San Diego County Swaps Leaders, Beck Takes Helm of Behavioral Health

San Diego County has named a new temporary leader for its behavioral health division. The change comes two months after the previous director was removed. Dijana Beck, who recently headed the homeless services office, will manage the department while officials look for a permanent pick. When a permanent director is found, Beck will return to her old role. Brigit Cooper, a long‑time county employee, will oversee the homeless services office until Beck’s comeback.

Beck brings a quarter‑century of experience to the new position. She has spent the last few years running the homeless services office and previously worked for 17 years in the county’s child and family well‑being division. Her education includes a master’s in social work from San Diego State University and a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Arkansas. Cooper has been with the county since 2000, serving as a social worker and later as a human services operations manager within the same office.

The previous temporary director, Jennifer Bransford‑Koons, will step down on Oct. 30 after 39 years of service. She took over the role in late August following the release of disciplinary records that revealed several problematic incidents, including a case where an employee made racially insensitive remarks. The county is now working to fill both positions with new leaders.

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