- Sandra Stephenson -
Ohio Department of Mental Health
Sandra Stephenson currently serves as the Director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health. She entered this position in June, 2007. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Stephenson served as the Executive Director for Southeast, Inc., Recovery & Mental Health Care Services in Columbus, Ohio. She began her employment with Southeast, Inc. in 1983 as the Clinical Director and Associate Executive Director and became Executive Director in 1987.
Ms. Stephenson received her education from Ohio State University, graduating with a B.S.S.W. in Social Welfare from the College of Social Work in 1974, a Master of Social Work with Clinical and Planning Majors from the College of Social Work in 1975, and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from the Administrative Sciences Department in 1980. While at Ohio State, Ms. Stephenson graduated Summa Cum Laude with her bachelor’s degree; she was also the recipient of a Merit Scholar Award and selected for membership in Phi Kappa Phi, The Ohio State University Chapter, as well as being named a “Pace-Setter” in Administrative Sciences.
Ms. Stephenson has served in the following additional capacities: Board Member of PLAN of Central Ohio, Board Member of the Ohio Association of Behavioral Healthcare Management, Board Member of the Ohio Council of Behavioral Healthcare Providers and member of the Ohio Council of Behavioral Healthcare Policy Committee. Ms. Stephenson continues to serve as Chairwoman of the Mental Health/Chemical Dependency/Mental Retardation Advisory Committee at Columbus State Community College.
Ms. Stephenson has received many honors and awards recognizing her efforts. To name a few, since 1985, she has received numerous Certificates of Appreciation for service from the Ohio Council of Community Mental Health Agencies; and in 1993, she received the “Outstanding Leadership as President” award from the Ohio Council of Community Mental Health Agencies. Ms. Stephenson was selected as the 1998 recipient of the “Dr. Norman Guitry Award” from the Mental Health Association of Franklin County. More recently, she was the 2006 recipient of the “Hero” Award from the Community Shelter Board of Franklin County, the “Above and Beyond Award” presented by The Ohio Cluster-Based Planning Alliance—Synthesis Inc.;the Ohio Council of Behavioral Healthcare Provider, Inc.; and the “Activist and Visionary of the Year” from the Mental Health Court of Franklin County.
Ms. Stephenson holds the following licenses: State of Ohio Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), State of Ohio Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC-E), and State of Ohio Medical Board Licensed Massage Therapist (L.M.T.). Ms Stephenson also holds a Certification in the use of (auricular) Acupuncture for Substance Abuse, New York State.