One District, Five Priorities: Collier's Journey to Student Mental Health and Connection

Maribel De Armas is the Coordinator of Communications for Collier County Public Schools. In this capacity, she develops, maintains, and promotes the District’s brand image through consistent and professional design of print, video, and online communications materials, as well as development and implementation of branding and marketing strategies. Maribel is a graduate of the University of Miami. With more than 20 years of experience, she has designed and coordinated branding campaigns for local non-profit organizations, businesses and associations, health organizations, and political campaigns.

Rick Duggan is the Executive Director of Exception Education and Student Support Services for Collier County Public Schools (CCPS). He has worked with the District for the past twenty-five years, beginning as a mental health therapist and certified applied behavior analyst working with PreK students through the transition to adulthood. Rick has spent the last 15 years of his career in exceptional education leadership; in his current role, he oversees the District’s special education programs, mental health, psychological and social emotion learning programs, health, and nursing, early childhood education, homeless support services, and 504 accommodations.

For 36 years, Steve has worked with students in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Florida and is currently the Coordinator of School Counseling K-8 for the Collier County Public Schools.