Department of Health Services

Patricia J. Wentzel holds a B.A. in Psychology with Honors from UC Davis. She was appointed as the Consumer Representative for District 2 on the Sacrame​nto County Menta​l Health Board in 2022. On the Board she is the Member-at-Large to the Executive Committee, the Board representative to the Mental Health Services Act Steering Committee and a member of the Children’s System of Care Committee. In the past she has held a position on a Committee of the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission. She works for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Sacramento as their Helpline Coordinator and Peer Advocate. She is also a NAMI Sacramento support group facilitator and teacher in both peer and family programs. She worked for six years as a Peer Advocate Case Manager, working with consumers to overcome barriers and access behavioral health services in Sacramento, Yolo, Placer and El Dorado counties.

In addition to being a consumer, she is the parent of three adult children with behavioral health conditions. Her experiences both personally and professionally have made her a fierce advocate and exceptional resource for individuals, families, caregivers, providers and professionals in navigating the behavioral health system and the challenges of living with a behavioral health condition or of being a supporter. A published poet, she often writes about her experiences to help break the stigma of severe mental illness and combat stereotypes that hinder the full participation of people with behavioral health conditions in our community. She strives to represent the interests of all the people served by the behavioral health system including members of the LGBTQIA+ community to which she belongs. ​

Ryan Quist, Division of Behavioral Health Services Director​​​
Ryan Quist, Ph.D., is the Behavioral Health Director in Sacramento County. His work in Behavioral Health started in Riverside County Behavioral Health where he worked in various roles dedicating more than 20 years to County Behavioral Health.

He remains very active in Statewide advocacy on Behavioral Health topics and was elected by other Behavioral Health Directors as President for the County Behavioral Health Directors Association (CBHDA). He co-chairs the CBHDA Medi-Cal Policy Committee. He was selected to participate in the CalAIM Behavioral Health Stakeholder workgroup and contributed to planning for the various Behavioral Health CalAIM initiatives now being implemented.

In Sacramento County, his focus is on mental health and substance use services for the homeless population, criminal justice population, and bolstering the crisis continuum of care to prevent psychiatric hospitalizations. For children’s services, he is dedicated to promoting field-based and school-based services and collaborating to support the foster youth and probation populations.

​Marlyn Sepulveda, Service Provider - Adults (Alternate Seat) 
Marlyn is a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker with an expansive career spanning over two decades in non-profits. Marlyn is the Chief Operating Officer at Hope Cooperative a leading non-profit organization that extends its services to Sacramento and Yolo Counties with a strong focus on community mental health, substance use treatment, permanent supportive housing, and homeless services. Marlyn is instrumental in strategic planning of permanent supportive housing development, program development and implementation, contract oversight and the seamless management of day-to-day operations. Marlyn's commitment to addressing social justice issues shines through her work in underserved and marginalized communities. Marlyn's impact reflects her unwavering dedication to enhancing the well-being of those she serves.  ​

​Genelle Cazares, Service Provider - Older Adults 
​​Genelle Cazares is an LCSW and is passionate about mental health equity and is dedicated to supporting “Whole Health” to the lives of underserved populations within our community experiencing mental illness and/or substance use challenges. Genelle has over 20 years of experience within the behavioral health field, and is honored to oversee ​El Hogar Community services, and to be working alongside an amazing team of staff with shared vision and mission. With collective effort, she strives to break down barriers, reduce stigma, and create a more inclusive mental health landscape.​

Heidi Richardson, LCSW, has worked for Sacramento County Senior and Adult Services since 2000. Older adults are best served through age-friendly mental health services that examine and eliminate ageism in approaches toward older people; support people facing the many and diverse challenges of aging that impact mental health; and celebrate the gift of growing older.  ​

Dr. Christopher Williams is the Executive Director of Mental Health and Wellness at the Sacramento County Office of Education. He leads a team intent on bringing the health and education systems together as partners to create a continuum of care for mental health and wellness throughout Sacramento County. The team’s mission is to intervene as early as possible to: eliminate the school-to- prison pipeline, reduce the number of ‘system- involved’ adults and adolescents, and mitigate the onset and impact of mental health disorders in Sacramento County.​

Before relocating to the west coast, Chris was a founder and Executive Director of P2L: Pathways to Leadership as well as the Vice President of Social Emotional Learning for The Leadership Program, both in New York City. Chris’ work there centered on students who were at risk of dropping out, focusing on altering the trajectory of their lives.

For close to 20 years, Chris has been involved in education and youth development. He served on the Supervisory Roundtable for Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Task Force on Chronic Absenteeism, Truancy and School Engagement, and he currently sits on the Sacramento County Mental Health Services Act Steering Committee, California State Student Mental Health Policy Workgroup, and the California State Student Attendance Review Board (SARB). He is a co-author of the RISE Program for Dropout Prevention and Attendance Improvement, and the SOAR approach to classroom management.

Chris has taught at Columbia University, NYU, and Harvard where he was awarded the Excellence in Teaching distinction. He has been a featured speaker at national and international conferences on education and social work, including the International Conference on Biopsychosocial Interventions in Educational Contexts, in Chile. He holds a master’s degree in Social Work from New York University and a Doctorate in Education Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education. He currently lives in Roseville, with his wife, 2 boys, and Lexie: a 75 lb. rescue shepherd-mutt whose goal in life is to be a lap dog.​

​Julie Field, Departement of Human Assisatnce  ​​
Julie Field serves as a Division Manager for the Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance supporting Community Services. She has enjoyed a 25-year career in social services revolving around the development and implementation of programs and strategies that support the community’s most vulnerable populations. Julie holds degrees in the fields of Child Development and Psychology and has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.  ​

​Lori Miller, Substance Use Prevention & Treatment ​​

Lori Miller, LCSW has over 25 years of experience in Behavioral Health and currently serves as the Behavioral Health Division Manager over the Substance Use Prevention and Treatment unit for Sacramento County Department of Health Services. Lori is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from California State University, Sacramento. As a BH Division Manager, she provides strong leadership, passionate advocacy and a commitment to integrated services working to reduce stigma and address trauma for those struggling with behavioral health challenges. Lori oversees County and contracted provider services and programs, was instrumental in bringing a Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System to Sacramento County, expanded multiple substance use prevention and treatment programs, and assisted in the development of 3 Coalitions (Youth, Methamphetamine and Opioid) and leads many initiatives to address the Fentanyl crisis. Lori takes a collaborative approach in her work, values and builds innovative partnerships with multiple County departments and community organizations. Lori believes everyone should have quality behavioral health care so she strives to continuously improve the delivery of client care, explore innovative, specialized, alternative treatment models, improve timely access to services and promote health equity and diversity to the service delivery continuum. Prevention works, Treatment is effective and People recover.​

Melissa Lloyd, Deputy Director of Child Protective Services for Sacramento County, began her professional career 23 years ago. In that time, she has worked in a variety of roles in the Public Child Welfare sector. Melissa started her career as a front-line Social Worker in Sacramento County Child Protective Services. Before stepping into the role of CPS Deputy Director in 2018, Melissa held a variety of leadership roles in CPS. In 2011, with a desire to learn about a state run Child Welfare system, Melissa took a two-year leave from service in Sacramento to work in Child & Family Services in Portland, Oregon.

Melissa holds a robust commitment to serving children and families. She is a fierce advocate for family inclusion in decision-making, and a strong proponent of partnering with community. Melissa has an unwavering focus on, and is dedicated to strengthening families and creating and supporting efforts to prevent child abuse. Melissa is passionate about serving families via effective and appropriate assessment of the needs of children and their parents, and of all families who come to the attention of the child welfare system. She enjoys her current role as it allows her to provide vision, education, support and accountability toward improving outcomes for children and families. 

Melissa finds balance for her busy “work world” by spending time with her life partner, Dan, and her family that includes several nieces and nephews whom she credits for helping her to remain child and family focused. 

Melissa holds Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Social Work degrees, both of which she earned at California State University, Sacramento. ​

Dr. Andrew Mendonsa currently serves as a Division Manager with Sacramento County Department of Health Services and is the Director of the Sacramento County Health Center -- a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). As a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist with licensure in over a dozen states, he is recognized as a subject matter expert in the areas of substance abuse and behavioral health. He holds Board Certification through the American Board of Behavioral Healthcare Practice. He has served in high level executive positions within both private and public sectors, including Chief Psychologist, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operations Officer, and Vice President of Clinical and Governmental Affairs. He is a graduate of the Leadership Sacramento program. Dr. Mendonsa’s education includes a doctorate and two master’s degrees including an MBA. He is passionate about learning and sharing information regarding substance abuse, professional self-care and burnout, and behavioral health and has presented at conferences around the United States, in Canada, and in Europe. Dr. Mendonsa is regularly on local and national media discussing behavioral health topics. He has been featured on and in HuffPost, the Today Show, NBC, CBS and ABC News, Time Magazine, and Forbes. He volunteers his time with various non-profit organizations and serves on the Board of Directors for a regional children’s mental health organization. ​

Dr. Olivia Kasirye received her medical degree in Uganda in 1988. She completed a Master’s Degree in Epidemiology at UC Davis in 2003, a residency in Public Health and Preventive Medicine, through the California Department of Public Health in 2004, and is board certified in Public Health and Preventive Medicine. Dr Kasirye was appointed Public Health Officer for Sacramento County in 2012. As Health Officer, she provides medical expertise and public health oversight on a variety of community-wide public health issues impacting County residents such as health disparities and climate change. She works with local healthcare providers and community stakeholders on public health program and policy issues. Dr Kasirye leads the public health response during public health emergencies and disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires and flooding. 

Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Andi Mudryk as a judge to the Sacramento County Superior Court on March 25, 2022. Before the appointment, Judge Mudryk served as the Chief Deputy Director at the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), which provides services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living, and equality for individuals with disabilities. She joined DOR in 2018 as the Chief Counsel and was appointed as Chief Deputy Director in 2020. She graduated with honors in 1989 from the George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. and has extensive experience serving leadership roles in non-profit organizations and in litigating a variety of discrimination and disability-related claims. She is admitted to practice law in California, Arizona, and Michigan. 

Before joining DOR, Judge Mudryk served as the Deputy Director of Disability Rights California, the largest disability rights law firm in the country and the largest legal services provider in California. On a personal note, Judge Mudryk is a proud Jewish transgender woman with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), also known as  Brittle Bone Disorder.  Judge Mudryk is the first openly transgender judge appointed by a governor in the country and the second openly transgender judge to sit on the bench in California.  Judge Mudryk’s father, who was born in Ukraine, survived the Holocaust.

Judge Mudryk is a Co-Chair of the Sacramento County Superior Court’s Education Committee of the Community Engagement and Fairness Committee, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion training for judicial officers, staff, and deputies.  She is also a Co-Chair of the California Judges Association’s (CJA) LGBT Judicial Officers of Court and sits on CJA’s Elimination of Bias and Inequality and Diversity and Inclusivity Committees.  Judge Mudryk serves as an adjunct faculty member at McGeorge School of Law, teaching Disability Rights Law.

Rochelle L. Arnold holds a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Business Administration, Human Resource Management. She is a proud retired Air Force veteran with a 21-year distinguished career. Today, Rochelle serves as the County Veteran Services Officer (CVSO) and represents veterans as a member of Sacramento County’s Mental Health Services Act Team. Her knowledge of veteran-specific issues and challenges and advocacy skills are unparalleled, providing a wealth of leadership and expertise to her community. Her military experience and desire to serve veterans drives her to be the best advocate for veterans and their families who continue to face unique challenges because of their service to the nation. ​

​Vacant, Consumer - TAY  
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Hafsa Hamdani, BA psychology. I'm currently a graduate student working towards obtaining my MA in Public Health. I represent adult consumers. I became a committee member to represent youth consumers as a 23 year old. Recently, I've transitioned into becoming an adult consumer representative. As a youth, I have personal lived experience with mental health in which I utilize to voice my concerns for marginalized communities entering the mental health system. As a graduate student, I'm learning in the ways systematic barriers can be an hindrance to maintaining adequate mental health. Preventive measures can take place in terms of providing basic needs to minority communities, such as shelter, nutritional foods, as well as other needs. Not every solution can be easily contributed to access to mental health services. The goal should be to acquire basic needs to prevent one's mental health from becoming severe in symptoms. There are those who are dealing with severity of symptoms in which I work towards ensuring cultural competence is implemented in the service one receives.Education can be a barrier in providing cultural training since it's implemented in Euro centric viewpoint(s) in the greater universities.  It is vital ongoing in real life experience enables us to learn from our judgements regarding other cultures. I hold space and room for individuals to acknowledge and learn from their mistakes. 

As my grandfather says, "Learning is an ongoing life journey."

Clarissa's current position is Executive Director of The California Center for Civic Participation, a statewide nonprofit promoting civic engagement among youth. Immediately prior, she served as Student Engagement Coordinator at Campus Compact. She led the national Newman Civic Fellows program, of which she is an alum, a year-long program that recognizes and supports student public problem solvers at Campus Compact member institutions. During the peak of the pandemic, she launched "Rethink Language Access" to raise awareness about language access across America. Also, during the pandemic, she turned a hobby into a business with Obsidian Heart Jewelry. She makes handmade crystal jewelry inspired by social justice and equality. 
Clarissa is a Latinx queer Salvadoran immigrant. Her background includes a successful career as a former interpreter and translator. She's certified as an interpreter by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters and U.S. State Department. In 2016, she received a merit scholarship from the National Center for Interpretation, Arizona University to attend the Court Interpreter Training Institute. Among other scholastic achievements, she obtained a master's degree in public policy and administration program and, previously, a BA in Communication Studies, with emphasis on intercultural/international communication both from Sacramento State University. In 2018, she participated in advanced seminars offered by the Intercultural Development Research Institute in Milan, Italy. Clarissa has developed and imparted training sessions in the areas of intercultural communication, community interpreting, and also completed course work from UCSD Extension and earned a translation certificate from TMCC. In 2019, Clarissa was appointed by Gov. Brown as the Language and Communication Access Manager for California Complete Count - Census 2020 and served in 2019. 
She's been a fellow/volunteer with local, national, and international organizations such as the International Rescue Committee, ACLU Northern CA, Latinos Unidos, Obama for America, Voto Latino, Organizing for Action, Supermajority, Run for Something, among others. In 2023, she completed a Latinx leadership program modeled after the American Leadership Forum called Nueva Epoca. She was part of the 2020 New Leaders Council cohort, a nationwide network of young leaders who want to create change in their communities. In 2019, she received the award Women in Public Policy from the CA League of Women Voters. In 2018, she was awarded Inspiration Estrella by the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. 
She is a staunch advocate for equity, inclusion, diversity, and social justice. She enjoys helping others, learning, hot yoga, traveling, eating at "mom & pop" restaurants, and shopping small/local.

Janet L Green, currently holds a California Real Estate License. She is a seasoned real estate professional and a previous property manager. I have worked at Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency. And I have over twenty years of real estate and property management. Currently a housing resources specialist with Hope Cooperative. I provide resources for housing, locate available rentals, apply with the clients and add them to waitlist. I also keep a list of availabile room and boards for clients. The idea is to get clients back on their fee and maintain stable housing.​

Since retiring from legislative service Sharon has become involved in her community.  Serving on the Steering Committee has become her most important commitment.  She is the founder of the South Natomas Improvement Association—a new neighborhood association, and serves on the Board of Directors of Joshua’s House Volunteer Hospice, a facility to provide terminally ill homeless individuals the dignity and grace to which all people are entitled as they make their great transition.  She also serves as a speaker for Stop Stigma Sacramento, an effort to help eliminate the stigma that prevents many from seeking mental health treatment.  Sharon has been the beneficiary of mental health services for more than 50 years; she undergoes treatment for Bipolar 1 disorder and PTSD.   Through service and the arts she is learning to transcend her angst.   She loves making “Waldorf-inspired” dolls and enjoys teaching this healing art form to others.  With her compass pointed strongly toward a better future for today’s youth, she takes every opportunity to spend time with her grandsons, Sammy and Christian. 

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Crystal Harding-Jenkins earned her master's of social work degree from Sac State and consistently leads with grit, integrity, and compassion. She has worked for the Black Child Legacy Campaign as a program manager and is now a Policy Campaign Coach with Public Health Advocates. In 2020 she was elected as a board member of the North Highlands Recreation and Park District. Crystal has strong organizing roots, is strategic, innovative, listens, and cares deeply for community and youth empowerment.​

Karly Gonzalez is both a family member of loved ones living with mental illness and a consumer of local mental health services. She holds an Associate's Degree in Behavioral Sciences from Sierra College and is pursuing a career in the mental health field. Born and raised in Northern California, Karly is passionate about giving back to her community in any way possible. She has several years of community-based volunteer experience, including volunteering in local hospitals, answering calls for a consumer-operated warmline, sewing reusable menstrual products for the organization Days for Girls, and serving as a steering committee member for Sacramento County's Mental Health Services Act. She is aware of what is needed in the community and is dedicated to advocating to stop the stigma surrounding mental illness.