Councilman Michael Trapp promoted to Executive Director of Phoenix Health Programs
Phoenix Health Programs announced that City Council member Michael Trapp, who has served as director of programs for the past nine years, will now be the organization’s executive director.
Phoenix is an addiction treatment and support center. Trapp, Columbia’s 2nd Ward representative, has served as the interim executive director since December. His effort and leadership in that interim role led to his promotion to permanent director.
“After a strategic visioning session, it was clear that Michael was the perfect fit for the needs of our organization,” said Nelly Roach, board president.
According to Phoenix’s website, their facility has been offering support, treatment and educational services to the Columbia community for 40 years. The treatment center offers counseling, interventions and specific programs catered toward alcoholism and substance abuse.
Trapp already has plans in mind as director, such as making Phoenix Health Programs a certified behavioral health center.
“That means adding extra medical services and a mental health day program, which will help us better meet the needs of our clients,” Trapp said. “We will also begin offering services to women later this summer or early this fall. We currently offer that on an outpatient basis, so this will be an increase in services that we offer.”
Staying true to the main initiative of the health program, Trapp emphasized prevention, rather than treatment, of alcohol and drug use in the community.
“We’ll always need to focus on both prevention and treatment,” Trapp said. “A focus on the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse will increase the impact on our community and make Columbia a better place to live.”
Roach said that Trapp’s new position will have no effect on his political career and vice versa.
Phoenix Health Programs will celebrate and welcome Trapp into his new role as executive director during an open house on July 23.
Photo provided by Phoenix Health Systems.
