San Diego County names interim heads for behavioral health and homeless services

San Diego County named Dijana Beck interim director of Behavioral Health Services and Brigit Cooper interim director of the Office of Homeless Solutions, the county said.

Beck will transition from her role as director of the Office of Homeless Solutions, which she has held since May 2022; she will lead Behavioral Health Services while the county conducts a search for a permanent director.

To maintain continuity in homeless programs, Cooper will assume leadership of the Office of Homeless Solutions until Beck returns from her new role.

Beck brings 25 years of county service, including 17 years in Child and Family Well-Being services and prior roles as deputy director and division chief; she has taught social work at San Diego State University and psychology at Alliant International University and holds a master’s degree in social work from San Diego State and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Arkansas.

Cooper joined the county in 2000 and has held a range of supervisory and executive posts, most recently serving as deputy director; she has a master’s in business administration from Western Governors University and a bachelor’s degree from California State University San Marcos.

Behavioral Health Services helps people and families access mental health and substance use care across the region, from prevention and early intervention to crisis response and long-term recovery; the Office of Homeless Solutions leads regional efforts to prevent, reduce and end homelessness through evidence-based, person-centered services.

Both leaders will guide their departments during the transition while continuing ongoing priorities and services for San Diego County residents, the county said.

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