Presented by: MHTTC Cultural Responsiveness Working Group (CRWG) and the National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center  

The CRWG aims to disseminate culturally appropriate information and provide technical assistance for the mental health field to improve access to culturally responsive mental health services. The CRWG recognizes the importance of Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) in the work across the MHTTC Network, as well as acknowledging and promoting culturally inclusive mental health practices that exist in the mental health field.

The CRWG is presenting a 6-part series: Culturally Responsive Evidence-Based and Community-Defined Practices for Mental Health. This series is intended to: Engage constituents in an interactive conversation about culturally inclusive mental health practices, including Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) and Community-Defined Practices Explore strengths and barriers of Community-Defined Practices and elevate them as Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards Identify ways to increase promotion of EBPs and Community-Defined Practices in technical assistance and trainings offered by the MHTTC Network During this second session Dr. Cervantes will share and discuss how Familia Adelante (FA) is being implemented with various cultural groups across the Network/in different regions and highlight additional culturally responsive “FA practices” being utilized across the Network/in different regions. Also, the presenters will share lessons learned during the implementation of FA (i.e., Balancing FA and the cultural needs of the people served).

Who should attend? This is an intermediate-level training. This presentation will be targeted for clinicians from across disciplines behavioral health / mental health providers to and anyone interested in engaging in a conversation about cultural adaptations for EBPs and Community-Defined Practices. 

About  the speakers:   

Moderator: Darice Orobitg, PhD 

Trainer and Content Consultant 

She/her 

Darice Orobitg is a clinical psychologist. Dr. Orobitg worked at the PR Rape Crisis Center where, she was a therapist for children, adolescent, and adult survivors of sexual violence. At the PRRCC she was also a clinical supervisor and coordinator of clinical services. Darice is currently the Training and Content Consultant for the National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center.  

Moderator: Isa I. Vélez Echevarría, PsyD 

Trainer and Content Specialist  

She/her ​ 

 ​Dr. Isa Vélez is a clinical psychologist. She obtained a certification as Interpersonal Psychotherapy Clinician, was trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Family Therapy. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Community Services Institute in Boston, MA., where she provided home-based and school-based psychotherapy for communities of color. She is currently working as a Training and Content Specialist for the National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC, at the Universidad Central del Caribe, in Bayamon, PR. ​ 

Moderator: Ari Acosta, Psy & MSc. WGS 

Behavioral Health Equity Specialist 

She/her 

Ari Acosta is a bilingual mental health specialist currently working as a Behavioral Health Equity Specialist for the Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health at the University of Texas in Austin. She provides trainings and technical assistance to behavioral health agencies around Cultural Humility, Equity and the CLAS Standards. Ari has a Licensure in Psychology and two masters’ degrees: Sexology Counseling and Women & Gender Studies. She was a former professor and clinical psychologist in Venezuela; with more than eight years of experience in the field. Also served as a National Board member of Amnesty International Venezuelan section, providing presentations internationally around Human Rights Education. 

Speaker: Richard Cervantes, PhD 

Dr. Richard Cervantes is Research Director of Behavioral Assessment, Inc. He served as Research Psychologist at the UCLA Spanish Speaking Mental Health Research Center, and held a full-time faculty appointment in the USC School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Cervantes was the Principal Investigator for the NIH funded study, “Development of the Hispanic Stress Inventory-2” and PI on the recently completed study “Familia Adelante: A multi risk Prevention Program for Hispanic Youth”. Dr. Cervantes is also a leader in evaluation science with special expertise in cultural competency and cross-cultural instrument development.  

Speaker: Adriana Avila-DiBello 

Adriana Avila-DiBello joined the AAMA family in 2006, with over 25 years working in the HIV and Communicable Diseases field and training as a Disease Intervention Specialist/Public Health Investigator. Mrs. DiBello has current oversight of the Minorities Action Program (MAP) and is committed to prevention education and maintaining a productive climate through motivating, mobilizing, and coaching employees and community to meet high performance standards in life.