For Immediate Release
Contact: Leanne Ricchiuti, Association for Community Living, 518.222.8073
November 9, 2026
PRESS RELEASE
Association for Community Living Honors More Than 40 Direct Care Professionals from Across New York State
Second Annual Excellence in Direct Care Awards Celebrate the Workforce Behind Community-Based Mental Health Housing and Recovery
April Wojtkiewicz Receives 2026 ACLAIMH Leadership Award
(Bolton Landing, N.Y.) – The Association for Community Living (ACL) recognized 42 outstanding direct care professionals from across New York State last week during its 47th Annual ACLAIMH Conference, celebrating the individuals whose dedication, compassion and expertise help thousands of New Yorkers living with serious mental health conditions build more independent and fulfilling lives.
The second annual Excellence in Direct Care Awards honored employees of community-based mental health housing and support organizations for their extraordinary commitment to the individuals they serve. This year’s honorees represented organizations across four regions of New York State, Central/Western New York, the Hudson region, Long Island and New York City.
While their work often happens outside the public spotlight, direct care professionals are essential to the success of New York’s community mental health system. They provide around-the-clock support in residential and community-based programs, helping individuals maintain stable housing, navigate daily challenges, access resources, and work toward their personal recovery goals.
For many individuals receiving services, direct care professionals are a consistent presence in their lives, offering encouragement during difficult moments, celebrating personal milestones, and helping build the confidence and skills needed for greater independence.
“Our direct care workforce is the foundation of everything our member organizations accomplish,” said Emil Slane, Executive Director of the Association for Community Living.
“These professionals do far more than provide services. They build relationships and earn trust, helping people recognize what is possible for their lives. Their work requires tremendous patience and compassion, and it deserves to be recognized not just within our organizations, but throughout New York State. These 42 honorees represent the extraordinary dedication of thousands of direct care professionals who make a difference every single day.”
The Excellence in Direct Care Awards were established in 2025 to recognize the contributions of frontline employees and elevate the visibility of a workforce that plays a critical role in supporting recovery and community integration. This year’s recognition of 42 individuals built upon the inaugural awards, which honored 34 direct care professionals statewide.
The 2026 honorees represented a broad cross-section of New York’s community mental health workforce, with seven recipients from Central/Western New York, 12 from the Hudson region, 11 from Long Island and 12 from New York City. A full list of individuals is viewable here.
The awards also underscored the importance of recognizing direct care as a skilled profession that requires a unique combination of practical knowledge, sound judgment, empathy and the ability to respond to complex situations. Whether helping someone through a mental health crisis, supporting a resident’s transition toward independent living, or simply providing a reassuring presence, these professionals help transform community-based housing into places where individuals can establish stability and pursue their goals.
“From helping people maintain stable housing to navigating them through daily challenges, direct care professionals serve a critical role in helping New Yorkers who live with mental illness on the path to recovery, so they thrive in their community,” New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said. “Through dedication and commitment, they serve as the foundation that supports successful community-based care. I congratulate this year’s Excellence in Direct Care Award recipients and thank them for providing compassionate services to individuals and families across our state.
“When we talk about strengthening New York’s mental health system, we must also recognize the people who make that system work,” said Senator Samra G. Brouk, Chair, Senate Committee on Mental Health. “Direct care professionals provide critical support to individuals living with mental illness, often during some of the most challenging moments in their lives. Their work requires tremendous skill, patience and compassion, and they deserve both our recognition and our continued commitment to supporting this essential workforce. Congratulations to this year’s honorees for the difference they make in communities throughout our state.”
“Access to quality mental health care is about having dedicated professionals who can build trusting relationships, provide consistent support, and help individuals achieve greater independence,” said Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, Chair, Assembly Committee on Mental Health. “Direct care workers are central to that mission, and their contributions deserve to be recognized and valued. I commend the Association for Community Living for shining a spotlight on these professionals and congratulate all 42 honorees for their outstanding service.”
Beyond recognizing individual accomplishments, the awards highlighted the importance of investing in and sustaining a strong direct care workforce. Community-based mental health housing programs depend on experienced and dedicated professionals who understand the individuals they serve and can provide consistent support over time.
For ACL and its member organizations, celebrating these professionals is also an opportunity to bring greater awareness to the workforce responsible for carrying out New York’s commitment to community-based mental health services.
“The success of our mental health housing system depends on having a workforce that feels valued, supported, and empowered to do this important work,” added Slane. “We hope these awards inspire others to pursue careers in direct care, while reminding policymakers and the broader community that the people delivering these services are every bit as important as the programs themselves.”
ACL also presented its 2026 ACLAIMH Leadership Award to April Wojtkiewicz, recognizing her distinguished career in public service and contributions to New York’s community mental health system.
Wojtkiewicz spent more than a decade as Director of Community Budget and Financial Management at the New York State Office of Mental Health, where she helped shape statewide policy, expand stable housing and strengthen the direct care workforce.
Her career also included leadership roles at the State Education Department and the Division of the Budget. Most notably, she helped spearhead more than $1 billion in investments to expand community mental health housing and essential services for vulnerable New Yorkers. Her recognition reflected the important connection between state-level leadership and the professionals who deliver community-based mental health services every day.
The awards were presented during ACL’s 47th Annual ACLAIMH Conference, held November 3–6 at The Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing.
The four-day conference brought together hundreds of professionals representing more than 100 nonprofit organizations across New York State for educational workshops, discussions with state mental health officials, networking opportunities, and professional development. Attendees included direct care professionals, clinicians, supervisors, executive directors and other leaders working to strengthen New York’s community-based behavioral health and housing system.
The annual gathering provided opportunities for professionals to exchange ideas, explore emerging challenges and share strategies for improving services and supporting the individuals and communities they serve.
For more information about ACL visit, https://aclnys.org/.
Images to accompany this release are available here.
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