John Snook Joins NABH as Director of Government Relations and Strategic Initiatives

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- John Snook will join the National Association for Behavioral Healthcare (NABH) as director of government relations and strategic initiatives, effective Jan. 18.

John comes to NABH from the Treatment Advocacy Center, where he served as the mental health advocacy organization's executive director since 2015. He also brings with him more than 15 years of advocacy and policy experience at the state and federal levels. The Treatment Advocacy Center's influence has been far-reaching: more than half of the states have reformed their mental health laws due in large part to the Center's advocacy efforts, and the group's original research on issues such as criminalization of mental illness has rewritten the national narrative on severe mental illness treatment.

During his tenure as executive director of the Treatment Advocacy Center, John secured more than $70 million in federal funding for assisted outpatient treatment programs across the country; guided advocacy efforts that led to bipartisan mental health reforms in the 21st Century Cures Act; directed the publication of 15 major research reports; and oversaw the passage of 44 new laws designed to improve access to treatment for people with severe mental illness.

"John is well-respected in Washington for his strong commitment to improving behavioral healthcare access and services in the United States," said NABH President and CEO Shawn Coughlin. "We are excited and fortunate to welcome him to NABH," he added. "Our national membership and Washington-based team will benefit greatly from his knowledge, experience, and ideas."

John's interest in mental health began when he was in law school and saw a loved one struggle with mental illness. He championed mental illness reform, working first with the West Virginia Supreme Court on mental health issues, and then as an advocate at the Treatment Advocacy Center.

John earned a B.A. from Washington & Jefferson College and a J.D. from the George Mason School of Law.

About NABH

The National Association for Behavioral Healthcare (NABH) represents provider systems that treat children, adolescents, adults, and older adults with mental health and substance use disorders in inpatient behavioral healthcare hospitals and units, residential treatment facilities, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, medication assisted treatment centers, specialty outpatient behavioral healthcare programs, and recovery support services in nearly all 50 states. The association was founded in 1933.

SOURCE National Association for Behavioral Healthcare

Related Links

https://www.nabh.org