Jerome (Jerry) Doyle retired as CEO in June 2009 after 39 years of leadership and advocacy with EMQ FamliesFirst, California's largest and most comprehensive mental health agency for children and their families. The private nonprofit has helped children in crisis for 140 years, and is headquartered in Campbell, California, with offices around the state.

Jerry, who worked with emotionally troubled youth for more than 40 years, began his career as a director of a group residential program for adolescent boys. In his years as CEO of EMQ FamiliesFirst, the agency grew from 140 beds to serving more than 18,000 children and family members in California. EMQ FamiliesFirst now offers a full continuum of care that includes short and long-term residential treatment, short-term intensive day treatment, school-based day treatment, 24-hour crisis intervention, outpatient and in-home services, chemical dependency prevention, foster family services, sexual abuse treatment and individualized Wraparound services. Under Jerry's leadership, the agency won multiple statewide and national awards for its innovative programs.

In 1991, EMQ initiated California's first intensive Wraparound Program as an alternative to institutionalized placement for the most seriously troubled children. In 1996, Jerry successfully pushed to secure passage of legislation which created funding for a demonstration project. Due in large part to its success, the program was expanded statewide. Today 95% of children in California live in counties where Wraparound is available.

Governor Schwarzenegger appointed Jerry in 2005 as a Commissioner on the Mental Health Services Act Oversight & Accountability Commission to oversee the Proposition 63 mental health funds. In April 2006, Jerry was awarded the national Harold C. Piepenbrink Award for Excellence in Behavioral Healthcare Management by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare for his innovative work to help children, youth and families with behavioral health challenges. Jerry is the past President of the California Council of Community Mental Health Agencies and currently serves on their Board of Directors. He is also past president of the Association of Mental Health Contract Agencies in Santa Clara County; past president of the Association of United Way Agencies; and serves on numerous county committees that help communities deal with troubled youth.

Jerry holds a master's degree in social work from the University of California at Berkeley. He and his family live in Los Gatos, California.

Editors note: Photos of executives are available for download at: www.emqff.org/press/faq/familiesfirst.shtml