: MEDIA ADVISORY: Burrowes Becomes Director of Kern BHRS

 

BAKERSFIELD – Alison Burrowes was unanimously appointed as the new Director of Kern County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (Kern BHRS) at yesterday’s Kern County Board of Supervisors Meeting.  

 

“I am incredibly grateful for this appointment, and excited to have the opportunity to lead the Behavioral Health Department into the future,” said Burrowes. “I look forward to working with the Board of Supervisors, department staff and our community partners to continue to support the health of our community. I’m very proud of the work the Behavioral Health Department does serving our community, and it is a sincere privilege to lead.”

 

Burrowes has worked at Kern BHRS for 22 years, beginning as a Recovery Specialist in 2002. She has served in various roles throughout the department including supervising the Crisis Case Management Outreach team, Adult Wraparound and Freise Hope House Liaisons programs. She later became the administrator of the substance use disorder division before serving as a deputy director for six years. Most recently, she led the department as the interim director since mid-October. 

 

Burrowes has served as an adjunct professor in the social work graduate program at CSUB. In 2023 she earned the Rising Running Award, which recognizes CSUB alumni of the last 10 years who are already making an impact in their career and community. She is also a member of the Alumni Association and serves as a student mentor. 

 

Burrowes earned her bachelor's degree in sociology and English from Massey University in New Zealand. She later earned a pair of master’s degrees at CSUB in sociology and social work, respectively. 

 

Burrowes will assume her role on January 13.