VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY-BASED PROVIDERS
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VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY-BASED PROVIDERS
2023 Winter Conference
January 5, 2023 – January 6, 2023
ADAPTING TO CHANGE AND PREPARING FOR OPPORTUNITY
Navigating Virginia’s Ever-Changing Behavioral Health System
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHICAL SUMMARIES
Updates from Virginia’s Health and Human Resources Secretary
Speaker:
John Littel, Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia
John Littel is the Secretary of Health and Human Resources for the
Commonwealth of Virginia. He brings 30 years of public policy experience
to the Administration, developing private sector solutions for Medicaid,
advocating for independent living for seniors and people with disabilities,
and leading mental health and substance use disorder programs.
Twenty-six years ago, John was the Deputy Secretary of Health and
Human Resources. Since then, John has held senior roles at Magellan Health, Anthem, and
Amerigroup, as well as at both the federal and state government levels. He has taught
government, politics and communications at the graduate level, and has also served as a member
of the William & Mary Public Policy Board of Advisors. Mr. Littel earned his bachelor's degree in
Philosophy and Political Science from the University of Scranton and J.D. from The Columbus
School of Law at Catholic University.
In 2012, John was appointed to the Board of Visitors of the College of William & Mary and has
served as Rector since 2018. He also serves on the board of The Gloucester Institute, a leadership
initiative for young African-Americans based at Robert Russa Moton's historic home. He previously
served as the chair of the Virginia Health Care Foundation and on the boards of the Family and
Children's Trust Fund, Virginia's family violence prevention agency, and ForKids, a program for
homeless families in Hampton Roads.
He and his wife, Marianne, live in Virginia Beach and have three grown children.
Virginia’s approach to preventing and treating problem gambling
Speakers:
Kelly T. Gee, Executive Director, Virginia Lottery
In June 2022, Kelly T. Gee was appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin to serve as
Executive Director of the Virginia Lottery.
Ms. Gee has spent the last decade in public service, including eight years in the
General Assembly, culminating in her role as Deputy Chief of Staff to the 55th
Speaker of the House. When she joined the Lottery in 2018, Ms. Gee served on the
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Lottery’s leadership team as the Manager of Government Relations. She was responsible for managing
the strategy and execution of legislative outreach efforts and played an active role in policy creation
and implementation.
She holds an undergraduate degree in Government from the College of William and Mary and a Master
of Arts in Political Science from Virginia Tech University.
Anne Rogers, Problem Gambling Prevention Coordinator, Virginia Department of Behavioral
Health and Developmental Services, Office of Behavioral Health Wellness
Anne currently leads the problem gambling and gaming prevention efforts in
Virginia, building this system from the ground up. In this role she is
responsible for overseeing all problem gambling and gaming prevention
activities, including assessment, capacity building, making data-driven plans,
implementation, evaluation, and building connections in gambling program
resources and activities with other prevention work across the
Commonwealth of Virginia. Prior to this Anne spent the past 20 years
working for the State of Maine public health and behavioral health offices on substance misuse
and abuse prevention as well as oversight of data and research systems. Anne received her
master's in health education from the University of Houston and is ABD status towards a
doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Massachusetts. She has worked in the
public health and prevention field for over 25 years. She currently lives in Central Virginia. In her
free time she enjoys hiking, reading, and getting together with family and friends.
Dr. Carolyn Hawley, President, Virginia Council on Problem Gambling
Carolyn E. Hawley is an Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation
Counseling at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has over a decade of
experience related to counseling, training, research and education in employment
and community service needs of people with disabilities. She completed a
fellowship at McGill University´s International Centre on Youth Gambling Problems
and High-Risk Behaviors and has worked in programs specializing in traumatic
brain injury rehabilitation. Dr. Hawley has served on state and national boards. She
has experience managing grants through the National Science Foundation and the
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. Her research interests include
problem gambling, disability management in the workplace, and the community re-integration
needs of veterans. She obtained her MS in Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of
Wisconsin - Milwaukee; and her PhD, at Virginia Commonwealth University.
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Virginia’s approach to fighting the opioid epidemic
Speaker:
Anthony E. “Tony” McDowell, Executive Director, Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority
Tony McDowell was appointed executive director of the Opioid Abatement
Authority on August 1, 2022. His duties include overall implementation of the
Authority’s goals and objectives as determined by the Board of Directors and
distributing opioid abatement funds in accordance with the Code of Virginia.
He previously served as Deputy County Manager for Public Safety in Henrico
County from 2018-2022, where he played a leadership role in developing
Henrico County’s comprehensive strategy to prevent, treat, and support
recovery from substance use disorders. He began his career with Henrico as a
firefighter/paramedic in 1997 and rose through the ranks to Fire Chief in
2012. Mr. McDowell earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Virginia Tech (1991) and a Master of
Public Administration degree from the University of North Texas (1995).
Housing: A critical social determinant of health – Needs, resources and solutions
Speakers:
Sylisa Lambert Woodard, EdD, LCSW, LSATP, MAC, President and CEO,
Pathway Homes
Dr. Lambert-Woodard is a passionate leader, developer and designer of social
enterprise. She has over 28 years’ experience and was named President and
Chief Executive Officer of Pathway Homes in 2011 having served as President
and Chief Operating Officer for the preceding 10 years. In 2015, she created a
subsidiary entity Pathways of Florida, Inc. to provide services throughout
Central Florida, which she also serves as Pres/CEO.
Since she has taken on the role of CEO, the agency has gone through a tremendous period of
growth and innovation. She has been nationally recognized for her ability to seize the opportunity
presented during the housing downturn and grow Pathways’ housing portfolio to over 600
properties providing permanent supportive housing for individuals with serious mental illness and
co-occurring illness in Northern Virginia and Central Florida. During her leadership of Pathways,
the agency has focused on service quality and maintained strong fiscal management that has
more than doubled its revenue, while consistently reinvesting in its mission. She also has
demonstrated a personal commitment to renovating and developing affordable housing stock
with the understanding that housing is the most significant determinant of health.
Dr. Lambert-Woodard is the Founder and current CEO of the Alliance Therapy Center, LLC and the
Alliance Therapy Center for Children, LLC that serves children, adolescents, and adults in Northern
and Central VA for over 20 years. She and her husband own and operate these Christian and
Veteran owned private practices, and has scaled like practices in D.C., MD, and VA. Dr. Lambert-
Woodard is ASAM certified, EMDR trained, and works extensively with Veterans specializing in
trauma, addictions, and collaborating to provide Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT).
Prior to coming to Pathways, Dr. Lambert-Woodard worked on the Prison Reform Project with the
ACLU and worked directly with local and federal prisons. She worked in Foster Care, CPS,
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Probation and Parole, and as a Child, Adolescent and Adult psychotherapist within the CSB and
privately. She directly worked, developed and managed federal, state and local programs and
contracts with HUD, Department of Justice, and Department of Corrections, SAMSHA, and VASAP
within the metropolitan area. She has directly served and developed substance use and co-
occurring services for habitual offender’s inpatient and outpatient, as well as, developed and
operated Assisted Living Facilities and Psychosocial Rehabilitation programs. Dr. Lambert-
Woodard has provided pastoral counseling and professional coaching. She has taught at local
universities, and provided training, lecture, and keynote presentations for conferences,
universities, and organizations throughout the country and internationally. In addition, she has
supervised and served in various management capacities throughout many Human Service
divisions and Community Services Boards.
Dr. Lambert-Woodard is an avid supporter and advocate of Fair Housing, Racial Equity and Social
Justice and is known for her continued commitment to combating NIMBYism and eradicating
stigma. She served as the 2014-2017 Co-Chair for the Fairfax Fair Housing Committee; and has
been instrumental in changing local, state and national policy and practice by creating and
influencing community and political support to foster a more inclusive community. She has
served for over 10 years on the Behavioral Healthcare Oversight Committee of the Fairfax, VA CSB.
Dr. Lambert-Woodard served as Chair of the Virginia Association of Community Based Providers
VACBP from 2017-2019; and is currently serving as Past Chair. And, currently serves as a board
member of the Center for Non- Profit Advancement, in Washington D.C.
During her tenure, Pathway Homes has been nationally recognized by the NonProfit Times as a
Best Nonprofit to Work in the nation from 2012-2018. Also, Pathway Homes received national
attention from the National Association for County Community and Economic Development for a
22-unit project developed in collaboration with Fairfax County’s Department of Housing and
Community Development. At the state level, Pathway Homes received the coveted 2013 Virginia
Housing Award at the Governor’s Housing Conference for its innovative consumer-directed
housing approach. Locally, Pathway Homes was recognized by the Fairfax County Chamber of
Commerce as a finalist in their Best Corporate Citizen Award in the nonprofit category.
In 2014, Dr. Sylisa Lambert-Woodard was the recipient of the 10th Annual Gelman, Rosenberg and
Freedman EXCEL Award. This competitive award recognizes and spotlights outstanding leadership
among Washington-area nonprofit chief executives. And, she has recently been showcased in
“Profiles for Success” featuring regional CEO’s that make a difference Vol-11, Inspiration from
Executive Leaders in The Washington D.C. area.
Dr. Lambert-Woodard received her Bachelor of Science from George Mason University, Fairfax, VA,
Master’s degree in Social Work from Catholic University, Washington D.C., and Doctorate of
Education in Counseling Psychology from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL. She
is a Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Professional (LSATP), Master Addictions Counselor
(MAC), Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and
Board Diplomate- Fellow (FACASAC). In 2016, Dr. Lambert-Woodard successfully completed the
Harvard University Business School Strategic Responsibilities in Non-Profit Management
Executives training program.
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Kristin Yavorsky, Director of Community Housing, DBHDS
Kristin Yavorsky currently serves as the Director of the Office of
Community Housing at the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and
Developmental Services (DBHDS) where she oversees policy and
programs to reduce homelessness and increase affordable housing
opportunities for individuals with behavioral health and/or developmental
disorders. This office now administers more than $63 million in state
funds for supportive housing, making it possible for thousands to live in
affordable homes of their own. Kristin has nearly thirty years’ experience in the development and
management of services in supportive housing in both Virginia and New York City. She holds a
master’s degree in Social Work Administration, Planning, and Policy Practice from Virginia
Commonwealth University and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Political Science from the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Brian Kozial, Executive Director, Virginia Housing Alliance (invited)
Brian Koziol has worked for 9 years in the housing world, having spent most
of that time as the Director of Research for Housing Opportunities Made
Equal of VA, Inc. Brian has worked on a variety of housing-related topics
including access to opportunity, affordability, mortgage lending,
foreclosures, employment, health, and transportation. He has served as a
consultant to local governments across the country helping them to advance
equitable housing policy.
Brian holds a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia
Commonwealth University and resides in the Northside of Richmond.
2023 Legislative Session Review
Mindy Carlin, Executive Director, VACBP, and President and Co-Founder, Access Point Public
Affairs, LLC
She has been providing expert public affairs services in support of a wide
range of businesses and organizations in Virginia for more than 30 years.
In 2003, she co-founded Access Point Public Affairs, which offers results-
focused public affairs support to clients with interests throughout Virginia.
In working with Access Point, clients are assured they will receive
individualized, high-level services from the firm’s owners, a distinction not
commonly found in Virginia. Mindy’s unique ability to understand client
challenges quickly and create innovative strategic approaches to address
them make her a valuable resource to Access Point’s clients.
Mindy has extensive public affairs experience at the state and local levels in Virginia on a wide
variety of issues, including healthcare, transportation, education, development and land use,
general business issues, energy and environmental issues.
Access Point also provides full-service association management support. Within this service area,
Mindy leads the VACBP in addition to serving as the staff lead for the Virginia Business Council, as
association of the senior executives of Virginia’s largest employers.
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Mindy also serves as an active leader in the community, which has enabled her to develop strong
relationships and visibility as an engaged thought leader and consensus builder. This also has
positioned her well to leverage her relationships and credibility to support Access Point clients.
At the state level, she serves as a member of the Virginia Leadership Council for the National
Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and is an active member of the Virginia Chamber of
Commerce.
She is particularly well known, however, for her leadership at the regional and local levels in
Hampton Roads and northern Virginia. She is a member of the Hampton Roads Chamber, serving
as a trustee on HRBizPAC and a member of the Executive Committee for the Chamber’s Virginia
Beach Board. She is a past Chairman of the Board of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce,
where she also led the Chamber's Public Policy Committee for more than 15 years and launched
the Chamber’s Health and Wellness Initiative. Mindy’s efforts have been widely recognized with
awards from the Loudoun County Chamber, the Loudoun Economic Development Commission,
and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce.
Mindy currently resides in Virginia Beach with her husband, Mike, with her son, Danny, close by at
Christopher Newport University where he is studying engineering. She is also the proud of
stepmom to Megan, Matt and her daughter-in-law, Rita, and “Mimi” to her sweet granddaughters,
June and Sonia, who all give her lots of excuses to spend time in northern Virginia. Mindy is a
certified power yoga instructor, avid runner and spends as much time at the beach as she can.
Status report on Virginia’s comprehensive crisis services
Speaker:
Bill Howard, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Crisis, DBHDS
Bill Howard, LCSW is the Director of Crisis Service for DBHDS. His current projects include the
STEP-VA crisis continuum of care and 988 implementation. Mr. Howard has previous experience
as a residential counselor, case manager, hospital/community liaison, Certified Pre-Admission
Screener, Independent Evaluator, Program Manager for the Region IV CReST program, and a
Regional Crisis Manager for Developmental Services at DBHDS. He is a graduate of Wingate
University where he received a Bachelor of Psychology and obtained his Master of Social Work
from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Discussion of all things managed care in Virginia
Speakers:
Doug Gray, Executive Director, Virginia Association of Health Plans (VAHP)
Doug has led the Association of Health Plans since 2003, joining the
organization after serving 8 years as the Chief Lobbyist for the Virginia
Association of REALTORS. Doug worked for several years in the non-profit
arena helping to start the Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership at UVA –
a nonpartisan educational program for candidates for local and state offices in
Virginia. He also served on the staff of a U.S. Senator and Representative in Washington. Doug
received his B.A. in Government from the College of William and Mary and his M.A. in Public
Administration from the University of Virginia.
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Heidi Dix, Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Virginia Association of Health
Plans (VAHP)
Heidi is the senior vice president of policy for the Virginia Association of Health
Plans. At VAHP, she advocates on behalf of commercial and Medicaid insurers
to improve the overall quality and value of health care in Virginia. She is an
experienced policy and government relations professional that spent ten years
as an executive at the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and
Developmental Services. She has had a variety of roles as a policy director and
lobbyist at both the federal and state level with a focus on Medicaid access, behavioral health
care, and developmental disability policy. She also served as Deputy Secretary of Health and
Human Resources for Governor Tim Kaine. She is a proud graduate of Cornell University and has
an MPH from the University at Albany. When she isn’t working, she is driving her children
somewhere.
Agency leadership roundtable, featuring the heads of DBHDS, DMAS and DSS
Speakers:
Nelson Smith, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health
and Developmental Services
Nelson comes to the Youngkin administration with a wide variety of
experience. He will bring to his new role leadership as a CEO at several
hospitals, as a US Army Special Forces Combat Dive Team Leader, and
most recently, his experience overseeing Tucker Pavilion at Chippenham
Hospital. His responsibilities included coordinating and implementing
initiatives that improve access, quality, and efficiency in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.
Mr. Smith has a passion for team building and a proven track record of employee engagement
and empowerment.
Nelson is a highly trained and skilled servant, team builder, and leader that is grounded by his
faith, family, and love of country. Before working in the private sector, Nelson was a part of the
U.S. Army, 5th Special Forces Group where he received numerous awards and accolades for his
outstanding leadership and courage. His awards include the Purple Heart, four Bronze Star
Medals, one including the “V” device for Valor, and the Green Beret.
Following his retirement as a Special Forces soldier (Green Beret), he received an MBA from
Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and began a second career in
behavioral healthcare administration. He is committed to ensuring the most vulnerable and
overlooked population in our society receive the highest quality of care.
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Cheryl Roberts, JD, Director, Department of Medical Assistance Services
(DMAS)
Cheryl J. Roberts is the Director of the Virginia Department of Medical
Assistance Services (DMAS), which serves 2.1 million Virginia’s citizens with
a $20 billion annual budget. She leads and supports the Department’s
Executive Leadership Team, DMAS staff, programs, contracts, operations,
and finance in their mission to provide access to health care coverage and
high quality health care. She has extensive experience in population
health, and managed care delivery systems and operations. Previously, she was the Deputy for
Programs and Operations at DMAS, as well as health plan executives in both the Medicaid and
commercial sectors. Cheryl is a graduate of the City College of New York and Rutgers University
School of Law. She is also on the executive committee for the National Association of State Health
Policy.
Dr. Danny Avula, Commissioner, Department of Social Services (DSS)
Dr. Danny TK Avula was appointed as the Commissioner of the Virginia
Department of Social Services in February 2022 by Governor Glenn
Youngkin. Dr. Avula is the former health director of the Richmond City
and Henrico County Health departments, where he served for nearly 13
years.
In January 2021, Governor Ralph Northam appointed Dr. Avula to lead the Commonwealth of
Virginia's unprecedented COVID-19 vaccination effort. Governor Terry McAuliffe appointed Dr.
Avula to the State Board of Social Services in 2013, where he served as board chair from 2017 to
2019.
Dr. Avula is a public health physician specializing in pediatrics and preventive medicine. He
continues to practice clinically as a pediatric hospitalist. After graduating from the University of
Virginia, he earned his medical degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of
Medicine. He completed residencies at VCU and Johns Hopkins University, where he also earned
the Master of Public Health degree. He is an affiliate faculty member at VCU, where he regularly
serves as an advisor and preceptor to graduate and medical students.
Dr. Avula is a former board chair of the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation, recipient of the
Virginia Center for Inclusive Community's Humanitarian Award, a 2019 Richmond Times-Dispatch
Person of the Year honoree, and was named Style Weekly's "Richmonder of the Year" in 2020.
Dr. Avula's work has been featured nationally by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
MSNBC, The New York Times, National Public Radio, and PBS Newshour, and he can be found on
the TED circuit with his TEDx talk titled, "Dependence Isn't a Dirty Word." A 16-year resident of
Richmond's Church Hill neighborhood, Dr. Avula's time is devoted to life with his wife and five
kids.
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