Harter named first female director
Alicia Harter has been promoted from chemical dependency counselor to associate director of Joseph House effective July 1, 2017. With this promotion, Harter becomes the first female director in Joseph House’s 23-year history.
An Ohio native, Harter served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps in Lima Company, 3/25 4th Marine Division (Columbus, Ohio), and was stationed at Camp Lejune (Jacksonville, N.C.). After serving in the military, she received her master’s degree in counseling from Webster University, specializing in substance abuse therapy.
“We knew we wanted someone who could identify with and understand the veteran experience of transitioning from military to civilian life,” said Nate Pelletier, executive director at Joseph House. “Alicia is the future of Joseph House. She is a committed veteran and talented leader who genuinely cares about the agency and its clients. She is the best candidate, male or female, to take on this role.”
Harter spent eight years working in Tampa, Fla., at BayCare Behavioral Health before returning to her home state to join the Joseph House team of certified clinicians and counselors as the agency’s first female veteran employee in November 2016.
“My career has been dedicated to veterans and their unselfish commitment to serve others,” said Harter. “Seeing our clients’ hard work motivates me to continue to serve those looking for help and a better future. I’m excited to continue to put my heart and soul into helping the great men and women who define the spirit of our country.”
Mark Levine, who served as Joseph House’s associate director for the past 2 years, is moving on to start his own practice.
“Mark served Joseph House for more than 12 years as a counselor, associate clinical director and associate director,” said Pelletier. “His professionalism, talents and dedicated service to our clients helped make Joseph House a top treatment and recovery program. And without him, we would not be where we are today. He is truly one of the most talented and dedicate clinicians in our region. We wish him well in his next endeavor.”
Joseph House provides residential and non-residential treatment and recovery programming for veterans suffering from addiction. The program also provides reintegration support through external partnerships, and promotes wellness activities to ensure their veteran clients sustain a healthy and productive lifestyle long-term. The agency works closely with its regional partners such as the Tristate Veterans Community Alliance and the Life Learning Center.
Certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Joseph House offers transitional to permanent housing for up to 80 clients, in-patient and out-patient chemical dependency counseling and treatment programs, case management services and educational programs that stimulate employment opportunities, financial stability, relationship counseling and more.
If you’re a veteran or know a veteran struggling with addiction, please contact Joseph House at [email protected] or 513-241-2965. For more information, please visit www.josephhouse.com and Facebook.com/TheJosephHouse.