New Director of Behavioral Health Services Announced

Community Health Connections (CHC) welcomes Julia Shirk Williams, LMHC, as the organization’s newest Director of Behavioral Health Services.  Ms. Williams was chosen for the position for her significant leadership, management, mentoring skills and extensive clinical background.

Before joining CHC’s staff, Ms. Williams was the Director of Outpatient Services – Community Services and Partial Hospitalization Programs at Lowell Treatment Center.  There she was responsible for the clinical, managerial and financial oversight of its behavioral health practitioners, Case Management, Therapeutic Monitoring, In-Home Therapy, the Family Stabilization Team, and Community Support Services.   Previously Ms. Williams worked for Eliot Community Human Services, The Children’s Room, The Gifford School, Acton Cooperative School, and the Parental Stress Line developing strategies, providing support and directly engaging clients of all ages in behavioral health treatment.

Ms. Williams holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.  She also is a Certified Paralegal/Legal Assistant and describes herself as a “curious, life-long learner”.

Community Health Connections is the federally-qualified health center serving the communities of North Central Massachusetts.  It provides primary medical, dental, behavioral health, optometry and substance abuse treatment services, for all ages, and accessible to anyone regardless of income or insurance status.  Sites include Fitchburg Community Health Center, Greater Gardner Community Health Center, and Leominster Community Health Center and ACTION Community Health Center.  CHC also provides preventive dental services at more than 55 schools in the region through its Caring For Kids program.  More information may be found on the website www.chcfhc.org or by calling 978-878-8100.