The Providence Center Announces Clinical Leadership Reorganization
Four individuals promoted to new leadership positions
January 25, 2011 (PROVIDENCE, RI) – In order to better support innovative client-centered services, The Providence Center (TPC) has reorganized the managerial structure of clinical programs, which has resulted in the promotion to director or associate director of four current Providence Center employees.
“By creating new positions and assigning new responsibilities, we are able to enhance the services we provide our clients, create more seamless connections between services and prepare for future opportunities,” Deborah O’Brien, chief operating officer at The Providence Center, said of the reorganization. “The reorganization also provides opportunities at the staff level. We are excited to provide our clinical leaders with new opportunities.”
Sharon Morello, BSN, R.N., will assume the new role of director of acute care services. As director, Morello will supervise the managers of the Engagement and Diversion Team for seriously mentally ill clients, the 24/7 Emergency Services department, TPC’s Crisis Stabilization Unit, Recovery Services, the Anchor Recovery Community Center, and transition services from prison to the community. Morello has served as the director of residential and intermediate services for the past five years at TPC where she spearheaded programs designed to best meet the needs of people with substance abuse and mental health needs. Morello has worked in behavioral health for more than 20 years, beginning as a behavioral health care nurse. She has served as the director of behavioral medicine at Roger Williams Hospital and was the previous administrator of substance abuse treatment for the Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals for the state of Rhode Island.
Holly Fitting, LCMHC, LCDP, will take on the role of director of Residential and Intermediate Services. Fitting will supervise TPC’s two residential substance abuse programs, seven group homes for adults with serious mental illness, supported housing, intermediate programs and criminal justice programs. In her previous position at TPC as associate director of Community Support, Fitting oversaw The Providence Center’s Community Support Programs for people with serious mental illness, TPC’s Employment and Education services, and InShape, an evidence-based wellness program for people with serious mental illness. Fitting has 17 years of experience working in community behavioral health. She has worked at Northern Rhode Island Community Services as a program manager for their community support program and at East Bay Center as director of adult services, overseeing community support programs, residential services, housing, emergency services, vocational services, and general outpatient service.
Allison Sebastiao, LICSW, will serve in the newly created position of associate director, Wellness, Employment & Network Services. Allison will oversee TPC’s Employment and Education program and InShape, an adult wellness program, in addition to running Fit2BHealthy a children’s obesity program, and working to support children and adolescents with behavioral health problems. Sebastiao’s has worked in behavioral health for more than 10 years. While at The Providence Center, Sebastiao has worked with teens to provide treatment and community linkages to employment and education services, worked as a child and family clinician, spearheaded a wellness program for children and teens with behavioral health problems and managed TPC’s evidence-based Multisystemic Therapy Program for juvenile offenders.
Russ Cooney has been promoted to the position of associate director of Community Support Programs. Cooney’s responsibilities will include overseeing four community support teams for the seriously mentally ill. Cooney has been providing behavioral health services in the community since 1983. For the past 15 years he has managed one of The Providence Center’s Community Support Teams, serving people with serious mental illness through an evidence-based approach to care that brings together a multi-disciplinary team to provide comprehensive services.
The Providence Center is at the forefront of innovative approaches to behavioral health care designed to meet the changing needs of the more than 10,000 people served each year. Since The Providence Center opened its doors in 1969, it has been a community fixture, providing people from all walks of life with mental health and substance use services in their homes, schools and neighborhoods. In addition to comprehensive high-quality behavioral health services, The Providence Center gives people the tools they need to succeed. Through 39 programs and wraparound services including food and housing, job training, legal services, primary health care and wellness activities The Providence Center helps the people we serve succeed. For more information call 401-276-4020.