FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2025
(Sacramento, CA) On Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the appointment of Karen Larsen, CEO of the Steinberg Institute, to the California Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission. A seasoned leader and dedicated advocate for behavioral health reform, Larsen brings more than three decades of experience in public service and personal lived experience as a person in long-term recovery.
As CEO of the Steinberg Institute, Larsen has championed innovative policies to strengthen California’s behavioral health system, expand access to care, and build a sustainable workforce. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing Vision 2030, the Institute’s ambitious roadmap for reducing system involvement for individuals with behavioral health conditions. Prior to joining the Institute, she served as Director of Yolo County’s Health and Human Services Agency, where she led transformative initiatives to integrate behavioral health services with broader social supports.
Larsen’s personal journey of recovery, now spanning more than 30 years, has fueled her unwavering commitment to improving mental health and substance use services. Her story serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of individuals in recovery and the importance of a compassionate, person-centered approach to behavioral health care.
“I am deeply honored to join the BHSOAC and work alongside leaders dedicated to making California’s behavioral health system stronger, more accessible, and more equitable,” said Larsen. “This work is personal to me, and I am committed to ensuring that our policies reflect the real needs of individuals across our state.”
The California Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission plays a critical role in shaping the state’s mental health and substance use policies and providing oversight of the implementation of the Behavioral Health Services Act. Larsen’s appointment strengthens the commission’s commitment to lived experience-informed leadership and data-driven strategies that transform lives.
About the Steinberg Institute
The Steinberg Institute is dedicated to transforming California’s mental health and substance use care systems through education, advocacy, accountability, and inspired leadership. Our vision: California sets the standards for the nation in prevention, treatment and recovery, where all people receive quality care and support when, where, and for as long as they need it. Founded in 2015 by former Sacramento Mayor and Senate Pro Tem Emeritus Darrell Steinberg, the Institute has been the driving force behind sweeping improvements in California behavioral health policy. Visit us at www.steinberginstitute.org