February 19, 2015
Council making strides in helping people get treatment, avoid incarceration
Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the reappointments of Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, Joanne Sheldon, of Clark Lake, Anthony Wickersham, of Macomb, and Lynda Zeller, of Lansing, to the Mental Health Diversion Council.
The council is housed within the Michigan Department of Community Health and works to strengthen the state's mental health system. It offers solutions to improve services for Michiganders living with mental health conditions to help ensure better quality of life, safety, and independence.
“The Diversion Council has made great progress in helping Michiganders with mental health issues and developmental disabilities receive the needed treatment instead of incarceration,” Snyder said. “Lt. Gov. Calley and the entire council have been essential to that work and I appreciate their dedication as they continue in their roles.”
Calley will continue to chair the council, which has expanded efforts to help divert those with mental health issues and developmental disabilities from incarceration since its founding in 2013.
Sheldon is health services administrator for the Michigan Department of Corrections. She served as CEO of LifeWays, an enterprise responsible for managing the behavior healthcare needs for Jackson and Hillsdale Counties. Sheldon earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Vermont and a master’s degree in health services administration from the University of Michigan. She continues to serve as the designee of the Department of Corrections.
Wickersham is the Macomb County sheriff. Prior to serving as sheriff, he was the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office chief of staff, administrative captain, lieutenant, sergeant, deputy, and correctional officer. Wickersham earned an associate degree in law enforcement from Macomb Community College and a bachelor’s degree in technical and interdisciplinary studies from Wayne State University. He continues to represent county sheriffs.
Zeller is senior deputy director of the Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration within the Michigan Department of Community Health. She has more than 25 years of experience in mental health, developmental disabilities, and indigent health care. She served in the Michigan Department of Corrections and with the Kent Health Plan Corp. Zeller earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Greenville College and a master’s degree in public administration focusing on health care administration from Western Michigan University. She continues to serve as the designee of the Department of Community Health.
Appointees will serve four-year terms expiring Jan. 30, 2019. Their appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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