By working with and educating legislators, policy makers, and key stakeholders, we assist in the development and implementation of sound public policy that creates and supports healthier families and safer communities. IABH also shares its extensive experience by providing conference and training opportunities on the cutting edge of behavioral healthcare. |
Gerald (Jud) DeLoss practiced health law for 25 years before accepting the position of Chief Executive Officer of IABH in 2020.
In 2012, Jud began as the Deputy General Counsel and in 2015 he became General Counsel of IABH, and has touched all facets of the organization, including helping to navigate the Association’s successful, two-year transition from the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association to IABH in June 2016.
While with IABH, Jud drafted State legislation that eliminated prior-authorization for medication-assisted treatment, mental health parity, anti-deceptive treatment marketing, and more. Jud has special expertise in Medicaid, grant funding, commercial insurance, and managed care. Jud also drafted proposed State legislation that would establish Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) to support his clients’ positions. Jud has developed a unique understanding and experience with the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act as well as Illinois Parity Law.
During his legal career, Jud represented behavioral health care providers, health information technology (HIT) solution providers, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), physicians, hospitals and research organizations, as well as industry trade and professional associations.
Jud has testified before the United States House of Representatives, Energy and Commerce Committee as a subject matter expert on 42 C.F.R. Part 2, the federal regulations governing the confidentiality of substance use disorder information. Jud has also testified before legislative committees to support the bills prepared for clients. He has also served as an expert witness in court proceedings. Jud has written articles and presented on health law issues nationally and internationally, including on health information privacy and security and other compliance matters. His peers at the American Health Law Association (AHLA) have recognized him nationally as a leading behavioral healthcare attorney.
As IABH's Vice President of Programs, Ashley oversees the Cebrin Goodman Teen Institute (CGTI), Operation Snowball, Inc (OS), our newly added youth prevention gambling disorders program – Focus, and IABH's training program through the Great Lakes Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC). She also supports IABH’s policy and advocacy efforts. Ashley is a certified teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) instructor.
Prior to joining the Association in 2014, Ashley worked as a Prevention Specialist where she gained experience working with a mentoring and tutoring program, a social norms communication campaign, interacted with local coalitions, and educated middle school and high school students, professionals, and communities on the importance of youth prevention. Ashley holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in human development from DePaul University.
Randy Wells, Vice President of Government Relations Randy joined the Association in 2015 to lead IABH’s integration into mental health policy. He is well known for his experience working in the legislative process in the private sector and at the highest levels of state government. From his days of lobbying for the ACLU and NAMI Illinois to his years as Legislative Director at both DCFS and DHS, where he also held the position of Deputy Chief of Staff, Randy brings three decades of legislative experience within the Illinois General Assembly and State Government. Randy guides the Association's legislative agenda, provides strategic planning to support the Association's advocacy efforts, and works to ensure our public policymakers keep behavioral health at the forefront of their policy priorities. His background and knowledge make him one of the most sought-after legislative experts in the State. Randy holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Sangamon State University (now University of Illinois - Springfield).
MEREDITH O’Brien, Vice President of Public Policy and TrainingAs the Vice President of Public Policy & Training where she will oversee and lead the Association’s State and Federal legislative advocacy efforts and will be overseeing the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Training.
Meredith joins us from the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus office where she served for over four years as a policy and budget analyst. Meredith graduated from McKendree University with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies and a minor in Leadership. Meredith has extensive experience in public policy, budget, legislation, and engagement with key legislators and staff. During her tenure with Senate leadership, she has gained a comprehensive understanding of behavioral health policy.
Pel Thomas Kelley, Business ManagerPel has been with the Association for over 30 years. She began her career as an administrative assistant and is currently Business Manager. Pel’s responsibilities include fiscal operations, executive assistant to the CEO, annual conference coordinator, and providing assistance to the Membership, Board, and Committees. Pel graduated from Balyki High School and attended Lincoln Land Community College.
Riley cleary, Prevention Program DirectorAs Prevention Program Director, Riley develops, implements and evaluates the Association’s prevention, wellness, and leadership program – Operation Snowball (OS). She supports OS Action Teams and CGTI Action Teams through training, technical assistance, outreach, and fundraising, and works with community members to increase prevention programming throughout Illinois.
As an alumnus of Homewood-Flossmoor High School, Riley was first introduced to the prevention field in 2010 through her local Operation Snowball Team and has been volunteering in various leadership roles since. She quickly became involved in CGTI where she continued to elevate her skills. Prior to joining IABH in 2018, Riley worked with individuals in recovery from substance use disorders, members of the HIV community, and provided individual and group therapy to at-risk youth in the greater Chicago area. Riley holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a specialization in Children and Family from Loyola University Chicago. Riley is a certified instructor in Youth Mental Health First Aid and Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA).
Rachel Decosola, Prevention SpecialistAs the Prevention Specialist, Rachel will be working day to day with our youth prevention program, Operation Snowball. Prior to joining IABH, Rachel worked with teens and adults in recovery from substance use disorder. Rachel is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, she graduated from National Louis University with a Bachelors in Human Services. She began her work in the prevention field by being an adult mentor to DuPage Action Team Teen Ambassadors and her first introduction to prevention was attending CGTI. Rachel is trained in Teen Mental Health First Aid and plans to become a certified instructor for Youth Mental Health First Aid and Teen Mental Health First Aid. We are very excited to have Rachel on our team!
As Prevention Specialist, Natalie works with the VP of Programs to develop, implement and evaluate the Association’s youth leadership conference - the Cebrin Goodman Teen Institute. Natalie works with the Prevention Team to assist CGTI and Operation Snowball Action Teams throughout the year as they create and implement action plans to better their schools and communities.
Natalie first attended Snowball and CGTI in the 2006-2007 school year and has since grown through both programs. She has held a number of positions on the CGTI Leadership Team. She also served as a member of the Operation Snowball Board of Directors from 2019-2020. Prior to joining IABH, Natalie worked as a Special Education instructor for high school students and a freelance journalist. Natalie holds a Master’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and continues to pursue expanding mental health education and awareness through that avenue. She is also a certified instructor for Youth Mental Health First Aid and Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA).
CEOs, presidents, and executive directors from our member agencies lend their experience and expertise as members of our board of directors. Each director is elected by the membership for a two-year term.
Officers
At-Large Members:
Directors
937 South Second Street, Springfield, IL 62704
(217) 528-7335 
(217) 528-7340 
info@ilabh.org
IABH is a proud 100% State Association Member of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Site designed and developed by e-websmart | LOGIN
MEMBER LOGIN
