Aileen T. Townsend was born August 12, 1944, a twin, and one of three children born to Neil and Noella Townsend. She attended Union Free School #9 in the Town of Fort Edward and graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1961. Advanced educational degrees include a B.A. in psychology, Masters in Social Work from SUNY Buffalo, Masters in Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Doctorate in Public Administration from New York University. Her career was in the field of mental health working as a social worker and mental health administrator.
From 1965-1999 she was employed by the State Office of Mental Health (OMH) in adult, children and forensic psychiatric hospitals. As Director of a National Institute of Mental Health grant, she initiated the first State comprehensive mental health program for children on Long Island working with schools and other child caring agencies to decrease the need for institutional care for many children. She was part of the executive team responsible for the development of NYS Forensic Mental Health Programs for inmates which serves as a model for forensic mental health programs in other states and countries. Her doctoral dissertation “Decision making as it Relates to the Release of Offenders with Mental Health Histories” served as the basis for changing the way mental health parole evaluations in NYS are completed for the Division of Parole.
As a community volunteer, she has been active with the American Cancer Society and was a literacy volunteer. She served on several Boards including a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed adolescent boys, the Forensic Hospital Board of Visitors and the Women’s Fund of Herkimer and Oneida Counties a private philanthropic fund. Her current commitment is to the mission of the Women’s Fund to improve the quality of life for women and girls. She cherishes time spent with family and enjoys tennis, golf, kayaking, painting, and traveling.