Mississippi Board of Mental Health tabs new leadership+
The Mississippi Board of Mental Health appointed Teresa Mosley as chair and Dr. Sara Gleason as vice chair for the fiscal year starting July 1. The leadership change coincides with Mississippi’s selection as one of 10 states for the 2026 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Medicaid Demonstration Program, which increases funding and expands care options, according to board reports.
Who are the new leaders of the Mississippi Board of Mental Health?
Teresa Mosley, previously the board’s vice chair, now serves as chair. Mosley is the lead psychometrist at the Mississippi College Dyslexia Education and Evaluation Center and owns TRM Educational Consulting, representing Mississippi’s 4th Congressional District.
Dr. Sara Gleason assumes the role of vice chair. Gleason serves as a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior and is the assistant vice chancellor for clinical affairs at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Fellow board members named the two leaders during a recent meeting. They succeed previous chair Dr. Alyssa Killebrew.
How does the federal Medicaid Demonstration Program affect Mississippi?
The 2026 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Medicaid Demonstration Program changes the reimbursement model for participating centers. This shift provides more funding and allows clinics to offer a wider variety of care options, according to board information.
Two specific sites will host pilot programs: Communicare in north-central Mississippi and LifeHelp in the Delta. Both facilities will receive four years of Medicaid funding through the program.
What governs the state’s mental health services?
The nine-member Board of Mental Health oversees the state Department of Mental Health. This agency employs more than 4,500 people across state hospitals and residential programs.
The governor appoints board members to staggered terms, and all appointments require confirmation from the state Senate.
Wendy Bailey, the executive director of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, stated that the leadership and experience of Mosley and Gleason “continues to make a difference for Mississippians in need of mental health, addiction and disability services throughout our state.”
What may happen next for Mississippi’s mental health system?
The implementation of the Medicaid Demonstration Program could lead to expanded service offerings at Communicare and LifeHelp. These pilot programs may serve as a blueprint for how other clinics in the state seek similar federal funding.
Under the new leadership of Mosley and Gleason, the board is likely to oversee the integration of these federal funds into the state’s broader mental health strategy for the coming fiscal year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the new chair and vice chair of the Mississippi Board of Mental Health?
Teresa Mosley has been appointed chair, and Dr. Sara Gleason has been appointed vice chair.
What is the 2026 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Medicaid Demonstration Program?
It is a federal program that changes the reimbursement model to provide more funding and a wider variety of care options for selected centers.
Which Mississippi clinics will participate in the federal pilot programs?
Communicare in north-central Mississippi and LifeHelp in the Delta will host the pilot programs.
How do you think expanded federal funding will impact mental health access in rural Mississippi?