Senior Staff

Jenifer Urff, J.D.

Senior Policy Associate

Jenifer Urff is an attorney and senior professional with extensive experience in policy development and legal analysis. Her expertise in behavioral health policy and programs has been applied in work with government agencies at all levels. At AHP, Ms. Urff contributes this expertise to the development of policies related to reducing the use of seclusion and restraint, to work with the National Governors’ Association to engage states in the process of mental health transformation, and to the New Freedom Initative: State Coalitions to Promote Community-Based Care (NFI) project. Previously, as Director of Government Relations and then as Senior Policy Counsel for the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), Ms. Urff advocated on behalf of state mental health agencies to members of Congress, the National Governors’ Association, and relevant stakeholder groups; developed and implemented NASMHPD’s policy agenda; provided legal and policy analysis; and developed legislative and regulatory strategies to support public mental health systems. Ms. Urff has consulted for various clients on behavioral health issues and has authored numerous publications, with a specific focus on the structure and policy goals of state public mental health systems.

jurff@ahpnet.com