Aaron Ortiz is the Chief Executive Officer of The Alliance for Community Wellness dba La Familia (La Familia) — a rapidly growing, multi-county health organization delivering integrated, behavioral health, primary care, substance use treatment, crisis stabilization, youth and family services, and community wellness programs across Northern and Central California.

Under Aaron’s leadership since 2014, La Familia has transformed from a small community agency into a leading regional health system grounded in quality care and driven by health outcomes. The organization has expanded from 30 employees to more than 300 multidisciplinary staff, scaling services across five counties and serving thousands of individuals and families each year.

Aaron has led La Familia through an ambitious era of strategic growth, integration, and innovation — positioning the organization at the forefront of California’s behavioral health transformation. Key accomplishments under his leadership include:

• Establishing La Familia as one of Alameda County’s largest community-based behavioral health providers, recognized for its continuum of care from prevention to crisis stabilization.
• Leading the development of La Familia’s first Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alike, set to open 2026, which will provide both integrated primary and behavioral healthcare under a unified community health model.
• Opening the first Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center in the Central Valley (2022), expanding access to same-day crisis and stabilization services.
• Leading multiple system integrations and mergers, including The Latino Commission on Alcohol & Drug Abuse (2015) and Family Emergency Shelter Coalition (2018), strengthening regional capacity for housing, SUD, and crisis response.
• Developing innovative programs such as the Reentry Treatment Team (RTT), In-Home Outreach Team (IHOT), Peer Respite Program—Northern California’s first community-based alternative to hospitalization, and the Veterans Internship Program (VIP) in partnership with the National Laboratories.
• Spearheading La Familia’s participation in major statewide healthcare initiatives, including the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) and the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) expansion, bringing in new infrastructure and service investments to underserved communities.

In 2021, Aaron expanded La Familia’s reach into the Central Valley through a strategic partnership and merger forming La Familia Central Valley—a division committed to increasing access to mental health and community wellness services from Stanislaus County to Kern County. This expansion furthered Aaron’s vision of a regional network delivering accessible, culturally informed care to both urban and rural communities.

Aaron’s leadership reflects a deep commitment to health and systems transformation. His work emphasizes the integration of behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, and primary care under a patient-focused model that centers dignity, wellness, and innovation.

A respected regional health leader, Aaron served on the Sutter Health Board of Directors (2018–2023) and continues to collaborate closely with public agencies, healthcare systems, and elected officials to advance community wellness initiatives and transform California’s healthcare landscape.

Today, Aaron continues to lead La Familia with a steadfast vision: ensuring that every community has access to compassionate, comprehensive, and culturally empowered care — building a healthier, more connected future for all.