Destination Change: Episode 41 — Robb Layne Talks Lived Experience in SUD Policy Advocacy

Robb Layne (he/him)is the Executive Director of the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives (CAADPE), the only statewide association representing the full continuum of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery services in California. Robb has played a central role in transforming the association into a major force in the SUD policy arena, strengthening its financial position, broadening its membership impact, and significantly expanding its visibility and political footprint on behalf of providers across the state.

A graduate of the University of California, Davis, Robb has built a career defined by public service, strategic leadership, and a deep understanding of California’s health and human services landscape. His professional path has spanned multiple sectors, giving him a unique ability to connect policy, operations, and real-world systems change. He began his career in the California State Assembly and State Senate, where he spent more than a decade serving as legislative and committee staff.

Robb brings a deeply personal perspective to his work. As the parent of a son living with Serious Mental Illness (SMI), he understands firsthand the importance of responsive, compassionate, and effective behavioral health systems. That lived experience informs his advocacy and leadership, grounding his policy work in the realities faced by individuals and families navigating care.

Show Notes

• You can find out more information about CAADPE (California Association of Alcohol & Drug Program Executives, Inc.) on their website
• I brought up the podcast episode with our advocate, Andrew Kessler. You can find (and listen to) here
• Robb mentioned Gary Tsai, MD, the Interim Director, Medical Director, and Science Officer of Substance Abuse Prevention and Control, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. You can find out more about him here
• He mentioned the Do Good Crew podcast. You can find out more about that on their website
• For a potential resource, he suggested the Treatment Centers of America. More information about them can be found on their website
• He mentioned the nonprofit advocacy group SUD Voices for Change. More information about them can be found on their website
• You can connect to Robb on LinkedIn

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