Michael, CalMHSA’s Senior Program Manager, has significant experience in behavioral health policy, advocacy, and community engagement on behalf of underserved, unserved, and inappropriately served communities. Throughout his career he has overseen numerous statewide, regional, and local efforts to ensure equitable mental health services for all communities. Michael started his passion for behavioral health access and culturally congruent care while serving as an executive staff for the Racial and Ethnic Mental Health Disparities Coalition (REMHDCO). Michael has been a constant champion of increasing access to culturally and linguistically appropriate services. Following his work with REMHDCO, Michael worked with the California Primary Care Association, where he led numerous policy initiatives, including Behavioral Health, on behalf of California Community Health Centers and Clinics who collectively serve California’s low-income, uninsured, and underinsured communities. Michael started with CalMHSA in November of 2019 and has overseen numerous statewide and local projects that seek to provide Californians with the strength and resilience to be their authentic self. In all his roles Michael has served as a liaison between statewide leaders and policy initiatives and Community-Based Organizations and Californians as a whole.