Mike Gruber is the System Transformation Unit Coordinator for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health and is the Project Director for Stand Together. In his current capacity as Coordinator of the System Transformation Unit, he promotes wellness, recovery, and resiliency principles and practices an
d seeks to end stigma and advance community integration for youth and adults who have behavioral health challenges.
Mike has worked in the mental health field for over 35 years as a clinician, EAP counselor, outpatient supervisor, mental health planner, and program manager of six programs, starting four of them.
His current duties include developing, coordinating, and implementing strategic planning for recovery initiatives as well as policy development. He works with the Allegheny County and the state to increase practices to promote awareness of recovery and implementation of recovery practices within the behavioral health field. He also manages the Certified Peer Specialist Program and the faith-based Behavioral Health Inclusion Project and is a certified Mental Health First Aid trainer.
Prior to assuming his current position, he worked as the Planning Specialist for the Office of Behavioral Health with primary responsibility for writing the annual mental health plan submitted to the Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. In addition, he provided support to various stakeholder groups such as the Community Support Program.
He received his MSW with a specialization in planning, policy, and evaluation at Western Michigan University. Prior to beginning his mental health career, Mike served as a VISTA Volunteer where he learned community organizing strategies and techniques. His work reflects his belief in client self-determination and empowering disenfranchised groups to influence the service delivery system to be more responsive.
