Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS)
A. Kathryn Power, M.Ed.
Director
 A. Kathryn Power is the Director of the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health
Services (CMHS). SAMHSA's CMHS is charged with providing national
leadership in improving mental health services for all Americans.
As Director, Ms. Power leads the SAMHSA/CMHS staff of 126 individuals
in addressing both the 21st century challenges and opportunities presented
to the Nation's system of quality mental health care - from developing
approaches to reduce disparities in access to services and negotiate
the complexity of financing and funding concerns, to building on Presidential
priorities such as the New Freedom Initiative, the President's New
Freedom Mental Health Commission and growing support for mental health
parity.
Prior to her appointment as SAMHSA's CMHS Director, A. Kathryn Power
served for over 10 years as the Director of the Rhode Island Department
of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals, a Cabinet position reporting
to the Governor, responsible for four systems of care serving individuals
with serious disabilities: mental illnesses, substance abuse and addiction,
developmental disabilities and long-term medical needs. The department
had an annual budget of over $480M and over 2,000 employees. She had
previously directed the Rhode Island Office of Substance Abuse, the
Governor’s Drug Program and the Rhode Island Anti-Drug Coalition.
From 1985 to 1990, Ms. Power served as Executive Director of the
Rhode Island Council of Community Mental Health Centers. Earlier experience
includes teaching at both elementary and secondary levels, counseling,
leadership and advocacy in rape crisis and domestic violence agencies,
and computer systems analysis for the Department of Defense.
She has served as President of the National Association of State
Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) and has received many distinguished
service awards for her work in mental health, substance abuse and
civic leadership. Ms Power has been recognized locally and nationally
for her advocacy work for people with disabilities. In addition, she
has served on the boards of directors of over l00 non-profit agencies,
commissions and task forces in both the public and private sectors.
Ms. Power received her bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in education from
St. Joseph’s College in Maryland, and her master’s degree in education
and counseling (M.Ed.) from Western Maryland College. She is a graduate
of the Toll Fellowship program of the Council of State Legislators,
which promotes the development of tomorrow’s state leaders through
intensive sessions in policy, management and other issues. She completed
the program in executive and leadership government administration
from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She has extensive practical
training and teaching experience in leadership, ethics and the public
sector, policy development and program implementation.
Ms. Power is currently a Captain serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
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