Howard Center Executive Director Bob Bick recently has announced several staff appointments which will more fully integrate client services and promote an organizational multi-disciplinary team approach designed to enhance service to our clients and community.
Most notable are the appointments of two long-term staff, Catherine Simonson and Marie Zura, to the positions of Chief Client Services Officers. Simonson has served as the Director of Howard Center Child, Youth, and Family Services for the past 21 years. In her new position as one of the agency’s two Chief Client Services Officers, Simonson will oversee existing child and adult mental health services and substance abuse services. Zura, the current Director of Developmental Services, has served the agency for 25 years and will oversee services and programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities and autism. As a team they will be creating a more seamless, accessible, sustainable, and client-focused system.
In addition, Dr. Sandra Steingard, a 20-year employee and Howard Center’s former Medical Director, will become the organization’s Chief Medical Officer.
Debbie Mintz, currently the Director of Organizational Development and Planning, has worked at Howard Center in various capacities throughout the past 10 years. She will assume the role of Chief Organizational Development Officer and will lead and coordinate communication, planning, and organizational and financial development for the organization.
Charlotte McCorkel, who has worked as part of the First Call for Families and Children crisis team since 2008 and as the program’s Director since 2013, will assume the responsibilities of Director of Crisis Integration and will lead the process of coordinating all Howard Center crisis services.
Beth Goss has worked at Howard Center for 24 years, most recently as the Director of Family and Community Programs. In her new role as Clinical Director of Developmental Services, Goss will provide clinical oversight to clients with intellectual disabilities and autism.
Howard Center offers life-saving professional crisis and counseling services to children and adults; supportive services to individuals with autism and developmental disabilities who need help with education, employment, and life maintenance skills; counseling and medical services for those struggling with substance use disorders, and intensive interventions and supports for adults with serious and persistent mental health challenges. Last year we helped more than 16,000 people. Howard Center is a funded agency of the United Way of Chittenden County.