Christopher Loftis, PhD, PMP

Experience

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  Florida Center for Medicaid and the Uninsured

  Oct 2000 - Aug 2002

  Policy Research Associate,

  Designed survey instruments, collected and analyzed data, and prepared evaluations of Medicaid and state healthcare programs (e.g., Florida Medicaid Prescription Program, Telemedicine network for Florida’s Child Protection Team). Evaluations included healthcare quality, patient satisfaction, administrative structure, operational procedures, and medical costs. Developed public policy recommendations for improving services to low income residents (e.g., pharmacy initiatives, managed care policies and procedures, special care needs of children, primary care case management, and disease management). Show less

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  American Psychological Association

  Jan 2001 - Dec 2004

  Board of Directors

  Board Member

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  Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

  Jul 2002 - Jun 2003

  Clinical Internship

  Provided neuropsychological assessment and treatment to children and adolescents with learning, behavior, psychosocial, and neurological difficulties associated with medical problems or health care procedures. Worked with interdisciplinary medical team to promote healthy child development, behavior, and psychological adjustment, and provided consultation to allied health professionals in a range of inpatient and outpatient pediatric settings.

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  U.S. Senate

  Sept 2004 - Aug 2005

  APA/AAAS Congressional Fellow

  Drafted policy memos providing analysis, planning and budget recommendations on federal programs and program policies. Worked closely with SAMHSA Congressional liaison on SAMHSA reauthorization and organizing staff briefings on SAMHSA programs, Centers, grants, and policy objectives. Portfolio of legislative and constituent issues included child health, school-based health care, mental health, infectious diseases, bioterrorism, genetic trade patents, medical marijuana, HIV/AIDS, Medicaid/SCHIP, and medical conditions with a behavioral health component (e.g., diabetes, obesity, hypertension, injury). Show less

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  National Health Policy Forum

  Sept 2005 - Feb 2008

  Policy Analyst

  Based in Washington DC, the Forum provided nonpartisan, educational programming to health policy makers. Responsible for policy analysis and programming planning in the areas of behavioral health, disability, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and chronic care issues. Responded to Congressional inquiries and provide recommendations on public mental health programs and activities. Worked closely with Congressional staff, support agencies, and executive branch staff to develop a range of analytic products and experiential programs, including written publications, site visits across the country, and interactive discussions. Examples of papers include “Shrinking Inpatient Psychiatric Capacity: Cause for Celebration or Concern?” and “Medicare's Mental Health Benefits - The Basics.” Show less

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  Parkside At Alexandria HOA

  Jan 2007 - Jan 2008

  Board of Directors

  Oversight of $2 million HOA budget and services

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  National Council for Behavioral Health

  Jun 2008 - Dec 2009

  Director of Practice Improvement and State Policy

  The National Council for Behavioral Health is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) representing America’s health care organizations that deliver mental health and addictions treatment and services. Provided technical assistance to behavioral health organizations on healthcare financing, regulation, and workforce issues, particularly for the Medicaid and Medicare programs. Director of Leadership Development Program for community psychiatrists and CEOs of Community Behavioral Health Organizations; Managed Services Redesign project for Transition Age Youth; Senior editor of Compliance and Risk Management newsletter. Principal author of articles and powerpoint presentations on range of policy topics, including provider reimbursement, access to medication, early intervention and prevention, performance evaluation and improvement, children’s health care, and juvenile and adult justice system involvement and diversion.Lead staff officer for Association Executive Committee (50+ state and city chapters of the National Council), responsible for ensuring governance activities are consistent with the mission of the National Council, as well as developing recommendations to revise or propose new policies to advance strategic goals and objectives. Provided technical assistance to members and associations chapters and produced written policy papers and fact sheets as principal author. Conversant in state policy activities related to Medicaid, Medicare, healthcare reform, provider reimbursement, access to medication, early intervention and prevention, performance evaluation and improvement, children’s health care, and juvenile and adult justice system involvement and diversion. Show less

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  American Psychological Association

  Jan 2009 - Dec 2012

  Policy and Planning Board, Chair

  The Policy and Planning (P&P) Board reviews current and long-range policy. As a continuing body, P&P recommends to the members, Board of Directors and Council changes in existing policy and extensions or restrictions of the functions of the Association, its divisions or state associations as are consonant with the purposes of the Association. P&P reviews the structure and function of the Association as a whole in every fifth year and makes recommendations by written report to Council and by publication to the Association. P&P reports annually by the publication to the membership. Show less

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  Engility Corporation

  Dec 2009 - May 2018

  Program Manager for DoD Defense Health Agency contract to facilitate development of DoD policies and management of interagency activities (DoD, HHS, VA, and ED) related to military health care, including mental health, pain management, traumatic brain injury, and other medical specialties. Managed Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury initiatives and governance under the oversight of the DoD/VA Health Executive Committee. Supported development and oversight of DoD mental health strategic plan for the military health system. Support included meeting facilitation, dashboard tracking, drafting key deliverables and documents, researching and writing key issues summaries, and responding to taskers. Show less Business Manager for $30 million in DoD contracts and 50 staff. Provided program, contract administration, and financial management support for multiple MHS customers that enhanced overall operations and system processes. Provided data analysis, monthly program-level forecast development, and risk response plan development that ensure budget constraint management. Identified, developed and executed strategic and tactical business development initiatives. Program Manager for DoD Center of Excellence contract to support identification and development of best practices and leading principles in the prevention, treatment and management of PTSD, TBI and co-occurring conditions, as well health promotion and performance enhancement techniques. Worked collaboratively with client to align best practice activities with long-range strategy, and ensure consistent, timely, and valued progress. Show less As Contractor to the Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health (PH) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Managed offsite contract team of physicians, psychologists, and nurses to evaluate military treatment facilities providing PH or TBI services. Provided training to DCoE staff and contractors on program evaluation and effectiveness. Consulted with the DCoE Psychological Health Clinical Standards of Care Directorate to develop, recommend and implement organizational policies, programs and initiatives. Responsibilities included developing briefing materials, supporting collaboration across organizational components, and working with a variety of professionals, consumers, and policy makers to support DCoE's mission. Also supported metrics development for DCoE projects and activities (e.g., identifying metrics for Total Force Fitness models and for DCoE clinical support tools, training and evaluation guides). As a Clinical Consultant for MHS Strategic Communications office: Researched and wrote Key Issue Reports highlighting activities by the MHS to address areas of concern, such as success and progress of PH/TBI programs and reporting accuracy. Reviewed content and articles written by communicators to ensure accuracy. Researched key information to support media inquiry responses. Show less

  • Senior Program Manager, Clinical Subject Matter Expert

    Aug 2014 - May 2018

  • Senior Program Manager / Business Manager

    Aug 2012 - Aug 2014

  • Senior Program Manager

    Dec 2009 - Aug 2012
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  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

  May 2018 - now

  National Director for VA/DoD Mental Health Collaboration