John O'Neill resigning as Suffolk social services chief

In a surprise move, Suffolk Social Services Commissioner John O'Neill, who has headed the $621.5 million agency for the last 6½ years, is leaving his $171,000 post to become an administrator at a New York City medical college.

Word of O’Neill’s departure came to light Tuesday night at the county legislature meeting. Just weeks ago, he had been expected to be named to a second five-year term as head of the agency, which has a staff of 1,700. A resolution reappointing him was tabled in committee last week because he was unable to attend the meeting.

O’Neill, 54, of Massapequa Park, declined to detail his specific job or the school he will be working at, but said he is leaving the county on Nov. 2.

Prior to working for Suffolk, O’Neill spent two years as Brookhaven’s commissioner of finance services. Before that, he spent three years in Nassau County as deputy social services commissioner and county budget director.

County Executive Steve Bellone praised O’Neill as “integral in my administration's efforts to reduce homelessness, the number of children in foster care, and secure benefits access.” 

O’Neill is the third top Bellone aide to announce his decision to exit in the last month. Earlier, Public Works Commissioner Gilbert Anderson and Joseph Williams, commissioner of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services, disclosed they were retiring.

John Jordan, Williams' deputy, is now acting FRES commissioner. The FRES commission must make a recommendation to Bellone for his permanent successor.

However, O’Neill’s departure creates a more immediate problem for Bellone because he is the only major department head without any deputies. Bellone aides had no immediate comment on a permanent or temporary successor or any plans to search for a replacement.

While the agency is the largest expense in the county budget, much of its funding comes from state and federal sources. The department oversees an average welfare caseload of 6,800, and provides emergency housing for 527 families and 590 single people in homeless shelters. It also handles Medicaid, nutritional assistance, and child and adult protective services, as well as enforcement of child support payments.

Richard Koubek, chair of the legislature’s welfare to work commission, expressed disappointment in O’Neill’s impending departure.

“He was always able to take a tough situation and find a way to secure funding,” Koubek said. “He’s had a tremendous grasp of the financial needs of the department and how to leverage money to keep it going.”