Public Policy, Government Affairs, Healthcare Reform, Medicaid

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Marie D. Verna, MPAP

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Titusville, NJ 08560

609-***-****

*******@*******.***

Professional Summary

A leader in behavioral health policy, public affairs and communication with an emphasis on public and private insurance reform, integration of the medical and behavioral health systems and outcomes in line with meaningful consumer satisfaction measures. Over 25 years of building coalitions of many relevant government departments, payers, providers and consumers resulting in realistic and cost-effective solutions. Expert policy analyst able to articulate root causes of the unmet needs of vulnerable citizens and the public policy needed to successfully, swiftly and compassionately respond to those needs.

Work History

Dominion Behavioral Health Policy, LLC

Titusville, NJ, President, 2002 to Present

! Independent consultant specializing in behavioral health policy and public affairs Invited to provide policy recommendations to: New Jersey Independent Mental Health and Addiction Fee-for-Service Transition Oversight Board, Disability Rights NJ Advisory Committee, New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) Fee-for-Service Providers’ Workgroup and Behavioral Health Planning Council

Rutgers Health University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC) Piscataway, NJ, Program Coordinator, 2007 to 2018

! Trained and consulted with organizations statewide on trends in healthcare policy and research supporting the need for accessible and evidence-based programs and services

! Convened forums through which UBHC could hear consumer and family input during planning phases of services, research, and behavioral workforce development

! Formed consumer advisory groups made up of people with lived experience who provided recommendations regarding: workforce development, juvenile and criminal justice transformation and services for emerging adults (ages 18-37)

! Wrote and edited web and newsletter content, reports and educational materials

! Provided input to leadership about quality improvement initiatives

! Built collaborations with schools within Rutgers University studying population health Invited to provide policy recommendations to: Disability Rights NJ Advisory Committee; New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) Fee-for-Service Providers Workgroup, Behavioral Health Planning Council, Merger Advisory Committee, and Accountable Services Organization Subcommittee; Rutgers Health UBHC Consumer Advisory Committee on Education and Training, Chair, Quality Improvement Committee; Trauma-Informed Care Workgroup; Perception of Care Workgroup and Medication Compliance Workgroup 2

Mental Health Association in New Jersey

Trenton, NJ, Director of Policy and Advocacy, 2001 to 2007

! Led advocacy efforts within the Government Affairs Department and stakeholder organizations on the federal, state and county level

! Provided fact-based information to elected and appointed officials through lobbying, policy development, media relations and communication with statewide Legislative Network

! Wrote and edited all communication regarding government affairs

! Maintained collaborative relationships with stakeholder organizations in efforts to build effective coalitions

! Successfully influenced gubernatorial, legislative, regulatory and judicial outcomes by working with all agencies responsible for funding and reimbursing services for vulnerable citizens

Invited to provide policy recommendations to: Governor Corzine’s Human Services Transition Advisory Group; Governor Codey’s Mental Health Task Force; New Jersey Coalition of Advocates Working with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Vulnerable Citizens Coalition; Coalition on Mental Health Insurance Parity; New Jersey Statewide Mental Health Coalition; New Jersey State Mental Health Planning Council; Disability Rights New Jersey Advisory Committee Awards: New Jersey Association of Mental Health Agencies Advocacy Award (2002), Mental Health America Innovation and Creativity in Programming Award (2007)

National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse Philadelphia, PA, National Program Director, 1997 to 2001

! Directed a consumer national technical assistance center providing education, information-and-referral and networking to national advocates

! Implemented mass communication strategies aimed at constituencies and affiliates, federal officials and Congressional staff about policy affecting people in the public sector

! Wrote and edited foundation and government reports, websites, newsletters, training curricula, brochures, and technical assistance guides

! Increased the center’s comprehensive database from 4,000 to over 13,000 members

! Provided direct supervision of all staff and reported directly to executive director and federal Center for Mental Health Services

! Planned, implemented, promoted and collaborated with evaluators of all projects

! Developed all funding proposals and contracts with outside consultants and managed all budgets and fiscal obligations

Invited to provide policy recommendations to: Advisory Council for the National Mental Health Association’s Technical Assistance Center; Alternatives National Consumer Conference; Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s Advocacy and Support Services Committee

3

Merrill Lynch, Plainsboro, NJ, Assistant Vice President/Senior Training Consultant, 1991 to 1997

Mentor Resources, Nashua, NH, Technical Author/Editor, 1985 to 1991 Apollo Computer, Chelmsford, MA, Technical Writer/Editor, 1983 to 1985 Sperry Univac, Blue Bell, PA, Technical Writer/Editor, 1979 to 1983 Education

Graduate Work

Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy

Masters in Public Affairs and Politics

Specialization: Healthcare Reform and Behavioral Health Self-Initiated Professional Development

NJ Policy Perspective

Eagleton Institute of Politics

Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Policy and Aging Research Rutgers Institute for Women’s Leadership

Entrepreneurial Training Institute, New Jersey Economic Development Authority Nonprofit Financial Development, Villanova University Undergraduate Work

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA B.A. in English Writing, Certificate of Authority in Math and Physics Adjunct Faculty Positions

Rutgers University, Pre-Doctoral Psychology Internship Program Rutgers University, Fundraising and Marketing

Northeastern University, Technical Writing

Middlesex College, Technical Writing

Rivier College, Technical Writing Bachelors’ Program Curriculum Design Professional Memberships

International and National New Jersey

International Health Literacy Association Health Care Quality Professionals International Association of Peer Specialists Coalition for Health Care College for Behavioral Health Leadership Parity Coalition Association of Health Care Journalists NJ Spotlight National Coalition of Mental Health and Recovery Rutgers University Alumni Association References and Writing Samples

Furnished on Request

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