Trina holds a Master’s of Arts Degree in Community Agency Counseling, and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Psychology. She has over 22 years of experience working with diverse populations in the provision of mental health and substance use services. She has provided addictions counseling as well as mental health counseling services in private practice and with entities in both the public and private sectors. Prior to her role as Associate Commissioner for Behavioral Health Services and SSA for Texas, Ms. Ita served as the Deputy Associate Commissioner for the Office of Mental Health Coordination where her primary role was to chair the Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council whose primary role is the implementation of the Texas Statewide Behavioral Health Strategic Plan. Prior to this role Ms. Ita was the Director of Program Services with the Health and Human Services Commission, Behavioral Health Services Section. In role of Director, Ms. Ita had purview over a wide range of adult mental health programming to include crisis services, jail diversion programs, forensic services, veteran’s initiatives, Medicaid waiver programs and implementation of evidence-based practices. In her current role, Ms. Ita has purview over the full behavioral health services continuum which includes both mental health and substance use services.