Mental Health Programs

About CMHS

A. Kathryn Power, M.Ed.
Director, Center for Mental Health Services

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. Director Power received the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary's Award for Distinguished Service on these occasions: 2004, For outstanding leadership and accomplishments in the national effort to reduce and ultimately eliminate seclusion and restraint in mental health and substance abuse service settings; 2005, For outstanding collaborative spirit in leading an unprecedented Federal coalition to transform mental health services in the United States; 2006, For distinguished service in providing increased capacity for mental health and substance abuse treatment services following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

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 behavioral 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.