FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Contact: Jessica Robinson, (573) 751-0290
Blunt Plans to Appoint Viviano to Mental Health Commission
JEFFERSON CITY—Gov. Matt Blunt announced his plans to appoint Beth L. Viviano to Missouri’s Mental Health Commission.
Viviano, 44 of Fenton, is a lab supervisor in the Washington University Pediatrics Department. She holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Northeast Missouri State University. Viviano is the co-founder of St. Louis Attachment Network, a support group for families and professionals dealing with children with Reactive Attachment Disorder and other related mental disorders.
Viviano is being appointed to fill the expired term of Alan Baumgartner. Viviano’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on June 28, 2009. Viviano will be filling the slot representing consumers or families of consumers of developmental disabilities services.
The Mental Health Commission is made up of seven members. The commission appoints the director of the Department of Mental Health with the appointment subject to Senate confirmation. The commission must consist of an advocate of community mental health services, a physician with expertise in treating mental illnesses, a physician with knowledge of developmental disabilities, a member with a business background, an advocate of substance abuse treatment, a citizen representing consumers or families of consumers of psychiatric services and a citizen representing consumers of developmental disabilities services.
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