John F. Steinfirst, LCSW
70 Parker Avenue San Francisco, CA 94118 (415) 753-9441 Mobile (510) 773-9485 johnsteinfirstconsulting@gmail.com

sUMMARY OF CAREER ACCOMPLISMENTS

As CEO, transformed a traditional psychiatric residential treatment center to a multifacted, modern, community based organization based on wraparound principles as well as other innovative and best practices.

As child care counselor, social worker/therapist, clinical supervisor, director, and CEO, has vast experience in residential treatment and group home facilities, serving children, adolescents, young adults and families.

Developed and implemented the first residential and day treatment programs in California for developmentally disabled consumers with mental health problems.

As CEO, developed and operated independent living residential programs for young adults and adults with mental health problems, including building and managing apartments for this target population.

As CEO, led and implemented one of the States initial comprehensive community based on Wraparound principles in collabaration with County Social Service and Behavioral Health agencies and other providers.

Created the Steinfirst Group, a consulting firm for non-profits, providing coaching, program, fiscal and budget expansion, suppoting Boards, and strategic planning.

As COO, directed foster family agency in New York City.

As Interim Executive Director of Bay Area Community Services, oversaw independent living residental facilities for adults witth serious mental health problems.

Expanded annual budget from under $2m to $35m at Fred Finch Youth Center and expanded services to youth and families throughout California.

Provided mental health clinical therapy services to adult patients at Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital

Developed and implemented substance abuse program for young adults, 18-26

Developed and implemented one of the State’s most comprehensive affordable housing, mental health and vocational training programs for Transitional Age Youth, ages 17-28.

As Interim CEO, rescued an agency from bankruptcy and secured its CEO sucesssor.

As Interim CEO, overall supervision for residential and case managment servides for developmentally disabaled adults with behavorial issues

As Interim CEO, transformed a failing agency through improving government and major funder relationships, thereby increasing their mental health contract by $540k, and dramatically improving staff morale.

Spearheaded significant policy changes that improved services to youth and families in California.

Provide direct clinical supervision to Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists.

Provide expert witness/consultation for civil cases.

Education

Columbia University, Graduate School of Business, The Institute for Not-for-Profit Management.

M.S.W., New York University, Graduate School of Social Work.

B.A., Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.

High School, George School, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

LCSW License # 13465, since 1988

experience

Founder and CEO | The Steinfirst Group

2008 - Present

Established consulting firm to strengthen and enhance, primarly, non-profits. Consulting services include training staff to provide effective mental health services, executive coaching, organizational reviews, Board development, strategic planning, expansion planning, budgetary and fiscal consultation, clinical and program supervision, fund development, and other consultation services.

Expert Witness services include the provision of expert witness testimony to attorneys representing plaintiffs and defendants related to mental health, child welfare, group home issues, as well as identify standards of consultation relevant to civil cases.

experience(CONT.)

Interim CEO | La Familia Counseling Service

Overall responsibility for this mental health and social services agency providing services to the Latino community of South and Central Alameda County. Programs include child and family mental health services, developmental disabilities services for children and adults, and community outreach programs.

Interim CEO | Bay Area Community Services, Oakland CA

Overall responsibility for fiscal and programmatic services to adults and senior adults with mental health and developmental disabilities. Programs include day programs, residential care, and Meals on Wheels services.

Successfully eliminated serious deficit, increased revenue, built staff and Board morale, stabilized and improved relationships with government agencies’ key staff, and Board of Supervisors. Recruited new Executive Director.

President & Chief Executive Director | Fred Finch Youth Center, Oakland CA

Overall management responsibility for statewide comprehensive and multifaceted child welfare, health, and mental health services agency serving 5,000 clients annually throughout California with an operating budget in excess of $30 million.

Led the agency to a complete transformation through developing, implementing and operating innovative, relevant services, and programs to meet community needs for those children and families traditionally stuck in the child welfare, foster care, and mental health systems.

Served as Chief Executive Officer and was responsible to a diverse Board of Directors. Responsible for total management of: community-based mental health and Wraparound services with 300 plus staff; 40-bed psychiatric residential treatment facilities in multiple California counties; special education schools for severely emotionally troubled adolescents and young adults; transitional and housing services for Transitional Age Youth (TAY).

Played leadership roles in regional, state, and federal policy-making government and non-government venues.

Created new and innovative programs for children, youth, families, and young adults in California including: Wraparound Services, Residential Treatment, Community Mental Health Services, Transitional Age Youth, C0-Occuring Residential Treatment Program for Adolescents with Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues, Runaway and Homeless and other programs.

Accreditation: California Alliance for Children and Family Services

National Accreditations: Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation (CARF) & The Joint Commission (TJC)

experience(CONT.)

Executive Director | Marin Jewish Community Center, San Rafael CA

Served as the Executive Director, overseeing all programming and staff as well. Played major role in raising $12 to build the new JCC. Supervised senior leadership team and carried out the goals set forth by the Board of Directors.

Associate Executive Director| Louise Wise Service, New York

Served as Chief Operating Officer of this major foster family care and social services agency, which included a prenatal residence, a residence for mothers and babies, preventive service programs, and emergency shelters. Supervised directors and unit directors as well as participated in all Board and staff committee meetings.

| Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, New York

Served in various administrative, supervisory, and clinical roles with the nation's largest voluntary mental health and social services agency. As a senior executive, was responsible for public policy and community and governmental relations, and in role as a staff liaison to New York State legislature, coordinated and developed projects for other governmental officials, mental health, and social service agencies.

Other activities

Led trainings and workshops internally and externally for a diverse group of professionals during past 25 years.

Maintain a Private Practice in Psychotherapy.

Member, Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Planning Panel, Alameda County, Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63)

Facilitated and co-founded Interfaith Connection that mediates issues of interfaith and interethnic couples.

Honors

Steinfirst Hall Dedication by Fred Finch Youth Center Board of Directors

National recogntion from the President of the United States

Special citation from the Governor of New York in recognition of special legislation leadership for laws leveraging federal funding for disabled youth

John F. Steinfirst Community Award Recognizing Community Leaders, Established by Fred Finch Youth Center

pAPERS

Project Destiny: The Sixth Year, Derivations and Implications for Residential Treatment and Traditional Agencies, presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Children’s Residential Centers.

Why Children Kill!, presented at various conferences and community meetings.

How to Achieve Successful Outcomes While Implementing a Managed Care Project, presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Children's Residential Centers.

Therapeutic Content and Process in a Community Based Halfway House Program for Residential Treatment of Emotionally Disturbed Older Adolescents, American Orthopsychiatric Association, Washington, D.C.

The Continuing Evolution of an Outreach Adolescent Program: The Third Year of the Midwood Adolescent Project, presented at the American Association of Psychiatric Services to Children, Chicago, Illinois.

The New Russian Jewish Immigrant: Acculturation, Sociological and Mental Health Issues presented at the American Association of Psychiatric Services to Children, New Orleans, Louisiana.

FORMER AND CURRENT BOARD MEMBERSHIPS AND OTHER AFFILIATIONS

Chair, Board of Directors, Bay Area Community Services

Treasurer, Board of Directors, Bay Area Community Services

Member, Board of Directors, Alameda County Meals on Wheels
Vice-President and Member, Board of Directors, Youth Tennis Advantage
Member, Board of Directors, California Alliance of Children and Family Services
Chair, Transitional Age Services Committee, California Alliance of Children and Family Services
President and Executive Committee member, Alameda County Council of Community Mental Health Agencies
Chairperson, Children's Committee, Mental Health Association of San Francisco

Member, Board of Trustees, San Francisco Performances
Member, Board of Directors, Family Mosaic Project, San Francisco

REFERENCES FURNISHED UPON REQUEST