History

Founded in 1979, The College for Behavioral Health Leadership has a proven record of demonstrating the vision to pinpoint cutting-edge issues and support the development of innovative strategies to move the field. We accomplish this by connecting a diverse group of behavioral health stakeholders and nurturing their leadership. The organization’s work has yielded numerous achievements, including the Annapolis Coalition on the Behavioral Health Workforce. Now in its fourth decade, the College is focused on equipping behavioral health leaders for a field that is rapidly changing in extraordinary times. In this role, we are increasingly recognized as the premier think tank for behavioral health leadership and innovations. Behavioral health professionals understand that the most pressing issue in the field relating to consumer and client care is the recruitment and retention of leadership at administrative and clinical levels, which ultimately leads to advances at all levels of care. Our unique mission focuses on leadership, service, and education within the profession as a solution-provider to address this issue.

Guided by our members, Board of Directors, and a robust strategic plan, we are committed to expanding our range and diversity of membership experiences, providing peer-to-peer senior and emerging leadership forums, focusing on national issues related to policies and practices, and creating consensus where controversy exists around core issues related to the quality of behavioral health care for individuals, families, and communities.