Children’s Center is proud to announce that Executive Director Pat Beckett has been named a 2013 Behavioral Healthcare Champion by Behavioral Healthcare magazine. Ms. Beckett is one of five recipients recognized for the honor in their latest publication.
The awards recognize CEOs and Executive Directors under whose leadership behavioral healthcare organizations (mental health and substance use disorder treatment) are making a difference in the development, delivery, and effectiveness of innovative services and supports for all those who need them.
Pat Beckett received her MSW from the University of Pittsburgh in 1979 and has been a practicing social worker and therapist changing lives in a positive way in Vancouver, WA for over thirty years. She was the first therapist at Children’s Center, she was promoted to the Clinical Director and 11 years ago became the Executive Director. The agency has grown from a staff of two to over 30 full-time staff members and is still growing. A capital campaign to build a larger facility has been launched to ensure that the needs of our community are met today and into the future.
Board President Kate Sacamano said, “The fact that the executive director of Children’s Center has been recognized nationally as a leader in the field of mental health speaks volumes about the quality of services provided by Children’s Center. This important recognition comes at a crucial time for the agency as we are in the process of expanding our footprint. This award truly validates the importance of our efforts and how fortunate we are to have Pat Beckett at the helm.”
All five recipients will be honored at an award ceremony on September 21, 2013 at the Behavior Healthcare Annual Convention in Anaheim, California.