Professional Summary:

• Creative Senior Program Manager with exceptional background in public mental

health. Demonstrated leadership in program development, funding, and

implementation. Experienced with non-profit, for profit, and public mental health

programs. Analytical problem-solver with talents for leading and motivating, as

well as excellent collaborative and relationship-building skills. Experienced with

start-up programs and their growth. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring

and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost

performance. Committed to empowering individuals and communities and

remaining a lifelong learner.

Skills:

Leadership Enhancing Infrastructure

Program Implementation Business Development

Non-profit program management Optimizing MediCal Claiming

Strategic Planning Operations and Programming

Budgeting Training

Grant Writing Clinical Supervision

Contract Management Mental Health Awareness

Work Experience:

L.A. County Department of Mental Health March 2005 – July 2023

Mental Health Program Manager III May 2020 – July 2023

Responsible for program development and leadership with DMH staff and Contract Providers

working on the new, grant funded, Outreach and Triage Teams and Child Outreach and Triage

Teams, Countywide. This program provided short term crisis intervention service, enhanced care

management, and community program linkage to adults and children by a multidisciplinary team,

following a Psychiatric Mobile Response visit.

Mental Health Program Manager III October 2018 – May 2020

Responsible for the implementation of Mental Health Promoters program countywide. The

program consists of eight directly operated teams of Spanish speaking Promotores and staff in the

eight County service areas. As the program designer and lead, I oversaw the team involved in the

recruitment, selection, intensive training, and oversight of 160 community residents to become

Promotores. These trained community advocates outreached into the community, providing

education and linkage to resources to thousands of Latino community residents in Spanish and

with a culturally informed approach, in order to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and

increase access to care.Mental Health District Chief March 2005 – October 2018

As the District Chief for Service Area 7, provided oversight and direction, to approximately 20

Mental Health Contract Providers, and 6 Directly Operated Mental Health programs. As the main

administrator for this area, I assured the implementation of County initiatives, the distribution of

new funding streams, and the development of innovative mental health programming.

Collaborated with a variety of affiliated community providers for joint projects including schools,

Probation, DCFS, and community social services and health agencies in the eastern and

southeastern portion of the County. Lead groups of stakeholders in the provision of

programming and services to our consumers; through County sponsored region-wide monthly

meetings of agency and clinic representatives, consumers, family members, and county

department managers. Lead a team of approximately 300 staff, with 5 Program Heads and several

supervisors, as well as a SA 7 administrative team as direct reports. Oversaw new and established

programming, including new directly operated clinics, prepared program policies and procedures

in preparation for MediCal certification, and trained staff. Developed, promoted, and oversaw the

innovative Promotores program for SA 7.

Amanecer Community Counseling Service of Los Angeles January 2002 – January 2005

Los Angeles, CA

Executive Director

Provided leadership, direction, and management of all aspects of the organization, consistent with

Policies and priorities established by the agency’s Board of Directors. Developed and

implemented goals and standards of performance for individual staff members, programs, and the

overall operation of the organization. Oversaw all fiscal and administrative management of the

organization to ensure that resources were being used wisely and in conformance with all legal

and ethical norms. Completed contract negotiations and budgets according to the requirements of

funding sources. Participated in Countywide committees to develop local and statewide policies

and procedures for the provision of services to our population. Trained staff in clinical and

administrative functions. Served as spokesperson for Amanecer, seeking ways to increase the

visibility of the organization and its mission.

L.A. County Department of Mental Health August 2001- January 2002

Mental Health Educational Consultant

Provided consultation to non-profit community mental health centers or social service agencies

serving children and adults in the Metropolitan Los Angeles area. Reviewed policies and

procedures, budgets, supervision plans, and documentation. Provided training to staff on clinical

practices, documentation of services, legal/ethical issues, and County policies and procedures.

Assisted a struggling Contract agency with administrative reorganization.

San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center, Inc. Central Valley Youth and Family Center August 1999 – May 2001

Van Nuys, CA

Children’s Institute International June 1998 – August 1999

Mental Health Program Torrance, CA

Aspen Health Services (Now Pathways) Child and Youth Outpatient/Day Treatment Program April 1997- June 1998

Lakewood / Santa Ana

Director of Children’s Mental Health Programs

Over a period of four years, provided leadership and administrative management as Program

Director to three separate start-up County funded mental health programs for agencies serving

severely emotionally disturbed child and adolescent clients and their families. Organized and

oversaw systems for provision of care, supervision of staff, training, documentation, billing, andquality assurance. Developed policies and procedures, and secured Medi-Cal certification for new

service sites. Wrote successful grant proposal for Wraparound that was one of the first funded

Wraparound Children’s Programs awarded in the County. Worked with County DMH on contract

negotiations and completion.

South Bay Children’s Health Center September 1989 – April 1997

Child Guidance Clinic Torrance, CA

Clinical Director

Management of an outpatient child guidance clinic, staffed by 12 professional staff, 5 master’s

level and Ph.D. interns, and 5 paraprofessional or clerical staff. Direct and indirect supervision

provided to all clinic employees and interns, including day treatment teachers and aides.

Responsible for monitoring quality of patient care, as well as contract requirements. Chair of

utilization review and peer review committees. Formulated and implemented programs to expand

treatment services, including group work and crisis intervention services in order to serve the

target population of clients more efficiently. Organized a treatment program for monolingual

Spanish speaking clients. Represented clinic at County and community meetings to keep abreast

of current regulations affecting funding and assisted Executive Director in contract negotiations

with the County.

Private Practice 1988 – 2003

Torrance, CA

Provided brief and long-term psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults. Worked with

private pay as well as managed care referrals.

Prior Employment:

Didi Hirsh Community Mental Health Center

Family and Child Guidance Clinic

Culver City, CA

Clinical Coordinator of Family and Child Division

January 1986 – August 1989

UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital

Los Angeles, CA

Inpatient Clinical Social Worker

October 1984 – December 1985

Del Amo Psychiatric Hospital

Torrance, CA

Inpatient Clinical Social Worker

February 1983 – March 1984

Volunteers of America Family Service Agency

Los Angeles, CA

Clinical Social Worker

October 1982 – February 1983

Harbor Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled Torrance, CA

Client Program Coordinator

March 1980 –September 1980

Field Work Experience:

UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital West Los Angeles Social Work Intern

September 1981 – June 1982El Centro Community Mental Health Center East Los Angeles Social Work Intern

September 1980 – June 1981

Education:

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES

Master’s in Social Welfare JUNE 1982

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE

B.A. SPANISH

Completed at the University of Madrid, Spain UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE

B.A. SOCIAL ECOLOGY

Emphasis in Human Development, Mental Health Postgraduate Education:

Specialized Training / Coaching on Popular Education Silvia Esqueda, MFTT, Coordinator

Study Group on Dissociative Identity Disorder Dr. Steven Frankel, Coordinator

Advanced Training on Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Stuart House, Santa Monica

Advanced Training on Family Systems Intervention Family Therapy Institute, Santa Monica

Licensed with BBSE – LCS 11759 JUNE 1979

JUNE 1978

2012 – 2018

1994 – 2000

1987

1985 –1986

1985

Awards and Honors:

National “Vision y Compromiso Award” for Promotores in Mental Health L.A. County BOS Top Ten Award for Promotores/Exide Outreach County Commissioner’s Award for Promotores de Salud Mental National Association of Counties Award for Mental Health Promotores L.A. County QPA Million Dollar Award for Specialized Foster Care BBSE Oral Examiner 1995-1997

Phi Beta Kappa: Academic Honor Society UC Irvine Graduated Magna Cum Laude UC Irvine 2018

2018

2013

2013

2007

1978

1978

References: Available on request.