Our Clinical Director - Jerry M. Welch LCSW, BCD

The Clinical Director of the Health Futures Program, Jerry Welch, has a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Washington. Jerry has worked with children, adolescents, adults and families for over 40 years in Washington, Iowa and Alaska.  He has worked in Juvenile and Adult Corrections, with the Alaska Division of Family and Youth Services (now the Office of Children’s Services) doing intake and on-going investigations of child abuse and neglect.  He has been an expert witness in the court system regarding children’s and mental health issues and served as a Guardian Ad Litem.

Jerry’s skills and experience cover the spectrum of mental health services, including evaluation, treatment plan development, crisis intervention, direct service provision and supervision of mental health clinicians and other mental health staff. He has provided these services in hospitals, community mental health centers and in the community.  He has successfully designed, maintained and provided oversight of services in both children and adult systems.  Jerry has provided clinical services in families’ homes as well as in residential treatment facilities, half-way houses, mental health and substance abuse treatment facilities and hospitals.

Jerry has worked with children and adults diagnosed with developmentally disabilities, severely emotional disturbance, traumatic brain injury, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.  He has provided play therapy, cognitive therapy, trauma-based work, as well as individual, group and family therapy. 

As an Assistant Clinical Director and a Clinical Director, Jerry he has provided supervision of other clinical professionals; assisted with supervision and licensing for professionals; and provided training in the areas of  child development, parenting, systems work, crisis intervention and networking in communities.

Jerry’s approachable demeanor and commitment to children and families as well as foster parents and staff who care for them ensure a mutually supportive environment.