Debbie Eley

Deborah Eley holds a Master's in Counseling and Community Psychology from Sage College. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Albany, where she double-majored in Communications and Urban Planning and minored in Social Work and Afro-American Studies. Her extensive career in New York State includes roles as a program manager and policy analyst. Ms. Eley is a certified NYS grant writer, a Recovery Coach "train the trainer," a CASAC, and holds a forensic mental health certification. She has completed all educational hours for her Ph.D. and plans to finish her dissertation.

Her career is dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged and underserved populations affected by substance use, criminal justice involvement, homelessness, mental health challenges, and limited access to social determinants of health. Currently, she is the program manager for the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, where she oversees diversion and social contact referrals, as well as daily tasks for the police departments in Cohoes and Watervliet. For several years, she has served as the Board President of the Capital District Recovery Center (CDRC), working to enhance and uplift the center into a thriving organization that supports individuals in maintaining their recovery. Ms. Eley celebrates 29 years and 7 months in long-term recovery. She is passionate, dedicated, and reliable in her mission to ensure that no one has to die from the horrors of addiction. She is honored to be a part of the CDRC.