Behavioral Health

Julia is the newly appointed Behavioral Health Administrator for Washoe County. The Board of County Commissioners has designated behavioral health as a key strategic priority for the County. This new position was created in the Office of the County Manager to facilitate regional efforts to improve behavioral health outcomes in Washoe County. Most recently Julia was the Director of Programs and Projects for the Washoe County Health District where she lead strategic planning and oversaw performance management efforts, collaborated to create and implement community health improvement plans, developed and supported health equity initiatives, as well as provided oversight to accreditation and special projects for the health district.

Julia’s public service includes five years serving in the Nevada Legislature as a State Senator where she was the Assistant Majority Leader and chaired the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. Julia focused her efforts on strengthening the safety net for all Nevadans. Prior to her state service, Julia served eight years on the Sparks City Council where her primary focus was on stabilizing City finances and the workforce following the Great Recession. She served as Chair of the Redevelopment Agency as well as Vice Chair of the Board of Health among other board and committee assignments.

Julia is married to James Cavanaugh. In their spare time they enjoy working on their 1950s home, renovating vintage Airstream trailers, and hiking and camping with their rescue dogs Roscoe and Rita.