Justin Phillips 

The Occupational Mentor Certification Program- California Department Of Corrections and Rehabilitation and Options Solution to Addiction In and Out Of Prison

Synopsis - The Occupational Mentor Certification program is an innovative in-custody model focused on top tier education for life or long-term inmates, with the ultimate goal of attaining state certification as a drug and alcohol counselor. Featured in the documentary The 50, OMCP is recognized nationally for the tremendous, creative, focused, and unpredicted positive impact it has had on our prison system as a whole and the ongoing benefit in the community. Over 1000 OMCP mentors have been trained and certified over the course of 15 years. Over half have been released as tremendously valuable assets combating society's greatest threat. 

Our Speaker - Justin Phillips, LMFT, MAC, is directly involved with criminal justice programs and fund development, and directly supervises senior staff. Prior to being selected Executive Director by the Options Board of Directors in November 2020, Justin served as Options’ Chief Operations Officer, overseeing agency-wide operations. Justin has held senior leadership positions in Alameda, San Mateo, and Santa Clara California Counties for over 14 years, directing and developing large substance use disorder and behavioral health treatment programs. 

He played a critical role in developing and overseeing Alameda County’s first substance use detoxification and crisis center which now services over 10,000 people annually. He has held senior leadership roles with multiple non-profit agencies, directing housing and homeless programs, crisis mental health centers, and mobile crisis teams. 

Justin holds a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in Human Services. He is clinically licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and is Certified as a Master Addiction Counselor by the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Counselors (NAADAC). He also serves as the Board President of The Addiction Professionals Association of California (APAC). Justin is a decorated military combat veteran honorably discharged in 2002. He has three children and resides in Alameda County. Justin is dedicated to providing wide-reaching, effective, and measurable services to the most underserved populations.