Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Members
Dr. Jay Reeve
Chair Governor Appointee
Jay Reeve, PhD, has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Apalachee Center, in Tallahassee, Florida, since 2008. Apalachee Center is a not-for-profit behavioral health center operating 12 outpatient clinics, three acute behavioral healthcare inpatient units, two primary care clinics, and six residential programs across the eight counties of Florida's Big Bend region, and manages the Behavioral Health Center at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare. Apalachee Center employs over 500 staff, sees about 8000 clients annually, and has an annual budget of about 34 million dollars. Dr. Reeve also chairs the Mental Health Council of the Big Bend. Dr. Reeve received undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees from Tufts, Harvard, and Adelphi Universities. He has been licensed as a clinical psychologist in Delaware, Florida, New York, and Rhode Island. Dr. Reeve has held a variety of academic appointments, including teaching faculty positions at Brown University Medical School Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior; the University of Albany; Albany Medical College; Widener University; Immaculata College; the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology; the University of Hartford, and currently holds a courtesy appointment at the at Florida State University Medical College. He has published psychology research papers, especially on the treatment of children, in national peer-reviewed journals.
In 2014, Dr. Reeve was made a Fellow of the Florida Council for Community Mental Health, “in recognition of his unique and significant contributions to the Council”. In 2010, Dr. Reeve was awarded the Visionary Leadership award by the National Council for Community Behavioral Health. He was the first Florida mental health provider to win the Big Bend Mental Health Coalition's Walk The Walk award, in 2008. In 2005, he was the first non-physician to receive the Brown Medical School's Outstanding Teaching Award in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Sheriff Bill Prummell
Governor Appointee
Sheriff Bill Prummell is a 26-year veteran in law enforcement, who began his career with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office in 1992. He worked his way through the ranks and throughout most areas of the Agency. He was elected as Sheriff on August 14, 2012 and assumed the Office of Sheriff on January 8, 2013. He ran for re-election in 2016 winning both the primary and general elections.
Sheriff Prummell holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from St. Leo University in Criminology with a minor in Psychology; a Master's Degree in Business Administration from IMPAC University; and a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice from American Public University. In addition, he is a graduate of the Florida Sheriff's Institute, the National Sheriff's Institute, the 239th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, The Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar out of the University of Virginia, and Florida's Senior Leadership Program in Tallahassee, Florida.
Sheriff Prummell was one of the founders of the Region Six Intelligence Exchange for southwest Florida. He is on the Board of Directors for CARE, is Chair for Drug Free Charlotte County, a member of the Florida Sheriff's Association serving on their Legislative Committee, and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches. Sheriff Prummell was selected by the Florida Sheriff's Association as the State Task Force Chair. In 2015, he was appointed by the Governor to serve as a commissioner on the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission and sits as a member of the Officer Discipline Penalty Guidelines Task Force.
Despite all of this, Sheriff Prummell's greatest accomplishments are his family. He is married to Tara, a kindergarten teacher. They have two sons and a daughter - Billy, Catelynn, and Andrew - along with Billy's wife, Marla, and grandson Billy the IV.
Darryl Ervin Rouson
President of the Senate Appointee
Darryl Ervin Rouson has earned a reputation as a trailblazer in business and in the community. In 1981, he became the first African American prosecutor in Pinellas County. In 2003 he was appointed the first chairman of the newly formed Substance Abuse and Addictions Task Force for The National Bar Association. Sen. Rouson also served as president of the St. Petersburg NAACP from 2000 to 2005 and served on the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission in 2007. In April 2008, Mr. Rouson's years of activism, bold leadership and community service culminated in his being elected to represent Tampa Bay in the Florida House of Representatives. He served as a Representative for eight years and was termed out of office.
In 2016 he was elected State Senator for District 19 which includes portions of Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. He was reelected for a second term representing District 19 in 2020. Sen. Rouson has a passion for reforming the criminal justice system in Florida, increasing funding for substance use and mental health issues, and creating innovative solutions to transportation issues. Since Sen. Rouson began his tenure in the Florida Legislature, he has been regularly listed as one of Tampa Bay's most influential politicians. Sen. Rouson also served as a Commissioner on the Constitutional Revision Commission which meets every twenty years to propose changes to the Florida Constitution.
Mr. Rouson received a college degree in 1977 from Xavier University in New Orleans and graduated from law school at the University of Florida in 1980. He is married to Angela Rouson and is proudly raising five boys while practicing law in the Tampa Bay area with the Rubenstein Law Group.
Dr. Kathleen Moore
President of the Senate Appointee
Kathleen A. Moore, Ph.D. is a Research Professor in the Department of Mental Health, Law, and Policy of the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI) at the University of South Florida. She received her B.A. in sociology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and both her M.A. and Ph.D. in social/health psychology from Kent State University. She did her post-doctoral fellowship at Duke University Medical Center in which she worked on a NIMH-funded study assessing the effects of exercise vs. medication on clinically depressed older adults. For the past ten years, she has been at FMHI with a primary focus in the area of substance abuse and mental health. Currently, Dr. Moore is working on several community-based research projects with local substance abuse and mental health providers. Her emphasis has been on project evaluation, bridging the gap between research and practice, and social policy issues such as co-occurring disorders, homelessness, and jail diversion. Most recently, she is Co-PI on a National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) grant entitled Center on Co-occurring Disorders, Justice, and Multidisciplinary Research (CJM) along with Dr. Roger Peters, PI and Paul Stiles, Co-PI. The objective of the CJM Center is to enhance the effectiveness of interventions for offenders with CODs within the justice system by: (a) identifying promising intervention strategies, and (b) testing these interventions in theory-informed pilot studies. In coordination with Richard Dembo, Ph.D., she will lead CJM'S Research Team which will coordinate key research activities, including review of pilot projects. The Center will fund three new faculty members in order to conduct significant and innovative research within the area of co-occurring disorders and criminal justice.
Currently, she is Principal Investigator on three grants: (1) Family Dependency Treatment Court,a collaboration involving Hillsborough County Family Dependency Treatment Court (FDTC), a community substance abuse treatment agency, and FMHI. She oversees the coordination of client outcome and process evaluation for an intensive outpatient treatment program utilizing two evidence-based programs (Nurturing Parents and TRIAD) for substance-abusing parents who are involved in the child welfare system; (2) Adult Drug Court Women Empowered and Coping with Addiction to Narcotics (WeCan!), a partnership between Pinellas County Adult Drug Court, two local substance abuse agencies, and FMHI. Dr. Moore coordinates the client outcome and process evaluation for an outpatient treatment program that is providing cognitive-behavioral therapy/motivational enhancement therapy (CBT/MET) to female offenders involved in drug court whose primary drug of choice is prescription drug use; and (3) Medication-Assisted Treatment Drug Treatment Program (MATDTP), a collaboration involving Hillsborough County Adult Drug Court, a behavioral health treatment agency (DACCO), and FMHI. Dr. Moore coordinates the client outcome and process evaluation for this outpatient and residential treatment program that is providing several evidence-based models including Global Assessment of Individualized Needs, medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction, and the Matrix Model. She also serves as the Co-PI and Evaluator on three other SAMHSA-funded grants: (1) Hillsborough Assertive Community Treatment, a five-year project assessing an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) approach for homeless individuals diagnosed with severe mental illness; (2) Hillsborough County Jail Diversion, a three-year grant assessing a forensic intensive case management (FICM) approach for adults with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders diverted from jail into treatment; and (3) Charlotte County Home 2 Recovery, a five-year initiative providing integrated services for homeless adults with severe mental illness using an ACT model.
Secretary Shevaun Harris
Florida Department of Children and Families
Shevaun Harris joined the Department of Children and Families as the Secretary in February 2021 after a nearly two decade career at the Agency for Health Care Administration.
Prior to joining DCF, Secretary Harris served as Acting Secretary at the Agency for Health Care Administration, where she was responsible for administering the Florida Medicaid program and regulating over 40,000 licensed health care facilities in the state. She also led the Agency's COVID-19 efforts in partnership with other state agencies and essential health care providers. Secretary Harris has held positions in the health and human services field, providing services to children and adults diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and children receiving services in an inpatient psychiatric program. During her tenure at the AHCA, Secretary Harris led the development of all Medicaid policies and implementation of the agency’s quality improvement initiatives with particular focus on perinatal and behavioral health outcomes.
Secretary Harris is an innovator, spearheading the development of the State’s Canadian Prescription Drug Importation program. She has led several major implementations and served as the lead negotiator for multi-billion-dollar contracts under the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program.
Joining DCF in early 2021, Secretary Harris has made holistic care for families a priority by strategically working to integrate systems and services. In September 2021, she joined First Lady Casey DeSantis in launching Hope Florida – A Pathway to Prosperity, a personalized approach to helping families overcome barriers to self-sufficiency through community collaboration. Secretary Harris continues to drive innovative prevention and early intervention efforts through the work of the Department and community partners.
She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in social work from the Florida State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Quinnipiac University.
Secretary Jason Weida
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration
Jason Weida is Secretary at the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Previously, he served as Chief of Staff at the Agency, where he coordinated Medicaid and health care regulation policy with other state agencies, the legislature, and the federal government. Secretary Weida also served as the Assistant Deputy Secretary for Medicaid Policy & Quality at AHCA, where he was responsible for the development, coordination, and implementation of Medicaid policy, and oversaw the quality of Florida’s Medicaid program.
Before his time at AHCA, Jason Weida served as a lawyer in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), where he was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Boston, Massachusetts, and a counsel in DOJ’s Office of Legal Policy in Washington, DC. In his roles at DOJ, he coordinated closely with law enforcement partners, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. He has overseen numerous investigations and led trial teams in a range of litigation matters, including jury trials. Specific to healthcare, he oversaw drug diversion investigations of doctor’s offices, pharmacies, and hospitals. In one matter, he led a year-long investigation of a Massachusetts hospital and its head pharmacist. Jason also defended the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in several healthcare litigation matters, including regulatory challenges, Medicare appeals, and medical malpractice claims against federally funded community health centers and officers in the Commissioned Corp of the U.S. Public Health Service who serve in agencies across the federal government. He also defended the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in medical malpractice actions against providers.
Jason Weida has extensive experience working on Article III judicial nominations. In 2018, he served on a secondment to DOJ’s Office of Legal Policy (OLP) to assist in the confirmation of Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh to be as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. For his role, in 2019, he received the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service, DOJ’s second-highest award for employee performance. In 2019, he served on a detail to OLP, where he worked on policy initiatives and judicial nominations.
Before entering public service, Jason Weida practiced law at Jones Day and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. He earned a B.A., magna cum laude with Departmental Honors, from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania and a J.D., with Honors, from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He is an Eagle Scout.
Clara Reynolds
Governor Appointee
Clara Reynolds is the President and CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay (Crisis Center). For more than forty years, the Crisis Center has been providing services to individuals and families who suffer distress from serious life crisis. Mrs. Reynolds leads a staff of over 220 employees and over 100 volunteers who responds to over 160,000 requests for help every year. Crisis services are provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Crisis Center is a community leader in the implementation of Trauma Informed Care both in service delivery and in organizational culture. As an integral component of Hillsborough County's system of care, the agency provides a wide range of programs/services. The services of the Crisis Center are based on successful national, evidence-based models or certified programs.
Mrs. Reynolds is also the co-founder and former executive director for Success 4 Kids & Families, a non-profit corporation that embraces system of care values and principles to provide children and their families with a comprehensive array of services. Additionally, she was the Project Manager for the Multiagency Network for Severely Emotionally Disturbed Children/Youth (SEDNET) for Hillsborough County Public Schools. She was a school social worker from 1995 97 for the Youth Services Program of the Hillsborough County Public Schools and has worked as a Child Protective Investigation intern for the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services in the State of Florida.
Dr. Kelly Gray-Eurom, M.D.
Governor Appointee
Kelly Gray-Eurom, M.D., M.M.M., FACEP, is assistant dean for quality and safety at the University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville and chief quality officer for UF Health Jacksonville. In addition, she is a professor and director of business operations for the department of emergency medicine.
Gray-Eurom is board-certified in emergency medicine. She received her medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine, and earned a Master of Medical Management degree from Tulane University. She completed her internship and residency in emergency medicine at the UF College of Medicine - Jacksonville in 1996, and joined UF as a faculty physician upon completion. She was promoted to associate professor and associate chair in 2008, was named CQO in 2014 and promoted to the rank of professor in 2015.
She is past-president of the Florida College of Emergency Physicians and past-president of the UFCOMJ Faculty Council, and was selected for the Fellows Program for America's Essential Hospitals in 2017.
Chief Judge Mark Mahon
Governor Appointee
Chief Judge Mark Mahon is a native of Jacksonville and a third generation attorney. He graduated from Florida State University in 1978 with a degree in business and from Florida State University law school in 1981. Mahon worked as an Assistant State Attorney from 1981-1984 when he joined the private practice of law with his father Lacy Mahon, Jr. He subsequently practiced law with his father and they were joined in private practice by Russell Healey in approximately 1987. While in private practice, Mahon was named to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and served as chair for two years. He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2000. In 2007, Mahon left the private practice of law and the legislature after being appointed Circuit Court Judge by Governor Charlie Crist. Judge Mahon was elected to serve as Chief Judge of the Fourth Circuit beginning in January 2015.
Larry Rein
Governor Appointee
Larry Rein is currently the CEO and President for ChildNet. He has been the Executive Director of ChildNet Palm Beach County since 2012 and has been with ChildNet since its inception in 2002, when he was named Vice President of Network Development. Larry is a pioneer in Community-Based Care and his expertise and passion lies in effectively engaging and leading the right community partners in the design and execution of effective and comprehensive local service networks. His significant contributions include the crafting of the first Local Interagency Agreement between ChildNet and the Department of Juvenile Justice, which marked the beginning of system enhancements to better serve dually involved youth. Consistent with ChildNet's guiding principle to strengthen and preserve families whenever possible, through Larry's advocacy efforts, ChildNet forged a groundbreaking agreement with the Children's Services Council of Broward County resulting in more than $8 million in funding for prevention and diversion services. He has also engaged existing child welfare service providers and attracted new ones to substantially expand local service capacity, in particular, significantly increasing the local inventory of foster homes, group homes and relative caregivers and developing new behavioral health and family strengthening programs that seek to either prevent unnecessary removals or facilitate more timely and stable reunifications for families where there has already been a removal.
Larry is an active and engaged member and chair of several local child advocacy and behavioral health boards and committees. He serves as the Chair of the Palm Beach County Circuit 15 Local Interagency Review Team and has been elected Board Secretary and Audit Committee Chair for the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network, the local managing entity for substance abuse and mental health. Larry is the Chair of the Screening and Assessment for Family Engagement, Retention, and Recovery (SAFERR) Committee, as well as a member of Circuit 15's Crossover Committee and the Palm Beach County Community Alliance. Larry has also served as the Chair of the Florida Coalition for Children/Florida Department of Children & Families Crossover Youth Workgroup and as a member of the Youth Symposium Program Evaluation Workgroup and the Advisory Board for the Children's Services Administration of Broward County. Larry has been recognized for his work in the community with awards that include Children's Consortium 2002 Heart Award for Exemplary Service and the Mental Health Association of Broward County's 2000 Exceptional People Impacting the Community (EPIC) Award. Larry received his Bachelor's Degree from Columbia University and his Master of Science Degree in School Psychology from St. John's University.
Rep. Christine Hunschofsky
Speaker of the House Appointee
Hunschofsky grew up in Boston, and graduated from Boston University with a focus on Business Administration and Philosophy. After Moving to Parkland, Hunschofsky became involved with the community. She was a member of the Parkland Education Advisory Board for 7 years, wrote for Parkland Life Magazine, and was involved with the Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church.[3] She was elected City Commissioner in 2012 with 84 percent of the vote, and in 2016 ran for Mayor of Parkland and won with 76 percent of the vote.[3]
In 2020 she ran for Kristin Jacobs' vacated Florida House District 96 seat, receiving an endorsement from 2020 Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg,[4] as well as local officials such as Florida Senator Kevin Rader and Representatives Dan Daley, Michael Gottlieb, and Tina Polsky, in addition to many other Florida politicians, including many mayors.[5] She also received an endorsement from Fred Guttenberg, the father of one of the Parkland Shooting victims, who praised Hunschofsky for being "truly there for our community" and working "tirelessly to guide our city through its darkest days."[5] She won the primary election with 72.2% of the vote to her opponent Saima Farooqui's 20.7%, who also ran against Kristin Jacobs in 2018.[6] Hunschofsky faces no Republican opponent in the general election.
Shawn Salamida
Speaker of the House Appointee
Pensacola, Fla. (July 22, 2019) - Lakeview Center, an affiliate of Baptist Health Care, is pleased to announce a new role for Shawn Salamida previous president of FamiliesFirst Network. Salamida recently transitioned to the role of president of the Behavioral Health division.
In his new role, Salamida is responsible for inpatient, outpatient, day treatment, case management, residential, and specialty service lines which treat more than 36,000 people each year, primarily in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Some services also are available in Okaloosa and Dade counties. He is responsible for a budget of more than $85 million dollars.
For approximately 30 years Salamida has helped children and families throughout the state of Florida for which he has received accolades for his innovative approaches. For instance, in 2015 the Florida Coalition for Children presented Shawn with the Champion for Children award, and in 2014 he was awarded the Executive Leadership Award by the Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families for “unwavering support, partnership and advocacy. In 2019 Shawn was awarded the Advocate of the Year PACE Award by the Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce for seizing every opportunity to help mistreated children who have been removed from their homes.”He holds a master's degree in mental health counseling from Rollins College, and a bachelor's degree in mental health and human services from Franciscan University.
Ann Berner
Speaker of the House Appointee
Since 2012 Ann Berner has been the CEO for Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network, Inc., the managing entity for Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St Lucie Counties under the Department of Children & Families. She is responsible for overseeing $80 million budget annually for publicly funded substance use and mental health services. Ann is a long-time resident of the Treasure Coast and a graduate of the University of Central Florida. With over 20 years' experience with DCF in various leadership positions, she developed substantial experience working with law enforcement, mental health, substance abuse, foster care, adult protective services, and cross-systems collaboration. She has a deep knowledge of the history of mental health services in the State of Florida and is well-versed in the financial and budgetary matters involved on both the private and public sides at the local, state, and federal levels.
Melissa Larkin-Skinner
Speaker of the House Appointee
Melissa Larkin-Skinner, regional CEO in Florida, has been named to the Direct Support Organization for the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking by Florida House Speaker Jose R. Oliva. A licensed mental health counselor with 25 years of experience in mental health and addiction prevention and treatment, Melissa has worked with children and adults of all ages in diverse programs including inpatient, outpatient, crisis intervention, intensive community-based and child welfare. She has designed and operated innovative programs to meet community needs, including the first children's Community Action Treatment (CAT) team in 2004. CAT has been adopted as Florida's statewide model serving youth who are struggling with severe mental health, behavioral and co-occurring disorders, along with their families.
Melissa regularly provides state and federal policy feedback and engages in legislative advocacy as a mental health and addiction subject-matter expert in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. She has led Centerstone in the rapid expansion of treatment services for individuals fighting opioid addiction, including Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in hospital, clinic and jail-based sites. She currently serves as the only behavioral health provider on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission.
Her appointment is effective immediately and expires October 24, 2021.
The International Labor Organization estimates that there are 20.9 million victims of trafficking around the world. Domestically, Florida ranks third in the nation in the number of calls to the national Human Trafficking Hotline.
Richard Weisberg
President of the Senate Appointee
Rich Weisberg is the President and Financial Advisor of Weisberg Wealth Management, a branch that strives to deliver exceptional financial services. With a focus on providing a quality client service experience, Rich brings a strong work ethic and unwavering commitment to accessibility in his role as a financial advisor.
Placing the interests of his clients ahead of all else, Rich ensures that their financial goals and aspirations take center stage. He specializes in both retirement plans on the institutional side and personal finances of both working professionals and retired individuals. With his extensive knowledge and experience, he guides his clients towards sound financial decisions and helps them navigate complex financial landscapes.
Rich's expertise in retirement planning is showcased by his Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist™ designation, which exemplifies his deep understanding of the intricacies involved in helping individuals prepare for their post-work years. A graduate of The Ohio State University, Rich earned a Bachelor of Science degree before embarking on a successful career in the financial industry.
Prior to his current position, Rich held prominent roles at Merrill Lynch and UBS Financial Services, including senior vice president wealth management, wealth advisor, senior retirement plan consultant, and endowment and foundation consultant. These roles allowed him to hone his skills and gain invaluable insights into the diverse needs of his clientele.
On a day-to-day basis, Rich meets with clients to discuss the ins and outs of their financial plans, diligently working towards their financial well-being. His dedication extends beyond regular office hours, as he willingly accommodates the needs of his clients in different time zones, scheduling meetings as early as 5:30 in the morning or after hours.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Rich is an active member of his community and deeply invested in making a positive impact. He has served on the boards of the Ohio State University Alumni Association, the Economic Development Council of Collier County, The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, and the Chabad of Naples. He is also a graduate of Leadership Collier Class of 2017. Currently, Rich is on the Advisory Council of the STARability Foundation and serves as a Commissioner for the State of Florida for Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
When he's not assisting clients or engaging in community service, Rich indulges in his hobbies, which include weightlifting, boating, and traveling. These activities provide him with the perfect balance to rejuvenate and pursue his passion for staying physically active and exploring new places.
Rich has been a resident of Naples, Florida since 1989 and shares his life with his loving wife Adrianne. He considers himself a devoted family man and cherishes the moments spent with his three children, Catlyn, Chloe, and Elizabeth.
With his unwavering dedication to his clients' financial success, his extensive experience, and his active involvement in the community, Rich strives to be a trusted advisor and advocate, guiding individuals and institutions towards a prosperous future.
Raymond James is not affiliated with the above organizations and/or charitable causes.
Lee Fox
President of the Senate Appointee
Lee Fox is a Care Coordinator for the David Lawrence Center for Behavioral Health (DLC) in Naples, Florida, where she focuses on helping ensure individuals undertaking lasting recovery, sobriety and rehabilitation have access to the transformative care they need and deserve through trauma-informed, recovery-oriented systems of care. Over the last 50 years, DLC has become renowned for providing comprehensive and innovative mental health and substance use treatment services for adults, children and families.
Born in the north of England, Lee Fox moved to the USA as a teenager. She earned a B.A. in Sociology and French from Indiana University and her Master’s in International Communication and International Relations from Boston University. After a successful early career in global marketing communications, Lee has devoted the last decade leveraging her lived experience to help those struggling with substance use and mental health challenges. As a national certified peer specialist and certified trauma responsive care professional, she has worked in direct care with adult clients in problem solving courts, intensive outpatient (IOP), DCS, homeless outreach (HOT), assertive outpatient (AOT), hospital bridge, diversion, faith-based recovery programs, and residential substance use treatment.
Prior to relocating to Florida, Lee’s recovery work in the Cincinnati Tri-State region earned her the 2020 Women of Distinction Award from Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce. She has served as a Board member of Citizens Against Substance Abuse (CASA), Chair of Procter & Gamble’s International Transferee organization (PGITI), and co-founder of the Faith Response Network.
She is an accomplished long-distance runner and continues to compete in the Abbott World Marathon Majors Championship. She is married with three children and lives in Estero, Florida.
Richard Duggan
President of the Senate Appointee
Rick Duggan, Ed.S, MSW, BCBA, has dedicated his career to improving the lives of individuals with severe emotional, behavioral, and developmental disabilities. Since 1997, he has been a valuable member of the Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) community. With a strong background in both clinical and educational roles, Mr. Duggan's expertise spans various areas, making him a respected leader in the field.
In 2010, Mr. Duggan transitioned into a district administrative role in educational leadership, and he currently serves as the Executive Director of Exceptional Education and Student Support Services at CCPS. In this position, he leads a dynamic team responsible for overseeing all special education, mental health, and health and nursing services within the school district. His team comprises twenty-five behavior analysts (BCBA; BCaBA), twenty-seven licensed mental health professionals (LMHP; LCSW), and over seventy school health providers (Registered Nurses; Health Clinic Assistants). Under his guidance, this dedicated group delivers vital supervision, professional development, and support to ensure the well-being of the students they serve.
Mr. Duggan's early experiences in community mental health profoundly influenced his career trajectory. While pursuing his master's degree, he worked as a psychiatric technician at Collier County's Baker Act receiving facility, The David Lawrence Center. In this role, he gained invaluable insights into the complexities of mental health issues. Over the years, he held several roles within the organization, including discharge planner, clinician for children's residential treatment, and outpatient clinician for adults dealing with complex mental health concerns and substance abuse issues. His comprehensive understanding of the pressing need for mental health services in Collier County inspired the school district to collaborate with the David Lawrence Center and the Collier County Sheriff's Department, leading to the establishment of the Collier County Mental Health Workgroup in October 2014. Mr. Duggan played a significant role in this initiative, which began with only three members and has since grown to include over seventy active participants. This workgroup has been instrumental in addressing the significant rise in mental health needs over the past decade.