Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association and Foundation Announce New Leadership

PRA and PRF Install 2015-2016 Board of Directors

 (McLean, VA, July 17, 2015) – The Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (PRA) and Psychiatric Rehabilitation Foundation (PRF) are proud to announce their 2015-2016 Board of Directors. Dori Hutchinson, ScD, CPRP, Director of Services, Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, will chair the PRA board for the second year of her two-year term. Lisa Razzano, PhD, CPRP, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, UIC Center on Mental Health Services Research & Policy, will chair the PRF board for the second year of her two-year term. The full boards for PRA and PRF convened on Monday, June 1, 2015 at the Recovery Workforce Summit: 2015 Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 “We have an exciting year ahead for PRA,” said Hutchinson. “With the introduction of a new credential focused on Children, Families and Transition Age Youth, enhanced collaboration with our chapters and allied organizations globally, continued work toward outcome-based public policy efforts, and increased value for our membership, the board’s leadership is committed to the recovery workforce, so PRA can continue to make a difference for all individuals who have mental health conditions.”

For PRA, continuing his service as chair-elect, is Roy Starks, MA, Director, Rehabilitation and Recovery, Mental Health Center of Denver. Newly appointed in their roles is treasurer, Lewis C. Manges, M.Ed, CRC, CPRP, Executive Director, Elwyn Behavioral Health Services; and secretary, Andy Bernstein, PhD, CPRP, Clinical Director, UA RISE Health and Wellness Center, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona. The immediate-past chair for the PRA Board is Lisa Razzano, PhD, CPRP, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, UIC Center on Mental Health Services Research & Policy; and members continuing as directors are Beth Boersma, MSW, CPRP, PSR Program Director Community Friendship, Inc.; Susan Crimmins, LICSW, CPRP, Clinical Director, Worcester CBFS, Community Healthlink; Mary Gregorio, LRC, CRC, CPRP, Center Club Program Director, BayCove Human Services, Inc.; Caroline L. Kaufmann, PhD, Courtesy Professor & Visiting Fellow, Center for Social and Political Thought, University of South Florida; Nancy Little, MS, LCPC, Project Director, North Side Collaborative, Thresholds; Steve Miccio, Executive Director, PEOPLe, Inc.; and Anthony Russo, CPS, Community Recovery Connections Team, Bedford VAMC.
 
PRA welcomes new director, Sharon Young, PhD, Health and Wellness Director, Promise Resource Network; Co-Director, Full Circle Counseling and Wellness Center.

 
The PRA ex-officio directors are Carlos Pratt, PhD, CPRP, PRA Certification Commission Chair; Professor, Director of Graduate Studies in Psychiatric Rehabilitation, and Director of the Center for the Study and Promotion of Recovery from Severe Mental Illness, Rutgers University-SHRP and Tom Gibson, Chief Executive Officer, PRA.

 PRA formally thanks outgoing board members Dave Pilon, PhD, CPRP, President and CEO, Mental Health America of Los Angeles and Liz Smithhart, MC, CPRP, LPC, Vice President of Program Development & Evaluation, Crisis Response Network, Inc.

 “The PRF leadership continues to expand training and education activities through the Academy of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Recovery, which has already trained over 4,000 mental and behavioral health professionals in the principles of psych rehab,” said Razzano. “Serving as the 'voice' for public outreach around recovery and wellness, PRF is beginning work on programs and activities to expand our outreach and exploring research and grant opportunities.”

For PRF, continuing his service as chair-elect is Roy Starks, MA, Director, Rehabilitation and Recovery, Mental Health Center of Denver; newly appointed as secretary is Andy Bernstein, PhD, CPRP, Clinical Director, UA RISE Health and Wellness Center, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona; and the directors are Lori Ashcraft, PhD, CPRP, Resilience, Inc.; Jennifer McLaughlin, CPRP, Senior Program Director, Community Services Group; and Linda M. Olson, PhD, OTR/L, Department Chairperson & Assistant Professor, Rush University.

PRF welcomes new director, David Pilon, PhD, CPRP, President and CEO, Mental Health America of Los Angeles.

The PRF ex-officio director is Tom Gibson, Chief Executive Officer, PRA.

PRF formally thanks its outgoing board member, Anthony Russo, CPS, Community Recovery Connections Team, Bedford VAMC. 

PRA and PRF welcome the 2015-2016 Board members and thank the current members continuing in their roles. With some of the best and brightest in the behavioral health community, the Board’s leadership will enable the organization to continue to carry out its mission and achieve previously unimaginable levels of performance. 

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 About the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (PRA):  As the nonprofit organization focused on growing and training the recovery workforce, the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, is the preeminent association for the development, support, and dissemination of information about the practice of psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery. PRA believes that the practice of psychiatric rehabilitation leads to recovery, and thus is committed to the growth of psychiatric rehabilitation in both quantity and quality, and to the universal availability of state-of-the-art psychiatric rehabilitation services for all individuals with mental illness who seek such services. For more information, visit www.psychrehabassociation.org.

 About the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Foundation (PRF): The Psychiatric Rehabilitation Foundation accelerates the growth and training of the recovery workforce while expanding wellness and recovery. The Foundation supports and promotes training and education by hosting the Recovery Workforce Summit and delivering courses through the Academy of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Recovery.  The Foundation supports current and evolving programs and activities including research, grants, and public outreach.