Orange County Announces Caritas Award Honoree

From the Office of the County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus:

Darcie Miller will be honored by Catholic Charities with the Caritas Award on Thursday, April 14. Miller will also be presented with HONORehg’s Rabbi Joel Schwab Leadership Recognition award next month.

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus is pleased to announce that Darcie Miller, the County’s Commissioner of Social Services and acting Commissioner of Mental Health, will be honored by Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange County at its 10th annual Celebration of Charity and Caritas Awards Dinner on April 14th at Anthony’s Pier 9 in New Windsor.

The Caritas Awards are presented by Catholic Charities Community Services each year to members of the community who exemplify the non-profit human service agency’s mission to provide help and create hope.

“Darcie is more than deserving of these impressive honors,” Neuhaus said. “She is a consummate professional and cares deeply about her work, and the Orange County residents that she proudly serves. Darcie is well-liked and respected by her colleagues and has done wonderful work during her admirable career. I offer her my sincerest congratulations on receiving this honor.”

Helping Others Needing Our Resources (HONORehg) will also honor Miller, presenting her with the Rabbi Joel Schwab Leadership Recognition award on May 17. The Rabbi Joel Schwab Leadership Recognition award is given annually to someone in the community who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and is a role-model in the human services field in Orange County.

“We are all inspired by Darcie Miller’s commitment to caring for the men and women that we serve,” said HONORehg executive director Chris Molinelli. “She is a true leader and has a wonderful vision when it comes to assisting those in need. We all appreciate her dedication and commitment to Orange County.”

Miller has worked for Orange County since 2001. She was named Commissioner of Social Services in December of 2014. Miller was appointed Mental Health Commissioner in March 2012 after serving as the department’s Deputy Commissioner for seven years. As Commissioner, she oversees Orange County’s planning, development, and coordination of services in the fields of mental health, developmental disabilities, and chemical dependency.

Miller received her Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Social Work degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She is a New York State-licensed clinical social worker with experience in psychotherapy, rape counseling, and juvenile justice.

“I’m extremely humbled to be honored by Catholic Charities and HONORehg,”Miller said. “Both organizations do important work helping those in need in the community. It has been a privilege collaborating with these organizations and I consider them partners in serving Orange County. These recognitions would not be possible without the hard work of my terrific staff, both in Social Services and Mental Health. They have my gratitude and share these awards with me.”

For more information, contact Justin Rodriguez, Assistant to the County Executive for Communications and Media Relations at 845.291.3255 or jrodriguez@orangecountygov.com.