June 5, 2017
 
It is with mixed emotions and a sense of great pride that I am announcing my upcoming retirement from Community Support Services at year's end. After forty-five plus years in the mental health industry, it is time for me to experience the next phase of my life.  I have been absolutely honored to serve at Community Support Services for 29 years as the Chief Operating Officer for 17 years and then the President and Chief Executive Officer for 12 years.  

Throughout my years at Community Support Services, I have seen the organization grow from a staff of approximately 100 to a staff of 260.   I have seen the agency grow from a budget of 4 million dollars to the current budget of 19 million dollars.   During my tenure with CSS, I have had the opportunity to be part of the development and implementation of the organization’s innovative practices, including the first Mental Health Court in Ohio and  the integration of Primary and Behavioral healthcare with the opening of the Margaret Clark Morgan Integrated Care Clinic. Additionally,  the agency was the first in the United States to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) as a Health Home for behavioral health.

Upon my retirement, I am looking forward to continuing to teach part-time, travel, garden, and most importantly, spend time with my wife and children.

While this feels like the end of an era, it is a new opportunity for continued growth for myself and for the organization. The Board of Directors of Community Support Services has contracted with an independent recruitment firm, and they will begin a search for my successor. To ensure a smooth transition, the goal will be to have the new President/Chief Executive Officer in place before the end of the year. In the interim, I will continue to work with the leadership team of Community Support Services to continue to provide life-changing services for persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses. 
I would like to share a poem, written by one of our clients, that was on the front cover of the agency’s 1991 annual report: “Holder of Hope:  We work together toward our goal, reaching upward with hope so bold.  With hope, we learn, taking in knowledge, then we contemplate, until we are ready to sing and fly free.” 

Although I will no longer be directly involved at Community Support Services, I will continue to hold the hope for growth, prosperity, and perseverance. 

Terry Dalton, M.Ed, LSW
President/Chief Executive Officer

If there are any questions regarding Mr. Dalton’s retirement or the recruitment of the successor, please contact Community Support Services, Board Chair, James Pianalto @ jpianalto@ruhlin.com.