CEO Corner
James E. White is an impactful servant leader, who is dedicated to providing exemplary behavioral health services to the citizens of Detroit and Wayne County. As President and CEO of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN), White continues to drive sustainable growth for the agency by improving access and availability to services, strengthening the provider network and ensuring individuals know there is help available to anyone who is struggling with mental health, substance use or disability concerns.
DWIHN is in the midst of expansion as it is transforming the delivery of crisis care services with the expansion of crisis services like we see at our 707 Crisis Care Center and the ability to better serve residents through our Mobile Crisis Services. Our organizational advancements and clinical efforts remain paramount as we work with our Provider Network to allow choice for people in need of programs, services and supports throughout Wayne County. These programs will be enhanced by the implementation of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics and the delivery of direct services available throughout the region. All initiatives are being done to enhance customer experience to the 123,000 people we serve. Mr. White has seen firsthand the need for increased access to behavioral healthcare services throughout our communities and pledges to work alongside our community stakeholders to provide exemplary mental health and substance use disorder services to some of the County’s most vulnerable citizens.
White spent the majority of his career as a public servant, starting in the Detroit Police Department in 1996, working his way up to Police Chief for four years where he navigated the department through two federal consent agreements and launched the Civilian Advisory Committee to help bridge gaps between residents and DPD. As Chief he had numerous accomplishments, most recently he led the department through one of the city’s major national events, the NFL Draft where more than 700,000 people attended events over a three-day weekend, the largest in league history, this also included a partnership with DWIHN coresponse-trained officers.
Mr. White was key in strengthening critical partnerships with DWIHN during his time as Chief. The highly acclaimed Crisis Intervention Team program pairs patrol officers with a clinician in the field to respond to calls. These trained coresponse officers and dispatch personnel have assisted in screenings and supporting the community’s mental health needs by providing information and connecting to mental health resources for care.
He was also the Executive Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights gaining valuable experience in Lansing, bridging his work in law enforcement with protecting the rights of Michigan residents working to bring awareness and inclusion in everything from housing and education to public services in underrepresented communities.
White, a state-licensed mental health counselor, earned his Associate of Arts degree from Wayne County Community College, a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Wayne State University, a Master of Science in Counseling from Central Michigan University, a Master of Business Administration Certificate from the Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business and an Honorary Doctorate from Cleary University.