Trina Ita is the DFPS chief strategist for behavioral health, a position created by the Legislature to help DFPS better address the behavioral health needs of children and families. Before joining DFPS, Ita was the associate commissioner of behavioral health services at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, where she was responsible for the full behavioral health continuum of care for mental health, substance use, recovery, prevention, and disaster behavioral health services. She also served as deputy associate commissioner of the Office of Mental Health Coordination at HHSC. Ita holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in community agency counseling.