Burlington, VT— Howard Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Beth Holden, MS, LCMHC, LADC, as Chief Client Services Officer following a competitive national search. Holden is Howard Center’s current Director of Home and Community Services, providing leadership and ensuring clinical best practices in a range of programs serving children and families. In her new role, Holden will oversee Howard Center’s full range of more than 50 programs and services.
Howard Center CEO Bob Bick says, “In her 30 years here at Howard Center Beth has earned a reputation as an inspiring leader who is absolutely committed to the people we serve. I’m so pleased that she’ll be taking on this new role to continue our shared work ahead.
Holden joined the Howard Center staff in 1992 as a mobile crisis clinician and has held leadership positions in several Howard Center substance use and mental health programs. She is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. She holds a Master’s degree from the University of Vermont.
Holden succeeds Howard Center’s current Chief Client Services Officer Catherine Simonson who joined the agency in 1994. Among Simonson’s accomplishments is the expansion of Howard Center’s School Services Program from a team of 4 in 1994, to today’s team of 61 Masters level clinicians and 5 interns working in 50 schools. In April she was honored with the 2022 KidSafe Collaborative Lifetime Achievement Award.
With a staff of more than 1,600 in 60+ locations, Howard Center is the state’s designated agency for Chittenden County and the largest community-based agency in the state. Holden joins Howard Center’s executive leadership team, providing vision and oversight of programming serving more than 19,000 people each year. In addition to working with Howard Center’s board, leadership, and staff, Holden will work with a broad array of key stakeholders and community partners on the local, state, and national level.
Holden says, “I’m deeply committed to the critical work we do at Howard Center and am thrilled to assume this new role to lead client services. I look forward to working collaboratively with our staff, leadership, board, and community partners to ensure Howard Center continues to meet the needs of our clients and their families in an evolving healthcare landscape.”
Holden will begin as Howard Center’s Chief Client Services Officer on December 3, 2022.
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ABOUT HOWARD CENTER: Howard Center has a long and rich history as a trusted provider in the community. With a legacy spanning more than 150 years, we have been providing progressive, compassionate, high-quality care and supports to those in need. Today, we offer an array of exemplary mental health, substance use, and developmental services across the lifespan. As Vermont’s largest social service organization, our 1,600 staff help more than 19,000 people each year in over 60 locations throughout Vermont in collaboration with hundreds of community partners. Howard Center’s 24/7/365 crisis service, First Call for Chittenden County, is available to meet the needs of Chittenden County children, adults, and families in crisis by calling 802-488-7777. www.howardcenter.org. Help is here. A United Way of Northwest Vermont Funded Agency.