Mental Health Programs

About CMHS

A. Kathryn Power, M.Ed.
Director
Center for Mental Health Services
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

A. Kathryn Power, M.Ed. is Director of the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an operating division of the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). CMHS provides national leadership in mental health promotion, mental illness prevention, and the development and dissemination of effective mental health services. Director Power leads a staff of 126 professionals in facilitating the transformation of our nation’s mental health care system into one that is recovery-oriented and consumer-centered. In 2005, Director Power received the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary's Award for Distinguished Service for spearheading the Federal Mental Health Transformation Team, an unprecedented interdepartmental coalition that produced the first ever Federal Action Agenda for Mental Health Transformation.

Prior to her appointment as Director of CMHS, Ms. Power served for over 10 years as the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals (DMHRH), a Cabinet position reporting to the Governor. The Rhode Island DMHRH is responsible for four systems of care serving individuals with mental illnesses, substance abuse disorders, developmental disabilities, and long-term medical needs requiring hospital-level service. During her tenure, the Department gained a national reputation for leadership and innovation that produced real and often dramatic improvements in the quality of life for the people it served. Director Power was a powerful force in helping the State of Rhode Island embrace a focus on recovery, promote deinstitutionalization, reduce the use of seclusion and restraint, adopt behavorial health approaches, implement trauma-informed services, advance an emotional competency agenda, develop mobile treatment teams, and expand supported employment to competitive employment opportunities. The Department had an annual budget of over $480 million and more than 2,000 employees. Ms. Power previously directed the Rhode Island Office of Substance Abuse, the Governor’s Drug Program, the Rhode Island Anti-Drug Coalition, and the Rhode Island Council of Community Mental Health Centers.

Earlier professional experiences include teaching at elementary and secondary schools; providing counseling, leadership and advocacy for rape crisis and domestic violence agencies; and working as a computer systems analyst for the Department of Defense.

In 1997, Director Power served as President of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) where she led the organization to embrace principles of recovery and trauma-informed care as linchpins of the public mental health system. She has also been recognized locally and nationally for her leadership and advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities by organizations such as the Center for Performance Excellence, the Rhode Island Protection and Advocacy System, and the National Organization for Victim Assistance. In addition, Ms. Power has served on the boards of directors of over 100 non-profit agencies, commissions, and task forces in both the public and private sectors.

Director Power received her Bachelor’s degree in education from St. Joseph’s College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and her Master’s degree in education and counseling from Western Maryland College. She is a graduate of the Toll Fellowship program of the Council of State Governments, which promotes the development of State leaders through intensive work in policy, management, and executive decision making. She has also completed programs in senior executive leadership development, mental health leadership, and substance abuse leadership at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government. In addition, she has extensive training and teaching experience in leadership, ethics, public service, policy development, and program implementation.

Ms. Power is currently a Captain serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve.