Mission & History
RHD is a national, comprehensive human services organization. Our mission is to provide caring, effective, and innovative services that empower people of all abilities as they work to achieve the highest level of independence possible while building better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities.
RHD operates more than 115 programs in 12 states. Our programs fall into three broad service categories: Behavioral Health and Housing (BHH), Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), and Healthcare. They all specialize in helping individuals and families with complex needs, including mental illness, developmental disabilities, chronic homelessness, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress, abuse, and other conditions. Our diverse services include housing, education, community development, job training, career counseling, social services, recovery, outsider art, and returning citizens. RHD also operates a nationally recognized network of nurse-managed, community health centers, Family Practice & Counseling Network.
Each year, RHD provides essential day and residential services to more than 50,000 children and adults, while RHD’s community health centers provide care to more than 22,000 patients.
At RHD, you can be part of a new mission
RHD does life-changing work with people in need, but it’s also a national corporation that offers rewarding careers in budgeting, billing, clinical and case management, and much more. RHD is growing nationally and has openings for full- and part-time positions, with an emphasis on hiring veterans. See how veterans have put their skills and experience to good use at RHD.
Our History
In 1966, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania enacted and funded its first comprehensive Mental Health/Mental Retardation Act (later amended and renamed the Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Act). In 1970, Bertram Wolfson, RHD Board Chairperson, formed a citizen’s committee to administer a program in Lower Merion Township of Montgomery County – with an initial grant of just $50,000. The committee incorporated Resources for Human Development (RHD) as a nonprofit human services organization and hired Bob Fishman as its first Executive Director. Lower Merion Counseling Services, now operating as Lower Merion Counseling & Mobile Services, became RHD’s first program.
RHD has had just four CEOs in its history. On September 25, 2013, RHD’s Board of Directors announced Bob Fishman’s retirement with the title CEO Emeritus. Dyann Roth succeeded him from 2013-2017. Marco Giordano served as CEO from 2017 to 2024. On June 3, 2024, Brian Matthew Rhodes, Esq., was appointed as RHD’s President/Chief Executive Officer.
RHD was founded in 1970 as an organization that would actively advocate for social change. Every program upholds RHD’s Values and legacy of excellence in service delivery by treating people with respect and dignity, and by tailoring services to best meet the needs of the people we support, no matter their challenges.
From one program, two employees, and a budget of $50,000, RHD has grown into a national $200-plus million human services organization that provides care, resources, and compassionate services to countless individuals each year in person-centered, trauma-informed programs across the country. Through RHD’s programs, participants achieve the highest level of independence possible and build their most successful lives.
RHD currently supports programs in: