Unalaska, AK – The re-staffing of Iliuliuk Family and Health Serivces' behavioral health services is currently underway. Last week, the clinic hired a new director of the department last week, and the decision was announced at Tuesday's city council meeting.

Elizabeth Weeks will be moving from New Hampshire with her husband to lead the behavioral health services section.

"They made a list of the states they wanted to work in, and Alaska was at the top of their list," says IFHS executive director Sonia Handforth-Kome.

Handforth-Kome adds that Weeks has worked as a social worker for a family intervention program, as well as the New Hampshire public defender's office. She also has a background working with sexual assault support services.

Weeks recently visited Unalaska and met with various community members. She also gave an assessment of the behavioral health program and how it can be revamped.

"She looked at everything, and she broke it down into strategic areas and stakeholders. She had a couple of programs that she wanted to suggest, and she also identified what she felt were our most critical needs and what our biggest gaps were," says Handforth-Kome.

Weeks is expected to start on August 1st. The clinic is also currently looking for a counselor to flesh out the staff. Currently, IFHS behavioral health services is without any full-time staff, and the program has come under scrutiny in the city council's grant review process.