Mission, Leadership and Advisory Board

Mission

Working in collaboration with academic departments, the division of student affairs (College Counseling Center), and community leaders, the SUNY New Paltz Institute for Disaster Mental Health (IDMH) offers education and training in disaster mental health for students, professionals, and paraprofessionals, including conferences and workshops that reflect recent research and best practices. The Institute comprises scholars and practitioners dedicated to teaching, research, and service to the community in the area of disaster mental health.

Leadership and Advisory Board

The Director of the Institute is Dr. James Halpern, Professor of Psychology at SUNY New Paltz. Dr. Halpern is Chair of Disaster Mental Health Services of the Ulster County Chapter of the American Red Cross and has responded to both local and large-scale national disasters. He is the co author of Disaster Mental Health: Theory and Practice (2007, Thomson Brooks/Cole). 

The IDMH is guided by an advisory board of experienced and committed professionals and community leaders active in fields directly related to the work of the Institute. The board assists in identifying community and professional needs for disaster mental health training; identifying funding sources; and disseminating the work of the IDMH to the public.

The chair of the Advisory Board is Susan C. Rounds, Chapter Planning and Support Manager for the Metro NY and Northeastern NY Regional Chapters of the American Red Cross.

Board Members include:

SUNY New Paltz:

James Halpern, Ph.D. – Institute Director, Professor of Psychology

Gerald Benjamin, Ph.D. – Director, Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach, Associate Vice President, Regional Engagement

Gweneth Lloyd, D.S.W. – Director, Psychological Counseling Center

Glenn Geher, Ph.D. – Chair, Department of Psychology, and Professor

Community Representatives:

Jacki Brownstein, MPS – Executive Director, Mental Health America of Dutchess County, Poughkeepsie, NY

Steven Moskowitz, LMSW - Director, Disaster Response and Emergency Preparedness, NYS Office of Mental Health

Kevin Mulrooney, MA, CEM, CBCP - Sergeant, New York City Police Department,
Counterterrorism Division, New York City

Debra G. Rauch – Community business member, In Good Taste – Wine & Spirits Merchant and My Towne U.S.A., New Paltz, NY

Art Snyder – Director, Emergency Communication and Emergency Management, Kingston, NY

Mary Tramontin, Psy.D. – Clinical Psychologist, Leadership Committee member, Disaster Mental Health Services, American Red Cross/Greater New York Chapter; coauthor of Disaster Mental Health: Theory and Practice (Thomson/Brooks Cole)

Eleanor Troy, RN, BSN – Public Health Preparedness Coordinator, Kingston, NY