Office of Individual and Family Affairs

Who We Are

Susan Kennard, Administrator

Susan Kennard is the Administrator of the Office of Individual and Family Affairs at AHCCCS. She has over 20 years of experience in behavioral health – as an advocate, family support manager, human right liaison, and former president of NAMI Southeast Valley. Susan brings lived experience as the parent of an adult with a serious mental illness. She is driven by the belief that recovery is possible, and this further solidifies her commitment to elevating individual and family voices in shaping Arizona’s behavioral health system.

Susan holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a paralegal certificate.

Chaz Longwell, Recovery & Resiliency Programs Coordinator

Chaz Longwell is the Recovery & Resiliency Programs Coordinator for the state of Arizona. Since 2012 he has overseen the policies and procedures guiding Arizona’s Medicaid-Reimbursable peer support programs.

He had previously been employed in public relations, event coordination and program development in the non-profit sector, before coming into the behavioral health field on a dare by his therapist.

Chaz is a graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Sociology.

Cynthia Burr, Children's Behavioral Health Community Liaison

Cynthia Burr is the Children's Behavioral Health Community Liaison with more than 25 years delivering social services in Maricopa County.

Cynthia brings extensive lived experience to her new role serving children. She is a single parent to three biological children and one child whom she adopted after providing kinship care then becoming foster licensed. Cynthia brings a lifetime of passion for children’s behavioral health, inclusion, disability rights, fostering, and adopting to this role.

While in recent roles at the University of Arizona and Grand Canyon University, respectively, Cynthia also continued her 19 years of work in Home and Community Based Services with the Department of Economic Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities. Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Services and a Master of Arts in Human Rights Practice, both from the University of Arizona.

Melanie Jensen, Administrative Assistant

Melanie Jensen serves as the Administrative Assistant for AHCCCS’ Office of Individual and Family Affairs. She has experience in direct patient care from an Associate Nutrition Worker to Patient Benefit Coordinator. Melanie also serves as a Native Services Mentor to high school students with the Boys and Girls Club of Flagstaff AZ. Melanie holds a certificate in Medical Billing & Coding and Associates of Science in Health Information Technology with San Juan College. Melanie is currently enrolled with the University of Phoenix to obtain her Bachelors of Science in Health Management.

Get involved! Would you like to receive more information?
Email us: oifa@azahcccs.gov.