HCRS crisis center named for Frank Silfies

Health Care and Rehabilitation Services’ (HCRS) is pleased to announce that its Springfield Crisis Care Center has been named in memory of Frank Silfies.

Frank was hired at HCRS in 1978 and would spend over 35 years working in our Emergency Services Program, eventually becoming the Program Director. Frank had a natural ability to help those in crisis. He was caring, compassionate, and understanding. He had a tremendous ability to listen and to get people to open up about their issues.

In 1992, Frank co-founded the Green Mountain Critical Incident Stress Management coalition. This statewide group of volunteers trains emergency responders to deal with the difficulties they experience as part of their emotionally-challenging work. Frank believed that this group is often the last to admit they need help. His efforts are attributed to keeping many emergency responders on the job.

Frank was also instrumental in the statewide Team Two Steering Committee. He helped design and taught the Team Two curriculum which trains law enforcement officers and mental health crisis clinicians to collaborate and provide appropriate and effective mental health crisis response. His vast experience enriched the learning of not only the participants in the trainings, but fellow faculty members as well. Frank was a big man, with a bigger heart. He was truly committed to collaborative response and embodied that concept through his work at HCRS and across the State.

Frank passed away earlier this year after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. He was a remarkable man – compassionate, generous, humble, and always there to help others. For this reason, HCRS is honored to name the Crisis Care Center in his memory. A tribute to Frank was presented at the Agency’s annual meeting in November. His wife, SallyAnn, was in attendance along with many others from the emergency services community.

HCRS crisis center named for Frank Silfies Frank Silfies, co-founder of the Green Mountain Critical Incident Stress Management coalition, is the namesake of Health Care and Rehabilitation Services' (HCRS) Springfield Crisis Care Center. — COURTESY Frank Silfies, co-founder of the Green Mountain Critical Incident Stress Management coalition, is the namesake of Health Care and Rehabilitation Services' (HCRS) Springfield Crisis Care Center. — COURTESY SPRINGFIELD — Health Care and Rehabilitation Services’ (HCRS) is pleased to announce that its Springfield Crisis Care Center has been named in memory of Frank Silfies. Silfies was hired at HCRS in 1978 and would spend more than 35 years working in their Emergency Services Program, eventually becoming the program director. Silfies had a natural ability to help those in crisis. He was caring, compassionate and understanding. He had a tremendous ability to listen and to get people to open up about their issues. In 1992, Silfies co-founded the Green Mountain Critical Incident Stress Management coalition. This statewide group of volunteers trains emergency responders to deal with the difficulties they experience as part of their emotionally-challenging work. Silfies believed that this group is often the last to admit they need help. His efforts are attributed to keeping many emergency responders on the job. Silfies was also instrumental in the statewide Team Two Steering Committee. He helped design and taught the Team Two curriculum which trains law enforcement officers and mental health crisis clinicians to collaborate and provide appropriate and effective mental health crisis response. His vast experience enriched the learning of not only the participations in the trainings, but fellow faculty members as well. Silfies was a big man, with a bigger heart. He was truly committed to collaborative response and embodied that concept through his work at HCRS and across the state. Silfies passed away earlier this year after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. He was a remarkable man – compassionate, generous, humble and always there to help others. For this reason, HCRS is honored to name the Crisis Care Center in his memory. A tribute to Frank Silfies was presented at the Agency’s annual meeting in November. His wife, SallyAnn, was in attendance along with many others from the emergency services community.