Social Services / Social Work Expert Witnesses: 2

Steven Elson, PhD, has 35 years in executive leadership of not-for-profit organizations providing Mental Health and Residential Services to Children and Youth with complex trauma and/or presenting challenging and disruptive behavioral/emotional issues. 

Dr. Elson has overseen services provided to more than 50,000 vulnerable children and youth and their families in a highly regulated, compliance driven industry. Payors have included both public (Medicaid) and private (commercial insurance and private pay) and involve multiple and complex funding streams. Significant growth and new lines of business were attained in all leadership positions/organizations while achieving state and national recognition for training and service excellence. 

Background Experience - As CEO, Dr. Elson launched training and consultation services directly impacting organizations in 15 states and seven foreign countries. He has been actively involved in virtually all significant public policy initiatives affecting child welfare and children's mental health in California. Industry leadership includes Board membership on five state-wide and one national association.  Dr. Elson has been elected and served a term as President in each of the six associations. 

Begun in 2020, independent consultation has included work with five California nonprofits ranging in size from $2 million to $60 million, a state-wide industry association and a California County Child Welfare Agency.  Consultation has included serving as Interim Executive Director for an organization undergoing a leadership transition.

Litigation Support - With three decades as CEO of multi-service child and family agencies -- a highly litigious industry which has provided him experience in civil lawsuits -- Dr. Elson has extensive knowledge of children's mental health service delivery, residential treatment, regulatory/licensing issues, oversight, and compliance. He has been solicited to provide expert testimony in public interest lawsuits directed at state noncompliance with federal law.  His services are available to Plaintiff or Defense Attorney seeking expertise concerning civil lawsuits.

Children's Residential Treatment and Mental Health Areas of Expertise:

Service Delivery Licensing Issues Regulatory Compliance Organizational Oversight Board Development

Relevant Policies and Procedures Industry Standards Best Practices National Trends

View Dr. Steven Elson's Consulting Profile.

John F. Steinfirst, LCSW, has over 40 years of experience in Clinical Social Work, Supervision, Program Development, and Management, and as CEO for 20 years of a $30 million mental health, child welfare, social services agency.

As principal of the well-respected residential and community based Fred Finch Youth Center in Oakland, with programs throughout California, Mr. Steinfirst has experience with an array of services for a variety of institutions, government and private agencies. Clients include but are not limited to abused and neglected children, developmentally disabled and mentally disabled, co-occurring disordered, children, youth, and families, adults, the elderly and those with substance abuse problems.

An innovator in his field, Mr. Steinfirst is responsible for developing and implementing the first residential and day treatment programs in California for developmentally disabled consumers with mental health problems, and one of the most comprehensive affordable housing, mental health, and vocational training programs for Transitional Age Youth, ages 17-28.

Litigation Support - As a licensed and experienced Mental Health Therapist, Mr. Steinfirst also offers expert witness services to attorneys representing plaintiff and defendant. His cases involve standards of care, group homes / residential treatment and care, foster family agencies, a wide range of states' regulations and laws, mental health issues, social services, developmental disabilities, psychiatric institutions, and clinical services, for all ages.

Mr. Steinfirst's most recent case involved an insurance company that refused to settle for $2 million. The case resulted in a $5.3 million victory after he took the stand for 1 1/2 days.

Areas of Expertise:

Behavioral Science Child Abuse Child Custody Child Psychiatry Child Sexual Abuse

Community Mental Health Disability Drug Abuse Therapist Malpractice State Laws and Regulations

View John Steinfirst's Consulting Profile.