Jan McLean, retired executive director of the Barry County Community Health Authority, was presented the Liberty Bell Award by the Barry County Bar Association Monday during the Law Day program.

Bob Byington, president of the bar association, said the honor is awarded to those who have given outstanding community service and shown a commitment to their community.

 “Started in the mid-1970s, there have been 35 recipients, now Jan joins that list,” Byington said.

 

Linda Maupin, good friend and authority board chair, introduced McLean. “Jan spent 32 years in mental health, 32 years, 15 as executive director,” Maupin said.

She said McLean knew the importance of therapy dogs in hospitals, nursing homes and schools, and she guided the change from a Barry County department to an authority. She was director during the building of the new mental health building, which was on time and under budget, Maupin said.

 

“I am so honored to be accepting this award here today,” McLean said. “The mission at the authority always included helping a person to whom we provided services achieve equality. It just made sense to that this was the right thing to do. This included reducing the stigma associated with mental illness, intellectual  developmental disabilities, and substance abuse for  the persons who asked for our help and educating the community.//

 

“We also tried to provide opportunities to increase the quality of our clients lives and give them a chance to realize their dreams, be it living on their own, obtaining a job or registering to vote, getting an education or just providing a place to hang out with friends-things that most of use take for granted.
“There is still a long way  to go but progress has been made to increase awareness  and advance the rights of all Americans. However, I did not do this alone and the vast majority of credit needs to go to the staff of Barry County Community Health Authority for their tireless efforts to help those persons that they serve. Thank you.”

 

 

 

Photos: (Upper left) Retired executive director of the Barry County Community Mental Health Authority Jan McLean holds the Liberty Bell Award presented to her at the Law Day program.

 

(Middle left) The McLean family: left to right: Husband Steve McLean, Jan McLean, daughter Haley McLean, Jan’s brother Steve Perry and daughter Madison McLean.

 

(Lower left) Jan McLean, left, with Attorney Stephanie Fekkes, organizer of  the 2017 Law Day program.