Simon Purse

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• Master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, JFK University
• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences: sociology/psychology, Bath Spa University 

Simon Purse is the executive director of Santa Clara County. He will oversee county-contracted behavioral health and social services programs, including outpatient care, differential response, Drop-In and Family Resource Centers and high-acuity programs such as the Full-Service Partnership (FSP) program and Wraparound program. His almost 25 years of experience, including more than two decades with the agency, covers a spectrum of behavioral health areas. Most recently, he served as senior clinical director, where he oversaw 12 regional programs, providing strategic direction and operational leadership. He also directed program budgets, secured new business and grant opportunities, championed cultural integration initiatives and launched the Foster Care Plus program in Santa Cruz County, expanding services to the region for the first time.

Purse has served as Chair of Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Contractors Association (BHCA) Children’s Committee and is a member of the Santa Clara County Social Services Advisory Committee. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from JFK University.