Lisa Warhuus, Phd, Orscc Email & Phone Number

San Rafael, California, United States

Berkeley, California, United States

Oversees all operations and the $100-million annual budget (avg.) of the Department of Health, Housing, and Community Services (HHCS), including the divisions of Public Health, Mental Health, Environmental Health, Housing and Community Services, Aging Services, and the Office of the Director. At the direction of the Berkeley City Council and City Manager, and following all State, Federal, and local requirements, oversees implementation of all HHCS programmatic and operational initiatives with the support of 220 employees.Serves as member of the Senior Executive Team of the City of Berkeley; advising the City Manager, Mayor, City Council, and public on key issues related to health and housing. Works collaboratively with Department Heads and the City Manager’s Office to execute City-wide efforts to promote the health and safety of the community and address critical issues.Supports integration of department-wide efforts to achieve equity through the lens of the social determinants of health. Holds equity as the grounding point for each of the six HHCS divisions and works to respond to critical public health and housing issues by prioritizing community members who are furthest from opportunity, which in Berkeley are primarily Black, Indigenous and other people of color, and unhoused community members.Transitioned the HHSC Leadership Team, from a fragmented and reactive group, to a collaborative and cohesive team with shared goals and activities. Supervises 10 direct reports utilizing a coaching stance that inspires agency. Works actively to build a safe and supportive work environment by sending weekly written communications, holding all staff quarterly meetings and celebrations, self-imposing a director’s “open-door” policy, prioritizing relationship building with all teams and staff, and promoting leadership development for managers and supervisors.

San Leandro, Ca

Led Alameda County Health Care Services Agency’s, Center for Healthy Schools and Communities (CHSC) which administers school-based health services to achieve health and education equity across 18 school districts in Alameda County. Oversaw a team of 50 professional staff; engaged with Agency Leadership, Supervisors, and other elected officials; worked with nearly 100 partners and stakeholder groups to strengthen cross-systems coordination; managed a $17-million budget; and strengthened collective impact through Results Based Accountability and strong collaborative partnerships. In partnership with Agency departments, other county agencies, cities, Local Education Agencies, and community-based children’s services and advocacy groups, developed cross-sector partnerships, programs, and initiatives to improve outcomes for youth furthest from opportunity. Served as co-chair of the Health Impact Table of the Youth Ventures Joint Powers Authority, co-leading a team of 98 members to make recommendations for improving health outcomes for youth and families in Oakland; supported the development of housing solutions for both transition-aged youth and families with children; worked with key stakeholders to direct resources and develop, expand, and deliver, health, wellness, and social supports for Unaccompanied Immigrant Youth, boys and men of color, and justice-involved youth; and engaged key partners in designing health and wellness support systems. Led operations of the REACH Ashland Youth Center, a full-service youth center that provides comprehensive recreation, education, arts, employment, and physical and mental health services to youth ages 11-24 in the unincorporated area of Ashland. Led the REACH Executive Team in strengthening operations; repairing and building strong partnerships to support effective program design and delivery; and improving communications and relationships to build the community’s pride and ownership of REACH.

On a contractual basis, provided consultation and coaching to non-profit agencies, business leaders and teams, government organizations, and individuals in the areas of change management, conflict resolution, diversity and inclusion practices, team development, and strategic planning. Sample of clients include: Sierra Club, Hoge Fenton Jones and Appel Inc., Berkeley Alliance, Gaetani Real Estate, and Leadership Public Schools. Currently paused due to increasing responsibilities in the public sector.

1000 San Leandro Blvd. San Leandro, Ca

As Administrator of the Alameda County School-Based Behavioral Health Initiative, designed and implemented a $30-million, multi-agency partnership to create inclusive school environments and expand school-based behavioral health programs, finance, evaluation, and policy in 18 school districts in Alameda County. Convened cross-agency leadership team; developed strategy and implemented programs; created and enhanced multi-agency partnerships; and provided technical assistance to school districts, healthcare providers, and non-profits on implementing, evaluating, and funding behavioral health programs.As key contributor to the CHSC vision and strategy, supervised 11 management and program level staff; contributed to the overall strategic vision; facilitated cross-system planning processes to strengthen collaboration among healthcare, social services, probation, cities, non-profits, schools, and other agencies serving children and youth.Designed trainings; wrote strategy documents, program briefs, and practice guides for the CHSC on-line toolkit; and delivered formal presentations at national and local conferences and events. Examples of publications/presentations include Building District Capacity: A Strategy for Student Support (publication and conference presentation); Smart Finance Practices for School-Based Behavioral Health (publication); and Resilient Systems: Building Cultures of Healing and Wellness in Schools (training series and conference presentation).

Berkeley, Ca

Served as core member of educational services leadership team in charge of developing and implementing culturally responsive mental health, public health, and parent and family support systems in the schools to reduce barriers to learning.Developed and managed public/private partnerships with city, county, and community agencies to provide health and parenting support services at school sites.Established and developed the BUSD Parent Resource Office and hired/supervised staff who implemented parent education and consultation services; provided advocacy services for parents. Managed the Students and Families in Temporary Housing Program office; developed programs and services to support underserved cultural communities and at-risk children and youth.Oversaw program budgets, and wrote/implemented grants awarded to strengthen all service areas.Delivered workshops for school district staff and administrators and delivered presentations at forums and conferences on topics such as: Integrating health and wellness supports in schools and Family Empowerment: Strategies for engaging a diverse parent community in schools.

Cragmont Elementary School

Facilitated multidisciplinary teams consisting of teachers, administrators, service providers, and parents that identified and implemented strategies for working with struggling students. Analyzed student assessment data and helped design appropriate interventions. Conducted social skills and conflict resolution groups with children facing behavioral and social challenges. Delivered workshops for teachers and staff on topics such as Interrupting the Cycle of Racism and Engaging Parents.

Aarhus, Denmark

Successfully completed doctoral dissertation entitled: Social Constructionism in Therapeutic Settings: Theoretical Contributions through the Reality of Practice. Conducted research in the subject areas of postmodern psychology, social constructionism, systemic therapy, and clinical practice with children and families. Published book chapters, papers, and book reviews. Taught seminars and lectured extensively on systems-oriented therapy, research methods, postmodern psychology, and therapeutic communication at numerous educational institutions in Denmark.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Psychology

Cand.Psych.

Bachelor'S Degree, Psychology

Education record