Florence Crittenton Appoints New Chief Operating Officer, Chief Compliance Officer

Florence Crittenton has appointed Pilar Vargas, Psy.D., LISAC, as its chief operations officer and Jessie Gillam, M.C., L.P.C., as its chief compliance officer.

Vargas brings more than 15 years’ experience in the behavioral health field with extensive knowledge in children and adult services, both as a direct provider and in program management. Most recently, she was the vice president of integrated health and human services at Chicanos Por La Causa. In that role, she oversaw behavioral health services in multiple states comprising outpatient behavioral health services for children’s and adult services, residential treatment services, court-ordered treatment, crisis services and a seriously mentally ill clinic.

Gillam has a 15-year history in behavioral health, child welfare and grant-funded prevention programs. Prior to joining the agency, she served as the vice president of behavioral health services in a statewide capacity at Arizona’s Children Association. She holds an undergraduate degree in psychology form Arizona State University and a master’s in counseling from the University of Phoenix. She is a licensed professional counselor with the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health and is recognized as a national board-certified counselor.