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.
Executive Committee
The executive committee is comprised of the Association’s officers. The officers conduct the day-to-day business of the Association.
Youth SUD Committee
The CAADPE Youth SUD Committee oversees initiatives focused on adolescent substance use prevention, intervention, and treatment across California. This committee coordinates partnerships with educational institutions and community organizations to promote a public health approach to youth substance use issues rather than punitive measures. Members of the committee bring together expertise from various treatment providers and youth specialists to develop best practices, advocate for policy changes, and ensure that CAADPE member agencies effectively serve the unique needs of young people struggling with substance use disorders.
Criminal Justice Committee
Reviews and makes recommendations about proposed state legislation and review issues surrounding the criminal justice system and CDCR.
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
Deena Duncan
Volunteers of America
Los Angeles County
Brandon Fernandez-Comer
CRI-HELP, Inc.
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
Amber Williams
Janus of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz
Team
Executive Director
Robert Layne
Robb Layne is the Executive Director of the California’s Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives (CAADPE), the only state-wide association representing all types of substance use disorder services. In this role, Robb transformed the association into a vital player in the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) policy arena, grew the association’s financial position and created a wider political footprint for his members.
Robb graduated from the University of California, Davis, and began a career bridging multiple industries. Bookending where he started to where he is now, Robb spent over ten years in the California State Assembly and California State Senate as legislative and committee staff. After leaving the Capitol, he was recruited to work as an executive team member at Partnership HealthPlan of California. After three years with Partnership, he was asked to join the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California. He rebranded the organization, increased its exposure, and enhanced its reputation at the State Capitol.
Both in his role as the Executive Director of CAADPE and as a parent of a son with Serious Mental Illness (SMI), Robb currently sits on the California Health & Human Services Agency Behavioral Health Task Force (BHTF), the 988-Crisis Policy Advisory Commission, the California Behavioral Health Planning Council (CBHPC) Workforce Committee and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation/ Council on Criminal Justice California Juvenile Justice Compendium and Toolkit Advisory Board.
Robb has sat on various community boards including the Sacramento LGBT Community Center and Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce Foundation. He currently is the co-president of the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region. He lives in Sacramento with his husband Marc Koenigsberg and their dog Riley.
Senior Manager, Membership and Communication Strategy
Max Geide
Max Geide serves as the Senior Manager of Membership and Communication Strategy, where he steers membership development and communication efforts. In his role, he ensures that his team shares a unified strategic vision, building robust connections with the organization's members. Before this, as Communications Manager at the California Alliance of Child and Family Services, Max boosted advocacy efforts and public engagement, vital in shaping the narrative around the Alliance’s mission.
His career is marked by a significant contribution to communication strategies, engaging stakeholders, and fostering impactful community conversations. Max’s role also involves close coordination with various organizational committees, driving membership engagement and expanding the communicative reach.
Outside of his professional life, Max is passionate about the performing arts, often channeling his creativity through acting. He also has a profound love for writing, a pursuit that sharpens his communication skills and enriches his storytelling capabilities.
Legislative Policy Analyst
Trent Murphy
In Trent’s role at CAADPE, he actively contributes to the development and execution of the Association's legislative priorities. Trent ensures internal association committees have a comprehensive understanding of the legislative landscape. Prior to joining CAADPE in February 2024, Trent led external relations for a Sacramento-based non-profit organization focused on providing environmental education experiences for K-12 schools.
Trent has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from California State University, Stanislaus. While obtaining his degree, Trent's dedication to influencing public policy was evident as he was elected to serve as the lead legislative advocate for the California State Student Association. In this capacity, he represented the student body of the California State University system to the state legislature, where he gained invaluable expertise in state policymaking and a passion for advocacy.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Trent finds solace in outdoor activities, particularly hiking, and is an avid reader of science fiction and history.
Project Manager
Veronica Serret, MSW
Veronica Serret is a Social Worker, Researcher and Project Manager. She received her B.S in Clinical Psychology from the University of La Verne and her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California.
Veronica has over 17 years of experience working in Community Mental Health, Quality Assurance, Data & Outcomes, Program Evaluation, and Public Administration. Over the past 13 years she has expanded her knowledge in research that focuses on Substance Abuse Treatment, evidence-based practice, cultural competency and program capacity with the Affordable Care Act and Health Care Reform. Under the guidance and mentorship of Dr. Erick Guerrero, Veronica has received acknowledgement in articles, manuscripts, and publications. Her research interest has focused on Latino and Minority Communities, Immigration Rights, LGBT Communities, Homeless LGBT youth in Los Angeles and Substance Abuse Treatment. Veronica is a pastry enthusiast by night and wife and mother of three highly energized boys by day!
Community Wellness Trainer
Gabriela Rivera
Gabriela Rivera serves as the Community Wellness Trainer with the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives. Gabriela is part of the Open Doors Program which provides essential education to adults who
regularly interact with youth, equipping them with the tools to identify early signs of substance use and connect young people with the support they need. Gabriela has a Master's in Public Health and extensive experience in community engagement and professional development.
In her previous role, Gabriela and her team successfully planned and delivered ongoing professional development training for over 400 non-behavioral professionals on behavioral and mental health services and topics. Gabriela is skilled at developing partnerships with providers, consultants, local agencies and stakeholders to foster collaboration and ensure that services and training programs are accessible, effective and culturally relevant.
Gabriela enjoys hiking and finding new trails with her loved ones. She collects rubber duckies and hats.
Administrative Services Manager
Alexander Gomez
Alexander Gomez joins CAADPE with over two decades of experience in healthcare operations, behavioral therapy, and program management. Most recently, as Operations Manager at the Spine and Nerve Diagnostic Center, he managed staff schedules, insurance claims, and patient care coordination. He also has a background in behavioral therapy, working as a Registered Behavioral Technician where he provided Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy and advocated for expanded client services.
In addition, Alexander spent over 20 years at Encore Gymnastics, where he led the development of a competitive boys' gymnastics program. He holds certifications in USA Gymnastics. His diverse skill set and leadership experience make him a valuable addition to the CAADPE team.
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.