CBHC names new Chief Executive Officer

Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council has hired Doyle Forrestal as its new Chief Executive Officer. Forrestal succeeds George DelGrosso, who is retiring after serving as CEO of the statewide membership organization for Colorado’s network of community behavioral health providers since 2001. Forrestal will start on July 1, 2015.

Forrestal has nearly 20 years’ experience guiding, developing and implementing legislative strategy and policy at the federal level, and with state legislatures, business and healthcare communities.   She served as the CBHC Director of Public Policy/Lobbyist prior to joining the U.S, Department of Health and Human Services as the Regional Outreach Specialist in 2010. She currently serves as the Executive Officer/Senior Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist.

“I am excited to join such a remarkable team and to have the great fortune to work alongside such talented and dedicated people,” said Forrestal. “With the rapid changes in the health delivery system and new opportunities in behavioral health, physical health and wellness, I look forward to contributing to the vision of those leading community-based behavioral and physical healthcare services in Colorado.”

DelGrosso retires in August 2015. During his 14 year tenure, he became widely known in Colorado as the “go-to” spokesperson on behavioral health issues; a tireless advocate for the expansion of high quality community-based services; and a leader in the design of integrated healthcare. The National Council for Behavioral recently honored him with one of two national visionary leadership awards in the behavioral health industry. The award celebrates Mr. DelGrosso’s career contributions in the field, including advocacy for extensive adoption of the Mental Health First Aid program to fight the stigma associated with mental illness and addictions in Colorado, and tireless promotion of behavioral health as a critical component of health care.

The Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council (CBHC) is the statewide membership organization for Colorado’s network of community behavioral health providers. CBHC members consist of 27 individual behavioral healthcare entities that include the 17 Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs), two specialty clinics -Asian Pacific Development Center and Servicios de la Raza, the four (4) Managed Service Organizations (MSOs), and the five (5) Behavioral Health Organizations (BHOs). CBHC members provide a network of skilled therapeutic and community resources to meet the behavioral health needs of all Colorado residents and their families so that all can have equal and full access to a quality of life. Throughout Colorado, thousands of individuals once isolated and disabled by mental health and substance abuse problems, are now leading productive, satisfying lives.