Amy Anderson-Winchell, LCSW, to retire from Access: Supports for Living Inc.

Middletown, NY – The Board of Directors of Access: Supports for Living Inc. has announced the retirement of the agency’s president, Amy Anderson-Winchell, LCSW, on December 31, 2019 after a 37-year long career.

Anderson-Winchell joined Access: Supports for Living Inc. (Access), then Occupations, Inc., in 1982 as Clinic Director, rising through the ranks to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 1994, then Chief Executive Officer in 2012, and President and CEO in 2015.  In January 2019, Anderson-Winchell began serving Access in a part-time capacity as President.

“Access: Supports for Living Inc. is the agency it is today because of Amy Anderson-Winchell.  She has guided, mentored, and inspired countless co-workers to achieve the agency’s mission of helping people live the healthiest and fullest lives possible,” said Ron Colavito, CEO of Access: Supports for Living Inc.  “Amy has spearheaded monumental change and growth that has not only diversified Access’s business, but provided new opportunities for people to live supported, healthy lives.  Her work has left an indelible impact on our community and everyone at Access.  We wish her well in her retirement.”

Anderson-Winchell led the consolidation and rebranding of Occupations, Inc.; Family Empowerment Council, Inc.; Stony Ford Foundation; and New Dynamics Corporation into Access: Supports for Living Inc. in 2015.  During her tenure, services have transformed in response urgent community needs and now include programs such as OnTrackNY to help young adults recover from schizophrenia and the new Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care.  Her commitment to innovation has helped people with complex needs realize their dream of living independently through the development of affordable housing projects in partnership with Warwick Properties.

“Under Amy’s leadership, Access has grown to one of the largest human services providers in the Hudson Valley.  She is tireless, tenacious, and ardent in her belief that people with significant needs can lead lives of purpose and meaningfully contribute to their community and has spent her career working toward those goals,” said Todd Kelson, Immediate Past Chair of the Access: Supports for Living Board of Directors.  “The lives of thousands of our friends and neighbors are better for her work.”

“For nearly four decades, Amy has been a force working toward quality, equitable, and accessible care for people with mental health needs and intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Nick Preddice, Chair of the Access: Supports for Living Foundation Board of Directors.  “She is a respected leader, locally and statewide, who leaves a legacy of unparalleled dedication to Access and the field.”

Access: Supports for Living was founded in 1963 by a group of families who believed in a bright, positive future for their children with disabilities. Today, Access is mission-driven to help people live the healthiest and fullest lives possible and supports more than 10,000 people each year through services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health and substance use concerns, and children and families with a range of needs. Access summarizes its worldview in four words: Rewarding Lives, Healthy Communities. For more information, visit the website: www. accesssupports.org or call 1-888-750-2266.