Trish McClennan

MAYVILLE — Chautauqua County has hired Trish McClennan to serve as the new project director of its Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics.

This position rounds out the leadership team that oversees adherence with its health clinic designation, including collaboration with key stakeholders to achieve program objectives.

McClennan, who completed her higher education in North Carolina, received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Sociology and Christian Education from Lenoir-Rhyne University. She then continued her studies at Appalachian State University where she earned a Master of Arts in Mental Health and Agency Counseling. McClennan’s postgraduate career has been in hospital settings bringing over 28 years of experience in intensive inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services to CCDMH. McClennan has most notably served our community at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Chautauqua, formerly Woman’s Christian Association Hospital for the last two decades. She resigned from the position of Director of Behavioral Health Services to join the team at the county Mental Health Department.

“Our CCBHC clinics are exciting to me as they house an array of services including care coordination, crisis, peer, individual and family,” McClennan said. “Blending mental health, substance use disorder and physical health treatment services allows our community to help people improve their health by making it easier to get into treatment.”

The clinics received Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics status in 2020 from the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA.) Having this designation means that there are national standardized best practices, data collection and specific performance markers monitored to ensure that clinics are providing quality service resulting in good outcomes.

“The clinicians are truly proud of where they work and are fueled by the high level of quality of services they deliver. Having the CCBHC designation is truly important to us all,” McClennan said.

The Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics help to fill service gaps in the existing behavioral health system and work to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of our community members. The clinics are in a unique position to collaborate with community partners and community based organizations to leverage our resources effectively.

Chautauqua County hosts two Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics clinics, one at 200 E. Third St., Jamestown, and 319 Central Ave., Dunkirk, N.Y. To learn more about the services they offer or to schedule an appointment, call the Jamestown Clinic at 716-661-8330 or the Dunkirk Clinic at 716-363-3550.

To learn more about Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics visit omh.ny.gov/omhweb/bho/ccbhc.html. Those who need immediate assistance with a mental health or substance misuse challenge, call the Chautauqua County Crisis Services line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-724-0461.