Trinity Executives Appointed to State of Illinois Task Forces
NEW LENOX, IL – Trinity Services announced the appointments of Bonnie Hassan and Jennifer Hodges, both senior level Trinity executives, to serve on separate State-run task forces.
Bonnie Hassan, Director of Trinity Outpatient Services, received an appointment to serve on the Suicide Prevention Task Force as a representative from an outpatient behavioral health care organization. Hassan received the appointment from the Illinois Department of Public Health. Hassan’s appointment was effective in September 2024.
The Suicide Prevention, Education, and Treatment Act created the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance (ISPA). The alliance’s purpose is to bring together public and private organizations and stakeholders concerned with mental health to implement the goals and objectives that reduce this tragedy, using a positive, public health approach. Appointed membership represents state agencies, organizations that focus on the prevention of suicide, and the improvement of mental health treatment, suicide survivors, mental health consumers, first responders, researchers, and those representing at-risk populations.
“I am honored to be selected to serve on this task force,” said Hassan. “Many of our programs, particularly in our crisis care system and partnerships with first responders, focus on suicide prevention, increasing support in our community and education regarding mental health crisis.”
Separately, Jennifer Hodges, a Residential Director, received an appointment to serve on the South Suburban Regional Human Rights Authority by the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission. Hodges appointment was effective in September 2024.
The Human Rights Authority is the investigative arm of the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission. The Authority investigates alleged violations of the rights of persons with disabilities by providers of services. A complaint of an alleged violation can come to the Authority in a number of ways: from a service recipient, a staff person at a facility, or another interested party. It might come in the form of a letter, a telephone call or a personal presentation before the regional Authority at one of its public meetings.
“As a disability provider, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to serve in this capacity,” said Hodges. “People with disabilities should have a mechanism for advocacy against right’s violations and the Human Rights Authority has provided this process. Having been selected to provide advocacy and facilitate change is very important to me on behalf of people with disabilities.”
Trinity President and CEO Thane Dykstra, Ph.D., is pleased to have Trinity Services represented. “Trinity is proud to have two of our senior leaders serving on these important State of Illinois task forces,” said Trinity President and CEO Thane Dykstra, Ph.D. “Both Bonnie and Jen will do an excellent job.”
Trinity Services provides the highest quality person-directed services and supports to people with disabilities and mental health needs so that they may flourish and live full and abundant lives. For more information go to www.trinityservices.org.