2007 NYSAC Press Releases
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Albany County Executive Michael Breslin Receives Excellence in Leadership Award
Albany County Executive Michael Breslin was the first recipient of the annual NY Connects Excellence in Leadership Award presented by the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) and the New York Association of Counties (NYSAC) at a ceremony during the Aging Concerns Unite Us (ACUU) conference on June 20, 2007. The award will be given each year to individuals who have shown leadership in advancing the cause of long term care reform in New York State.
Mr. Breslin has played a critical role in reforming the long term care system in Albany County. The Excellence in Leadership Award recognizes Mr. Breslin for his longstanding leadership to improve the long term care system and his clear and strong commitment to the implementation of NY Connects: Choices for Long Term Care.
NY Connects is part of a broader long term care restructuring plan in New York State. It is being developed and implemented by the State Department of Health and the NYSOFA to assist consumers in obtaining comprehensive and unbiased information about and access to long term care. It’s a centralized system that will provide information and assistance, screening and public education to New Yorkers.
In presenting the award to Mr. Breslin, Michael Burgess, Director of NYSOFA said “Mike is committed to investing in long term care at the County level. He understands that there are alternatives that can allow people to live independently or in the least restrictive environment and is committed to investing the necessary resources towards these community-based alternatives.”
"County governments across the state are the providers of health, housing and quality of life services for our seniors and most vulnerable citizens," said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario. "Albany County Executive Michael G. Breslin has demonstrated an exemplary commitment for community-based programs that provide residents with alternative care and housing programs in their home or in alternate living settings like adult homes and assisted living centers. On behalf of the New York State Association of Counties, we join the New York State Office for the Aging in recognizing Mr. Breslin for his outstanding leadership and dedication to the seniors in Albany County."
Mr. Breslin’s community service includes more than 20 years on the board of Hospitality House, a residential drug treatment facility, 13 years as attorney to Saint Anne Institute, a facility for adolescent girls, seven years on the board of LaSalle School for Boys and more than ten years of coaching community youth baseball and softball teams. He was a member of the Albany County Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Committee. He has served on the service academy nominating committees for Congress members Sam Stratton and Michael McNulty for more than 25 years. He is also a member of the Fort Orange Post #30, American Legion and the Louis W. Oppenheim, Post 1019, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) and Department of Health (DOH) are working collaboratively to fulfill a vision of a restructured and accessible long term care system that supports the consumer’s choice and independence and provides affordable services that meet their individual needs. Patients and families will be given choices about what long term care services they want, and when they prefer to receive long term care.
NYSOFA and its network of 59 local Offices for Aging is dedicated to helping older New Yorkers to be as independent as possible for as long as possible through advocacy, development and delivery of cost-effective policies, programs and services which support and empower the elderly and their families. For more information call the NYSOFA Helpline at 1-800-342-9871 or visit: www.aging.state.ny.us.
The Aging Concerns Unite Us (ACUU) is an award-winning collaborative conference that provides quality educational programming to leaders in the field of aging and those serving people with differing abilities. The theme of this year’s conference is “Imagine the Future of Aging”, with a strong emphasis on health and wellness. For more information visit: www.nysaaaa.org/acuu.
The New York State Association of Counties is a bipartisan municipal association serving all 62 counties of New York State including the City of New York. Organized in 1925, NYSAC’s mission is to represent, educate and advocate for member counties and the thousands of elected and appointed county officials who serve the public.
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2007 Press Releases
- Albany County Executive Michael Breslin Receives Excellence in Leadership Award--June 20, 2007
- NYSAC to Host Municipal Energy Coalition's Bid Opening for Renewable Energy Credits-- June 19, 2007