KATHLEEN SCIACCA, M.A., is Founding Executive Director of Sciacca Comprehensive Service Development for Mental Illness, Drug Addiction and Alcoholism (MIDAA), located in New York City. She is a forerunner in the development of treatment methods, programs and comprehensive services for clients who have dual/multiple disorders (MIDAA), including severe, persistent mental illness. She began developing programs for dual and multiple disorders in 1984 when there were no program models available, and little attention given to these clients as a priority. Her treatment methods and services are carefully adapted to the special needs of dually diagnosed clients.

Ms. Sciacca has successfully replicated and implemented her programs for clients, their families (MICAA-NON) and consumer led self-help programs (Helpful People in Touch) across the United States. She serves as consultant to various state and local agencies. She is a Nationally known consultant, seminar leader, researcher, and author. Ms. Sciacca is the author of the "MIDAA Service Manual: A Step by Step Guide to Treatment and Program Development for Dual Disorders." She is producer of the training video: "Integrated Treatment for MIDAA: The Alaska Example."

Ms. Sciacca is former director of a New York Statewide MICAA training site for program and staff development. She has years of experience in providing treatment for substance disorders in the South Bronx of New York City, and years of experience in the treatment of mental illness and multiple disorders in outpatient and inpatient settings, and in private practice.

She has lectured at Columbia University, Hunter College and Buffalo University. Her work was reviewed by TIME magazine. She has appeared on various television programs and in documentary films. Her accomplishments are included in Who's Who of American Women.