At Citizen Advocates, we are committed to making lives better. The individuals, families and communities we serve receive a full range of health and lifestyle care through innovative, industry-leading services and programs. All of this is achieved through a person-centered approach that supports and celebrates each individual’s choices.

We are here to make a positive difference in the life of any individual needing help along the unique road to health, independence and fulfillment. The work we do is driven by respect for humanity and the rights of individuals as they explore what it means to define their own future. We are proud to provide quality, compassionate care and do so from the bottom of our hearts.

Our work may be difficult at times, but that’s what makes it meaningful. We will persevere with courage and optimism. We are Citizen Advocates.

Our mission & values

Mission: Strengthening access to high-quality convenient behavioral health, physical health and developmental disability services, as well as housing, transportation, employment and food security programs.

Vision: To be known as a collective of innovative social care providers, focused on advancing the wellness of the communities served by delivering convenient, whole person care with a balanced and stable portfolio of services operating under sound fiscal stewardship.

Our services

At Citizen Advocates, we are committed to making lives better throughout Northern New York. We offer mental health, addiction recovery and intellectual and developmental disability services and programs, along with a host of related support services, in Franklin, St. Lawrence, Clinton, Essex, Jefferson, Hamilton and Lewis counties.

Our history

Originally founded in 1975, Citizen Advocates served as a work program for individuals with a need for developmental and behavioral health support. At the time, the organization had 12 employees serving 50 individuals. Today, Citizen Advocates employs 750 health professionals and support staff who provide a broad range of services with compassion and skill to 8,100 individuals and families on an annual basis. With administrative offices in Malone, Citizen Advocates provides developmental disability, mental health and substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery services throughout Franklin, Clinton, Essex, Hamilton, St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties.

Community Health Needs Assessment

Citizen Advocates aims to make a positive difference in the life of any individual needing help along their unique road to health, independence and fulfillment. The whole-health organization positions itself on the leading edge of transformative health and well-being initiatives by focusing on enhanced health outcomes driven by high-quality, coordinated care for individuals and families receiving developmental disability, mental health and addiction prevention, treatment and recovery services. The work is driven by respect for humanity and the rights of individuals as they explore what it means to define their own future. To provide these essential services, Citizen Advocates must remain diligent in assessing the needs of the community continuously. The following report summarizes findings resulting from a Community Health Needs Assessment targeted to identify behavioral health needs for the residents we serve in Franklin, Essex, St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Clinton counties, the unique region we call the “North Country,” in rural Northern New York.

Community Health Improvement Plan

A Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is a long-term effort to address public health based on the findings of the Community Health Assessment. Community Health Improvement Plans are strategies that set priorities and measurable objectives to address the needs of the community through a work plan.

The following work plan are the health priorities Citizen Advocates identified in its Community Health Needs Assessment, and the related actions the agency is taking to tackle each health-related focus.

Leadership team

James Button, President & Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Button is President & CEO of Citizen Advocates, St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers, and the Fieldstone Foundation. He holds master’s degrees in education and clinical social work from the State University of New York. He earned his healthcare administrator’s certificate from University of Vermont.

Mr. Button is a gifted leader, who is an accomplished public speaker and expert storyteller. His skill is in taking complex concepts and communicating them in easily understood terms to key stakeholders. James is focused on improving access and elevating convenience to life-saving addiction and mental health treatments across New York and New England.  He lives in upstate New York with his wife, Camelia, their sons, Ben and Jake, and their German shepherd, Paris.

Kati Jock, VP of Operations & Finance/Chief Operations Officer
As the Vice President of Operations & Finance/Chief Operations Officer, Kati is responsible for overseeing all financial matters, human resources, and operations of Citizen Advocates. Kati is focused on providing easily accessible and convenient access to Behavioral Health, Housing, and Disability Services throughout the North Country. During her tenure at Citizen Advocates, Kati has led expansion geographically and launched three Behavioral Health Urgent Care Centers. Her greatest accomplishment is bringing the teams at Citizen Advocates and St. Joseph’s together to collaborate and learn from one another.

With a passion for strategy and analysis, Kati believes strongly in utilizing a data driven approach to transform information into meaningful action to enhance health outcomes. She especially enjoys teaching teams how to interpret financial information and make strategic business decisions through strong project management and planning.  

Kati has almost two decades of experience in strategic and business planning for health systems where she played a key role in affiliations and mergers, designed business plans supporting primary care expansion, and collaborated with executives to shape organizational vision to drive profitability and sustain growth. 

After completing her Bachelor’s of Science in Biomedical Technology, Kati went on to receive her Master’s in Business Administration from Clarkson University. Outside of work, Kati volunteers her time as a member of the Board of Directors for United Way of Northern New York. She enjoys walks on the shores of Lake Champlain, spending time with her family, and hosting celebrations.

Jennifer Dishaw, Chief of Staff
As Chief of Staff, Ms. Dishaw is directly responsible for managing the day-to-day priorities of the Executive Leadership Team. In addition to her duties related to the Executive Team, Ms. Dishaw has management oversight of Information Technology, Support Services and Communications & Government Affairs.

Prior to becoming Chief of Staff in 2019, Ms. Dishaw led a major initiative to modernize Citizen Advocates’ Electronic Medical Record system, known as NetSmart. Ms. Dishaw is familiar with the billing aspects of healthcare delivery, having managed the Billing Department for 11 years.

Courtney Frank, Associate Vice President of Finance
As Associate Vice President of Finance for Citizen Advocates and its affiliates, Courtney oversees finance, electronic health record, and revenue cycle strategy with a strong focus on fiscal sustainability, payer relations, and safe patient data.

Courtney began her healthcare career as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She has taken her passion for serving others into her current role by negotiating fair payment for behavioral health services, conducting financial modeling for expansion of services to address significant need in the North Country, and enhancing telehealth access to support easily accessible, convenient care when needed the most.

With almost two decades of progressive leadership roles, including Director of Behavioral Health and Senior Director of Information and Revenue Strategy at Citizen Advocates, Courtney has a passion for learning and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in business administration with anticipated graduation in 2025.

Courtney is especially proud of her children and doesn’t miss a dance competition or soccer game. In her free time, she also enjoys traveling and attending concerts.

Jennifer DiTullio, Network Associate Vice President of Operations

As the Network Associate Vice President of Operations, Jennifer leads strategic initiatives to enhance the delivery of comprehensive health and social support programs for clients throughout the North Country.  Jennifer started her career in foster care where she developed a deep understanding of and empathy for the variety of challenges faced by children and families in the north country. She has built upon this experience with over 10 years of leadership experience in the field of health and human services.

Jennifer’s journey led her to Citizen Advocates, where she has successfully supported cross-functional teams, managed large-scale projects, and advocated for policy changes to advance the organization’s mission.  In addition to her current role, Jennifer has previously held the positions of Director of Community Support, Director of Behavioral Health, and Senior Director of Operations.

With a commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, Jennifer is particularly focused on enhancing program accessibility, optimizing service delivery models, and leveraging community partnerships to address systemic issues in health and human services.

Jennifer holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Clarkson University and a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from SUNY Potsdam. She is a dedicated mom, proud wife, and enjoys doing DIY renovation projects.

Heather Wenzel, Associate Vice President of People

Heather held several operational roles at Citizen Advocates prior to her current responsibilities within Citizen Advocates and its affiliates. She is a credentialled leadership coach, SHRM-CP, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education at Louisiana State University in Health Care Leadership and Communications. For more than two decades, Heather has supported teams providing services to the most vulnerable in Upstate New York and the Northeast in non-profit, private equity and government spaces. Heather’s first job was as a Direct Support Professional. 

Heather is passionate about solving workforce challenges by providing best-in-class people resources for Citizen Advocates and its affiliates. She’s also a proud member of the Youth Advocate Programs Board of Directors, a national non-profit focused on improving outcomes for youth and communities. She enjoys spending time with her family and two feisty rat terriers, running, reading, and listening to podcasts. 

Zachary Randolph, Associate Vice President of Clinical Care

Zac serves as the Associate Vice President of Clinical Care for Citizen Advocates and St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers. Zach started his tenure as an outpatient counselor and held multiple progressive clinical roles as he had the honor of being elevated through the organization. He understands the dedication and grit it takes to be a servant to those we serve. Zach is committed to a Servant Leadership lifestyle. 

A graduate of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts in Religion, specializing in Pastoral Counseling, Zach is also a Master Addiction Counselor and a nationally Certified Anger Management Specialist. An 11-year U.S. Army veteran, he brings a unique blend of discipline, empathy, and levity to his Mission. Zachary is passionately committed to fostering an environment that promotes holistic personal growth, driven by the spiritual exploration of identity and purpose. He believes in the critical importance of creating a safe and healthy work culture, where individuals understand their purpose, feel supported, valued, and empowered to thrive. Above all, he treasures his role as a loving husband and father, drawing strength and inspiration from his family.

Daxia Board of Directors

Nick Eells, Chair
Felix Tam, Secretary
Paul Goodrow, Treasurer
Marc Gitlitz

Citizen Advocates Board of Directors

Nick Eells, Chair
Dallas Sutton, Treasurer
Marc Gitlitz
Paul Goodrow
Rebecca Preve
Felix Tam

Harison Place Board of Directors

Paul Goodrow, Chair
Lori Tourville, Secretary
Brian Stewart, Treasurer
Greg Langdon