Greetings, and thanks for the visit to my website. What follows is not a typical bio, it’s more of a greeting and an introductory handshake. It combines my family and professional stories and reveals how each evolved into 25 years of highly successful mental health advocacy.

     I had been a university student focused on behavioral science when, in the late 70’s, my son was born. I stepped down from my academic schedule to focus on family and worked at various jobs. By the time my son was a teen, he started showing signs of something – we didn’t know quite what – over several years it became clear that his mental distress was early onset schizophrenia.  Eventually, I took sole responsibility for my son. I focused on learning everything I could about schizophrenia while caring for him. I joined a local affiliate of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. I learned about brain science, medications, managing a psychotic disorder, and advocacy.  

      At the same time, I finished my university education and built a career in advocacy – specifically advocacy for people with severe mental illness like my son. I learned about mental health service delivery models and systems, treatment laws, law enforcement interactions, and policy-making at the state and national levels. I became deeply involved in a campaign to provide better treatment options for people with severe mental illness. I helped to write California’s Assisted Outpatient Treatment Act – known as Laura’s Law - and lobbied three hard years to get it approved by the California Legislature. I also helped to write and promote California’s Mental Health Parity Act - another three-year effort. Both sprang from my familial experience with severe mental illness and the recognition of a multitude of barriers to timely, effective treatment.

       My professional advocacy focus calls for working closely with legislators and their staff. I've helped to craft legislation that offers effective treatment options for the severely mentally ill and developed a reputation in ‘the building’ as a go-to guy in this critical policy arena. My work has expanded to include clients having a stake in mental health care and treatment – from municipal governments to statewide policies and organizations.

     For both personal and professional reasons, my mission is to help California build effective and inclusive mental health policies, programs and options.