FOUNDER

Dr. Erin Michele Franco is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, consultant, and founder of the Behavioral Health Training & Policy Institute (BHTPI). She holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University and a Master of Science in Marital and Family Therapy from Loma Linda University. With extensive experience in clinical practice, residential treatment, compliance, organizational development, and behavioral health systems strategy, Dr. Franco brings a comprehensive, systems-level perspective to California’s behavioral health challenges. Her expertise includes Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program development, Medi-Cal PAVE enrollment, provider readiness, billing infrastructure, workforce development, behavioral health compliance, and the operational design of community-based services. Through BHTPI, she partners with counties, providers, community organizations, and behavioral health leaders to strengthen service systems, expand workforce capacity, advance policy-informed implementation, and improve outcomes for the individuals, families, and communities they serve.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Dr. Calvin Bonds is an educator, global leadership coach, organizational strategist, and master storyteller with nearly three decades of experience helping organizations strengthen leadership, communication, workforce performance, and organizational effectiveness. His work has supported institutions across education, government, healthcare, entertainment, and other industries in the United States and internationally. As Chief Operating Officer of BHTPI, Dr. Bonds helps guide organizational strategy, operational development, leadership initiatives, and sustainable growth.

Dr. Bonds earned a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University, where his research integrated adult learning theory, neuroscience, and storytelling. He also holds an Executive Master of Business Administration, a master’s degree in Adult Education and Training, and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Music. He previously served as an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University and has guest lectured in healthcare leadership at the University of Southern California. His professional certifications include Everything DiSC, The Five Behaviors, and TESOL.

DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & POLICY

Dr. Douglas May is an interdisciplinary scholar, educator, clinician, and published researcher whose career spans behavioral health, organizational leadership, higher education, curriculum development, and applied policy research. He holds a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University, a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. As an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and former substance use disorder counselor, Dr. May brings experience in mental health treatment, recovery support, psychoeducation, and evidence-informed therapeutic practice, complemented by expertise in organizational systems, workforce development, research methodology, program evaluation, and leadership effectiveness. As Director of the Research & Policy Division at BHTPI, he leads evidence-informed policy research, program evaluation, and workforce-development initiatives examining emerging trends, service-delivery models, workforce challenges, and system-level innovations. His work bridges research, policy, and practice by translating complex findings into actionable strategies that support data-informed decision-making and strengthen the quality, effectiveness, and sustainability of behavioral health organizations.

DIRECTOR OF BHTPI ACADEMY

Dr. Janoc Vance is the Founder and CEO of Living is Lifestyle, LLC, where she empowers individuals and strengthens communities through mental health, humanitarian, and philanthropic initiatives. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and a Doctorate in Psychology specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy, with expertise in dual-diagnosis treatment and holistic, integrative care for adults, families, professionals in the music industry, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health needs. Drawing upon her background in the performing arts and entertainment industries, Dr. Vance integrates creativity with clinical expertise across clinical practice, consulting, training, advocacy, film consulting, and character development. Her leadership experience includes serving as Senior Director of Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services for the Recording Academy’s philanthropic arm, and she currently serves as Clinical Director for YAI Harbor START. Dr. Vance brings a dynamic, multidisciplinary perspective to BHTPI’s work and supports the Institute’s mission of advancing California’s behavioral health workforce and service systems.

DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & CONSULTING

Dr. Jonathean Reese, DSW, is a behavioral health leader, educator, author, speaker, and workforce-development consultant with nearly 20 years of experience supporting children, youth, families, and helping professionals across behavioral health, child welfare, education, developmental disability, community-based, integrated care, and Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program settings. As Director of the Technical Assistance & Consulting Division at BHTPI, he partners with public agencies, behavioral health organizations, educational institutions, and nonprofits to strengthen workforce capacity, organizational effectiveness, implementation readiness, service delivery, and long-term sustainability. Dr. Reese earned his Doctor of Social Work from California Baptist University, where his research focused on workforce preparedness, implementation readiness, and organizational wellness. He is the creator of the R.E.A.C.T. Workforce Transformation System, a framework designed to promote resilience, emotional awareness, healthy activity, meaningful connection, and successful transition while reducing burnout and improving workforce retention. As Founder of Gifted Bodies LLC, he provides executive consulting, leadership development, workforce-wellness training, keynote presentations, and implementation support.

FOUNDING CONSULTANT

Cindy Avelar is a bilingual Spanish-English Licensed Clinical Social Worker and behavioral health consultant with more than a decade of experience supporting clinical programs, multidisciplinary teams, and community-based organizations across California. She holds a Master of Social Work from California State University, San Bernardino, and has worked throughout the behavioral health continuum, including outpatient mental health, substance use treatment, residential care, and child- and family-serving systems. Her experience in county-contracted and regulated settings across Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties has given her a strong understanding of clinical documentation, compliance requirements, crisis intervention, risk assessment, treatment planning, and service-delivery standards. Cindy is trained in evidence-based and integrative approaches, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Brainspotting. Through BHTPI, she partners with organizations to strengthen trauma-informed and culturally responsive systems of care, enhance clinical infrastructure, build workforce capacity, and implement high-quality, compliant, and sustainable behavioral health programs.

FOUNDING CONSULTANT

Ofelia Johnson, LMFT, is a bilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than a decade of experience providing mental health and substance use treatment across Intensive Outpatient, Partial Hospitalization, residential treatment, group practice, and private practice settings. She works with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing trauma, co-occurring substance use disorders, and complex behavioral health needs, with specialized expertise in facilitating evidence-informed Dialectical Behavior Therapy and substance use recovery groups focused on emotional regulation, relapse prevention, and adaptive coping. Ofelia collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to promote coordinated care, clinical continuity, and effective treatment planning across multiple levels of care. She also provides consultation and clinical support to behavioral health professionals in case conceptualization, intervention planning, documentation quality, and crisis management. Her integrative approach incorporates Internal Family Systems, Brainspotting, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, psychodynamic modalities, and somatic-informed practices, reflecting her commitment to trauma-informed, culturally responsive care that promotes mind-body awareness and sustainable, meaningful change.

FOUNDING CONSULTANT

Katy Caslav, LCSW, is a consultant with the Behavioral Health Training & Policy Institute, where she supports workforce development, clinical training, and program implementation across California’s behavioral health system. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she brings direct clinical experience and a strong foundation in trauma-informed, client-centered, and community-based care. Her work focuses on strengthening clinical quality, improving service-delivery models, and helping organizations align their practices with professional standards and regulatory expectations. Ms. Caslav contributes to the development and facilitation of practical, skills-based training for behavioral health professionals, supervisors, and organizational leaders, translating learning into stronger workforce readiness, organizational effectiveness, and client outcomes. Through BHTPI, she assists community-based organizations and behavioral health providers in responding to evolving system demands while advancing culturally responsive, equitable, and high-quality care.