implementing efficient, cost-effective, and exemplary government practices. Miller is a member of the New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors, Inc. (CLMHD), a member of the NYS Public Welfare Association, a former member of the Advisory Board of Westchester Medical Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP), and Chair of the Orange County Changing the Substance Abuse Ecosystem Committee (formerly the Opioid Task Force), a member of the Orange County Think Differently Committee, a member of the Regional Planning Consortium, a co-sponsor for the Orange County Resilience Project (ACEs), and a participant in multiple cross-system stakeholder collaborations.

"Darcie is more than deserving of the gratitude and accolades that come her way as she retires," Neuhaus added. "She has always been reliable and professional and cares deeply about her work and the Orange County residents that she serves. Darcie is well-liked and respected by her colleagues and has done wonderful work during her admirable career. I congratulate her and wish her all the very best on her retirement."

Neuhaus introduced his Citizen of the Month Award, which acknowledges outstanding Orange County residents, in January of 2017. To nominate someone for the Citizen of the Month Award, please email [email protected] or mail a letter to "Citizen of the Month" at 255-275 Main Street Goshen, N.Y. 10924. Be sure to include the nominee's name, hometown, a list of their accomplishments, why you are nominating them and any other pertinent information.

To learn more about what County Executive Neuhaus is doing for Orange County, follow Orange County Government and Steven M. Neuhaus on Facebook. You can also watch Neuhaus' NeuCast podcasts and Leadership Speaker Series. For more information, contact Mary Pat Smith, Assistant to the County Executive at 845.291.3258 or [email protected].

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Picture caption: Darcie Miller, Commissioner of Orange County's Departments of Mental Health and Social Services with County Executive Steve Neuhaus

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