Our Instructors
The staff at the Rutgers Center for Comprehensive School Mental Health bring a wealth of experience in advancing school mental health through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates research, training, and practical implementation. With decades of combined expertise, the team has supported schools throughout the United States in developing and maintaining comprehensive school mental health systems. Their background includes conducting needs assessments, facilitating professional development, providing ongoing coaching, and assisting districts in aligning mental health supports within Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). The Rutgers CCSMH team is recognized for its collaborative and data-informed strategies that connect policy with practice, ultimately improving student well-being and enhancing school climate.
Meet them below.
Dr. Ann Murphy
Associate Professor and Director, Rutgers University
Ann Murphy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and serves as Director of the Center for Mental Health Implementation Support – Northeast Atlantic & Caribbean Hub and the Rutgers Center for Comprehensive School Mental Health. Her work focuses on advancing effective, evidence-based mental health practices in K–12 settings through intervention development, implementation support, systems development, systemic change, and professional learning. She collaborates with schools, districts, and regional partners to strengthen capacity for sustainable, equitable mental health services that support both student well-being and academic success.
Alicia Lukachko, DrPH, MSW, LCSW
Assistant Professor and Implementation Coach, Rutgers University
Dr, Lukachko is a leader within the Rutgers Center for Comprehensive School Mental Health and serves as Director of the Eye2Eye Peer Support Program for Vision Loss. Her work focuses on advancing equitable mental health services through research, clinical practice, and community-based initiatives, with particular expertise in peer support, disability, and integrated behavioral health. She is dedicated to improving access to high-quality, person-centered care and strengthening systems that support the well-being of diverse populations across educational and healthcare settings.
Kristy M. Ritvalsky, MPH
Deputy Director and Project Manager, Rutgers University
Kristy Ritvalsky, MPH, serves as Deputy Director of the Rutgers Center for Comprehensive School Mental Health within the School of Health Professions’ Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation. In this role, she supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive school mental health initiatives that promote student well-being and academic success. With a background in public health, Ritvalsky brings expertise in program coordination, cross-sector collaboration, and capacity-building to help schools and districts strengthen sustainable, equitable mental health systems. Her work focuses on translating research into practice and advancing strategies that support the whole child across diverse educational settings.
Courses Taught: Why Attendance Matters
kmr359@shp.rutgers.edu
support hours
Monday through Friday
9am – 4:30pm
(Eastern Time)
Address
Rutgers University
PD4Me New Jersey
Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation & Counseling Professions
675 Hoes Lane West, 8th Floor
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Funding
This project is funded by the New Jersey Department of Education under grant #xxxxxxxx.
