About Us
Driving high quality treatment services to become accessible and available in a timely manner to anyone who seeks help.
This is our main goal, supported by the following work:
Educating Key Decision Makers
We track issues at the local, state, and federal levels about current and emerging trends in substance use disorder services. We work with legislators and allied coalitions to advocate for accessible and quality substance use disorder services on behalf of individuals with chronic addiction.
Informing Public Policy
Our committees work to recognize emerging statewide policy issues, identify and address the needs of the field, and help reduce substance use by recommending improvements to current efforts and new initiatives.
Educating Our Members
Through the CAADPE website, our e-newsletter, and special alerts, we keep our members informed and bring them together to participate in the public discourse and collective action regarding substance use disorder services.
Convening Industry Leaders
Our roundtables keep everyone informed and updated about public policies and issues challenging the substance use disorder services field.
Educating & Activating The Public
Our website and other public education initiatives keep Californians aware of current and proposed public policies, the potential impact on their communities, and actions they can take to influence these policies.
Sponsoring Professional Education & Training
Contact CAADPE about upcoming training events.
With each new member agency our voice and impact grow stronger.
The ONLY state-wide association representing all types of substance use disorder treatment programs
Established in 1989, CAADPE member agencies now provide substance use disorder treatment services at over 300 sites in California. Together, we advocate for high quality services to treat substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders, and for making these services accessible and available to anyone who seeks help.
Membership in CAADPE is by agency, and each member agency is represented at CAADPE by their chief executive leader or his/her designee.
CAADPE is organized by chapters throughout the state and headquartered in Sacramento for easy access to state government. At the state-wide level, a volunteer board of directors, elected by the members, guides the association and its policies on issues vital to its members.
It is through the committee structure that CAADPE addresses the needs of the field and identifies the policy issues of the organization. CAADPE members are urged to volunteer their time in their respective areas of expertise.
Our Priorities
- Promote and support health and social equity across all SUD services and policies.
- Promote and support efforts to provide the necessary state and federal resources for individuals to access SUD services at an individual’s assessed level and in a timely manner. (Enough money for treatment on demand).
- Promote and support proposals to reduce bureaucratic barriers to an individual securing SUD services. (this would include paperwork reduction, cost report reform, eligibility for peer support services, etc).
- Promote and support efforts to strengthen and expand the SUD workforce to address the current shortage and meet the growing demand for SUD services.
- Promote and support care integration of SUD services.
- Promote and support the state’s adoption of new and emerging SUD evidence based treatment strategies and technologies (e.g. telehealth, contingency management and OPP).
- Oppose any state and federal efforts to diminish or reduce the availability and/or access to SUD services. (e.g. STOP funding, backfill of loss of realignment funds).
Committees
Legislative Committee
- Reviews proposed state and federal legislation and regulatory changes
- Makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding CAADPE’s position.
- Advises members
- Once the board has adopted a position, the Legislative Committee implements its advocacy strategy.
Criminal Justice Committee
Reviews and makes recommendations about proposed state legislation and review issues surrounding the criminal justice system and CDCR.
Executive Committee
The executive committee is comprised of the Association’s officers. The officers conduct the day-to-day business of the Association.
Workforce Development / Services Committee
- Reviews current trends and challenges facing agencies and formulates recommendations for addressing the challenges
- Participates in the review of and makes recommendations about state standards for licensing and certification of the workforce
- Advocates for professional standards of care through advocacy for education, knowledge, standards of practice, ethics and professional development.
- Advocate for an adequate pay/reimbursement for the workforce.
- Reviews and makes recommendations about state and federal regulatory proposals and changes the affect how treatment agencies operate.
- Identifies policies that may facilitate and/or hinder the development of quality treatment facilities.
- Assists members in providing timely access to quality care
- Identifies state and federal policy and regulatory barriers to access to treatment.
- Advocates for strengthening and expanding the SUD workforce through education, advocacy, knowledge, standards of practice, ethics and professional development.
- Also identifies policies that may facilitate and/or hinder the development of quality treatment facilities.
Board of Directors
A member-elected Board of Directors guides the association. The board reviews policies, makes recommendations, and takes positions on issues impacting the substance use disorder field. CAADPE board members represent providers from a number of working groups and agencies across the state.
Albert M. Senella,
PRESIDENT
Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc.
Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties
Vitka Eisen, MSW, Ed. D.,
VICE PRESIDENT
HealthRIGHT 360
Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Francisco, and Sutter Counties.
Shawn Jenkins,
SECRETARY
WestCare California
Fresno, El Dorado, Kern, Sacramento Counties
Maurice Lee,
TREASURER
Center Point, Inc.
Marin, Sonoma, Alameda, Sacramento, Kings, Riverside Counties
Doug Bond
Amity Foundation
Los Angeles, Madera, San Bernardino, San Diego Counties
Jack Bernstein
CRI-HELP, Inc.
Los Angeles County
Brandon Fernandez-Comer
CRI-HELP, Inc.
Los Angeles County
Deena Duncan
Volunteers of America
Los Angeles County
Alice Gleghorn
Phoenix Houses of California, Inc.
Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, Ventura Counties
Mark Hickman
Western Pacific Med Corp
Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura Counties
Luis Montes
Narcotics Prevention Association Inc.
Los Angeles County
Javier Moreno
Aegis Treatment Centers
Butte, Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Merced, Placer, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Stanislaus, Sutter, Ventura, Yuba Counties
Juan Navarro
Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Los Angeles County
Denise Shook
Behavioral Health Services, Inc.
Los Angeles, Orange Counties
Team
Executive Director
Robert Layne
Robert is a business-focused executive with experience in the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. Prior to joining CAADPE in July 2022, he served as Senior Advocate, Policy & Legislative Affairs for the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies.
As a graduate of the University of California, Davis, Layne has over a decade of experience in the California State Senate and Assembly as legislative and committee staff. Additionally, he has a significant amount of healthcare executive experience during his tenure at Partnership HealthPlan of California and association experience while working at the County Behavioral Health Director’s Association and the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies.
Executive Operations Director
Jennifer Yancey
Jennifer Yancey joined the CAADPE team in 2000. She has enjoyed the journey with CAADPE, these last 20 years, as CAADPE has worked thoroughly as it changes for the better the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) field.
Jennifer optimizes the workflow, productivity of CAADPE team. She provides oversite and management of the Associations operations. Also, assist in the policy efforts as it is related to SUD. As a director of operations, she works closely with the Executive Director and CAADPE Board of Directors.
Jennifer graduated from University of California, Stanislaus. And in her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.
Policy Consultant
Thomas Renfree
Prior to his retirement in 2019, Tom Renfree served as Deputy Director of the California Behavioral Health Directors Association In 2019, he was also elected to a term as President of the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD).
Prior to this position, for almost fourteen years Tom was the Executive Director of the County Alcohol and Drug Program Administrators Association of California. In this role Tom was active in statewide efforts to increase local government funding and support for both adult and adolescent alcohol and drug prevention and treatment services. During that period he was also instrumental in establishing the Alcohol and Drug Policy Institute as a research and policy think tank.
Among Tom’s leadership goals are a commitment to work toward better public understanding of substance use disorder issues, and a commitment to help advance public support for behavioral health programs, their clients, and the workforce that directly provide prevention and treatment services.
In his current role as a policy consultant for CAADPE, Tom is tasked with writing and preparing the association’s Weekly Membership Memo, focusing on legislative and policy issues, as well as other news and updates of interest to CAADPE members. He also works on related publications, including white papers, special reports, articles and fact sheets on issues related to SUD policy and services. This work involves monitoring legislation of interest to CAADPE, staying updated on specific bills, and preparing legislative reports and letters. When requested, Tom represents CAADPE at assigned meetings of affiliate organizations, and participates in various CAADPE meetings as well.
Digital Design & Communications
Karen Pasternack Straus
Karen Pasternack Straus is a graphic designer with an MBA and substantial marketing experience. She joined the CAADPE team in May 2020.
Karen also runs Garnet Creative, an agency focused on marketing planning, message development, graphic design (print and digital), websites, and email marketing for purpose-driven organizations.