New Center Director Named for Valley Ridge Mental Health Center
Volunteer Behavioral Health Care System announced this week the promotion of Shirley Jennings to center director at the agency’s Valley Ridge Mental Health Center division which serves Lafayette. Jennings replaces Brenda Harper, who held the director’s post in Lafayette for 12 years. A veteran of providing behavioral health care, “Brenda started as an intern 35 years ago and worked her way up to center director for the past 12 years. Nobody worked harder or was more dedicated to our clients and our mission,” stated Chris Wyre President/CEO of Volunteer.
Jennings’s has held several positions with Volunteer Behavioral Health Care System in her 14 years of employment. She has served in a variety of capacities for the agency, including crisis services, program manager for our boy’s residential treatment center and therapy in our Cookeville office.
The newly appointed director is also a CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) instructor, a QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) instructor for the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network and a Mandatory Pre-screening Agent with the state..
“I am honored to have the privilege to serve this center in Macon County.” Jennings said. Jennings has a Ed.S in Educational Psychology and is a licensed professional counselor. She received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology, a associate’s degree in Criminal Justice and a master’s degree in Educational Psychology. In addition to her dedicated career, Jennings enjoys spending time with her husband and son.
