Help Hotlines's new CEO aims to grow the mission

YOUNGSTOWN

Since taking the reins of the Help Hotline Crisis Center in July 2014, Vincenzo “Vince” M. Vincent Brancaccio, said that even with 25 years in the behavioral health-care field in Trumbull and Mahoning counties, he was surprised at the large number of programs and services the agency provides.

Even though Help Hotline answered 196,828 calls in 2014, it is not only a telephone referral hub, said Brancaccio, who reflected on his first 10 months as chief executive officer and what lies ahead.

When Brancaccio, 50, came aboard, he said he was aware Help Hotline was financially solid and had a good reputation in the communities that it serves.

“I also believe in Help Hotline’s mission,” he said.

The agency’s mission statement is to provide crisis intervention, suicide prevention and intervention, referrals, and support and counseling services to persons experiencing mental health related and/or situational problems, according to its 2014 annual report.

Brancaccio said his two immediate major challenges are to make the public aware, as was he, of Help Hotline’s numerous services and programs; and, with its annual financial campaign set to get underway in June, to attract new funding sources and continue to be fiscally responsible.

Read more about the agency and what it provides in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.