Mental Health Community Centers, Inc. Selects Director of Operations

Mental Health Community Centers, Inc. (MHCCI) has announced that Courtney DeFrank has been selected as Director of Operations for the organization. Ms. DeFrank previously served as the Program Director of the Sarasota location, Prospect House.  Courtney, who is originally from Chichester, Pennsylvania, has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from West Chester University.  With experience in medical office administration and human resources, Courtney brings a multitude of technical experience that will benefit the organization, which has now finished establishing its new leadership team for the coming fiscal year.   “Courtney’s compassion and thoughtfulness are her dominant personality traits,” said Arin Norris, Executive Director. “When you combine these traits with her solid work ethic, it is certain that she is going to lead our programs on to great success,” said Norris. Ms. DeFrank will begin her position immediately.  She will be replaced as Prospect House Program Director by mental health professional Frank Swanson, which was also an internal promotion. MHCCI operates psycho-social rehabilitation Wellness Centers locally providing recovery-focused programs for adults diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness. MHCCI recovery programs are centered on evidenced-based curriculum and The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Wellness Initiatives which are a holistic approach to wellness in all areas of life. SAMHSA is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “We are a consumer-operated organization, which means that more than 51% of the staff and Board of Directors of MHCCI are consumers or relatives of consumers in the mental health system,” said DeFrank.  “This ensures that we are responsive to our consumers’ mental health needs.” As a consumer-operated organization, members participate in the interview process for filling open staff positions, and members of Prospect House were involved in Courtney and Frank’s selection for these positions.   MHCCI has four Wellness Centers in the area: Sarasota, Venice, North Port, and Arcadia. Members pay an annual membership of $40 to be able to visit MHCCI and participate in activities that help them manage their mental health. MHCCI also has a Supported Employment program, which helps adults managing mental health learn skills from resume writing to communicating with one’s supervisor and obtain employment. MHCCI’s Peer Assisted Liaison program provides members with a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist who is also managing mental health who provide them with support in the community. To learn more, visit www.mhcci.com.