James Lancaster

James Lancaster is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Mental Health Program Manager with Contra Costa County Behavioral Health Services. He is a behavioral health leader with extensive experience in crisis intervention, crisis response, behavioral health program management, and collaborative public safety initiatives.

Earlier in his career, James worked with the Contra Costa County Forensic Mental Health Department, partnering with law enforcement agencies throughout Contra Costa County to support crisis negotiations, behavioral health consultations, and coordinated responses to high-risk behavioral health emergencies. He later served as a Crisis Intervention Supervisor with the BART Police Department, where he coordinated behavioral health crisis response efforts and collaborated with law enforcement, first responders, and community partners across the five Bay Area counties served by BART to improve crisis response and public safety outcomes.

In addition to his public service, James serves as a Behavioral Health Consultant, providing strategic guidance and operational support to organizations serving individuals with behavioral health needs. He is committed to building collaborative partnerships that improve community wellness, strengthen public trust, expand access to behavioral health resources, and improve outcomes for underserved and vulnerable populations.

As a member of the Vallejo Police Department Chief's Advisory Board and a Board Member of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), James is honored to contribute his professional experience and community perspective in support of public safety, transparency, collaboration, and meaningful community engagement.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, James enjoys mentoring youth, supporting underserved communities through behavioral health services and outreach, spending time with his family, traveling, cycling, baseball, and basketball.