Norman Simmons implements mental health and wellness initiatives with an emphasis on health equity and eliminating disparities. He uses a relational approach with partners to out in place transformative- and culturally-responsive mental health and wellness solutions.
Before joining Common Ground Health, Simmons served as a senior FACT facilitator with Monroe County’s Family Access and Connection Team, where he oversaw management and administrative responsibilities for outreach, program enrollment and recruitment. He is a consultant at Hoop & Motivate, and he is a mental health first aid instructor for the National Council of Wellbeing.
An experienced educator, coach and community leader, Simmons has expertise in youth development. He leads East High School’s mock trial team and has coached for eight years at the school – including as junior varsity and varsity assistant basketball coach. His volunteer work includes serving as partnership chair for The Commissary Fund, which helps incarcerated individuals and their loved ones purchase basic necessities from prison commissaries.
Simmons earned a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in individualized studies from SUNY Buffalo. His hobbies include spending time with his three children, reading, writing and traveling.