Johnson County names DeWeese as mental health director

Johnson County announced Thursday that it has hired a new director for its mental health center.

The new hire is Tim DeWeese, a longtime staff member of the Johnson County Mental Health Center.

For nearly the past two years, DeWeese has served as director of clinical services, overseeing the largest operating division of the center. He has also served the center as director of community support services and as a crisis case-management team leader.

Tim DeWeese

He also held prior positions at the Guidance Center in Leavenworth, Kansas, and Comprehensive Mental Health Services in Independence, Missouri.

DeWeese replaces Maureen Womack, who resigned late last year amid turmoil about the center’s finances and the general operation of the center.

An outside review team recommended a revamping of the board’s leadership structure and included two dozen recommendations for county officials to consider.

“Tim has been instrumental in assisting with navigating (the center) through the aftermath of the past executive director’s resignation, in conducting a thorough review of the organization’s programs and services and beginning our transition back to programmatic and financial stability,” Assistant County Manager Maury Thompson said in a news release.

“Our employees have persevered through a challenging period,” DeWeese said in the release. “These challenges will assist us in making needed changes, resulting in an organization positioned for a bright future.”

Major Funding for Health coverage on KCPT provided by Assurant Employee Benefits and the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.