H. Maryland Department of Health's Behavioral Health Administration's Vision for a Behavioral Health Continuum of Care

Alyssa Lord is the Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health at the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). She brings more than 20 years of experience in community and population health. Ms. Lord has focused her efforts on working collaboratively across local, city, state, and federal entities to improve the health outcomes across the lifespan. Prior to joining MDH, Ms. Lord served in a number of leadership positions that combined direct service, advocacy, policy, and strategy in New York and New Jersey. Most recently she was Vice President, Healthcare Strategy at a large ($120 million+) housing, healthcare, and workforce development nonprofit where she was responsible for setting the vision for healthcare, behavioral health, and substance use services for homeless and unstably housed New Yorkers. In previous positions she led the implementation of care coordination services for clinically, behaviorally and socially complex Medicaid, dually enrolled, and special needs plans beneficiaries. She was also responsible for establishing a university-community partnership in West Philadelphia that led to the implementation of a school based health center/federally qualified health center and the development of an innovative health careers curriculum for middle and high school students. Ms. Lord earned Master's degrees from New York University and the London School of Economics

Kathleen Rebbert-Franklin serves as the Director of the Service Access and Practice Innovation Division within the Behavioral Health Administration.  In this role, she is responsible for increasing access to behavioral health care through points of intervention inside and outside of the treatment and recovery system.

Her scope includes the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, buprenorphine and SBIRT expansion in medical settings, peer workforce and peer-led services, family peer support, services for military-involved individuals, suicide prevention, gambling interventions, behavioral health workforce development, , and public awareness.  

Ms. Rebbert-Franklin previously worked at the Baltimore County Department of Health as Director of the Bureau of Substance Abuse.  She also directed treatment programs for individuals with behavioral health disorders and practiced as a clinician in a variety of behavioral health settings.

Ms. Rebbert-Franklin is a licensed clinical social worker; she received her degree from University of Maryland, School of Social Work.

Darren J. McGregor, M.S., M.H.S., L.C.M.F.T has worked in the field of behavioral health as a marital and family therapist since 1994. He serves as the Director of the Office of Crisis and Criminal Justice Services within Maryland’s Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration. His work includes program management in the areas of crisis response, jail behavioral health, trauma services, and disaster preparedness. Mr. McGregor educates clinicians, counselors, and administrators on trauma and trauma informed care principles in Maryland and neighboring states.

Stephanie Slowly joined the Behavioral Health Administration in July 2019 and is currently the Director of Systems Management. Ms. Slowly previously served as the Chief of Staff of BHA. In her current role she works to create a systematic integration approach within Behavioral Health Administration. Ms. Slowly has over 15 years of experience in direct care service, working as a medical social worker, where she implemented programs, advised on policy, and advocated for the needs of the most underserved and vulnerable populations.

Stephanie received her bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology from Norfolk State University, and she earned her Master of Social Work from the Evelyn R. School of Social Work from Norfolk State University. She has become a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical through the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. 

Dr. Rodowski-Stanco joined the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration 4 years ago.  She came to this position with a deep knowledge of Maryland’s behavioral health care environment and the challenges impacting our youth and families, having worked for Beacon Health Options, the prior Administrative Services Organization for approximately 8 years.  She also spent several years working as a Medical Director for a national (Medicare/Medicaid) Managed Care Company. 

She is a Yale trained, Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with additional focus on early childhood and developmental disabilities. She has been practicing for over 20 years starting with clinical leadership positions at Johns Hopkins and Kennedy Krieger, including some experience at other large health systems in the state before transitioning into broader administrative and policy roles.  Those around her recognize that she has a passion for working collaboratively towards the best interests of Maryland youth.