The state Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals, or BHDDH, welcomed a new staff member this month.

His name is Louis A. Cerbo, and until recently he was the clinical director/psychologist for the state Department of Corrections.

At BHDDH, his new title is shorter – deputy director. But Cerbo, 59, sees his new role as multifaceted.

In a broad sense, he sees himself helping agency’s director, Rebecca Boss, with general operations and the issues that might come up on a given day in one of the state’s largest departments. But he also looks forward to supporting the department in its mission to help people who live with developmental disabilities, and applying his knowledge of substance use disorders and behavioral health to support efforts to help people who are challenged in these areas.

“I understand how the rise of mental illness and substance use disorders in the prison system has become a problem,” he said. “I feel that I can bring that expertise here to BHDDH, as it gears its programs to the community.”

In one sense, this is a reunion of sorts. From 2003 to 2011, Cerbo worked for the agency that became BHDDH, serving as the administrator of the Eleanor Slater Hospital Adult Psychiatric Service. He left BHDDH in 2011 to accept a position at the Department of Corrections, where he remained until he assumed his new duties on April 15.

Cerbo grew up in Providence and later in Cranston and graduated from La Salle Academy in 1978. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Boston University and later earned master’s degrees from Rhode Island College (psychology) and Boston University (education). He then earned a Doctor of Philosophy in counseling/clinical psychology from Boston University.

He lives in Cranston with his wife, Susan. They have five grown children.