The Building Connections (Sexual Assault and Mental Health) Project supports the work of trauma task forces across New York State aimed at improving the quality and availability of trauma-informed care to survivors of sexual trauma and other societal traumas.

These task forces, also known as teams or committees, are locally-led and often include representation by both providers of services and survivors who are or have been recipients of services. They differ from county to county in size, scope, and perspective. Some of the community services they offer include: educational forums, newsletters, resource directories, events to honor survivors, trainings, support groups and referrals.

Bronx Psychiatric Center Trauma Committee

Kristina Muenzenmaier, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry
718-862-5412 or Brmdkmm@omh.state.ny.us
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx Psychiatric Center
1500 Waters Place, Bronx, NY 10461

Capital Region Trauma Services Coalition

Chrys Ballerano, Codirector, Building Connections Project, NYSCASA
518-482-4222 x308 or cballerano@nyscasa.org
28 Essex Street., Albany, NY 12206

Karen Ziegler, Director, Crime Victim & Sexual Violence Center
518447-7100 or Karen.Ziegler@albanycounty.com
Room 1100, 112 State St., Albany, NY 12207

Erie County Trauma Task Force

Diane E. Johnson
716-871-0581 or dianejohnso@yahoo.com
Action for Mental Health, Inc.
1585 Kenmore Ave, Kenmore, NY  14217

Hudson Valley Regional Trauma Task Force

Lorraine McMullin, Codirector, Building Connections Project, MHANYS
518-434-0439 x211 or lmcmullin@mhanys.org
Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc.
194 Washington Ave. Suite 415, Albany, NY 12210

Francoise Collet, Supervisor, IPRT
845-684-5166 or  fcollet@hvc.rr.com
The Gateway - Vocational Transition Center
PO Box 56, Hurley, NY 12443

Genesee County Trauma Task Force

Ellen Plossl, MICA/Trauma Coordinator
585-344-2611 or gencomha@2ki.net
Genesee County MHA- 25 Liberty St. Batavia, NY  14020

Lewis County Trauma Services Resource Center

Lynn Taubenfeld, Mental Health Counselor
315 376-5450 or ltabnfld@lewiscountyny.org
Lewis County Community Mental Health Center
7550 S. State Street, Lowville, NY 13367

Madison County Multi Disciplinary Task Force (MDTF)

Developed from an earlier task force serving adult survivors of trauma, this team currently addresses the needs of child victims of sexual trauma and their families.

Renee Smith, Madison County MDT Coordinator
315-363-2816 or  renee.smith@co.madison.ny.us
Child Advocacy Center
6802 Buyea Rd., Canastota, NY 13032

Niagara County Sexual Assault Trauma Task Force

Mary Webb
716-278-1940 or Mary.Webb@niagaracounty.com
Niagara County Rape Crisis Services
Niagara County Mental Health
Trott Access Building 1001, Eleventh Street, Niagara Falls, NY  14301

Onondaga Community Sexual Trauma Task Force

Carol Yaeger-Rossario,  LCSW-R
315- 435-7700 CarolYager-rosario@ongov.net
1120 East Genesee Street; Syracuse, NY  13210]

Karen Mihalyi
315-428-8724 or kmihalyi@a-znet.com
Berkana Counseling & Healing Center
203 S. Beech St., Syracuse, NY  13210

Orange County Trauma Services Initiative

Linda Kelly, Wellness Coordinator
845-326-8061 or Miiplik@omh.state.ny.us
Rockland Psychiatric Center
45 Ashley Avenue, Middletown, NY  10940

Tara Roberts
845-291-8764 or TaraRoberts@hvc.rr.com
RSS Hamptonburgh CR
89 Hill Road, Goshen, NY 10924

Richmond County: Staten Island Sexual Assault Task Force Rape Consortium

Amy Edelstein, Rape Crisis Coordinator
718-720-25911 x17 or aedelstein@safehorizon.org
Safe Horizon-Staten Island Community Office
30 Bay Street, 5th Floor,  Staten Island, NY 10301

Suffolk- Long Island Committee on Sexual Abuse and Family Violence
ICSA & FV c/o L.I.F.E. Program

Holly Beck
631-264-2915 or hbeck@fegs.org
LICSA & FV c/o L.I.F.E. Program
445 Oak St., First Floor, Copiague, NY  11726

St. Lawrence: Domestic Violence Task Force

Includes sexual violence committee with a mental health component
Francine Perretta (Probation Department)
315-379-2230 or fperretta@co.st-lawrence.ny.us
Domestic Abuse Response Team
48 Court Street, Canton, NY 13617

Tioga Community Response Network (CRN)

Gerald Keene
607-687-8650 or keeneg@co.tioga.ny.us
Tioga County Office of District Attorney
16 Court St., PO Box 300, Owego, NY  13827