2010 New York Code
MHY - Mental Hygiene
Title E - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 41 - (41.01 - 41.57) LOCAL SERVICES
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 the mentally ill, the mentally retarded  and  the
  developmentally  disabled,  and  those  suffering  from  the diseases of
  alcoholism and substance abuse; to plan for the integration of community
  and state services and facilities for  the  mentally  disabled;  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 the mentally ill,
  mentally retarded and developmentally disabled, and for those  suffering
  from the diseases of alcoholism and substance abuse.