MANSFIELD — Sherry Branham-Fonner’s first priority five months ago was keeping the lights on and day-to-day operations going at Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services.
Selected as the agency’s executive director after the November termination of long-time director Joe Trolian, Branham-Fonner was promoted from her associate director’s role by the local mental health board.
Branham-Fonner, meeting Tuesday with Richland County commissioners to accept a proclamation marking May as Mental Health Month, said she and the board have since worked to reorganize the agency’s seven-member staff.
(Below is a PDF of the proclamation issued Tuesday by Richland County commissioners designating May as Mental Health Month.)
“The existing staff members have stepped up and met the need of accomplishing the work we are responsible for,” said Branham-Fonner, who has served the Richland County community for 31 years, with 16 of those years at the mental health agency.
When the board made the decision to terminate Trolian after 16 years as the director, it cited a “neglect of duty and failing to inform the board of underlying interest in contracts and expenditures.”
Branham-Fonner was joined Tuesday by two of her staff members, including Scott Basilone, who began work Monday in a role overseeing programs funded by the agency.
Basilone, with 36 years of previous experience at Richland County Children Services and the Richland County Juvenile Court, will help ensure participating agencies are meeting goals outlined in agency contracts as the manager of clinical programs and services.
“We are going to enhance oversight over the funded programs that we have with our provider agencies and be more cognizant than ever regarding the outcomes that we are getting with the funds that are being being provided to the contract agencies and affiliate agencies,” Branham-Fonner said.
Branham-Fonner was also joined by Carey Vogt, who had the been the agency’s finance manager. She was recently promoted to associate director/chief financial officer.
“She will continue to have oversight over the finances of the board, but she will take on some additional duties of administrative oversight of the agency,” Branham-Fonner said. “She will act as executive director in my absences.
“Carey and Scott have extensive backgrounds and experience in the behavioral health system at this point. I really look forward to the next few months and getting through this first year.
“Every time you have new responsibilities, there’s a bit of a learning curve, but we have gracefully moved through those and with the support of the staff, I think we will continue to provide excellent services and great oversight of the behavioral health system in Richland County,” Branham-Fonner said.
She also pointed to the selection of four new board members, including two who will join in June.
“I think the new composition of the board and their backgrounds will add extensively to efficient operations and decision making,” Branham-Fonner said. “Their education, experience and diversity are so valued.”
(Below is a PDF showing local events taking place during Mental Health Month in late April/May.)
Branham-Fonner went over community activities planned during May related to mental health.
“This celebration is to recognize that people can and do recover from mental illness,” she said.
“We compiled various events throughout the community with our contract and affiliate agencyes,” Branham-Fonner said.
She thanked the trio of commissioners: Cliff Mears, Darrell Banks and Tony Vero.
“We truly appreciate the support that you’ve given us over the years, and more specifically, the last six months,” Branham-Fonner said.
Mears said, “You’re welcome. You provide essential services for the the county. So thank you for all you’ve done and will continue to do.”