LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Jill A. Warner upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Thomas P. Morahan Annual Leadership
Award in Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Jill A. Warner has given not only of her time and energies
but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special recognition; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Jill A. Warner
upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Thomas P.
Morahan Annual Leadership Award in Mental Health and Developmental Disa-
bilities; and
WHEREAS, May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the State of New
York; therefore, it is fitting during this particular time to recognize
the civic endeavors of those remarkable individuals who have been called
upon to contribute their time and talents to increasing awareness of
mental health conditions and to supporting the mental wellness of all;
and
WHEREAS, The Thomas P. Morahan Annual Leadership Award in Mental
Health and Developmental Disabilities recognizes the extraordinary spir-
it, courage and leadership of individuals who have worked tirelessly to
promote the health, mental health and wellness of families and individ-
uals; and
WHEREAS, Thomas P. Morahan, throughout his legislative career,
consistently and courageously advocated on behalf of those individuals
with serious emotional disturbances and persons who are developmentally
disabled; and
WHEREAS, Thomas P. Morahan's tenure as Chair of the New York State
Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee was served with
distinction and marked with his sponsorship and co-sponsorship of legis-
lation involving promoting awareness for citizens with special needs;
and
WHEREAS, This year's recipient, Jill A. Warner, is the current
CEO/Executive Director of Jawonio, the premiere resource for lifespan
services in the Hudson Valley for people with disabilities, mental
illness and chronic medical needs; and
WHEREAS, Jill A. Warner earned her MSW degree at Purdue University;
and
WHEREAS, As the CEO, Jill A. Warner is responsible for overseeing all
aspects of this multifaceted, regional organization; she has a demon-
strated record of effective executive management and over 30 years of
experience in the non-profit disabilities services sector; and
WHEREAS, Before she took on the reins as CEO, Jill A. Warner was the
Division Director for Community Living Services; her efforts resulted in
an increase in supporting a continuum of residential care for people
with disabilities and special needs; and
WHEREAS, She was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2005, during
which time programs in the areas of medical, mental health, education
and in home services enhanced and expanded their services; and
WHEREAS, Jill A. Warner was unanimously endorsed by the Board of
Directors to become the 4th CEO to lead Jawonio in March, 2008; prior to
joining Jawonio, she was Associate Executive Director at Mount Loretto
in Staten Island, New York, overseeing specialty services including
campus and community based residential services;

International/US/Special needs adoption services and the Special Adoles-
cent inpatient unit; and
WHEREAS, Jill A. Warner has taken the lead in moving toward becoming
an essential resource for the community in the new health care environ-
ment; she has become involved in essential discussions on the State and
local level, serving on several essential planning committees; and
WHEREAS, Jawonio provides services to more than 5,000 people with
disabilities and special needs annually and employs over 1000 people; in
2012, Jawonio received the Pinnacle Award, as non-profit of the year
from the Rockland Business Association and Agency of the Year, from
NAMI-FAMILYA, for their leadership in Mental Health; and
WHEREAS, Recently, Jill A. Warner has served as a member of the Rock-
land County Legislature Deficit Reduction Task Force; in addition, she
serves on the Board of Directors of Leadership Rockland, the Rockland
Business Association and is a member of the New City Rotary, and a
volunteer for Meals on Wheels; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Jill A. Warner has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Jill A. Warner has displayed
throughout her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Jill A. Warner upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the Thomas P. Morahan Annual Leadership Award in Mental Health and
Developmental Disabilities; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jill A. Warner.