SMVF 

A T

TA Center State 

-A-GL

Team Leadership Renewal

ANCE

2016 Interagency Leadership Initiative

With the support of SAMHSA’s Service 

Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF) 

Technical Assistance (TA) Center over the past 

8 years, 49 states, 4 territories, and the District 

of Columbia have formed governor-supported 

interagency state teams to develop and 

implement state behavioral health strategic 

plans for SMVF. The SMVF TA Center launched 

the 2016 Interagency Leadership Initiative to 

further engage and strengthen the leadership of 

its teams. 

Building on their efforts, 231 of the 54 teams 

joined the challenge by participating in the 

Interagency Leadership Initiative from March to 

September. These teams were successful in 

engaging their leadership and setting a course 

for their strategic plans. 

Governors Play a Critical Role

Each interagency state team was formed with the support of the governor. Governors are on the frontline of 

military and civilian agency efforts to better serve SMVF. Cabinet-level leadership that directly report to the 

governor have a unique ability to leverage assets and inspire greater collaboration, which is essential for a 

strong coordinated effort to improve behavioral health systems for SMVF. The Governor’s Office 

participated in the 2016 initiative by either attending or sending a representative, as well as ensuring 

cabinet-level leadership were at the table. This strong showing of high-level support allowed the state 

teams to align their strategic priorities and solidify buy-in for moving forward in their efforts.

87%

of states had cabinet-level 

leadership participation

43%

of states had Governor’s

Office participation

23 States Participated in the 

2016 Leadership Initiative

1Participating states: Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, 

Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, 

Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming

October 2016
Committed Team Leaders Drive Progress

Interagency state teams are led by a governor-appointed team leader, and each team decides which 

structure best supports the implementation of their interagency strategic plan, state political climate, and 

culture.

Agencies Leading the Teams

State Dept. of

Veterans Affairs

12

states

State Health & Human

Service Agencies

10

states

National Guard

3

states

2

states

Governor’s Office

Interagency Teams Bridge the Gaps

The behavioral health needs of SMVF require a comprehensive set of services that no single agency, 

organization, or level of government could address on its own. That is why each state team must be 

interagency in nature. The team leaders brought together stakeholders from multiple state agencies to 

build a coordinated response to the needs of SMVF. 

State Dept. of U.S. Dept. of State Health & Human National Guard Veterans Affairs Veterans Affairs Service Agencies

91% 87% 69% 69%

Agencies Participating on the Teams

The SMVF TA Center provided technical assistance to the states participating in the 2016 Interagency 

Leadership Initiative through strategic planning and leadership briefings. Common strategies and theme

of the state teams’ work were:

• Asking the question and intervening early 

• Ensuring access to care and evidence-informed practices

• Preventing suicide

• Collecting, sharing, and mapping interagency data

• Building workforce capacity

• Expanding peer support and military culture training

• Supporting military families and caregivers

• Reducing homelessness and incarceration

• Addressing substance use problems

• Facilitating community-level SMVF focus

• Solving policy and practice barriers

s 

Team Strategies Strengthen a Coordinated

Military/Civilian Service System