Ana M. Suarez, LCSW
Los Angeles, CA 90274 ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cell: (310) 502-6616 anamsuarezconsulting@gmail.com
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
Program Implementation Non-profit program management Strategic Planning
Budgeting
Grant Writing
Contract Management
Work Experience:
L.A. County Department of Mental Health
Mental Health Program Manager III
Enhancing Infrastructure Business Development Optimizing MediCal Claiming
Operations and Programming Training
Clinical Supervision Mental Health Awareness
March 2005 – July 2023
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
Children’s Institute International Mental Health Program
Aspen Health Services (Now Pathways)
Child and Youth Outpatient/Day Treatment Program
Director of Children’s Mental Health Programs
August 1999 – May 2001 Van Nuys, CA
June 1998 – August 1999 Torrance, CA
April 1997- June 1998 Lakewood / Santa Ana
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, and
quality 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
UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital Los Angeles, CA
Inpatient Clinical Social Worker
Del Amo Psychiatric Hospital Torrance, CA
Inpatient Clinical Social Worker
Volunteers of America Family Service Agency Los Angeles, CA
Clinical Social Worker
Harbor Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled Torrance, CA
Client Program Coordinator
Field Work Experience:
UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital
West Los Angeles Social Work Intern
January 1986 – August 1989
October 1984 – December 1985
February 1983 – March 1984
October 1982 – February 1983
March 1980 –September 1980
September 1981 – June 1982
El Centro Community Mental Health Center
East Los Angeles Social Work Intern
September 1980 – June 1981
JUNE 1982
JUNE 1979
JUNE 1978
2012 – 2018 1994 – 2000 1987
1985 –1986 1985
2018 2018
2013 2013 2007 1995-1997 1978
1978
Education:
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
Master’s in Social Welfare
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
B.A. SPANISH
Completed at the University of Madrid, Spain
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
B.A. SOCIALECOLOGY
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
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
Phi Beta Kappa: Academic Honor Society UC Irvine
Graduated Magna Cum Laude UC Irvine
References: Available on request.