John O’Brien

John O’Brien, M.S., is a senior consultant with the Technical Assistance Collaborative. He has more than 30 years of experience in behavioral health systems design, financing, and implementation. He has worked with Medicaid, mental health, and substance abuse authorities in numerous states to develop federal Medicaid waivers, Medicaid state plan amendments, and federal grant applications. O’Brien is the subject matter expert for several states in their efforts to implement systems of care for children and families with serious mental health conditions and on community integration strategies for adults with serious mental illness. Prior to TAC, O’Brien worked for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in leadership roles with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). O’Brien earned an M.S. in health policy from the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago.