FOUNDER

Dr. Erin Michele Franco is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, consultant, and founder of the Behavioral Health Training & Policy Institute (BHTPI).

With extensive experience across clinical practice, residential treatment, compliance, and organizational development, Dr. Franco brings a comprehensive and systems-level perspective to behavioral health. Her work is rooted in a deep understanding of the complexities facing California’s behavioral health landscape, including workforce shortages, regulatory demands, and the need for high-quality, trauma-informed care.

Dr. Franco has supported a range of organizations—including community-based organizations, residential programs, and behavioral health providers—in navigating Medi-Cal systems, developing compliant programs, and building sustainable service models. She has particular expertise in STRTP (Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program) development and compliance, assisting organizations in designing programs, aligning operations with Title 22 regulations, and implementing training frameworks that support both staff competency and quality care.

Her work also includes guiding organizations through Medi-Cal PAVE enrollment processes and supporting the development of infrastructure for community-based behavioral health services. Through this work, she helps organizations strengthen both clinical and operational foundations to ensure long-term success.

Dr. Franco’s leadership reflects a strong commitment to advancing behavioral health systems across California through collaboration, innovation, and practical implementation. Through BHTPI, she continues to build partnerships with counties, organizations, and professionals dedicated to strengthening the behavioral health workforce and improving system-wide outcomes.

FOUNDING CONSULTANT

Dr. Janoc Vance is the Founder and CEO of Living is Lifestyle, LLC, where she is dedicated to empowering individuals and strengthening communities through mental health, humanitarian, and philanthropic work. With a unique background in the performing arts and entertainment industries, she integrates creativity with clinical expertise to support healing and personal growth.

She holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD-MFT), with specialization in dual diagnosis treatment and holistic, integrative care for adults, families, and professionals in the music industry. Her work spans clinical practice, consulting, training, and advocacy, including experience in film consulting and character development.

Dr. Vance has worked with diverse populations across cultures and industries, including leadership roles such as Senior Director of Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services for the Recording Academy’s philanthropic arm. She currently serves as Clinical Director for YAI Harbor START, specializing in crisis support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health needs.

She brings a dynamic, multidisciplinary perspective to her work and is proud to contribute to the Behavioral Health Training & Policy Institute’s mission of advancing behavioral health systems and workforce development.

FOUNDING CONSULTANT

Cindy Avelar is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and behavioral health consultant with extensive experience supporting clinical programs, multidisciplinary teams, and community-based organizations across California. Her work is focused on strengthening trauma-informed systems of care that are clinically effective, compliant, and sustainable within complex service environments.

Cindy holds a Master of Social Work from California State University, San Bernardino, and brings over a decade of experience across the behavioral health continuum, including outpatient mental health, substance use treatment, residential care, and child and family-serving systems. She has worked within county-contracted and regulated settings, giving her a strong understanding of documentation standards, compliance requirements, and service delivery expectations across Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.

Throughout her career, Cindy has provided both direct clinical services and program-level support, including conducting comprehensive assessments, risk evaluations, crisis intervention, and treatment planning. She has also supported staff development through training, documentation auditing, and clinical guidance, while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to improve outcomes for high-acuity populations.

Cindy is trained in evidence-based and integrative modalities including TF-CBT, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Brainspotting (Phase I & II). As a bilingual (Spanish/English) clinician, she is committed to advancing equitable, culturally responsive care. Through her work with the Behavioral Health Training and Policy Institute (BHTPI), Cindy partners with organizations to enhance clinical infrastructure, strengthen workforce capacity, and implement high-quality behavioral health programs.

FOUNDING CONSULTANT

Ofelia Johnson, LMFT is a bilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over a decade of experience delivering mental health and substance use treatment across the continuum of care, including Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), residential treatment settings, group practice environments, and private practice. She has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults presenting with trauma, co-occurring substance use disorders, and complex behavioral health needs.

Ofelia brings specialized expertise in facilitating evidence-informed therapeutic groups, particularly in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and substance use recovery. Her work focuses on strengthening emotional regulation, relapse prevention, and adaptive coping strategies. She has a strong track record of collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to support care coordination, clinical continuity, and effective treatment planning across multiple levels of care.

In addition to her clinical practice, Ofelia provides consultation and clinical support to behavioral health professionals, with an emphasis on case conceptualization, intervention planning, documentation quality, and crisis management. Her ability to bridge clinical insight with operational and documentation standards aligns with system-level quality improvement and compliance expectations.

Her integrative therapeutic approach incorporates Internal Family Systems (IFS), Brainspotting (Level 1), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), psychodynamic modalities, and somatic-informed practices. Ofelia is committed to trauma-informed, culturally responsive care and believes in creating spaces where individuals can safely explore their experiences, deepen mind-body awareness, and achieve sustainable, meaningful change.

FOUNDING CONSULTANT

Ashley Pitts, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and self-esteem. She brings a strong clinical foundation to her work with diverse populations, with particular expertise in supporting young adults navigating complex developmental challenges, as well as individuals across the lifespan.

Ashley’s approach is grounded in trauma-informed, culturally responsive care. She integrates evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and strength-based interventions to support healing, skill development, and sustainable change. Her work emphasizes practical application, helping individuals and systems build effective coping strategies and improve overall functioning.

In addition to her clinical practice, Ashley has experience in school-based settings and holds a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling. This background strengthens her understanding of child and adolescent development, family systems, and the intersection between behavioral health and educational environments—bringing valuable insight to workforce training and cross-system collaboration.

Through her work with the Behavioral Health Training & Policy Institute (BHTPI), Ashley contributes to advancing trauma-informed care, workforce development, and culturally responsive service delivery. She is committed to supporting behavioral health professionals and organizations in strengthening service quality, improving client outcomes, and promoting equitable access to care.

Ashley is deeply passionate about helping individuals and communities reconnect with resilience, restore self-worth, and build pathways toward long-term healing and growth.

FOUNDING CONSULTANT

Viridiana Galaz, MSW, ACSW is a behavioral health clinician and trainer specializing in trauma-informed care, foster care systems, and culturally responsive service delivery. She has extensive experience providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents, adults, and families across community-based and public behavioral health settings, with a strong focus on underserved and multilingual populations.

Viridiana brings deep expertise in clinical assessment, treatment planning, and evidence-based interventions, integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed approaches, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Brainspotting to support emotional regulation, relational healing, and long-term stability. Her areas of focus include trauma, depression, anxiety, family conflict, grief, and life transitions.

As a trainer, Viridiana is known for translating clinical concepts into practical, field-based applications for behavioral health professionals. Her work emphasizes trauma-informed practice, cultural humility, and effective engagement strategies within complex systems, including foster care and community mental health. She equips providers with actionable tools to improve client outcomes, strengthen therapeutic relationships, and navigate system-level challenges.

In addition to her clinical work, Viridiana has participated in statewide policy advocacy efforts, including Social Work and Legislative Lobby Days, supporting initiatives that advance equitable access to behavioral health services. This experience informs her systems-level perspective and enhances her ability to train professionals working within publicly funded behavioral health systems.

Through her work with the Behavioral Health Training & Policy Institute (BHTPI), Viridiana contributes to workforce development, training design, and system improvement initiatives across California.

Viridiana holds a Master of Social Work from Loma Linda University and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

FOUNDING CONSULTANT

Katy Caslav, LCSW, is a Consultant with the Behavioral Health Training & Policy Institute (BHTPI), where she supports workforce development, clinical training, and program implementation efforts across California’s behavioral health system.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Ms. Caslav brings direct clinical experience and a strong foundation in trauma-informed care, client-centered practice, and service delivery within community-based settings. Her work focuses on strengthening clinical quality, enhancing service delivery models, and supporting organizations in aligning with best practices and regulatory expectations.

Ms. Caslav contributes to the development and facilitation of BHTPI training programs designed for behavioral health professionals, supervisors, and organizational leaders. She is particularly engaged in advancing workforce readiness through practical, skills-based learning approaches that translate directly into improved client outcomes and organizational effectiveness.

Through her work with BHTPI, Ms. Caslav supports community-based organizations and behavioral health providers in navigating evolving system demands, while promoting culturally responsive, equitable, and high-quality care.