Director, Behavioral Health Services, Amerigroup Texas
Stacey M. Parker-Blake is a licensed professional counselor and a proud graduate of Prairie View A&M University. She holds a Masters of Arts in counseling and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in psychology. She has dedicated all of her professional life to helping and supporting those who cannot do for themselves.
Working with persons with mental illness is what Stacey had always dreamed of doing, and she can undoubtedly say, she has never regretted the decision to follow her dream. Looking back on her career from time to time, she acknowledges how blessed she is to be able to work in her field of study.
Stacey has a passion for helping others. Her career goals have always been to work in positions that allow her to empower all the individuals that she serves so that they may build a better life for themselves through understanding that, no matter where in life they are currently, they have the opportunity to recover, grow and be a support to others. She believes everyone can overcome their obstacles, and she has spent numerous years teaching individuals how to be resilient.
Her career began at the Mental Health/Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County where she worked with a population diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness. Over the years, Stacey has visited many campsites, abandoned buildings, bridges and shelters to seek out homeless individuals to assess them for mental health services. During her tenure at MHMRA, she also held the position of practice manager for Homeless & Residential Programs where she had fiscal oversight and clinical programmatic supervision over the specialized social and clinical service programs. This included managerial oversight of Branard Street Dual Diagnosis program ,Safe Havens, Pyramid House, a Supported Employment program and 5 Shelter+Plus Care housing grants.
Among Stacey’s accomplishments are: 1997’s Employee of the Year by the Mental Health Association for having a “Heart of Gold” and an honoree at the 2002 YMCA Minority Achievers award Gala.
In 2008, she transitioned from providing direct care to working in Managed Care, where she ensures the delivery of essential services that address the total healthcare needs of members served by Medicaid. She spent eight years working at Optum Behavioral Health with four of those years as the United Healthcare behavioral health subject matter expert responsible for implementing new Medicaid business acquired around the country.
Stacey is currently the Medicaid Director of Behavioral Health Services for Amerigroup Texas. She is dedicated to identifying and implementing opportunities to improve the customer care with quality outcomes.
Although she is no longer providing direct care, she still has a voice in members’ care and can ensure that gaps in treatment are addressed. With each member she encounters she applies an integrated and holistic approach in their healthcare. She is invested in the health of Americans including their mental health, physical health and addressing the current opioid epidemic.
Stacey is married to Everard “Jimmy” Blake, and they will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in December. They have two adult sons, Avery and Devon, of whom they are very proud.
She is an active and financial member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Stacey M. Parker-Blake
Director, Behavioral Health Services
Anthem (Amerigroup, TX)
3800 Buffalo Speedway
Houston, TX 77098
832-514-8369
anthem.com
