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Employees

Gowanda Office

Executive Team

Joe Woodward
Executive Director CASCJoe Woodward

For the past four years Mr. Woodward has been the Executive Director of Housing Options Made Easy, Inc., a peer agency that provides supportive housing and advocacy training for individuals with mental health issues. As the Chief Executive Officer to the Board of Directors he represents, develops, implements and coordinates an effective $3.3 million, 353 beds, 45 staff, regional mental health peer governed agency that includes: six counties and six regional satellites in Western New York (Gowanda, Jamestown, Dunkirk Olean, Rochester and Buffalo). The agency provides supported housing, peer advocacy services, advocacy training, self-help support groups, job training, and community empowerment programs. Mr. Woodward has also mentors smaller peer agencies. In 2008, Mr. Woodward was hired as the Keynote speaker for the Mental Health Empowerment Project statewide conferences titled, “From Recovery to Discovery.”  He has recently returned from Seattle Washington where he provided consulting training on, “Peer/Provider Partnerships”, and National trends in Grievance procedures.

Mr. Woodward has over 25 years of experience in the alcohol, drug and mental health field. Prior to his current position at Housing Options, Mr. Woodward was the Executive Director of the peer support agency, Action for Mental Health, Inc.  As the first Executive Director, he was instrumental in creating a strong mental health anti-stigma outreach campaign in Erie County were he partnered with area businesses, media and treatment providers.

Prior to getting involved with the peer movement Mr. Woodward was a Program Director of residential and outpatient treatment programs helping individuals with chemical addictions. He is well known for his ability to develop innovative programs to meet client needs.

Mr. Woodward currently is on the Board of Directors of the Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc. He chairs the Recovery Initiative in Cattaraugus County. He is the co-chair of New York States Recipient Affairs Committee, and serves and has serves on numerous state and countywide steering committees. Mr. Woodward is well respected and seen as a leader and innovator of peer services in New York State.

Mr. Woodward has an Associates degree in Liberal Arts and Community Mental Health, along with a Bachelors of Science in Mental Health Program Development and Evaluation. He has been a Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor in New York State since 1987. In 2009 is close to finishing a Masters of Divinity Degree concentrating on leadership and government and has previously completed a Masters level Administrative Management Certificate Program through the University of Buffalo, School of Social Work Continuing Education Program.

Mr. Woodward has authored numerous newsletter articles on “Wellness through Relationships”; in the summer of 2004 one of his articles was published in Mental Health World. He has also hosted a weekly radio show regarding wellness through relationships and breaking mental health stigma. Mr. Woodward has been a guest speaker at Buffalo State College, Medaille, University of Buffalo and Daemon College regarding the peer movement, chemical dependency, leadership, partnerships and person centeredness. He has also been a keynote speaker for the Thrive to Survive conference in Olean, NY. He is also trained in Person Centered Planning and is known for his training skills in Relationship Building, Advocacy, Recovery, Chemical Dependency, Leadership, Supervision, Person Centered Planning, Stigma, Peer Organizational Structure and development and mentorship.

Mr. Woodward has received the following awards:

  • Keys to Success Award, NYSOMH Recipient Affairs: will be received Dec. 2009

  • The staff of Housing Options presented Mr. Woodward with an appreciation award; 2008

  • Recipient Affairs Mangers through Buffalo Psychiatric Center appreciation award; 2006

  • New Life Residential Center, Inc. Appreciation Award; 2002

  • Cazenovia Recovery Systems, Inc, Golf Committee appreciation Award; 2001

  • Cazenovia Recovery Systems, Inc, Golf Committee appreciation Award; 1997

  • EAP Association: Erie/Ontario chapter, Appreciation Award; 1995

  • Friends of Cazenovia Manor, Inc, Team Player Award; 1994

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Denis Bouchard
Associate Director
Denis Bouchard
Denis Bouchard has been an employee of Housing Options Made Easy, Inc. since 1993.  He is also a peer and a recipient of mental health services.  He began working as an assistant employee in the housing department.  During his time of employment he also enrolled at Empire State College where he earned a B. A. degree.  He was promoted to the position of Housing Coordinator in 2000 where he has continued to work with several different housing programs to make sure that beds are filled, clients are served and outcomes are met.  He has attended numerous trainings and workshops related to housing and mental health throughout his employment.  He attended the Leadership Management certificate program at the U.B. School of Social Work where he earned a certificate.  He was also awarded the Provider Recovery Award given out by the Recipient Associate Managers of the Buffalo Psychiatric Center in 2008.  He continues his employment at Housing Options Made Easy, Inc. where he enjoys being in a position where he can assist individuals in bettering their lives.  

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