LEWISTON – Members of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club will hear a presentation by Chris Copeland, executive director of Tri-County Mental Health Services, at noon Thursday, April 27, at the Ramada Inn.

As the leader of a comprehensive agency serving the psychological and social well-being of children, adults and elders, Copeland will share insights into pending policy and funding issues and how Tri-County is adopting the latest business practices in response.

Copeland will also share information about local needs and the services available to meet those needs.

Tri-County serves more than 6,000 individuals in Androscoggin, northern Cumberland, Franklin, and Oxford counties each year with programs and services addressing mental health, substance abuse, mental retardation/developmental disabilities and autism.

A native of England, Copeland holds a bachelor of sciences degree in environmental sciences from the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England, and postgraduate degrees in social studies and certificate of qualification in social work from the University of Leeds, England.

He became an approved social worker in England in 1987 and a licensed clinical social worker upon his move to the United States in 1993. He joined Tri-County Mental Health Services in February of 1994.

In the past 12 years, Copeland has held positions as unit manager for various programs in the agency, moving up to the position of program director in January 1998 and stepping in as executive director in July 2004.

Copeland has been active in all facets of social services throughout his career, including membership and chairmanship on numerous committees and work groups dealing with issues of mental health, homelessness and domestic abuse. He sits on the Executive Committee of the Maine Association of Mental Health Services and the United Way.

Anyone wishing to attend to hear the speaker or to learn more about Rotary is welcome to attend. The buffet luncheon is $8 a person. Access the club’s Web site at www.lewistonauburnrotary.org or call 333-3049 for more information.

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