COLUSA, CA (MPG) – The Colusa County Board of Supervisors promoted from within Oct. 20, appointing longtime county employee Jeannie Armstrong to lead the Behavioral Health Services Department.
Armstrong was chosen following an outside recruitment that attracted several qualified applicants, county officials said. A panel of behavioral health professionals from other counties evaluated candidates before supervisors interviewed the finalists.
“I’m very honored to be appointed to this position,” Armstrong said. “This county is home. It’s always been home and will be home. And I plan to lead with compassion and purpose.”
County Administrative Officer Joshua Pack recommended Armstrong, explaining that the county wanted to develop its own leadership without overlooking qualified applicants from elsewhere.
“We also want to find people who are best positioned to serve our county and our community and the role in which they play,” Pack said.
Armstrong has served as interim director since Tony Hobson left the county to lead behavioral health services in Butte County. She joined Colusa County in 2013 and advanced to deputy director of Clinical Behavioral Health Services, a position involving department programs, operations and patient care.
A licensed marriage and family therapist, Armstrong previously worked as a clinical program
manager overseeing Mental Health Services Act programs and quality management.
As director, Armstrong will oversee mental health treatment, substance use recovery services, crisis intervention and community outreach. The department serves adults and children and provides counseling, psychiatric medication services and other support for eligible residents.
The job also carries responsibility for managing employees, developing department policies and ensuring programs comply with state and federal requirements.
Armstrong will receive $11,998 per month, or $143,976 annually, under the county’s department head compensation schedule.
Board Chair Merced Corona congratulated Armstrong following her appointment on a unanimous vote. Corona said he has known Armstrong since childhood and expressed confidence in her leadership.
Family members attended the meeting, including Armstrong’s mother, Peggy Scroggins, who served Colusa County for 40 years and ended her career as the elected auditor-controller.