CA Assoc. of Alcohol & Drug Programs Executives

Mental health and substance use disorder don't exist in isolation — they're can be part of the same struggle. Resources like 988 are essential, and so are the SUD providers across California working every day to meet people where they are. No one has to earn support.

"No student should lose their life because help was right there but unprepared." AB 1586 — sponsored by CAADPE — passed the Assembly Education Committee unanimously. The bill requires school resource officers on K-12 campuses to complete overdose response training. When seconds matter, preparation saves lives. Thank you, @AsmJamesRamos, for carrying this critical legislation. Read more here: tinyurl.com/bpa6as67 #AB1586 #SchoolSafety #OpioidPrevention

Substance use disorder affects virtually every Californian — directly or indirectly. Yet it's still missing from the conversation among candidates running to lead our state. CAADPE is calling on all California gubernatorial candidates to commit to addressing the SUD crisis. Read our full statement here: caadpe.org/news/caapde-ca… #SubstanceUseDisorder #CaliforniaPolitics #BehavioralHealth

Today's Women's History Month spotlight shines on Lyn Morris, LMFT, Chief Executive Officer of @DidiHirsch — and we are proud and honored to have her as a member of the CAADPE community! Lyn has spent more than two decades building one of California's most impactful mental health organizations from the inside out. She joined Didi Hirsch in 2000 as Program Director for Adult Outpatient Services, rose through leadership roles including Division Director of the Suicide Prevention Center, SVP of Clinical Operations, and COO, before being appointed CEO in 2022. Today, she oversees more than 10 sites and partnerships with nearly 100 schools, serving over 150,000 people annually across Los Angeles and Orange counties. Learn more about Didi Hirsch here: didihirsch.org Join us in celebrating Lyn's extraordinary leadership and her lifelong dedication to mental health, suicide prevention, and equitable care this Women's History Month. 💙 #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInLeadership #CommunityImpact #CAADPE #DidiHirsch #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #HealthEquity

Today's Women's History Month spotlight shines on Amanda Carnegie — and we are proud and honored to have her as a member of the CAADPE community! With over a decade of experience in behavioral health, Amanda has dedicated her career to serving some of the most complex and underserved populations — including individuals impacted by incarceration, DCFS-involved families, LGBTQ+ communities, and Native American communities. Her breadth of expertise spans acute mental health, substance use treatment, community health, and residential services. At American Indian Changing Spirits, her leadership has helped nearly triple the program's billing capabilities, expand staffing and retention, deepen community partnerships, and establish internship pipelines for counselors, clinicians, and peer supporters — all while maintaining rigorous compliance with state, county, and accreditation bodies including CARF, of which Amanda is soon to become a Program Surveyor. Amanda's commitment to culturally relevant, evidence-based care is a powerful example of what dedicated leadership looks like in our field. Learn more about American Indian Changing Spirits: americanindianchangingspirits.org Join us in celebrating Amanda this Women's History Month! 💙 #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInLeadership #CommunityImpact #CAADPE #BehavioralHealth #ResidentialTreatment #SubstanceUse #CulturallyResponsiveCare

"If someone says, 'I support recovery, but I don't support it in my community' — then they do not support recovery." CAADPE Executive Director Robb Layne spoke with the @smdailyjournal this week about community opposition to a proposed behavioral health treatment facility in San Mateo. Robb's message: neighborhood concerns deserve real answers — but opposition rooted in stigma and fear, not data, puts lives at risk. The research is clear: treatment facilities do not increase crime. Studies from Johns Hopkins and Brookings show that fears about safety near SUD treatment centers are unfounded. As Robb put it: show me the data. California needs more treatment capacity, not less. Read the full story: tinyurl.com/3muzps2u

CAADPE's Trent Murphy showed support for AB 2011 today at the Assembly Health Committee. This bill locks federal mental health parity protections into California state law — ensuring insurers treat MH/SUD care equally to physical health care, regardless of what happens at the federal level. We proud to support @AsmGreggHart, @Steinberg_Inst, and @kennedyforum, as they aim to protect access to substance use disorder treatment for all Californians. #AB2011 #MentalHealthParity #SUD #CaliforniaHealth

Today's Women's History Month spotlight shines on Rachel Montoya, CPA, President & CEO of Community Solutions — and we are proud and honored to have her as a member of the CAADPE community! Rachel was named President & CEO of Community Solutions in January 2026, stepping into the role after serving as the organization's Chief Financial Officer since 2019. As CFO, she was a steady and strategic force through some of the most challenging periods in recent memory — guiding Community Solutions and the broader human services sector through the COVID-19 pandemic and major statewide behavioral health system transformations. Rachel is deeply engaged in the field beyond her role at Community Solutions — serving as Chair of the Finance Committee of the Behavioral Health Community Association of Santa Clara County, on the Steering Committee for the CFO Leadership Council Silicon Valley Chapter, the Membership Committee for California Alliance for Child and Family Services, and the Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Advisory Board. Join us in celebrating Rachel's remarkable rise and her dedication to strengthening behavioral health systems across California this Women's History Month! 💙 Learn more about Community Solutions here: communitysolutions.org #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInLeadership #CommunityImpact #CAADPE #CommunitySolutions #BehavioralHealth #HealthEquity

Today's Women's History Month spotlight shines on Aubree Sweeney, LMFT, Executive Director of Rancho San Antonio — and we are proud and honored to have her as a member of the CAADPE community! Aubree's journey at Rancho San Antonio is nothing short of inspiring. She began her career there in 1997 as a therapist, spending over 15 years in direct service — supporting youth in transitioning to adulthood, serving as a PRO-Act instructor, and working tirelessly with some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities. On July 1, 2018, she made history as the first female Executive Director in the agency's 90-year history. A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Aubree holds a BA in Psychology from UC Santa Barbara and an MS in Counseling from CSU Northridge. Her clinical background is rich and wide-ranging — from working with survivors of sexual abuse and serving on the Los Angeles Police Department's Sexual Assault Response Team, to facilitating substance abuse groups and counseling youth in juvenile placement facilities. Beyond Rancho, Aubree serves as Juvenile Justice Chairperson and sits on the Nominating Committee at ACHSA. She leads with a deep respect for every person's story and a genuine passion for serving disenfranchised communities. Join us in celebrating Aubree's extraordinary career and her commitment to healing, youth, and justice this Women's History Month! 💙 Learn more about Rancho San Antonio at ranchosanantonio.org #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInLeadership #CommunityImpact #CAADPE #RanchoSanAntonio #BehavioralHealth #YouthServices #JuvenileJustice

@CityOfRC We support the work you do becasue it saves lives!

🚨 Seniors—learn life-saving skills! Join Healthy RC for a FREE Hands-Only CPR & Narcan (naloxone) training designed specifically for older adults. 🗓 Wednesday, April 15 ⏰ 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. 📍 Central Park Register today at bit.ly/4aOQCIY. Space may be limited.

Today's Women's History Month spotlight shines on Nely Meza-Andrade, LMFT, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of Casa Treatment Center — and CAADPE is proud to have her as a member! With over 15 years of leadership experience in behavioral health, nonprofit management, and clinical services, Nely brings a rare and powerful combination of clinical expertise and business acumen to her role. Under her leadership, Casa Treatment Center has grown through strategic planning, diversified funding, and strengthened partnerships with government agencies and community organizations — all while maintaining a steadfast commitment to ethical, evidence-based care. Beyond Casa, Nely is an active community leader, lending her expertise to regional and statewide initiatives focused on behavioral health integration, nonprofit governance, and leadership development. Join us in celebrating Nely's remarkable dedication to healing, recovery, and opportunity for individuals and families this Women's History Month. 💙 #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInLeadership #CommunityImpact #CAADPE #CasaTreatmentCenter #BehavioralHealth #HealthEquity #BilingualLeadership

Today, CAADPE's Trent Murphy joined @AsmJamesRamos and student advocate Jadyn Voorwinden in the Assembly Education Committee to testify in support of AB 1586, a bill that would allow trained School Resource Officers to carry and administer naloxone on school campuses. Adolescent overdose deaths more than doubled between 2019 and 2022, with fentanyl now involved in at least 75% of those fatalities. When a bystander is present in nearly 40% of overdose deaths, equipping more people to respond isn't just smart policy. It saves lives. AB 1586 creates a voluntary framework for SROs who choose to participate, with proper POST training and existing legal protections in place. It's a practical, commonsense step to close a critical gap in emergency response on our school campuses. CAAPDE is proud to sponsor this bill, and thank Assemblymember Ramos for his commitment to this issue. We see every day what's at stake, and we know that survival often comes down to whether someone nearby was prepared to act. #AB1586 #NaloxoneSavesLives #OverdosePrevention #CaliforniaLegislature #CAADPE

As part of Women's History Month, we are honored to spotlight Vitka Eisen, President and CEO of @HealthRIGHT360 — and our very own Vice President of the CAADPE Board! HealthRIGHT 360 delivers integrated, compassionate care to over 40,000 low-income and marginalized Californians every year. With over 40 years of experience in human services, Vitka has devoted her career to supporting people and communities impacted by addiction and incarceration. Since stepping into her leadership role in 2010, she has guided HealthRIGHT 360 through a series of transformative mergers, expanding the organization's reach and deepening its impact across California. We are also proud to announce that HealthRIGHT 360 has been awarded a Bond BHCIP Round 2: Unmet Needs conditional grant, awarded by DHCS — a powerful recognition of the organization's commitment to addressing outstanding behavioral health infrastructure needs across California. Vitka's unwavering dedication to equity, dignity, and care for the most vulnerable among us makes her a true inspiration. Join us in celebrating her extraordinary legacy this Women's History Month. 💙 #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInLeadership #CommunityImpact #CAADPE #HealthRIGHT360 #BehavioralHealth #HealthEquity #BHCIP #IntegratedCare

CAADPE stands with @DidiHirsch in support of AB 1540! Our Policy Analyst Trent Murphy showed up today at the Assembly Health Committee to add CAADPE's voice in support of restoring the "Press 3" LGBTQ+ Youth Crisis Hotline through 988. LGBTQ+ youth in California deserve access to culturally competent, life-saving crisis support — and AB 1540 by @AsmMarkGonzalez delivers that. Since the federal government ended contracts with 988 subnetwork providers, thousands of vulnerable young people have been left without specialized, affirming care during their moments of greatest need. The numbers are clear: 73,000 calls from California alone in just one year. This service saves lives. Let's restore it. We urge an AYE vote on AB 1540. #AB1540 #988LifeLine #LGBTQYouth #MentalHealth #CaliforniaLegislature

As part of Women’s History Month, we are thrilled to introduce @brandygrayca, the newest member of CAADPE. Brandy is a seasoned entrepreneur, philanthropist, and nature enthusiast, celebrated for her impactful leadership and unwavering dedication to community service. Her advisory firms specialize in sourcing and managing investments in real estate to drive societal change, offering tangible solutions to end Veteran homelessness. Brandy is also the founder and Executive Director of the grassroots nonprofit, Global Women Foundation & Band of Brothers @gwfbob. Her commitment to addressing poverty and homelessness among veterans is truly inspiring. Discover more at gwfbob.org. We are proud to announce that Brandy's efforts have been recognized with a Bond BHCIP Round 2: Unmet Needs conditional grant, awarded by DHCS. This funding supports infrastructure projects addressing outstanding behavioral health needs across California. Brandy’s dedication to elevating lives and creating a brighter tomorrow makes her a beacon of inspiration for many. Join us in celebrating Brandy’s remarkable journey and her contributions to societal change during Women’s History Month. #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInLeadership #CommunityImpact #CAADPE #GlobalWomenFoundation

Today, we are proud to highlight Victoria Kelly, CEO of @redwoodcs. Victoria Kelly, LCSW, has built her career around social justice, service, and community-based care. She first discovered her passion for this work in 2002 when she founded a youth empowerment camp for at-risk teens, and that commitment has continued to guide her ever since. Victoria has served in a wide range of roles spanning direct client care, program development, and management, supporting children, youth, and families across the lifespan. Her leadership is grounded in a deep belief that every person deserves the opportunity to thrive, and her passion for service continues to strengthen the communities she serves. Now, as CEO of Redwood Community Services, Victoria is helping carry forward the agency’s important work across Mendocino, Lake, and Humboldt Counties. We are proud to celebrate her leadership and the impact she is making during Women’s History Month. #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInLeadership #BehavioralHealth #SocialWork #CAADPE #RedwoodCommunityServices

As part of Women’s History Month, we will be highlighting our amazing women members whose leadership is helping shape the future of behavioral health and substance use disorder care across California. Today, we are proud to highlight two outstanding leaders from @PacificClinics: Kathy McCarthy, Chief Executive Officer/President, and Eva Terrazas, Chief Public Policy and Advocacy Officer. Kathy McCarthy brings more than 30 years of experience and a remarkable background in leadership, law, and organizational strategy. Since joining Pacific Clinics in 2010, she has held several key executive roles before becoming CEO/President. Her career reflects a deep commitment to service, strong leadership, and lasting community impact. Eva Terrazas brings more than 20 years of experience across the public and private sectors, leading Pacific Clinics’ public policy and advocacy agenda at the local, state, and national levels. Her work in policy development, public affairs, and community empowerment reflects a powerful commitment to equity, advocacy, and systems change. Together, Kathy and Eva represent the strength, vision, and leadership that continue to move this field forward. We are proud to celebrate them and their contributions during Women’s History Month. #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInLeadership #BehavioralHealth #Advocacy #CAADPE #PacificClinics

This Women’s History Month, we will be highlighting our amazing women members who are making an impact across California’s substance use disorder treatment field. Today, we’re honored to recognize Amber Williams, CEO of @JCruz71055 . Amber brings more than 21 years of experience in addiction medicine care and healthcare administration, along with a leadership style grounded in empowerment, accountability, and person-centered care. As CEO, she leads a $16 million nonprofit organization with a focus on strategic growth, staff development, service excellence, and community impact. Her thoughtful, creative leadership continues to strengthen the field and inspire those around her. We are proud to highlight Amber and all she brings to this work. Learn more about the amazing work Amber and staff are doing by visiting: janussc.org #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInLeadership #BehavioralHealth #SUDTreatment #CAADPE

As part of Women’s History Month, we will be highlighting our amazing women members who are leading, innovating, and strengthening the substance use disorder treatment field across California. Today, we are proud to highlight Denise Shook, President and CEO of BHS,Inc. With more than 31 years of experience in the human services field, Denise brings deep expertise, steady leadership, and a lifelong commitment to supporting individuals and communities. A certified SUD counselor with a background in social work and human services, she has played a key role in advancing treatment strategies, operational excellence, and program innovation throughout her career. Denise has helped launch impactful initiatives including the United States Probation Offender UA Testing Program and a Vocational Training Program that equips participants with skills to pursue long-term employment and stability. Her leadership reflects a strong commitment not only to organizational growth, but to creating meaningful opportunities for the people and communities served. We are grateful for Denise’s leadership and proud to celebrate her during Women’s History Month. #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInLeadership #SUDTreatment #BehavioralHealth #Recovery #CAADPE #WomenLeadingChange

Coalition advocacy works. In December, CAADPE and CADA called on Los Angeles County to address dangerous opioid treatment cutbacks and MAT waitlists in county jails. Now, action is underway. A motion led by Supervisor Janice Hahn was passed to address key concerns raised by advocates, including MAT waitlist reporting, treatment process review, naloxone access monitoring, funding for unmet needs, and an outside evaluation of substance use-related deaths. lnkd.in/gpGk-4ZR This is exactly why CAADPE advocates: to make sure critical issues affecting people with substance use disorders are raised, addressed, and followed through on. Now the focus turns to implementation. Read our original coalition letter here: tinyurl.com/2vtmdejp