Dr. Rogers, a licensed marriage and family therapist and doctor of psychology, said her priority is ensuring residents can access the care they need when they need it.
"For me, this role is really about making sure that when people need care, they have easy access to it. Not only do they get the care that they need, but they get it at the level that they need it," Dr. Rogers said.
Born and raised in Kings County, Dr. Rogers said returning to serve her hometown in a leadership capacity is both a personal and professional milestone.
"I feel like it's deeply meaningful, both personally and professionally, to be able to serve in this capacity and give back to a community that I feel like has really shaped who I am as a person," she said.
Dr. Rogers previously served as regional director for Kings View Behavioral Health, where she oversaw services including mental health care, substance use disorder treatment, and crisis response.
County officials said that experience helped prepare her for her new position.
Kings County Board of Supervisors Chairman Rusty Robinson said Dr. Rogers' ties to the community make her a strong fit for the role.
"I'm just grateful that she has that, that she's second generation. She's raising her children here, which basically makes her very vested in our community, and that's really what we're looking for. We're looking for people who care," Dr. Robinson said.
County officials said the behavioral health department serves some of the community's most vulnerable residents. Dr. Rogers said she hopes to continue building services that meet people where they are, particularly during times of crisis.
"People come to us during some of the most difficult moments in their lives, and they need to be able to access that care quickly and easily," she said.
Dr. Rogers also emphasized the importance of community involvement in shaping behavioral health services and encouraged residents to participate in public meetings and other engagement opportunities.
"There are different platforms, community meetings and public hearings that they can be a part of when it comes to behavioral health. I would love that participation as we continue to build the system," Dr. Rogers said.
As she begins her tenure, Rogers said her focus will remain on improving access to care and strengthening behavioral health services for Kings County residents.
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