DANVILLE — Beth Knecht was recently named the Executive Director for the Vermilion County 708 Mental Health Board.
According to a release from Russell Hiatt, Chairman of the Vermilion County Mental Health 708 Board, “Knecht has extensive experience in working with services that administer to mental health needs of our community.’’
Knecht recently served as the Executive Director of the Hoopeston Multi Agency for the last eight years.
“Beth’s leadership and administrative skills expanded and stabilized the agency’s viability in the Hoopeston area,’’ the release states. “In addition to her work with the Hoopeston Multi Agency, Beth was also the administrator of the Vermilion County Mental Health First Aid Grant where she served as a mental health first aid instructor. Beth has been a Mental Health First Aid Instructor for the last 10 years training nearly 5,000 individuals in either the youth or adult curriculum. Beth will continue facilitating these trainings in her new role.’’
Before becoming the Executive Director of the Hoopeston Multi Agency, Knect worked with Aunt Martha’s in Danville, training individuals in mental health first aid and worked crisis intervention. Knecht has experience with the you after 21 years as an elementary school teacher in Attica, Ind.
“The Vermilion County Mental Health 708 has gained respect from our peers, the various social service agencies and private service providers attending to mental health issues,’’ the release states. “There has been substantial quantified success in meeting the mental health needs of the people in our area. The services supported by the 708 board have expanded over the years thanks to the commitment of the Vermilion County Board.
“We are excited to incorporate the talent and expertise of Beth’s experience to lead the Vermilion County Mental Health 708 Board into the future as we continue to aggressively address and administer to mental health needs of our communities.’’