CEO
People USA
Poughkeepsie, New York
People USA’s Chief Executive Officer is a pioneer, visionary, and expert in the fields of mental health, substance use, criminal justice, and crisis response. Inspired and driven by his personal lived experience, Steve has spent over twenty five years creating, providing, and advocating for innovative behavioral health services that transform systems of care across the United States and internationally. He is proud to promote services that are trauma-informed and person-centered with positive expectations for recovery and wellness outcomes. Steve shares his expertise through delivering keynotes, participating on panels, and publishing articles. Steve’s unique models and approaches significantly reduce hospital utilization, incarceration rates, and overall healthcare spending. Because of this success, People USA’s program models have been studied and replicated across the United States and Europe. Steve earned his BA in psychology from SUNY Plattsburgh.
Some of Steve’s innovative programs include:
the Rose House model of peer-operated crisis respites
the first peer-run Crisis Stabilization Center in the world
the first in the United States to embed peers in a hospital psych. ER.
the first peer-run criminal justice-focused mobile team in the United States
Publications:
Developed OMH White Paper, “Infusing Recovery-Based Principles into Mental Health Services”(2004) with input from over 40,000 New Yorkers.
Chapter Author, History of the Consumer Movement in the USA; Community Mental Health Challenges for the 21st Century, Routledge Publishing (2006)
Author, Hospital Diversion Services: A manual in the Development of a Respite/Diversion Service in Your Area, OptumHealth | Optimizing Health and Well-Being | www.optumhealth.com/publicsector (2011)
Contributor to SAMHSA National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care, 2020
Awards:
New York Association Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS) Marty Smith Memorial Award (2)
New York State Assembly Certificate of Merit
Member of Congress Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition
Harry Hall Memorial Award by the Mental Health Association in Ulster County, Inc.
Senator Greg Ball Certificate of Merit
Dutchess County Employer of the Year Award
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention- In grateful recognition of his leadership and his vision for suicide prevention
Mental Health News Education – Behavioral Health Advocacy Award
Certifications:
Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Counselor (CPRP)
G4 - Never Underestimate the Power of Peer Support: Lessons and Innovations
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM ET