2010 News

February 4, 2010

Commissioners Appoint Mary Beth Mahoney Director of County Mental Health/Mental Retardation Program

During the February 3 meeting of the Board of Bucks County Commissioners, county Acting Director of Mental Health/Mental Retardation (MH/MR) Mary Beth Mahoney was promoted to the position of director. Mahoney previously served as deputy administrator of the county Mental Retardation program from 1999-2009 and as director of Mental Retardation Services from 1989-1999.

Mary Beth Mahoney, MH/MR Director“I appreciate the support the commissioners, the Human Services director and the MH/MR staff have afforded me while being in the acting position over the past couple months,” Ms. Mahoney stated. “I look forward to being a part of the county management team.”

Mahoney, a Furlong resident, brings an extensive social services background to her new position. As deputy administrator of MR, she was responsible for development, oversight and management of a program budget that quadrupled over a nine-year period. From 1989 to 2007, she served as a representative of the County MH/MR Administrators Association on the State Planning and Advisory Committee (PAC) to the Pennsylvania Office of Mental Retardation.

“This was a good selection process, and I am pleased we are moving ahead,” Commissioner Chairman Charles H. Martin commented before Ms. Mahoney was approved unanimously by the board. “I am confident this job will be done well.”

A graduate of Western Michigan University with a double major in Social Work & Social Sciences, Ms. Mahoney also earned a masters degree in Human Organization Science from Villanova University and has completed Accounting courses at Temple University. Her proficiencies include service delivery management, early intervention services, planning, program development, coordination, implementation, evaluation and management of a countywide program for the prevention, treatment and care of individuals with mental retardation. In 2005, Ms. Mahoney received the YWCA of Bucks County “Women Who Make a Difference Award.” She was nominated for that award by Commissioners Martin, James F. Cawley, Esq. and Sandra A. Miller.