The National Council for Mental Wellbeing presented Jeffrey Reynolds, with its lifetime achievement award during NatCon23, the organization’s annual conference and the biggest industry event in the field of substance use and mental health treatment and care.
Reynolds received his award during a general session at NatCon23 in Los Angeles, Calif., where more than 5,000 healthcare professionals gathered recently to learn and network.
The National Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals for their tireless efforts and commitment to improving the lives of those living with mental health and substance use challenges.
Reynolds is president and CEO of FCA (Family and Children’s Association), one of Long Island, New York’s oldest and largest human services agencies. Each year FCA provides vital support services to more than 35,000 vulnerable children, families, seniors and communities on Long Island.
A fierce advocate for underserved persons and communities, Dr. Reynolds is tireless in his efforts to get suburban communities to recognize the opioid epidemic occurring in their own backyards.
Under his leadership, FCA opened three THRIVE Recovery Centers over the past five years and launched its Sherpa-Certified Recovery Peer Advocate program, a beacon of guidance and support for 90 percent of overdose survivors now in long-term recovery.
“I’m so proud to present this award to Dr. Reynolds and recognize his achievements over the past 30 years,” National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia said. “His efforts on Long Island and throughout New York have supported people and families over many decades. I’m grateful for his thoughtful leadership and deeply impressed by his accomplishments.”
Even as the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr. Reynolds will continue to work to achieve real change on Long Island through the design and launch of innovative programs that address emerging needs within the Long Island community.
His previous roles include serving as executive director of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and vice president for public affairs at Long Island Association for AIDS Care.
Reynolds also co-founded BiasHELP of Long Island, an organization dedicated to assisting victims of hate crimes and their families. As BiasHELP’s chief operating officer, he secured federal, state and local grants and launched a wide array of crime victim assistance services and school-based violence prevention programs.
In 2016, Reynolds was appointed by the New York State governor to serve on New York’s Heroin and Opioid Task Force. He is also the longest-standing member of the New York State AIDS Advisory Council, serving for more than 25 years, and is currently policy committee chair of the New York State Council of Community Behavioral Health.
“Jeffrey Reynolds has done so much for so many people over the years,” Ingoglia said. “I’m honored that we can show our gratitude by presenting him with our Lifetime Achievement Award.”
