Editors' Note: This story ran in our September newsletter, published Sept. 2.

Serious Mental Illness Program Director Bill Baerentzen, PhD, recently contributed insights on permanent supportive housing to the Essential Conversations in Social Services 2020 podcast.

In the latest episode, The Importance of Housing & Employment, Dr. Baerentzen and co-guest Suzanne Watson from Southwest Iowa Mental Health and Disability Services share stories illustrating the power of social factors in people's mental health and recovery and how funding mechanisms have shifted during COVID-19. Dr. Baerentzen and Watson also make planning recommendations for behavioral health providers in the midst of the pandemic.

Essential Conversations in Social Services 2020 features subject matter experts who discuss timely topics and share tips designed to help the behavioral health and substance use disorder workforce in Region 7. The podcast is co-hosted by our Center and the Mid-America Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC). Please note that past episodes were previously called 20-Minute Tips: A Podcast for Behavioral Health Providers.