Press Release: Vermilion County 708 Mental Health Board

From Russell L. Hiatt, Chairman of Vermilion County Mental Health 708 Board

On behalf of the Vermilion County Mental Health 708 Board, it is my honor and pleasure

to welcome Elizabeth (Beth) Bray Knecht as the Executive Director. Beth has extensive

experience in working with services that administer to mental health needs of our

community. Recently serving as the Executive Director of the Hoopeston Multi Agency

for the past 8 years, Beth’s leadership and administrative skills expanded and stabilized

the agency’s viability in the Hoopeston area. In addition to her work with the Hoopeston

Multi Agency, Beth was also the administrator of the Vermilion County Mental Health

First Aid Grant where she served as a mental health first aid instructor. Beth has been a

Mental Health First Aid Instructor for the last ten years training nearly 5,000 individuals

in either the youth or adult curriculum. Beth will continue facilitating these trainings in

her new role.

Prior work experience includes working with Aunt Martha’s, Danville, training individuals

in mental health first aid and worked crisis intervention. In addition, Beth has had

firsthand experience working with youth, having been an elementary teacher for 21

years in the Attica, Indiana School District.

The Vermilion County Mental Health 708 has gained respect from our peers, the various

social service agencies and private service providers attending to mental health issues. 

There has been substantial quantified success in meeting the mental health needs of

the people in our area. The services supported by the 708 board have expanded over

the years thanks to the commitment of the Vermilion County Board. We are excited to

incorporate the talent and expertise of Beth’s experience to lead the Vermilion County

Mental Health 708 Board into the future as we continue to aggressively address and

administer to mental health needs of our communities.