NEWTON, MA | June 30, 2008
Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) has appointed Jerry Reed, former executive director of SPAN USA, who will lead its policy and professional development activities in suicide prevention, and serve as Director of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. Operated by EDC, the resource center is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a division of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.
A dedicated geriatric and suicide prevention advocate, Reed joined SPAN USA in July 2003 and has been a recognized leader in the national suicide prevention movement, helping to raise awareness, educate members of the media and general public about suicide prevention, and effect public policy changes in mental health legislation.
Reed will replace Lloyd Potter, who directed the Suicide Prevention Resource Center at EDC for five years, becoming instrumental in state and tribal efforts to develop and implement suicide prevention plans. Dr. Potter leaves to join the faculty of the University of Texas, San Antonio as Director of the Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research.
“Lloyd Potter has been a driving force behind many of our most successful initiatives,” said Cheryl Vince Whitman, EDC Senior Vice President who also directs EDC’s division of Health and Human Development Programs, the home of SPRC. “We are very excited about working with Jerry Reed to advance national suicide prevention efforts and increase the effectiveness of prevention services for people and families struggling with suicide and mental health issues,” she said.
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Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) is a global nonprofit organization that develops, delivers, and evaluates innovative programs to address some of the world's most urgent challenges in education, health, and economic development. EDC manages more than 300 projects in 35 countries.
http://www.edc.org
