Leadership

Paolo del Vecchio

Paolo del Vecchio, M.S.W.

Director of the Office of Recovery (OR)

Mr. del Vecchio is the Director of the Office of Recovery where he provides leadership for SAMHSA’s efforts to advance recovery across the nation. This includes expanding the availability of recovery support services – including peer services, housing, employment, and whole health care – to people with mental health and/or substance use conditions and their families.

Previously, Mr. del Vecchio served as SAMHSA’s Executive Officer and Director of the Office of Management, Technology and Operations and led improvements in the areas of human resources, information technology, ethics, and more. He also previously served as Director of SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services, providing executive leadership for Federal efforts to improve the nation's mental health service systems. This included management of the federal/state mental health block grant program and directing a range of programs and activities that address topics such as suicide prevention, children’s mental health, homelessness, disaster mental health, HIV/AIDS, and others.

Prior to joining SAMHSA, Mr. del Vecchio worked for the Philadelphia Office of Mental Health in the areas of policy formulation and the planning of a comprehensive system of trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, community-based mental health services.

A person in long-term recovery from mental health conditions and addictions as well as a trauma survivor, Mr. del Vecchio has over 40 years of behavioral health experience as a consumer, family member, provider, advocate, and policy maker. He graduated summa cum laude with a master’s degree in social work from Temple University, has published widely, and is a highly sought-after national leader and speaker.

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