Howard Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Deanna Ryerson, PhD, as director of crisis, following a competitive search and selection process. Ryerson will oversee Howard Center’s newly integrated 24/7 mobile crisis service, First Call for Chittenden County, as well as Howard Center’s crisis stabilization programs, serving adults, children, and families. She received her PhD from the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University.
Catherine Simonson, Howard Center chief client services officer, says, “We are delighted to welcome Deanna—her experience, expertise, and leadership will be a tremendous asset to our crisis services as we serve members of our community when they are most in need.”
Ryerson is a licensed clinical psychologist with a passion for crisis work, matched by strong organizational leadership experience, including overseeing large crisis systems and integration efforts. She comes to Howard Center from Northeast Colorado, where she was the director of crisis response for the Northeast Region of the statewide crisis system, Colorado Crisis Services. She was responsible for a 12-county area and worked closely with three community mental health centers to provide crisis intervention, response, triage, and stabilization services for all ages, 24/7.
Ryerson has experience working with adults and youth, and one of her recent projects included participating in a state pilot system to develop best practices for integrating community intellectual and developmental disability services and behavioral health crisis response systems. She brings her commitment to working with individuals, families, and community partners and says, “I am thrilled to be here in Vermont, and it’s a privilege to join the strong and committed team at Howard Center.”
Anyone experiencing a crisis may contact First Call for Chittenden County at 802-488-7777.
Howard Center’s 24/7/365 crisis and stabilization programs serve all Chittenden County residents—children, adults, and families. First Call for Chittenden County, Howard Center’s mobile crisis service relies on one team and one number, 802-488-7777, to meet the needs of those in crisis. Clinicians offer phone support, intervention, in-person assessment, and referrals. First Call also partners with schools, police, medical and mental health providers, and others to meet the crisis and stabilization needs of individuals and families, and clinicians are available following a community tragedy to provide suicide prevention and police response trainings.
Last year, Howard Center helped 16,000 people in over 60 locations and four counties with their mental health, substance use, and developmental needs. Howard Center is a funded agency of the United Way of Northwest Vermont. www.howardenter.org. Help is here.