Local agency announces new board and recognizes community partners and long-serving staff helping to create healthy communities in northeastern Connecticut
Dayville, CT – United Services, Inc., Connecticut’s largest private, nonprofit behavioral health center celebrated its 52nd Anniversary Thursday with its Annual Dinner held at Grill 37 in Pomfret.
United Services President/CEO Diane L. Manning reflected on United Services eventful past year, which included breaking ground on the long-awaited expanded Windham Regional Health and Wellness Center. Located on public transportation routes in Mansfield just over the Windham town line, the new center will offer expanded behavioral health, autism and related wellness services for adults, children and families. The new center is projected to open in early 2018.
“Our Annual Dinner celebrations offer an opportunity to thank our vital community partners and our dedicated staff for their vital roles in our efforts to save and improve the lives of individuals, families and children,” said Manning. “As we work to expand and enhance services for the thousands of Northeast Connecticut residents who visit our centers each year, the support of the community, including our state and federal legislative delegation, is more important than ever.”
United Services outpatient mental health caseload is now 256 percent of what it was less than 10 years ago, yet the agency continues to face funding and program cuts, Manning said.
United Services elected new board leadership for the 2016-17 year as well as one new member Thursday.
United Services’ new Board leadership includes vice chairman John Deary, of Pomfret, and treasurer Anne Konczakowski, of Windham.
Newly elected to the United Services Board of Directors was Sheldon Mossberg, of Columbia. Mossberg is a past board member, serving from 2007 to 2014 and as board chairman from 2012 to 2014.
Returning Board members include chairman Jeffrey Kramer, of Storrs; secretary Romeo Blackmar of Pomfret; Mary Bromm of Ashford; James Clark of Canterbury; Robert Leonard of Dayville; Dr. John Duers of Chaplin; Terri Pearsall of Putnam; Cheryl Lewis of Putnam; Michael Turano of Canterbury; Maximo Garcia of Willimantic; Todd Pearsall of Woodstock; Idun and Preston Green of Windham; and John Fournier of Willimantic.
United Services also honored retiring board members Jeanne Nuhfer of Columbia, who served six years on the board, and Linda Loretz of Ellington, who served as secretary and vice chairman during her nine years of board service.
In addition to the new and returning Board members, United Services President and CEO Diane Manning recognized two community partners whose support over the previous year made a particularly large impact in the programs United Services provides to Northeast Connecticut.
Among those honored were:
- The Women’s Institute for Housing and Economic Development. United Services is proud to partner with The Women’s Institute in the rehabilitation of the former Powdrell & Alexander Mill in Killingly to create 32 units of supportive and affordable housing. Accepting the award were Chief Operating Officer Loni Willey and Senior Finance Development Manager Ellen Flanagan.
- The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, which has been a strong partner to Northeast Connecticut non-profits. Anne Rash, member of the Board of Trustees for the Foundation accepted the award.
United Services staff were honored for their long-standing service to the organization and the residents of Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner.” Celebrating 30 years was Medical Director Dr. Jay Patel. Debora Moyer, program manager for parenting services programs, marked 25 years with the agency. Celebrating 15 years with the agency were Chief Financial Officer Robert DeVerna and Executive Assistant Lydia Gullifer. The agency also honored 6 employees who have been with the agency for 5 and 10 years.
United Services also recognized the retirement of Vice President of Services Earl Henrichon, who has been with the agency for 31 years.
About United Services, Inc.
United Services, Inc. is the most comprehensive behavioral health center in Connecticut, creating healthy communities in the state’s 21 northeasternmost towns for nearly 50 years through psychosocial, mental health and chemical abuse treatment, prevention and education programs. With 12 locations and a staff of over 250, United Services operates more than 30 separate behavioral health programs, including the only domestic violence shelter for women and children in the region. United Services is also the designated Youth Service Bureau in 10 towns within its service area, and its Center for Autism has recently brought specialized treatment and programs for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families to northeastern Connecticut and surrounding areas. United Services, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. To learn more, visit www.UnitedServicesCT.org.