The California Behavioral Health Association (CBHA) is a statewide nonprofit association that supports and promotes behavioral health agencies through legislative advocacy. Chief Executive Officer Le Ondra Clark Harvey, Ph.D. describes how the new Independent Sector member enhances the ability of its members to provide mental health services that empower people to lead full and productive lives.
Running a behavioral health agency can be a difficult task, no doubt. How does CBHA help make the difference for your member agencies?
CBHA is the most diverse collective of behavioral health advocacy organizations in California. CBHA is the lighthouse providing support to agencies as they navigate workforce shortages, complex funding streams, regulatory change, and growing community needs all at the same time. We support agencies by advocating for policies and payment structures that allow them to focus on care, not just compliance. We provide education, technical assistance, and leadership development so organizations can adapt and innovate. And just as importantly, we create a space for connection where providers can share challenges, solutions, and strategies with peers who truly understand the work.
CBHA exists to lift the operational burden where we can, amplify the voice of providers, and ensure the people on the frontlines of care have the tools, support, and respect they deserve.
Serving as the voice of your member agencies at the California State Capitol, state agencies, and the federal government is core to your efforts. What goals do you strive to achieve on behalf of your members through your advocacy work?
At its core, our advocacy is about aligning policy with reality.
We strive to secure sustainable funding, competitive rates, and flexible implementation structures that allow providers to meet people where they are. We work to reduce administrative burden so clinicians can spend more time with clients and less time with paperwork. And, we push for clarity and consistency in guidance so innovation isn’t slowed by uncertainty.
Our goal is to ensure that behavioral health is treated as essential infrastructure not an optional add-on. When our members succeed, communities are healthier, families are stronger, and systems work better for everyone.
How have the impact of the pandemic and the challenges presented by the current administration affected your members’ ability to conduct their missions, and your ability to serve them?
The pandemic reshaped everything.
Our members stepped up in extraordinary ways — moving services online overnight, responding to unprecedented trauma, and supporting communities through grief, isolation, and instability. But, they did so while facing severe workforce burnout, rising costs, and increasing demand for care.
At the same time, shifting priorities and implementation challenges at the state and federal levels have required providers to remain incredibly agile. Our role has been to help translate policy into practice, advocate for realistic timelines, and push for flexibility when systems move faster than infrastructure.
CBHA has had to be both a stabilizer and a bridge, helping members stay grounded while navigating constant change. It’s been challenging, but it’s also reaffirmed why this work matters so deeply.
This is your 40th year of shaping policy in behavioral health. How will you celebrate this special milestone?
I’ll celebrate this milestone the same way I’ve approached my entire career — with gratitude and reflection.
CBHA CEO Le Ondra Clark Harvey, Ph.D.
Gratitude for the leaders, advocates, providers, and community members who have taught me so much along the way. And, reflection on how far we’ve come and how much work still lies ahead.
I see this anniversary not just as a personal milestone, but as a reminder of the collective effort it takes to build a more just and compassionate behavioral health system. If I celebrate anything, it will be the resilience of the field and the people who show up for others every day.
What are you looking forward to as a new member of Independent Sector?
Joining Independent Sector feels like coming into a broader community of shared purpose.
I’m looking forward to learning from organizations across sectors, building new partnerships, and engaging in national conversations about equity, civic engagement, and the role of nonprofits in strengthening democracy and community well-being.
Behavioral health doesn’t exist in isolation. It intersects with housing, education, justice, and economic stability. Independent Sector provides a powerful platform to connect those dots and move forward together. CBHA is excited to be part of that collective work.
Learn about other Independent Sector members and becoming a member.
