Staff Biographies

Judy Finnegan, M.S., L.P.C., Director

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) Office of Comprehensive Child Mental Health was established in 2005 by Rs MO 630.1000. As Director of the Children’s Office, Ms. Finnegan provides leadership across the three DMH Divisions (Comprehensive Psychiatric Services, Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Development Disabilities) and the other child-serving state agencies (child welfare, education and juvenile justice) in development of the Comprehensive Children’s Mental Health Services System (Rs MO 630.097, 2004). She manages operations of the Children’s Office; serves on the DMH Executive Leadership Team; leads DMH children’s policy issues; and assists in development of budget and legislative priorities. Ms. Finnegan began her 20-year-DMH career as Coordinator for the House Bill 503 Project which was a legislatively enacted demonstration that initiated Missouri’s “System of Care”.  Several years later she was appointed as the first Eastern Area Director for Children and Youth. She was also assigned as interim Chief Operating Officer at Hawthorn Children’s Psychiatric Hospital and later was named the Statewide Coordinator for System of Care.  Prior to DMH, her career includes advocacy with Citizens for Missouri Children and children’s program development with COMTREA Community Mental Health Center and with Catholic Social Services in Phoenix Arizona.

Kristi Scoville

Ms. Scoville provides leadership and technical assistance for the 14 sanctioned system of care (SOC) teams in Missouri. She staffs the Comprehensive System Management Team (CSMT) and the State SOC Workgroup that provide policy recommendations related to children with mental illness and operationalize policies and work to implement the Comprehensive Children’s Mental Health Services System (Rs MO 630.097, 2004) within state child serving agencies. She also sits on several state advisory teams focused on children’s social and emotional wellbeing. Ms. Scoville began this career working in both rural and urban settings with local, regional and state coalitions and initiatives focused on prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse and public health education. She was a coordinator for a federal Safe and Drug-free Community Support grant targeting at- risk youth and developing a high school peer mentoring and leadership program. She has been trained in several evidence-based prevention and family education programs in conjunction with ADA regional support centers. Ms. Scoville later joined the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse as a certified Prevention Specialist then, moved to the Children’s Office.

LuAnn Reese

As Coordinator of Statewide Family Support, Ms. Reese provides consultation, technical assistance and training across the three DMH Divisions (Comprehensive Psychiatric Services, Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Development Disabilities) and other child-serving state agencies (child welfare, education and juvenile justice) in development of the Comprehensive Children’s Mental Health Services System (Rs MO 630.097, 2004). She provides support across the state related to family involvement in planning, implementation and evaluation of the children’s serve system. Her work also involves providing leadership training to family members, caregivers and youth to prepare them to be effective members of policy teams and workgroups. Lu Ann provides training and consultation for the Family Support Provider program for the Department of Mental Health, Comprehensive Psychiatic Services. She also provides support to the Division of Developmental Disabilities related to the Self-Directed program. Lu Ann is currently facilitating the continued development of the Mental Health Transformation youth group, REACCH (Responding through Empowerment and Action to Create Communities of Hope). Lu Ann is a member of the State Transitions Team and the Show-Me Bright Futures state team. Her past experience with family-run organizations allows her to provide guidance and support to family groups and organizations. Lu Ann career started when her son entered the mental health system at an early age and she was connected to other families who helped her navigate the system. Because of this she became involved in the first SAMSHA funded System of Care site in Missourt, the Partnership with Families in St. Charles County. She was the supervisor of the parent partners. She has worked with the Youth in Transitons and Circle of Hope System of Care sites in Missouri. Outside her involvement with the Children’s Office, Lu Ann has been on federal site visit teams as the family consultant to other System of Care sites across the country.

Heather Eisterhold

As support for the Office of Comprehensive Child Mental Health (OCCMH), Heather provides assistance to the Comprehensive System Management Team (CSMT), Stakeholders Advisory Group (SAG), as well as OCCMH staff. In addition, Heather supports the Director of the Office of Deaf Multicultural Support Services. She has been employed by the Department of Mental Health for 9 years, working in various sections and office including the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Office of Audit Services, Contracts and Procurement, and Caring Communities.

Ed Morris

As Coordinator for Special Projects, Dr. Morris supports the Director of the Children’s Office in developing the Comprehensive Children’s Mental Health Services System (Rs MO 630.097, 2004) . Dr. Morris is a long-time DMH employee who retired in 2005 and recently returned to support the State Advisory Group, assist with the DMH 2011 Spring Training Institute, prepare the Children’s Office Annual Report, and support the sustainability of activities previously supported by Transformation funding. Previously, Dr. Morris worked in various capacities including, serving as a Director of Therapeutic Recreation Services at Mid-Missouri Mental Health Center, Treatment Family Home Coordinator, Children’s Director for the Division of Comprhensive Psychiatric Services, Adjunct Instructor for the University of Missouri and the University of Central Missouri, and coordinator for several mental health grants and projects.