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 current Interim Chair of the advisory board is Jacki Brownstein, Executive Director for Mental Health America of Dutchess County, Inc.

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:

• Gregory Brunelle, MS – Deputy Director, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, NYS Office of Emergency Management

• Lori DuBord – District Representative, Office of Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey

• Judith LeComb, MS – Manager, Preparedness Training and Education, Office of Health Emergency Preparedness, NYS Department of Health

• 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

• Diane Ryan, LCSW – Director, Mental Health and Service Programs, Disaster Planning and Response, American Red Cross in Greater New York

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

• Mary Tramontin, Psy.D. – Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Department of Defense; coauthor of Disaster Mental Health: Theory and Practice (Thomson/Brooks Cole)

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