With nearly three decades of experience in social services, Kiran Sahota has transformed community behavioral health through innovative programs, law enforcement training, and digital solutions to tackle complex challenges and drive systemic change.
After retiring as a Senior Behavioral Health Manager in 2020, she founded Concepts Forward Consulting, focusing on strategic planning and quality review projects, including the California statewide initiatives of CalAIM, the Behavioral Health Services Act, and electronic Psychiatric Advance Directives.
Jared Mayhue is dedicated to transforming the behavioral healthcare system. Combining his academic background in sociology with practical experience, he focuses on addressing systemic flaws and inequalities. Through collaboration with stakeholders and communities, Jared champions innovative strategies for holistic and equitable care. A priority focus is working with Transitional-Age Youth (TAY), highlighting this often-overlooked demographic. A Certified Peer Support Specialist driven by empathy and research, Jared advocates for a future where behavioral health support is accessible and reflective of diverse needs.
Michael Rompal is a retired Sergeant with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, where he served for 26 years in various capacities. Throughout his career, he held multiple supervisory and training roles, gaining extensive experience in crisis management and intervention. As the Administrative Sergeant at the department's largest substation, Michael became the Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Coordinator, overseeing the program’s implementation and leading efforts to enhance the department’s handling of mental health crises. In addition to his law enforcement career, Michael is an adjunct professor in the Administration of Criminal Justice Program at Ventura Community College, where he shares his knowledge with aspiring criminal justice professionals. As the first responder training manager for Concepts Forward Consulting and CIT Certified, he specializes in training and program development and Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs) tools to help first responders navigate and de-escalate mental health situations. Committed to improving the relationship between law enforcement and the mental health community, Michael believes that trust and transparent communication are the foundation of effective crisis intervention.
Rick Jackson is an accomplished Information Systems Reviewer and Data Analyst previously at Behavioral Health Concepts, where he led state-mandated external quality reviews for California's county Mental Health Plans and Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery Systems. With over two decades of experience, including a long tenure at the Butte County Department of Behavioral Health, Mr. Jackson excels in data analytics and system evaluations. His technical expertise encompasses platforms like MS Excel, SPSS, Tableau, and SQL, as well as managing complex Electronic Health Records such as Avatar. This proficiency allows Mr. Jackson to effectively meet the diverse data needs of behavioral health services, ensuring compliance and improving service delivery. In addition to his technical skills, Mr. Jackson boasts a strong background in research protocols and methodologies, spending over 18 years on the meticulous collection, extraction, and reporting of mental health and substance use data for various stakeholders. With more than seven years in managerial roles, he has been pivotal in crafting strategic metrics and Key Performance Indicators that assess and enhance the operational success of health agencies. His expertise in fulfilling intricate DHCS-mandated reporting requirements underlines a commitment to using data to advance mental health policies and create a more responsive behavioral health system.
Patrick Zarate is the former Assistant Director for Behavioral Health Concepts, where for more than six years he over conducted reviews and directed California’s External Quality Review for the DMC-ODS. He has worked in the behavioral health field for more than 45 years, stepping into executive leadership positions since 2006 with a focus on optimizing care by utilizing data to drive opportunities for improvement. Previously the Alcohol and Drug Administrator of Ventura County Behavioral Health, he completed his county career in 2018 as the Acting Director. A graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, Mr. Zarate’s work has received state and national recognition as a leading proponent of community-based substance use treatment and prevention initiatives specifically involving impaired driving, the impact of marijuana on the developing adolescent brain, and the opioid crisis.
Bill Walker is a highly experienced mental health professional, holding a License as a Marriage and Family Therapist. He has had an extensive career in behavioral health services over the past three decades. His career is marked by significant leadership positions, including Director of Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, where he led initiatives to improve mental health service delivery, and as the Policy and Mental Health Review Administrator at Behavioral Health Concepts, California’s External Quality Review. Additionally, he has contributed to academic circles as a part-time instructor in the Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADAC) Program at California State University, Bakersfield. Bill has been dedicated to fostering effective mental health and substance use treatment services throughout his career.
Dr. SenGupta is a seasoned research psychologist and program evaluator specializing in mental health and DMC-ODS. Serving as a senior consultant and special advisor for California’s External Quality Review through Behavioral Health Concepts, Dr. SenGupta played a pivotal role in assessing and enhancing mental health services across California's 56 county-run Mental Health Plans. Utilizing a blend of quantitative and qualitative methods, he ensured these evaluations robustly address service access, timeliness, and quality, providing essential insights for the California Department of Health Care Services. His evaluation specialty focus on Performance Improvement Projects, in both state required mental health and substance use disorder projects. Previously, he served on the board of the American Evaluation Association and was the founding chair of the San Francisco Bay Area Evaluators, demonstrating a deep commitment to the advancement of evaluation science. Currently, as a member of the editorial board for the American Journal of Evaluation, Dr. SenGupta contributes to the dissemination of cutting-edge research in the field.
Idea Engineering is a full-service branding and marketing agency specializing in communications that create community. They have worked with many county behavioral health systems and on multiple MHSA-funded campaigns. Idea Engineering's work is seen in suicide prevention efforts, prevention and early intervention projects, mental wellness and substance use prevention campaigns, and public health and safety messaging. Reducing stigma and increasing health equity are key themes. Their depth of expertise includes communications for diverse language groups as well as developing messaging that resonates with populations such as those who are historically marginalized, people with behavioral health challenges, and youth. Visit IdeaEngineering.com to view samples of branding, campaigns, and websites.