Speaker's Profile

Luanne Southern currently works at the University of Texas System as the Executive Director for the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium, which was created by the 86th Texas legislature in Senate Bill 11 to address gaps in mental health care for children and adolescents in Texas. Luanne most recently provided strategic consulting services to the Texas child welfare system, as a Senior Director for Casey Family Programs, a national operating foundation focused on improving - and ultimately preventing the need for - foster care. She previously served as Deputy Commissioner for the Texas Department of State Health Services. Luanne has many years of national, state and local experience in health and human services, with an emphasis on policies and practices that address the behavioral health needs of children, youth and families. Ms. Southern has an MSW from the University of Texas, and BSW from Goshen College in Indiana.