Ann Arneill-Py, PhD, Executive Officer - Ann Arneill-Py, PhD has worked in the public mental health system for over 25 years.  She has been the Executive Officer of the California Mental Health Planning Council for the last 15 years, supervising the activities of the Planning Council’s eight staff.  Since its inception, the Planning Council has made significant contributions to mental health public policy, including performing an evaluation of realignment, developing a methodology for working with mental health boards and commissions to interpret performance outcome data, consulting with the Department of Mental Health and the California Mental Health Directors Association on the design of new performance outcome data collection systems, doing comprehensive planning for the public mental health system with its publication of the California Mental Health Master Plan:  A Vision for California, and developing policy for implementing the education and training component of the Mental Health Services Act.  Dr. Arneill-Py has guided all these efforts.  She has a doctoral degree in psychology focusing on research methods and psychometrics from the University of California, Davis. Contact Ann at ann.arneill-py@dmh.ca.gov.

Charles Anders, Deputy Executive Officer - Chuck joined the Planning Council in May 2007. Before joining the Planning Council, Chuck worked for the California Institute for Mental Health and the United Advocates for Children and Families planning and delivering training and technical assistance. Chuck provides staff support to the Adult System of Care Subcommittee and the Policy and System Development Committee. Contact Chuck at: Charles.Anders@dmh.ca.gov

Brian Keefer - Brian was hired by CIMH in September 2000 to work in an Associate level capacity for the Planning Council's Human Resources Committee's Human Resources Project. The Planning Council supervises the Human Resources Project and determines the scope of work. His duties include staffing a variety of workforce development committees, conducting quantitative and qualitative research, and collaborating with other organizations seeking pragmatic solutions to California's mental health worker shortage. Brian reports on the project's progress at the quarterly meetings held by Planning Council. Prior to working for the Planning Council’s Human Resources Project, he was the program evaluator at Casa De Esperanza, a tri-county domestic violence sexual assault services provider serving Sutter, Yuba, and Colusa counties. Contact Brian at brian.keefer@dmh.ca.gov.

Linda Brophy, Staff Mental Health Specialist - Linda was hired by the Planning Council in April 2008 to provide staff support to the Human Resource Committee. Linda has worked for the California Department of Mental Health since 1987. She began her DMH career working on legislative issues for the California Council on Mental Health. For the past 12 years she has been staff to the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant Program. Contact Linda at: Linda.Brophy@dmh.ca.gov

Michael Gardner, Associate Mental Health Specialist - Michael began working with the Planning Council in February of 2007 and provides staff support to the Quality Improvement Committee, Older Adult SOC Sub-committee, and the Cultural Competence Committee. He is also the Conflict of Interest Officer for the Planning Council. Prior to coming to the DMH Michael worked for Sacramento County in the Department of Human Assistance and Child Protective Services. Contact Michael at: Michael.Gardner@dmh.ca.gov

Karen Hudson, Staff Mental Health Specialist – Karen joined the Planning Council in February 2008 and provides staff support to the Cultural Competency Committee and the Technical Advisory Committee developing the Performance Outcome Workbook. Previously, Karen worked for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) as a Licensed Psychiatric Technician for over 30 years at Fairview Developmental Center in Orange County. Contact Karen at: Karen.Hudson@dmh.ca.gov

Tracy Thompson, Staff Services Analyst, joined the Planning Council in October 2005 to staff the Human Resources Committee. Previously, Tracy worked for the Department of Human Assistance as an Americorps VISTA on the "Opportunity Knocks" project, a mentoring program for at-risk youth. She also taught English to ESL students at Delta College.  Contact Tracy at Tracy.Thompson@dmh.ca.gov   

Narkesia Swanigan, Staff Services Analyst - Kesia was hired by the Planning Council in October 2007 to staff the Human Resources Committee. She joins us from the California Department of Aging and prior to beginning her state career, she gained valuable experience working for the Child Abuse Prevention Center's SMART Kids Literacy Program. Kesia functioned as a Site Coordinator, supervising the program and maintaining operations of various school sites throughout Sacramento. Contact Kesia at Narkesia.Swanigan@dmh.ca.gov

Lisa Williams, Office Technician - Lisa provides administrative support to the Planning Council. She previously worked for the State at the Department of Health Services for over 13 years. Lisa was hired in April 2007 and possesses excellent office management skills along with an upbeat, positive attitude. Contact Lisa at: Lisa.Williams@dmh.ca.gov

The Planning Council may be contacted by mail at the following address:

California Mental Health Planning Council
1600 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-1198
Fax: (916) 445-1577