Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery (VAMHAR) has appointed of Daniel Franklin as its new Executive Director, effective November 4th, 2024. A native of Guilford and resident of Craftsbury, Franklin joins VAMHAR from Jenna’s Promise, where he served as COO and Interim Co-Executive Director and played a crucial role in envisioning and implementing the holistic, wraparound model of care known as the “Recovery Village Model”. This model has garnered statewide and national attention as a paradigm- shifting way to create community-level change, to reduce stigma, and to better serve people with trauma, substance use disorders and other barriers in their lives.
Franklin previously served as director of North Central Vermont Recovery Center and as VP for advocacy and community relations at VAMHAR, where his innovative work and leadership in the field and his communities garnered numerous awards including being named a Vermont Business Magazine Rising Star, a Community Prevention Champion, and the Vermont Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Business Wellness Leader.
With extensive experience in advocacy, community engagement, direct service, and program development, Daniel brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for supporting individuals and families affected by mental health challenges and addictions. His work at Jenna’s Promise has been transformative, creating innovative pathways for recovery, promoting stigma reduction, and building partnerships to strengthen the support network for Vermonters.
“We are thrilled to welcome Daniel Franklin as our new Executive Director,” said Havah Armstrong Walther, Chair of the VAMHAR Board. “His proven leadership and dedication to the cause of mental health and addiction recovery make him the ideal person to lead our organization forward. We are confident that under his guidance, VAMHAR will continue to grow its impact and build hope for Vermonters.”
Franklin expressed his excitement about joining VAMHAR, stating, "I am honored and grateful to join an organization and a team that is dedicated to bold and courageous leadership in our field. While we have much to be proud of in our state in terms of the approaches we have championed to save and improve lives, we have much more we can collectively do to build healthier, safer, more connected and prosperous communities. lt's now my calling to help lead VAMHAR into the next chapter to help drive positive change, to forge and strengthen strategic collaborations, to further unite and strengthen the mental health and substance use systems of care and our community of providers, to leverage resources and capacity, and to fiercely advocate for what will make Vermont a better place for everyone."
VAMHAR has a long-standing commitment to promote mental health and recovery services, advocate for system improvements, and provide resources for those affected by mental health challenges and substance use disorders. Daniel’s vision aligns with this mission, and his leadership will be instrumental in guiding VAMHAR’s initiatives and expanding its reach to better serve all Vermonters.
About VAMHAR
The Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery (VAMHAR) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1939, dedicated to improving the well-being of all Vermonters through advocacy, education, and community support. VAMHAR works to create a state in which all communities actively embrace the full spectrum of the human experience with compassion and acceptance, where all pathways to healing are celebrated.
Source: Montpelier, VT, 10/21/2024 – Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery & Recovery Vermont
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