Bradenton, Fla. — Melissa Larkin-Skinner, Regional Chief Executive Officer for Centerstone was appointed Chair of the Florida Council for Behavioral Health (FCBH) Board. FCBH is the advocacy arm of the Florida Behavioral Health Association (FBHA). Additionally, Larkin-Skinner was appointed as Co-Chair of FBHA.
Larkin-Skinner has 25 years of experience in all aspects of mental health and addiction care. As a licensed mental health counselor, she has worked with children and adults of all ages in diverse treatment programs including inpatient, outpatient, crisis intervention, intensive community-based care and child welfare. She has designed and operated innovative programs to meet community needs such as the Children’s Community Action Treatment Team (CAT) which was adopted as a statewide model of care for Florida’s youth and their families.
A persistent voice bringing attention to the opioid epidemic, she is an authority on the disease of addiction’s devastating effects on communities, regularly providing state and federal policy feedback and engaging in legislative advocacy as a mental health and addiction subject-matter expert in Tallahassee, Florida, and Washington, D.C. She also serves as the sole behavioral health provider on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission. She is a recipient of the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association Administrator of the Year Award for her efforts combating the opioid epidemic. She serves as Chair of the Florida Council for Behavioral Health Board and is co-chair of the Florida Behavioral Health Association.
Larkin-Skinner holds a master’s in healthcare administration from Saint Leo University and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from the University of South Florida.
“I have had the great pleasure of working with Melissa for many years,” Director of Government Relations, Shane Messer, said. “Her tireless work-ethic, determination and drive is inspiring and I am so honored to work alongside her. She has lead our advocacy board, FCBH, flawlessly thus far.”
About Centerstone
Centerstone is a not-for-profit health system providing mental health and substance use disorder treatments. Services are available nationally through the operation of outpatient clinics, residential programs, the use of telehealth and an inpatient hospital. Centerstone also features specialized programs for the military community, therapeutic foster care, children’s services and employee assistance programs. Centerstone’s Research Institute provides guidance through research and technology, leveraging the best practices for use in all our communities. Centerstone’s Foundation secures philanthropic resources to support the work and mission of delivering care that changes people’s lives.
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