Expanding Access to Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Care
Maria Elena Chavez
LA County - Department of Public Health
Maria Elena Chavez has used community engagement, advocacy, and policy development to strengthen underserved communities. As Center Director for the YWCA Greater Los Angeles, she led outreach and advocated for the successful adoption of the Walnut Park Pedestrian Plan by the LA County Board of Supervisors in 2019. Maria Elena currently serves as Board President of California Walks and earned a BA in Film Production from USC and an MPA from CSULA.
Project
Nationwide, most people with substance abuse disorders do not receive treatment for their addiction. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Division of Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC) is working to enhance access to substance use disorder (SUD) care to address the treatment gap. Maria Elena Chavez will map the spectrum of screening, intake, and admissions policies and procedures for the County’s SUD provider network, identify practical approaches SAPC can take to reduce barriers and increase the accessibility of care provided by the provider network and develop an implementation plan to equip providers across the network.