12.19.07 - Steven Tierney to lead degree program in community mental health.

San Francisco, December 19, 2007 — Dr. Steven Tierney, deputy executive director for programs and services at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, has been appointed Professor of counseling psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies, charged with launching a concentration in community mental health within the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program. This will be among the first degree programs in the nation to use community-generated models as preparation for careers in mental health counseling.

In addition to this new opportunity, Tierney accepted Mayor Gavin Newsom's appointment to the San Francisco Health Commission. Previously, he had served as an HIV prevention director for the city health department, and currently co-chairs the mayor's task force on crystal methamphetamine. However, he plans to step down from the latter position in order to focus on his duties as commissioner.

At the Foundation, Tierney has built a significant legacy during a time of renewed vigor in reducing new HIV infections and improving overall health. He supervised the city’s largest needle exchange program, the Foundation’s community empowerment groups Black Brothers Esteem, the Speed Project and El Grupo, and the California AIDS Hotline. In addition to expertise in effective HIV prevention, community-led health initiatives and creating social options for gay men, Tierney spearheaded the Foundation’s successful merger with the Stonewall Project and Magnet, which took place in July 2007.

“Steven Tierney has been a great colleague and leader at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation,” said executive director Mark Cloutier. “He has assisted in redirecting services where the greatest needs are and in refocusing on improved health for gay men and men who have sex with men in the Tenderloin and across the city. Steven understands how to help people achieve good health, which has a lasting effect on HIV infection rates and every individual’s sense of wellness.”

Tierney is a renowned expert in community health, adolescence and substance abuse issues as they relate to mental health. He came to the Foundation from the San Francisco Department of Public Health where he served as Director of HIV Prevention and played a key role in reducing San Francisco’s rate of HIV infection. Tierney remains co-chair of the Mayor’s Task Force on Crystal Methamphetamine.

“Years ago, HIV demanded a response which combined my professional training and personal beliefs, all in support of communities about which I have profound respect and compassion,” Tierney said. “At the AIDS Foundation, I’ve been fortunate to work with colleagues who understand the importance of building communities and teaching each one of us what it means to be healthy.”

Tierney will be inaugural chair of the community mental health program which begins enrolling students in the Fall 2008 semester. He will continue to volunteer with the Foundation as a Magnet volunteer and as a local ally as the Foundation implements new prevention strategies to reduce HIV infection in San Francisco.

The California Institute of Integral Studies designed this degree to increase the number of trained mental health workers in California. The degree will create a cadre of culturally competent and diverse mental health practitioners working primarily with long underserved populations in the public sector.