
Tracy Levins

Projects I Support:
Get to know me
I’ve been fortunate to spend my career doing meaningful work in children’s mental health and juvenile justice, focusing on improving services for children, youth, and families. My commitment to quality child- and youth-serving services began as a graduate student intern when I helped design and implement the Texas Children’s Mental Health Plan, an initiative which brought 8 state agencies together to request and receive the first line-item funding for statewide community-based children’s mental health services.
Later, I worked for a state senator, gathering insights from constituents and town halls across the state to shape a report outlining official recommendations on juvenile delinquency. That experience led me to the state juvenile justice agency, where I promoted prevention programs, developed and implemented family engagement strategies, and championed youth and family voices.
Now at CARS, I’m thrilled to lead and support initiatives promoting evidence-based, high-quality behavioral health and prevention services while strengthening the behavioral health workforce.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me traveling, enjoying live music, watching sports (especially Texas softball and football!), or spending time with my husband and two daughters. I hold a bachelor’s degree from Hendrix College and a PhD in psychology from The University of Texas at Austin.
I am


Managing Director, Center for Applied Research Solutions (CARS)
Project Director, Comprehensive Suicide Prevention (CSP)
I lead a small team of CARS staff to support the work of Georgia Department of Public Health in their efforts to expand their Comprehensive Suicide Prevention work, prioritize disproportionately affected populations, address prevention gaps, and reduce suicide mortality and morbidity across Georgia.
Project Director, National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health (NTTAC)
I lead our 7-organization collaborative efforts to support the behavioral health workforce and strengthen systems of care for children, youth, and families. NTTAC provides training, technical assistance, and resources to improve mental health and substance use services, ensuring they are community-informed, accessible, and equitable.
Project Director, SAMHSA Program to Advance Recovery Knowledge (SPARK)
As the CARS Project Director for SPARK, I lead a team that works to advance recovery-oriented systems of care across the country, with a focus on promoting equitable access to recovery supports. We provide technical assistance and consultation, research, and training to strengthen infrastructure and capacity for recovery supports and services.
