Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services

Dr. Kleckner J. Charles is the Chief Program Officer overseeing the Division of Intellectual disAbility Services at the City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS). The division works with the Commonwealth and service providers to offer quality supports and services so individuals will have choices in their lives, meaningful relationships, and participation in their community as valued citizens. Dr. Charles is a passionate advocate for all vulnerable people. He has embraced this role as his cause celebre since his early days as a direct support professional more than 25 years ago.

Before DBHIDS, Dr. Charles served as chief operating officer for The Arc Putnam New York. While there, he oversaw the successful integration of clinic services and the organization’s successful transition to conflict-free case management. As COO, Dr. Charles led a telehealth initiative encompassing more than 6,000 people at 17 clinics across five counties in the Hudson Valley region of upstate New York. Over the past decade and a half, Dr. Charles held board leadership roles and clinical and administrative positions in the behavioral health, hospital, and LTSS settings.

Dr. Charles received his bachelor’s degree from Stony Brook University, where he majored in history. He also holds a master’s in public administration from Long Island University with a concentration in health administration and long-term care. Dr. Charles received his doctorate of social work in innovations (social and healthcare) from the University of Southern California.

Dr. Charles’ professional and academic interests include leveraging virtual healthcare to augment support and enhance quality in LTSS settings and increasing the roles of neighbors in the care paradigm.