By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Franklin County, MA) Nick Fleisher, Vice President of Community Based Services at Clinical & Support Options, has announced his retirement after 16 years. CSO is the sole state contracted Medicaid provider for mental health services in Franklin and Hampshire County. CSO handles nearly 5,200 mental health and stabilization cases each year.
Fleisher joined CSO in 2004, overseeing the expansion of the agency’s emergency services and the Department of Mental Health and Respite, as well as the Clubhouse program, Fleisher also helped to develop and expand Adult Peer Services at CSO.
“My pre-graduate experience working at a state hospital for children in Waltham shaped my interest in de-institutionalization and non-violent crisis intervention,” said Fleisher.
Fleisher served as the community liaison to partners such as Baystate Franklin Medical Center, local police departments, and Cooley Dickinson Hospital.
“All our growth was community based. I was exhilarated to be doing more in the community and to participate in statewide initiatives,” said Fleisher.
Jennifer LaRoche will be replacing Fleisher in his position. LaRoche has experience in inpatient, outpatient, and prison mental health and has served as Regional Director for Beacon Health Options, Director of Provider Services for Optum, and has been an adjunct faculty member at Boston University School of Social Work.
“The only real consolation here, with the departure of such a skilled and experienced figure in the region’s emergent care system, is that his replacement is so thoroughly qualified,” said Karin Jeffers, President and CEO of CSO.
CSO Crisis Services can be reached in Franklin and Hampshire Counties and the North Quabbin region by calling (413) 586-5555 in Hampshire County, (413) 774-5411 in Franklin County, and (978) 249-3141 in the North Quabbin Area.