Title

Office of Intergovernmental and Public Affairs

The mission of the Office of Intergovernmental and Public Affairs (OIPA) is to provide leadership through the development, coordination, implementation, and articulation of national behavioral health policy. The vision is to improve the Nation's health and well-being through effective behavioral health policy.

OIPA’s focus is to ensure the dissemination of SAMHSA’s policies, practices, and strategies for improving the delivery of behavioral health services to external partners through our Offices and External Engagement Team:

  • The Office of Tribal Affairs and Policy (OTAP) serves as SAMHSA’s primary point of contact for tribal governments, tribal organizations, federal departments and agencies, and other governments and organizations on behavioral health issues facing American Indians and Alaska Natives.
  • The Office of Communications (OC) is SAMHSA's voice and face to the public. OC provides leadership in the development of SAMHSA's priorities, strategies, and practices for effective communications and strategic positioning to stakeholders, the behavioral health field, the general public, and targeted audiences, including the media.
  • The SAMHSA Regional Offices provide leadership, partnership and consultation across the country to advance the behavioral healthcare system.
  • The External Engagement Team (EET) is tasked with fostering and maintaining relationships with SAMHSA’s key external partners in the U.S. and internationally. Among other things, EET’s work includes managing external speaking engagements, coordinating meetings and convenings with partners, and maintaining a database of speaking requests and contacts.

Contact Information

Office of Intergovernmental and Public Affairs
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
240-276-2000

Staff

Office of Intergovernmental and Public Affairs, Office of the Director

Tom Coderre, Acting Director

Jayme Marshall, Deputy Director

Women's Advisory Council

External Engagement Team

International Officer

Office of Tribal Affairs and Policy (OTAP)

CAPT Karen Hearod, Director

Kimberly Beniquez, Deputy Director

Office of Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Office of Communications

Coqui Aspiazu, Director

Communications Products and Services Branch

Digital Media Services Branch

Regional Offices

Last Updated: 04/25/2024