Created a Compassionate Government

“By treating clients not like prisoners or freeloaders but people in real need, by determining their eligibility and getting them help faster, the county better serves its neediest elderly, kids, disabled, ill and poor."

– Newsday

 Although balancing budgets is a major job of the County Executive, the main reason why Tom entered into public service is to help those who are most vulnerable. In the midst of fiscal crises and political campaigns, this compassion is something that has not been forgotten by Tom. Tom's most significant success in this area is the historic No Wrong Door, a national model program that places all of Nassau's human service agencies under one roof and marries compassion and efficiency.

No Wrong Door is a single point of entry into the County's Health and Human Services system. Before Tom took office and No Wrong Door was implemented, the social services building had hanging wires, cracked windows and peeling paint, not a welcoming atmosphere for people to discuss their most personal issues. Tom transformed the complexity of the bureaucracy, the overlapping of programs, and the lack of communication between providers who often deliver services in a piecemeal, emergency basis into a more comprehensive, coordinated delivery of services to help people solve the problems they face, make their lives better, and at the same time save money.

While "No Wrong Door" is the cornerstone of Tom's compassionate government, Tom's commitment to foster a compassionate government does not stop there. He has accomplished many great things to help those in need.

• In 2001, after his primary for Nassau County Executive was cancelled, Tom aided the relief efforts by using the Glen Cove waterfront to send in medical personnel to ground zero and bring home survivors to Long Island.
• Tom is focused on keeping Nassau safe and maintaining Nassau's status as the safest municipality in the nation with over 500,000 people. Under Tom, Nassau has its lowest crime rate in over thirty years.
• Tom wants Nassau to be the healthiest place in the country- he started "Healthy Nassau" to encourage residents to eat right, exercise, and avoid smoking.
• His "Common Sense for the Common Good" program unites groups from Planned Parenthood to Catholic Charities behind the County initiative. This initiative prompted EJ Dionne, Washington Post columnist, to comment that Suozzi "just might move the national abortion debate to more constructive ground."
• As Mayor of Glen Cove, Tom opened the first shape up center on the east coast of the United States, where undocumented workers could learn English and find work. As Nassau County Executive, he has been honored by Latino organizations including Somos El Future as 2007 "Man of the Year" by for his compassionate policies for our new immigrants.
• In Dec. 2008, Tom founded the groundbreaking "Warriors to Work" program, and built a coalition of businesses and unions to find our veterans jobs when they come home. General Richard A. Cody, a retired four star general and 31st Vice Chief of Staff of the US Army from June 24, 2004, to July 31, 2008, said "Warriors to Work is the type of program that our returning war veterans deserve - a program that will make finding a job easier for men and women who've dedicated the last few years of their lives to protecting our country. In return, employers will get highly dedicated, loyal and hard working Americans - who know the price of freedom. I commend Suozzi for this effort - and for never forgetting our veterans."