Research Scientist
University of California, Los Angeles, Integrated Substance Use and Addiction Programs
Santa Monica, California
Howard Padwa, Ph.D. is a health services researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles' Integrated Substance Use and Addiction Programs, where he leads qualitative and mixed-methods research on publicly funded substance use, mental health, and support services for low-income populations. He has over 15 years experience evaluating the design, implementation, and impact of major behavioral health policies, including the California Mental Health Services Act, the Affordable Care Act, and California's Substance Use Disorder Organized Delivery System Medicaid Waiver, and he is currently co-investigator of the evaluation of California's Medicaid Waiver delivering contingency management to Medicaid beneficiaries with stimulant use disorders being conducted for the California Department of Health Care Services. In addition to these projects, Dr. Padwa has been Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on several projects related to substance use disorder treatment system design and services for people experiencing homelessness, with a focus on enhancing their patient-centeredness and responsiveness to patient's real-world needs and preferences. Dr. Padwa has published over 40 articles in leading peer-reviewed behavioral health services journals, including Psychiatric Services, Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, Community Mental Health Journal, Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, and the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. He is also the author of two books and five chapters on mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment policy, and responses to homelessness in the United States and Europe, and over thirty evaluation reports.
Monday, May 5, 2025
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM ET