The Colusa County Board of Supervisors and department heads on Tuesday gave a standing ovation to Interim Behavioral Health Director Noel O’Neil, who attended his last board meeting before he hands over the reins to incoming permanent Director Tony Hobson on June 1.
In the 16 months that O’Neil led the department, while helping Colusa County recruit a permanent director, the Behavioral Health Department initiated the No Place Like Home affordable housing project, reestablished Safe Haven Wellness Center in a new permanent location, organized a Youth Center, which will soon be up and operational at its own location, aided the county in purchasing a congregate facility for committed individuals with serious behavioral health needs, and provided more mental health services in jail, schools, and in the community.
“I cannot thank Noel enough for the fine work he has done with the support of this board during his time here,” said Chief Administrative Officer Wendy Tyler. “I will be forever grateful to him for taking my call.”
O’Neil thanked the board for the opportunity to end his career serving the citizens of Colusa County. He served previously and retired as Director of Trinity County Behavioral Health and also served as chairman of the California Behavioral Health Planning Council.