The Behavioral Health
Collaborative
of Alameda County
Matthew Madaus
Executive Director
Matthew Madaus became the Executive Director of the Collaborative in 2020. He has run and consulted to numerous behavioral health agencies, co-founded a clinical software company, and provided expert witness consultation and testimony to attorneys across the country.
Matthew was the CEO of Edgewood Center for Children and Families for over 5 years, leading more than 500 staff in their behavioral health services to children, young adults, and families in San Francisco and San Mateo Counties. Mr. Madaus oversaw all of Edgewood’s services and also led the Edgewood Institute, which developed innovative program models, provided training, and conducted research. Prior to Edgewood, Mr. Madaus was a regional Executive Director for Victor Community Support Services, Director of Residential Treatment at Chamberlain’s Children Center, and Clinical Director at The Home for Little Wanderers, the oldest child welfare agency in the United States. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Mr. Madaus received his Master of Social Work from San Diego State University and completed a post-graduate program in intensive family systems therapy from the Family Institute of Cambridge. Matthew has two inspiring adult sons and an amazing wife of almost 25 years.
Barbra Silver
Immediate Past President
Barbra Silver is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a proud Oakland resident. She has been with Family Paths since 1998 when she began as a clinician with the Families in Transition program and helped to develop the early documentation training for the then new EPSDT funded services. Barbra was then a Program Manager for the Oakland FIT team between 2000-2007. In 2008, Barbra was promoted to become Family Paths’ Clinical Director, during which time she grew the clinical training program to have a strong focus on the Strengthening Families Framework™ and Diversity-Informed and Trauma-Informed best practices. She has co-lead the organization’s Multicultural Organizational Development committee since 2013. In October 2015, Barbra became Family Paths’ interim Executive Director and then was hired by the Board in February 2016 to lead the organization.
Aaron Ortiz
Vice President
Aaron Ortiz is the Chief Executive Officer of La Familia Counseling Services. He began his work experience with the Boys and Girls Club through the Job Training Partnership Act, presently known as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). As a youth growing up in the streets of South Hayward, the experience with the Boys and Girls Club changed his life path forever, which led him to his current status of managing the same workforce development and re-entry programs for thousands of bay area youth and adults.
Since 1992, Aaron has dedicated his career to helping youth, adults, and families by providing public health, education, workforce development, youth development, mental health, family preservation and culturally competent programs in the Bay Area. Aaron’s career began at La Familia Counseling Service (LFCS) where he worked from 1992-1997 (Uniquely, 33 years ago his mother was the janitor for LFCS and takes pride in knowing that her son has risen to become CEO of La Familia). Aaron also served on the board of La Familia for 14 years collectively and was Chairman of the Board.
Aaron has become a leader in Alameda County by executing successful strategies for programs and economies in some of the most challenging communities in the East Bay. Aaron has been instrumental in creating groundbreaking community programs and initiatives such as: Co-Founder of the District Attorney's Justice Academy (DAJA) and founder of the Veterans Internship Program (VIP) for National Labs. He acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Master of Arts in Public Administration, as well as a teaching credential from San Jose State University. Over the years, he has gained significant career experiences while continuing to leave a body of work attending to the neediest in our communities.
Narges Dillon
President
Narges Zohoury Dillon is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the Executive Director of Crisis Support Services of Alameda County (CSS). Her career started as a case manager in 2006 and has been focused on reducing barriers to access for communities that have been historically underserved or inappropriately served by the mental health system. Narges gravitated to suicide prevention as a clinician because of personal losses she has experienced and believes strongly in the stigma reduction power of openly talking about the topic. Since joining CSS, Narges has worked to expand non-English services at the agency and is also dedicated to using data to advocate for a stronger crisis continuum that is not reliant on law enforcement.
Stacey Katz
At Large Member
Dr. Stacey Katz has worked with youth in the child welfare system for 30 years as a direct service provider, organizational leader, and advocate. As CEO of WestCoast Children's Clinic, Katz leads the development of clinical practice, research, and policy to improve the well-being of children with histories of trauma and system involvement. WestCoast is recognized as an expert in delivering mental health services to children and youth, including short term stabilization, therapeutic collaborative assessment, outpatient therapy, and care coordination. In 2018, WestCoast published a clinical treatment guide for mental health professionals working with commercially sexually exploited youth. Dr. Katz serves on several local, state, and national bodies to address the mental health needs of youth who experience child sex trafficking, including the National Advisory Committee on Sex Trafficking of Children and Youth in the United States.
Katherine Schwartz
At Large Member
Katherine Schwartz has been the Executive Director of Alameda Family Services for over three years. She previously worked at Caminar, Aldea Counseling Services, and Seneca Family of Agencies accruing over 25 years of community-based behavioral health and child welfare experience. Ms. Schwartz is a dedicated leader with proven expertise in innovative agency improvement and growth that leads to exceptional client outcomes while delivering desired fiscal objectives. A trailblazer in the fields of Wraparound, Therapeutic Behavioral Services, Intensive Treatment Foster Care, Intensive Clinical Case Management, and evidenced-based practices, Ms. Schwartz is committed to creating community where the wellbeing of all is realized.
Jaime Campos
At Large Member
Jaime Campos is the Executive Director of Horizon Services. He has 10 years of experience in the non-profit Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment field. His motivation to work in this field comes from a deep sense of commitment and personal responsibility to make a meaningful impact in the community, having personally witnessed many examples of one’s ability to resiliently overcome SUD-related adversity. As an experienced drug and alcohol counselor, he uses his clinical experience in combination with his passion for best business practices to help non-profit organizations thrive in an ever-changing, dynamic healthcare environment.
Jaime is deeply passionate about bringing world class business techniques and disciplines to the non-profit, SUD treatment world. He earned his MBA in Healthcare Administration through the University of Colorado in Denver, his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Colorado State University and holds a certification as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUDCC). Jaime also served as the Board Treasurer for the California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP) for 7 years. Jaime is also trained in the areas of project management, green belt-level lean six sigma process and quality improvement, and CIBHS change leadership approaches using NIATx methodologies which incorporate practices from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. He is an avid runner, an audio enthusiast and a newly minted father now living in the East Bay with his wife and young daughter.
Tricca Hodges
At Large Member
Tricca Hodges, LCSW, serves as the Regional Director at Alternative Family Services (AFS), marking a distinguished 25-year tenure with the organization. She was formerly the Program Director for the East Bay Foster Care division of AFS, a position through which she significantly contributed to the enhancement of foster care services. In 2012, Tricca transitioned to the agency's Mental Health department, broadening her impact by leveraging her deep expertise in social service programming alongside Specialty Mental Health Services tailored for children and families engaged with the Child Welfare System. She ran The Gathering Place, a visitation program that significantly improved reunification rates in Alameda County. Tricca is a fervent advocate for Resource Parents, recognizing and honoring their dedication and commitment.
In her capacity as Regional Director, Tricca has been instrumental in pioneering the integration of Foster Care and Mental Health Services. Her strategic vision fosters a collaborative and team-based methodology, ensuring that support for clients and families is both comprehensive and effective. Under her leadership, the synthesis of these crucial services has led to more cohesive and supportive frameworks for those under the agency's care.
David Channer
At Large Member
David Channer was named A Better Way’s President & CEO in October 2020. Prior to this he had served for 15 years in multiple organizational leadership roles including Chief Operating Officer, Chief Program Officer, Clinical Director and Mental Health Program Director.
David began his career working with homeless youth in upstate New York in 1993. In 1997 he earned a Masters in Clinical Social Work from Smith College School for Social Work. David has focused his professional efforts on the development and improvement of programs occurring at the intersection of Social Services and Mental Health Treatment. He is committed to building systemic partnerships that honor families and centralize the wisdom of lived-experience in the delivery of measurably effective supports.