Dr. Garcia is the Deputy Director for the County of San Diego Health and Human
Services Agency (HHSA), Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Adult and Older Adult
(AOA) System of Care. Dr. Garcia oversees the mental health and substance use system of care for adults and older adults across the county. For the past three decades, she has implemented biopsychosocial rehabilitation and recovery programs for individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring conditions. In her current capacity, Dr. Garcia oversees BHS’s integration efforts and the development and implementation of system of care initiatives for adult and older adult services, including: Development of the continuum of care for persons with serious mental illness and substance use, development of supportive housing and supportive
employment initiatives; transition age youth (TAY) and older adult initiatives,
development of justice involved programs for persons with serious mental illness and substance use issues; Faith Based Initiatives; and the integration of cultural competency standards in the BHS system.