Norwich’s Mayor Hinchey to lead UCFS behavioral health programs

She plans return to career as clinical social worker; not seeking re-election

Norwich — Mayor Deberey Hinchey, who announced in February she would not seek re-election, has been hired by United Community and Family Services as its new vice president of behavioral health services, the agency announced Monday.

Hinchey, a 30-year veteran behavioral health therapist, had said in February she planned to return to her career as a clinical social worker following her fouryear term as mayor. She will succeed Cara Westcott, who was named in mid-May as chief operating officer of UCFS, which provides medical, dental and behavioral health services to 18,200 people throughout southeastern Connecticut.

Hinchey will start her new position Aug. 22, and will work both positions until she leaves office as mayor in early December.

“I am committed to completing my term and fulfilling my responsibilities as mayor of Norwich, while I transition to my new role with UCFS,” Hinchey said in a press release announcing her appointment. “UCFS has been flexible and we’ve created a schedule that will allow me to do both jobs until my term as mayor is completed.”

Hinchey said Monday she hasn’t yet worked out how she will split her time between City Hall and UCFS, but said her full-time executive assistant, Marixsa Romanella, could contact her. If needed, she could be at City Hall within 10 minutes. She said night meetings would not present any conflicts.

“It’s good to be back on the clinical stage,” Hinchey said. “I’ll still be working in Norwich and be part of the community.”

UCFS President and CEO Jennifer Granger said Monday Hinchey was chosen from “a competitive” field of applicants for the position that was posted in June. Westcott was in charge of the selection process, Granger said. Granger cited Hinchey’s professional career experience, her leadership experience as mayor and her familiarity with UCFS as a past board member as factors in the selection.

“We were able to provide her with the flexibility she will need to complete her role as mayor,” Granger said. “That’s going to work out fine for us. She’s going to be a really good fit for the organization.”

In her new position, Hinchey will be responsible for the Behavioral Health Division of UCFS, including all five outpatient behavioral health sites and more than a dozen community-based behavioral health programs.

Hinchey, who earned her master’s of social work degree from the University of Connecticut in 1997, will also represent UCFS on regional and statewide committees and councils. As mayor, Hinchey has served on the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Goverments board and on the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. She said in her new position, she would continue to work with local municipal leaders and legislators on issues that affect UCFS.

“We are excited to add Deb to our leadership team,” Granger said in the press release. “Her expertise as a licensed clinical social worker, leader and advocate will compliment our team.”