McLean County’s Director of Behavioral Health Coordination Kevin McCall is resigning, according to an email he sent Tuesday to colleagues and WGLT. McCall had been in the role since July 2022, and County Administrator Cassy Taylor told WGLT she wants the opening filled “as soon as possible.”
The director oversees efforts that align with the county’s Mental Health Action Plan. This person also serves on the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council (BHCC), an advisory committee within the county government in charge of spending for these projects.
Taylor said updates are being made to the position description, but she hopes to have an application out “very soon.” She added that she doesn’t have anyone in mind to replace McCall.
Meanwhile, the BHCC is already facing uncertainty following a March 8 announcement from Board Chair Catherine Metsker that meetings were suspended indefinitely. Metsker said this was because she doesn’t think the council is fulfilling its mission.
BHCC’s next meeting was scheduled for June 7, though it’s unclear when or if that will happen since Metsker has not provided an update following her announcement.
McCall has not shared his reasons for resignation, or where he’s heading. He did tell WGLT that his next role won’t be with the county. However, he doesn’t plan to leave the area. In his initial email, he wrote that this “will surely not be the end of my time in McLean County.”
His last day is April 19, and he clarified that he would continue working with collaborators on existing projects. He wrote that this would give time to “ensure a smooth transition.”
Taylor said McCall had informed the county of his decision Monday. She added that conversations have already started regarding a “transition plan,” and will continue over the next four weeks.
“Our priorities are going to remain the same for the Mental Health Action Plan and the work that we announced at the last Behavioral Health Coordinating Council meeting will still take place,” she said.
McCall wrote in the email to his colleagues that working with the county for the past several years— including in his roles as supervisor at the McLean County Triage Center and as a Behavioral Health Specialist — was the “highlight of my career.”
“I am grateful for the many opportunities that I have been provided by the County to create positive change in the health of my local community,” he added.
