Christine Doss
Behavioral Health Director
Ventura County
Christine (Chrissie) Doss, MSW, LCSW serves as Interim Behavioral Health Director for Ventura County Behavioral Health. She has more than sixteen years of experience in health and human services, with leadership experience across county and community-based behavioral health systems.
Prior to her appointment as Interim Director, Ms. Doss served as Assistant Director for Ventura County Behavioral Health, providing strategic oversight across multiple divisions and working with department leadership and community partners to strengthen care coordination, service delivery, operational performance, and system integration.
Her previous leadership experience in Mariposa and Madera Counties included oversight of behavioral health and health service systems, implementation of systemwide improvements, expansion of access to care, and advancement of organizational and regulatory priorities. She has a strong background in executive leadership, clinical operations, fiscal management, regulatory compliance, and cross-system collaboration.
Ms. Doss is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds a Master of Social Work from California State University, Bakersfield. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Social Work with a focus on administration and leadership. Her professional interests include strengthening community behavioral health systems, developing effective leadership structures, improving access and continuity of care and advancing responsive, high-quality services for communities.
Angela Slais
HHS Director
Alpine County
Angela Slais is Alpine County’s HHS Director and proud U.S. Navy veteran with 17 years of experience in health services administration. Previously serving six months as HHS Deputy Director and one year as Deputy Director of the Alpine County Public Health Department, Angela brings executive-level leadership experience across public health and human services systems.
A mission-driven leader shaped by her service in the Armed Forces, Angela specializes in healthcare operations, program oversight, and strategic improvement initiatives that enhance service delivery and community health outcomes. She is committed to strengthening integrated systems of care, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and ensuring accessible, high-quality services for the communities she serves.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Angela enjoys skiing and hiking, taking full advantage of the outdoors in California’s rural Alpine County. She also treasures time spent with her grown children, her grandchildren, and her three beloved pets.
Dana McEwen
Behavioral Health Director San Luis Obispo County
McEwen has more than a decade and a half of executive-level behavioral health leadership, most recently serving as Senior Managerial Consultant for Kaiser Permanente across multiple regions. Prior to Kaiser, Dana was with the County of Los Angeles Mental Health Department for more than a decade. She served as a Countywide Mental Health Program Director, overseeing three Child Welfare programs across 111 sites and a $48 million budget. During her tenure, she identified and recovered $2.25 million in previously uncaptured Medi-Cal reimbursement and reduced case linkage times by 70%. She also unified eight regional programs, and improved contract compliance.
“Dana stood out for her extensive leadership experience and deep understanding of behavioral health systems,” said Chief Executive Officer Matt Pontes. “Her experience, integrity, and commitment to accountability make her exceptionally well-suited to lead this important department and continue advancing behavioral health services in San Luis Obispo County.”
”We’ve made mental health a top Board priority in SLO County. The Behavioral Health Director plays a vital role for the people struggling with mental health and addiction in our community, and I’m excited to welcome Dana into this leadership position,” said Board Chair Jimmy Paulding. “Her record of building fiscally sustainable, outcomes-driven policies will serve our County well at this pivotal time for California’s behavioral health system.”
McEwen is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in the State of California. She holds a Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy from Loyola Marymount University. She will be moving to San Luis Obispo with her husband and family, drawn not only by the opportunity to lead the Behavioral Health Department during this critical period, but by a genuine belief in our county’s strong sense of community.
“I am deeply honored to join the County of San Luis Obispo team and grateful to the Board of Supervisors and CEO Matt Pontes for their confidence in me,” said Dana McEwen. “The Behavioral Health Department is a department grounded in compassion, supported by a community that cares deeply about its most vulnerable residents. I am committed to building on that foundation with fiscal discipline, accountability, and a genuine belief that the right care, delivered at the right time, changes lives. My family and I are thrilled to be making San Luis Obispo County our home, and I look forward to serving this community with everything I have.”
The Behavioral Health Department provides mental health and substance use disorder services to residents throughout San Luis Obispo County. She will oversee programs focused on prevention, treatment, crisis response, and support services for some of the community’s most vulnerable populations. McEwen’s appointment comes as the County continues expanding behavioral health infrastructure, initiatives and strengthening partnerships aimed at addressing the growing behavioral health needs of the community.
Lisa Rogers
Behavioral Health Director
Kings County
Kings County has appointed Dr. Lisa Rogers, PsyD, LMFT, to the position of County Behavioral Health Director, effective June 15, 2026. A Kings County native, Dr. Rogers brings more than 15 years of progressive leadership experience in public behavioral health systems. Dr. Rogers has dedicated her career to strengthening systems of care, expanding access to quality behavioral health services, and improving outcomes for individuals and families throughout the region. Prior to her appointment, Dr. Rogers served as Regional Director for Kings View Behavioral Health, where she provided executive leadership and operational oversight for a comprehensive portfolio of mental health, substance use disorder, crisis response, and community-based programs serving Kings County.
Cari Yardley
Behavioral Health Director
Nevada County
Cari Yardley is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Acting Director of Behavioral Health for Nevada County. Dr. Yardley transitioned from the Bay Area to Nevada County in 2021 to become the Program Manager of Adult Behavioral Health and the Crisis System. She was promoted to Clinical Administrator of Nevada County Behavioral Health in 2024, providing clinical and administrative oversight to all County Behavioral Health services.
Dr. Yardley graduated from UC Davis in 2002, completed her master’s degree in 2007, and obtained her doctoral degree from Fuller Theological Seminary Graduate School of Psychology in 2010. Dr. Yardley has worked in the field of mental health since 2007 in a variety of settings, including community mental health, acute and sub-acute mental health programs, Kaiser Permanente, and Regional Center of the East Bay. Prior to working for the county, Dr. Yardley worked as the Clinical Services Supervisor for Regional Center of the East Bay, supervising a team of allied health professionals in providing supportive services to individuals with complex behavioral, medical, and mental health needs.
In her free time, Dr. Yardley enjoys hiking with her dogs and family, camping, curling up with a good book, and parenting her two children as they navigate the complexities of life, friends, school, and competitive sports.