Steve Miccio is the CEO of People USA, a person-centered behavioral health and wellness organization headquartered in Poughkeepsie, New York. He has been with the organization since 1999.
Steve is a spokesperson and advocate for behavioral health initiatives who has shifted the national paradigm in terms of crisis response and wellness services. He draws on a wealth of experience in providing supportive housing, innovative trauma-informed care and peer-led services centered around a single, guiding principle: the dignity of the individual as they move along the road toward wellness. His own, lived experience informs every aspect of his work.
Among Steve’s major achievements is the development and launch of a whole health integrated care model that incorporates all community services to be responsive, efficient, and cost effective in delivering improved outcomes. The initiative has saved area hospitals an average of $6 million annually through decreases in hospitalization and emergency care.
He is one of the nation’s foremost experts in establishing and managing peer-operated crisis diversion/respite services and consults across the country and in Europe. He is a National Subject Matter Expert for the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (Federal Dept.) on Crisis Response Services and Criminal Justice Services and a Subject Matter expert for Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale (BRSS TACS) Policy Academy.
Steve chairs a county-wide Diversion committee in Dutchess County, NY and was involved heavily with the Dutchess County government and local provider community and criminal justice council in developing and implementing the first Crisis Stabilization Center in New York. He directs Crisis Intervention Team training to all police departments in Dutchess and Putnam Counties. Steve sits on the Dutchess County Executive Criminal Justice Council and has been involved with the Special Populations Committee in designing Dialectical Behavior Treatments in the County Jail in order to reduce criminogenic thinking and recidivism and improve overall behavioral health and quality of life outcomes.
Steve is co-founder of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Hudson Valley Chapter, current member of New York State Suicide Prevention Council and is a trainer for Applied Suicide Intervention Strategies training (ASIST). Steve is past co-chair and executive board member of New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS), currently is the New York State Chapter Representative and Vice Chair of the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (PRA), board member of 2-1-1 policy board of Hudson Valley and subject matter expert for the Re-entry Policy Academy headed by the GAINS Center and Policy Research Associates.
He has authored several white papers and studies on behavioral health and the treatment of emergency room patients. His latest book, [title], was published in 2018 by [name of press]
Please contact Steve Miccio at (845) 452-2728, stevemiccio@PeopleUSA.org
Yue (Amy) Zhang is Chief Financial Officer. She has been with People USA since 2001. She directs the financial activities that support the organization, including budgeting, general accounting, payroll and cash management. Among her most important responsibilities is making certain that the many grants and contracts that fund People USA’s emotional wellness services are meticulously tracked and accounted for, and that all purchasing and reporting out are in strict compliance with GPAA, as well as with federal, state and local standards. Amy prepares all supported documentation for annual audits and verified CPA audited financial statements.
Joshua S. Gran, M.A., M.A.T. is Chief Strategy & Development Officer. He is charged with moving the organization forward through analytical planning, effective communications, and mission-focused growth. Josh has been with People USA since 2013. Josh was part of the team that developed the Dutchess County Stabilization Center, is leading efforts to integrate the behavioral health & criminal justice systems in Ulster County, was nominated to the state’s Mid-Hudson Regional Planning Consortium Board, and helped design an innovative model of transitional care for people exiting hospitals. Josh has extensive experience in grant writing, business communications, sales, management, and teaching English at the college level.
Joleen Darby is Site Director – Dutchess. She directs thirteen programs at People USA’s largest site including supported housing, an Engagement Center walk-in, supported vocational and employment services, integrated peer services (staff with lived experience, embedded in hospitals and clinics to help transition patients to community-based care). Joleen started her career with People USA as a housing coordinator in 2013. She also worked as a site director of People USA Rose House, a 24/7 crisis respite center, helping some of People USA’s most vulnerable clients bridge to wellness.
Rhonda Garcia is the Site Director – Ulster. She began her career with People USA in 2006 as a community advocate. As her skills and experience grew, she worked as an office manager, housing coordinator, Director of Community Services and now provides peer advocacy services and person-centered referrals throughout Ulster, Orange and Dutchess counties. Rhonda cites her ability to follow-through with a client as among her strongest skills. She does more than connect them to requested services, she coaches them along the way to their own wellness goals.
David Klippel is Site Director for Warren and Washington. He is a New York State-certified peer specialist. He is charged with managing the daily operations of the Crisis Respite Center, maintaining compassionate, trauma-informed protocols that help guests consider what further steps toward wellness might be right for them. He manages and supports other peer companions, and helps them develop community based support groups. As a special treat for Rose House guests, David is also a talented, professionally-trained chef.
