Arthur C. Evans Jr, Ph.D.

Director, Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Mental Retardation Services

Arthur C. Evans Jr, Ph.D., a clinical and community psychologist, is director of Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Mental Retardation Services. He is leading a major initiative to transform how behavioral health care and mental retardation services are delivered in the city. Since Evans' appointment in November 2004, Philadelphia has begun a transformation of its entire system, focusing on recovery for adults, resiliency for children and self-determination for all who use mental retardation services.  He holds a faculty appointment at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and has held faculty appointments at the Yale University School of Medicine and Quinnipiac University.

Earlier, Evans was deputy commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (DMHAS).  In this capacity, he led several major strategic initiatives for the Connecticut behavioral healthcare system. He was instrumental in implementing a recovery-oriented policy framework, addressing health care disparities and increasing the use of evidence-based practices. He currently serves in several national leadership roles and is highly committed to serving people who are underserved and ensuring that all people have access to effective, quality services.