The department has continued to expand and offer new programming to meet the growing needs of behavioral health services in Chautauqua County.

The newly appointed deputy director of Community Mental Hygiene Services is Trish McClennan. She joined the department in the fall after serving as the director of behavioral health services for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Chautauqua, formerly WCA Hospital, for the last two decades. The deputy director supports the director of Community Mental Hygiene Services and serves as second in command when the director is not available.

McClennan, who completed her higher education in North Carolina, received her Bachelor of Art 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 Art in Mental Health and Agency Counseling. McClennan’s postgraduate career has been in hospital settings bringing more than 28 years of experience in intensive inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services to the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene.

Lynn Graziano has accepted the position of clinic director of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT)/Forensics and Mobile Services. She also serves as the coordinator of Cognitive Enhancement Therapy, a community-based form of evidence-based practice designed to help people with schizophrenia and related cognitive disorders improve brain and cognitive development, social cognition and increase vocational capabilities.

Tom Fadale

Graziano has worked for the county since 2005, where she started as a case manager. Most recently, she served as the clinical coordinator of forensics. Graziano grew up in Warren and graduated with her Masters of Social Work from the University of Buffalo. The director position will provide oversight of all mobile, crisis, AOT and forensics services. This position is a direct result of Graziano’s efforts to create alternative supports for those experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

Tom Fadale, named as the program coordinator for the Lead Health Home and Chautauqua County’s adult and children’s Single Point of Access committees, joined the county Mental Hygiene Department in October. Most recently, he served as the assistant principal and technology coordinator at Friendship Central School. Fadale’s career encompasses a variety of public service roles, including that of mobile crisis worker and teacher. Fadale is a native of Jamestown and earned his Bachelors of Arts at the University at Buffalo and his Masters of Science in Education – School Counseling at Saint Bonaventure University. He also holds advanced certificates in Educational Leadership.

The Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene is the Lead Health Home and provides oversight of 13-care management agencies across Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties that deliver the Health Home care management program. Adult SPOA facilitates connection to existing community-based mental health services for individuals with complex and/or chronic mental health disorders. Children’s SPOA(C-SPOA) is intended to help children diagnosed with serious emotional disturbance remain in their community. C-SPOA is available to help individuals up to 21 years of age. Anyone can make a referral into these programs.

“All three of these individuals deserve their new positions,” said Carmelo Hernandez, county director community mental hygiene services. “They are innovative, resourceful and always developing new ways to meet the needs of our clients. Having teammates like Trish, Lynn and Tom, I know that our department is headed in the right direction.”

For more information about the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene and any of its programming, visit chqgov.com/mental-hygiene or search @mentalhygienechq on the internet. To make a referral to the Adult Health Home care management program visit www.hhuny.org or call 1-855-613-7659. To make a referral to SPOA or C-SPOA, visit chqgov.com/mental-hygiene. To reach the Chautauqua County 24/7 Crisis Line call 1-800-724-0461.

Trish McClennan