N.Y. Mental Hygiene Law § 41.01: Declaration of purpose

§ 41.01 Declaration of purpose.

This article is designed to enable and encourage local governments to

develop in the community preventive, rehabilitative, and treatment

services offering continuity of care; to improve and to expand existing

community programs for persons with mental illness, developmental

disabilities, and those suffering from the diseases of alcoholism and

substance abuse; to plan for the integration of community and state

services and facilities for individuals with mental disabilities; and to

cooperate with other local governments and with the state in the

provision of joint services and sharing of manpower resources.

Effective implementation of this article requires the direction and

administration, by each local governmental unit, of a local

comprehensive planning process for its geographic area in which all

providers of services shall participate and cooperate in the provision

of all necessary information. It also initiates a planning effort

involving the state, local governments and other providers of service

for the purpose of promoting continuity of care through the development

of integrated systems of care and treatment for individuals with mental

illness, developmental disabilities, and for those suffering from the

diseases of alcoholism and substance abuse.