Cultural Competency Program

David M. Schoelen, LCSW, has been employed by Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health for over 30 years.  He has served in a continuum of clinical roles from student intern to program administrator, and has worked with children, adults, and older adults.  He has been an LCSW since 2000.  His practice has included specializing in service to LGBTQ consumers, engaging people who experience psychosis, and applying the law related to mental health risk. David has also been a guest lecturer at several local colleges and universities.  During his tenure as the Department’s Workforce Education and Training Manager, David was awarded Field Instructor of the Year by the Inland Empire Clinical Education Collaborative in 2009 for his innovative work as an educator of behavioral health graduate students.  He has been Riverside County’s Mental Health Services Act Administrator since 2017. 

Misty Martin currently serves as a Senior Family Advocate in the Cultural Competency Program. She joined Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health in 2020 as a Peer Support Specialist Trainee for the CARES Line, where she utilized her own lived experience and recovery from both mental health and substance abuse challenges as a beacon of hope for those seeking their path to recovery. In 2022, she was promoted to a Senior Peer Support Specialist and began supporting family members and caregivers of adults with behavioral health challenges. She became a CalMHSA Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in 2022 and continues serving and supporting families county-wide.  

Leah Newell currently serves as the Lead for the Innovation Component of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) and as a Social Service Planner for the Cultural Competency Unit. She joined the County of Riverside in 2020 as an Administrative Services Contract Analyst for the MHSA Prevention and Early Intervention Implementation Team, bringing with her over 25 years of experience in international and intercultural management, education, and training. Leah holds a Master’s in International Administration from SIT and a Bachelor’s in Women’s and Men’s Studies from USC. She is a two-time Fulbright Scholar to Japan and Germany, an Aspen Institute fellowship recipient, and a former Peace Corps volunteer. Leah values the creativity and diversity her role provides in helping to reshape and redefine behavioral health at the community level, striving to make a lasting impact on treatment, knowledge, and access to care for underserved populations. 

Isabel Lopez is the Executive Assistant for Cultural Competency and Workforce Education and Training (WET) at Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health. In this role, she provides essential administrative support for both programs. Isabel earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Administrative Studies, with a concentration in Human Resources and Labor Relations, from the University of California, Riverside. During her undergraduate studies, she interned at the California State Assembly, gaining valuable experience in public service and legislative processes. She began her career with RUHS – Behavioral Health in 2024 at the Wraparound Children’s Clinic, where her dedication to youth and families grew.  Bilingual in English and Spanish, Isabel is passionate about serving her community and actively contributes to efforts that promote cultural awareness and access to mental health resources. Her work reflects a deep commitment to creating inclusive environments and empowering others through education and advocacy. 

Denisha Bennett Hart is currently an Office Assistant III at RUHS, Denisha provides vital administrative support to behavioral health subcommittees focused on community development. Her role involves coordinating tasks, managing communications, and facilitating operations that advance initiatives to improve mental wellness and access to behavioral health services. Beyond Denisha's professional responsibilities, she is deeply committed to community engagement. Denisha leads a nonprofit youth football organization affiliated with the Pop Warner Conference and serves as President of the AAPAC Committee for a local high school. These leadership roles reflect her dedication to empowering youth and supporting families across Riverside County.

Hazel Lambert is the Founder & CEO of Advocate for Nurturing Transition (A.N.T) Consulting. She serves in multiple leadership roles advocating for nurturing transitional practices that promote social equity for underserved and underrepresented populations. She has over 30 years of community advocacy experience and represents stakeholders to leverage resources and build collaborative relationships. She holds a bachelor's degree in business, is a certified life coach, and is a training facilitator for the California School-Age Consortium. Hazel's current roles include serving as a Cultural Community Liaison for RUHS-Behavioral Health, serving the African American community, and serving on the Senior Citizen Advisory Board for the City of Moreno Valley. 

Dakota Brown is a veteran of radio, journalism, entertainment, e-learning development & peer support. Dakota uses her lived experience to help build a diverse, inclusive world that works for everyone. As a Cultural Community Liaison with RUHS-BH, she creates and delivers compelling Disability Etiquette and Health Equity Trainings and supports a subcommittee that ensures People with Disabilities have fair access to high-quality county behavioral health services. 

Ernelyn is a first-generation immigrant; she was 14 when her family migrated to the US from the Philippines. She has 42 years of experience as a Clinical Social Worker with specialization in Mental Health in Health Care (Hospital/Community Clinic); 35 years in management/leadership roles with expertise in Community Engagement/Collaboration, Advocacy, Program Development, Quality Improvement; and over 20 years as a Leadership & Professional Development Coach and Organizational Transformation Consultant. Dr. Navarro's current roles include serving as a Cultural Community Liaison/Consultant for RUHS-BH serving the AANHPI Communities; Leadership Coach and training facilitator for Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP); a Community Resiliency Model (CRM) Teacher/Trainer for Trauma Resource Institute; and a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging consultant. Her volunteer work includes serving as the President of UC Irvine Filipino American Alumni Chapter and a support team member with a nonprofit organization, Mission to Promote Adoption of Children (MPAK-US and Korea). 

Shirley Guzman is a Cultural Community Liaison and Latinx Consultant for RUHS-BH. In her role, Shirley works to bridge the gap between the Latinx community and behavioral health services across Riverside County. She is dedicated to increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring equitable access to mental health resources. With 25 years of experience in public education—both general and special education—as well as in the human services field, Shirley is deeply committed to cultural humility, equity, and diversity. Her passion lies in fostering inclusive communities where everyone has the support they need to thrive. 

Benita Ramsey is a justice & culture strategist & practitioner, a spiritual director, and a lover of books, words, rhythms & beats.  They are an ordained minister and Pastor at Unity Fellowship Church Riverside.  Reverend Ramsey serves as a Community Liaison to RUHS-BH, Spirituality & Interfaith Initiatives. A gifted Spoken Word artist and wordsmith, they also serve as a Program Support Manager for the Inland Empire HIV Planning Council and Executive Director of Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance. Ramsey currently serves on the Steering Committee for the CA LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network—a former College Dean of Students at the Claremont Colleges, and an Ethnic Services Manager. Reverend Ramsey received her Master's degree in African American Studies and Women's History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law. 

Gloria Moriarty Burnes, Lead Advocate with CODIE – Center On Deafness Inland Empire. Advocating to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community in the Inland Empire provided services to ensure that the Deaf and Hard of Hearing receive full communication access from any law enforcement, hospital, mental health, and other services. She has advocated for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities in New York City and Southern California for over 30 years. She is the Founder of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program at Parkshore Health Care Center – Nursing Home and Lakeside Adult Day Health Care Center in Brooklyn, New York. She is interim chair for RUHS-Behavioral Health, Deaf Collaborative Advisory Network, DCAN, a subcommittee committed to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community in Riverside County. 

Dylan Colt is a CalMHSA Certified Senior Peer Support Specialist with the Education and Training Peer Support Program at RUHS-BH. As a Senior Peer Support Specialist, he plays a pivotal role in facilitating the CalMSHA Peer Support State Certification training. He shares his knowledge and experiences to empower others with practical and effective peer support strategies. Dylan and the Education and Training Team have come together to empower RUHS-BH staff through in-depth training that inspires growth and excellence. This Transgender Foundation training aims to foster a deeper understanding and awareness of the LGBTQ+ community, with particular attention to the experiences of transgender and gender non-binary individuals. Our goal is to bridge the gap in services provided to these communities, ensuring that everyone feels seen, respected, and supported. Together, we can create a more inclusive environment for all. He has been an activist in the LGBTQ+ community since the mid-1980s. Serving as the Interim Chair for the LGBTQ+ subcommittee CAGSIE, he is collaborating with various community groups to enhance understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a focus on transgender concerns.