Eric L. Diamond is the new Director of Human Services for Washington County. Diamond will begin the post effective January 1, 2016.
Diamond has been serving as interim director since July and joined the County first as Behavioral Health Manager in April 2013. He was promoted shortly thereafter to Client Services Director.
With roughly 130 employees, over 100 community programs and a 2016 total budget over $21 million, the Human Services Department is the County’s largest department, managing a wide variety of community programs for individuals and families challenged by disability, economic hardship and safety concerns.
The department includes acute care services – crisis intervention team, the children and families division, an economic support division and the behavioral health services division.
“Ensuring access to services that provide for the community’s health and physical well-being is a passion of mine,” Diamond said. “I am very much looking forward to working side-by-side with the dedicated team here in Washington County and community partners as a whole, towards the County’s priorities in an innovative, fiscally responsible and collaborative way.”
Washington County’s Human Services Department has traditionally been a leader in the State of Wisconsin, providing high quality 24/7 mobile crisis services, employment programs, and an array of team-based programming.
“I have been on the Human Services Board since the day Eric started and have been impressed with him from day one,” said Kristine Deiss, Human Services Board Chairperson. “County staff and the judiciary have had nothing but praise for him and I know the department is in good hands. The future looks bright for the department and the department will continue to provide services to those in need in Washington County.”
“Eric is an extremely impressive individual,” added County Administrator, Joshua Schoemann. “He is hardworking, conscientious, and compassionate with a proven track record to implement large projects. Moreover, he shows a true passion for presenting individuals with opportunities to become productive members of society.”
Diamond holds a Masters of Social Work from the University of Montana, a Bachelor of Arts from UW Madison and is a licensed clinical social worker in Wisconsin.
Prior to his work in Washington County, Diamond served as Regional Director of Operations for Community Care, Inc. in Milwaukee and served as Director at a mental health center in Montana.