Community Counseling Services (CCS), a community behavioral health center serving east central South Dakota since 1960, has announced the selection of Belinda Nelson, BS, LAC, as its new Chief Executive Officer.  The selection was made during the CCS Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, July 30, 2014.  Nelson previously served as Policy and Procedure Officer for the organization.

“The Board at CCS is confident with the expert level of managerial and therapeutic experience that Belinda Nelson brings to the entire organization,” reported Jean Larson, Community Counseling Services Board Chair.  “Under her direction, the communities served by CCS will continue to experience the highest quality of mental health care.”

Nelson’s resume includes over ­­30 years of behavioral health and management experience in the nonprofit sector. Nelson is a Licensed Addiction Counselor.  Nelson previously served as Addiction Clinical Supervisor, Unit Director, and Policy & Procedure Officer for the organization.  “I am honored to be able to serve CCS in this new role and capacity,” remarks Nelson.  “This is an exciting time to be at Community Counseling Services and to be in the behavioral health field.  CCS has always been a progressive community mental health center.  When I first joined the agency in 1998, my predecessor Duane Majeres, and his staff were already implementing integrated Addiction & Mental Health services.  Presently CCS is collaborating with other community medical providers in order to assist in improving our client’s outcome measures.  CCS adopted a new Mission Statement in 2012 to summarize our commitment to integrate behavioral and physical health, ‘To promote healthy individuals and families in the communities we serve.’  I am proud to represent an agency that is ethical, innovative, and that values effective accountable care.”

Nelson and her husband, Randy, have resided in Huron, SD for the past 28 years.  Their children, Alex Nelson resides in Peotone, Illinois and Ruth (Curtis) Bales resides in Huron, SD with their two children, Jack Westen, age 7 and Jace Walker, age 4.

Community Counseling Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing mental health, addiction, education, and other behavioral health services to the east central South Dakota counties of Beadle, Jerauld, Hand, Kingsbury, Lake, Miner, and Moody.