Kristen L. Lott

Kristen L. Lott, MA, started off her career at Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) in 2004 as the Program Director for Behavioral Services where she was jointly responsible for the oversight of six OMH-licensed community residence programs, a 46-bed apartment treatment program, an OMH non-licensed Supported Housing program and Homeless Housing under HUD and HHAC. In 2008, she was made Compliance Coordinator for the Compliance Department where she was responsible for the implementation of the agency’s corporate compliance policies, procedures and systems in accordance with OMH, OPWDD and DOH regulations. In 2010, Kristen became Operations Coordinator for Behavioral Health Services and was responsible for auditing records for corporate compliance and quality improvement, as well as evaluating policy implementation. From 2012 through 2014, Kristen was the Residential Director for Behavioral Health Services, where she supervised the management of the licensed and certified residential facilities and its staff, while ensuring ongoing quality care of the men and women we assist, under the auspice of OMH. Starting in 2014, Kristen became Assistant Vice President for Housing Services and Opportunities where she became responsible for the management and supervision of the division’s licensed and certified residential facilities under the Office of Mental Health (OMH) and specialized licensed residential programming under the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), as well as the staff and the men and women we support, while leading several projects to help clients achieve independence. Starting in 2018, in her new role as Vice President of Housing Services, Kristen will co-lead efforts to nurture partnerships in specific areas of opportunity and housing expansion of services for FREE, to include: Cultivate and develop new housing opportunities for those we serve that is aligned with the principles of integration and transforming priorities of the NYS plan; continue to expand related community supports for people who do not require long-term services and cultivate new housing/service options; develop policies and procedures that embody the agency’s philosophy and provide direction to personnel responsible for the provision of all services related to the oversight of housing services; strengthen and lead the development of those services and harness strategic partnerships and opportunities aligned with the mission of the agency and services aforementioned; develop and execute strategies to create new partnerships that cultivate the services related to this evolving area of opportunity; develop partnerships with hospitals, MCOs, IPAs and other health management services in an effort to ensure those we serve receive all services they require to live healthy and satisfied lives; broaden our relationships with the business community, legislators and other key stakeholders; and assure the proper and efficient oversight of the organization, including oversight of management, clinical and other key personnel under her direction. Kristen has proven to be an exceptional leader who possesses great integrity, unrelenting commitment to our mission and she embodies the spirit of inclusion and innovation required as we embrace this new era of opportunity.

Kristen studied at Adelphi University where she received a bachelor of arts degree in communications with a minor in psychology. Furthering her education, she also attended Long Island University to obtain her master of arts in psychology.