As the Senior Director for Deflection Initiatives at the Center for Health and Justice (CHJ), Carey Deacon is at the helm of all CHJ deflection initiatives, including the stewardship of the national Technical Assistance (TA) center, and spearheading deflection development efforts. Carey’s substantial expertise in deflection, honed through over two decades of dedicated service in smaller, rural communities across the Western United States, enriches her leadership with invaluable insights into tailoring initiatives to meet diverse community needs. Her background brings a crucial perspective to the planning and execution of CHJ’s programs.

With more than 20 years of experience providing clinical and consultation services in schools, medical clinics, and early childhood sites in the San Luis Valley, Carey played a collaborative role in the coordination of Emergency Disaster Response for behavioral health. She devoted over 15 years to working with youth, engaging in prevention programming that spans after-school programs, youth coalitions, mentoring, Wraparound, and intensive case management. Prior to her current role, she was the Program Director for the Intensive Case Management and Wraparound programs at the Center for Restorative Programs, including the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) initiatives started in April 2018.

Carey's educational achievements include a BA in Psychology from Adams State College and a Master’s of Social Work from Simmons University. Her professional development is further highlighted by a number of youth and adult suicide certifications and trainings, prevention curriculums, ARC (Attachment, Self-Regulation and Competency) Intervention for Complex Traumatized Youth, and numerous other areas focusing on trauma and behavioral health interventions.