February 12, 2026 (ROCHESTER, NY): Assemblywoman Sarah Clark (AD-136) and the office of Senator Samra G. Brouk (SD-55) convened stakeholders today following the completion of their Behavioral Health Needs Assessment round table discussion. The round table, hosted in partnership with Common Ground Health-Rochester RHIO, brought together organizations to review highlights from the report as we look to create a roadmap that will better address the mental health needs of our community. This includes collectively identifying promising practices and opportunities for additional funding, programmatic changes, or policy updates to better meet the pressing crisis here in Monroe County.

The Behavioral Health Needs Assessment was published in 2025 by Common Ground Health and funded in part by $100,000 in state dollars secured by Senator Brouk and Assemblywoman Clark along with funding support from Greater Rochester Health Foundation. The Behavioral Health Needs Assessment was conducted to provide a comprehensive, data-driven overview of behavioral health in Monroe County. Its main goal was to identify the most pressing mental health and substance-related needs in the community, understand where current systems are not meeting demand, and highlight opportunities to improve services, resources, and coordination across the local behavioral health system.

Instead of focusing only on individual conditions or services, the assessment looked broadly at the behavioral health landscape, including youth mental health, crisis and post-crisis care, service gaps, workforce challenges, and community-based supports, so that policymakers, health systems, funders, and community partners could make informed decisions about where to allocate resources and how to design interventions to strengthen behavioral health outcomes.

Today’s round table brought together local stakeholders and leaders from across disciplines, including education, healthcare, government, mental health, and community organizations. Following an introduction by Assemblywoman Clark and a presentation on the Behavioral Health Needs Assessment by Common Ground Health-Rochester RHIO attendees discussed the mental health landscape in the Rochester area, each offering a unique perspective. Inviting a diverse set of stakeholders to the table for a collaborative discussion allowed for a vast range of experiences and voices. The attendees worked to advance the goal of creating a unified road map toward a stronger mental health ecosystem in our community.

Senator Samra Brouk (SD-55) said, “As Chair of the Senate Mental Health Committee, I recognize that we are still in the midst of a mental health crisis in New York State. To confront this widespread crisis at our community level, I joined Assemblywoman Clark to secure state funding to help sponsor Common Ground Health’s Behavior Health Needs Assessment. Our action on the state level must be informed and guided by local needs, and this convening brings key community members to the table to understand gaps in the system and identify real, working solutions to help our neighbors heal and thrive. I am proud to partner with our advocates, providers, and neighbors to build a more compassionate, accessible behavioral health system for Monroe County and New York State.”

Assemblywoman Sarah Clark (AD- 136) said, “Mental health concerns are far too often what I hear the most about across our community. This new assessment gives us something we have not had before: a clear, community-driven picture of where our behavioral health system is falling short and where we must do better. I am proud to have worked with Senator Brouk to secure funding for this report and to bring providers, advocates, and educators together for today’s roundtable. Real solutions start with listening and learning from those in our community. The findings make it clear that we need stronger coordination, more accessible services, and sustained investment so that every person can get the mental health and substance use support they need, where and when they need it. I am deeply grateful for the work that Common Ground Health does every day for our community and to every person who added their voice and valuable knowledge to our discussion today. Working together will allow us to create lasting solutions for all in our community.”

Wade Norwood, Chief Advancement and Government Relations Officer, Common Ground Health-Rochester RHIO, said, “Today’s discussion begins the process of turning analysis into action. The Behavioral Health Needs Assessment provided our community with a shared, data‑driven roadmap, and this conversation brings the right partners to the table to close the gaps—especially for families and youth. We’re grateful to Senator Brouk, Assemblywoman Clark, and the Greater Rochester Health Foundation for supporting this work. Common Ground Health-Rochester RHIO will continue to bring high-quality data and authentic community voices to the forefront so that resources can be aligned, improvements made, and people can access timely, culturally responsive mental healthcare where and when they need it.”

Greater Rochester Health Foundation President & CEO Matt Kuhlenbeck, PhD said, “Understanding the behavioral health landscape in Monroe County is critical to advancing health equity and ensuring every resident has access to the care and support they need. We are grateful to Common Ground Health for their leadership in producing this comprehensive assessment, and to local stakeholders for sharing their voices and expertise. The Behavioral Health Needs Assessment provides a roadmap for coordinated action, helping community partners, policymakers, and funders align resources to strengthen systems, close gaps, and improve mental health outcomes for all. We are grateful for the opportunity to support this important work as a funder and community partner, and to learn alongside those leading the way in our community.”