Elpers, J.R.
Dr. J. R. Elpers was Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health 1978-84. He received his medical degree from Indiana University and completed his residency in psychiatry at Columbia-Presbyterian in New York. After working as Deputy Director of Mental Health in Orange County, he was appointed Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health in 1978, just as the Department was “de-merged” from Health Services. During his tenure, Dr. Elpers laid the foundations for the organizational structure of today’s DMH, oversaw the initial development of Project Return, and participated in the development of the California Model plan for mental health. After leaving LAC-DMH, Dr. Elpers set up an Integrated Service Agency model program at Harbor-UCLA, called “AMI-Able,” with NAMI support. He also served on the boards of Mental Health America and the California Institute for Mental Health.