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In this presentation, Mid-America MHTTC specialists and partners with Omaha-based Community Alliance will demonstrate ways in which family peer support empowers families to support their loved one’s path towards recovery. In particular, participants will learn how recipients of family peer support: Learn the definition of recovery; Learn to motivate their loved one to engage in recovery and rehabilitation oriented activities; Learn develop and implement a recovery plan for their loved one.   Speakers:   Dr. Lilchandra Jai Sookram has been in the mental health field for over 40 years. At the Nebraska State Hospital, he provided psychological services to persons with serious mental illness and to their family members, and he directed clinical services including psychology, nursing, social work, therapeutic recreation, education and return-to-work programs. He is the former director of mental health services in Kansas and clinical director of a juvenile correctional facility. Currently he is manager of family and peer services at Community Alliance. Bill Baerentzen, Ph.D., CRC, LMHP, is serious mental illness program director for the Mid-America MHTTC. Much of his outreach involves promoting evidence-based practices to help people with serious mental illness (SMI) live meaningful inclusive lives. Dr. Baerentzen has worked as director of a 250-bed emergency overnight shelter; supervisor of therapists in a treatment program for persons with co-occurring disorders; and as faculty in a rehabilitation counseling program. James and Barbara Kirkpatrick were blessed with four children, two daughters and two sons. The Kirkpatricks' youngest son had problems with drugs for several years, and while rehabilitation centers like Valley of Hope and drug court work for some, they weren't the answer for Robert. Barbara Kirkpatrick signed her family up for Dr. Jai Sookram's class at Community Alliance, and all of the pieces to the puzzle started to fall into place. James Kirkpatrick believes that a lot of prayers and meetings with Dr. Jai saved Robert's life. Cecilia Losee is a financial planner who specializes in working with special needs families. Her own disability and that of her adult daughter give her a unique perspective into what it takes to plan for the future. With over 10 years in the industry she uses many different tools, such as special needs trusts, to ensure the protection of government benefits while maximizing the amount left to take care of your loved ones.   Learn more about Family Peer Support: An Emerging Workforce at https://bit.ly/FPS_2020  

In this presentation, Mid-America MHTTC specialists and partners with Omaha-based Community Alliance will demonstrate ways in which family peer support empowers families to support their loved one’s path towards recovery. In particular, participants will learn how recipients of family peer support: Learn the definition of recovery; Learn to motivate their loved one to engage in recovery and rehabilitation oriented activities; Learn develop and implement a recovery plan for their loved one.   Speakers:   Dr. Lilchandra Jai Sookram has been in the mental health field for over 40 years. At the Nebraska State Hospital, he provided psychological services to persons with serious mental illness and to their family members, and he directed clinical services including psychology, nursing, social work, therapeutic recreation, education and return-to-work programs. He is the former director of mental health services in Kansas and clinical director of a juvenile correctional facility. Currently he is manager of family and peer services at Community Alliance. Bill Baerentzen, Ph.D., CRC, LMHP, is serious mental illness program director for the Mid-America MHTTC. Much of his outreach involves promoting evidence-based practices to help people with serious mental illness (SMI) live meaningful inclusive lives. Dr. Baerentzen has worked as director of a 250-bed emergency overnight shelter; supervisor of therapists in a treatment program for persons with co-occurring disorders; and as faculty in a rehabilitation counseling program. James and Barbara Kirkpatrick were blessed with four children, two daughters and two sons. The Kirkpatricks' youngest son had problems with drugs for several years, and while rehabilitation centers like Valley of Hope and drug court work for some, they weren't the answer for Robert. Barbara Kirkpatrick signed her family up for Dr. Jai Sookram's class at Community Alliance, and all of the pieces to the puzzle started to fall into place. James Kirkpatrick believes that a lot of prayers and meetings with Dr. Jai saved Robert's life. Cecilia Losee is a financial planner who specializes in working with special needs families. Her own disability and that of her adult daughter give her a unique perspective into what it takes to plan for the future. With over 10 years in the industry she uses many different tools, such as special needs trusts, to ensure the protection of government benefits while maximizing the amount left to take care of your loved ones.   Learn more about Family Peer Support: An Emerging Workforce at https://bit.ly/FPS_2020  

Persons with serious mental illnesses are more likely than others to experience homelessness. Homelessness policies in the U.S. have evolved as research has informed us about the dynamics of homelessness. Federal policies reflect research showing that a relatively small number of people who experience homelessness remain homeless for long periods of time, often because of disabilities that make it difficult to exit without structured support and housing (Permanent Supportive Housing). Also, federal efforts to address “crisis homelessness” have been deployed, providing assistance through “rapid rehousing” programs to prevent long-term homelessness. The initiative to end veteran homelessness combined these two approaches and led to a 50% reduction in homelessness. This presentation summarizes the intersection of these research and policy efforts which greatly affect the need for comprehensive housing and support services for persons with serious mental illnesses. As a result of this seminar, attendees will learn: Homelessness is characterized by two primary dynamics: crisis homelessness and chronic homelessness; Crisis homelessness can be effectively addressed by providing emergency cash, case management and relocation assistance, with rent supports; Permanent supportive housing can successfully address chronic homelessness and is cost-neutral for many populations, research shows; Three federal programs – the Chronic Homelessness Initiative, the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program (HPRP), and the campaign to end veteran homelessness – established new and more robust policies to support these research-informed approaches; Homelessness assistance programs do not prevent homelessness, and rising rates of unsheltered homelessness and the aging of the adult homeless population are creating new challenges for policymakers to address.   Speaker: Dennis Culhane, PhD, is the Dana and Andrew Stone Professor of Social Policy at the School of Social Policy and Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. Culhane is a nationally recognized social science researcher with primary expertise in the field of homelessness. From July 2009 to June 2018 he served as Director of Research at the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He is a leader in the integration of administrative data for research and directs Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy (AISP), an initiative that promotes the development of integrated data systems by state and local governments for policy analysis and systems reform.  His homelessness work has positioned him as an early innovator in the use of administrative data for research and policy analysis, particularly for populations and program impacts that are difficult to assess and track. Culhane’s work has resulted in federal legislation requiring all cities and states to develop administrative data systems for tracking homeless services in order to receive HUD funding. His work has also been instrumental in a national shift in how cities address chronic homelessness and family homelessness. Culhane’s current research utilizes linked administrative data to better understand and respond to the emerging crisis of aging homelessness. Recently, this work was featured in The New York Times Magazine article, Elderly and Homeless: America’s Next Housing Crisis.   Permanent Supportive Housing: A Webinar Series  

Persons with serious mental illnesses are more likely than others to experience homelessness. Homelessness policies in the U.S. have evolved as research has informed us about the dynamics of homelessness. Federal policies reflect research showing that a relatively small number of people who experience homelessness remain homeless for long periods of time, often because of disabilities that make it difficult to exit without structured support and housing (Permanent Supportive Housing). Also, federal efforts to address “crisis homelessness” have been deployed, providing assistance through “rapid rehousing” programs to prevent long-term homelessness. The initiative to end veteran homelessness combined these two approaches and led to a 50% reduction in homelessness. This presentation summarizes the intersection of these research and policy efforts which greatly affect the need for comprehensive housing and support services for persons with serious mental illnesses. As a result of this seminar, attendees will learn: Homelessness is characterized by two primary dynamics: crisis homelessness and chronic homelessness; Crisis homelessness can be effectively addressed by providing emergency cash, case management and relocation assistance, with rent supports; Permanent supportive housing can successfully address chronic homelessness and is cost-neutral for many populations, research shows; Three federal programs – the Chronic Homelessness Initiative, the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program (HPRP), and the campaign to end veteran homelessness – established new and more robust policies to support these research-informed approaches; Homelessness assistance programs do not prevent homelessness, and rising rates of unsheltered homelessness and the aging of the adult homeless population are creating new challenges for policymakers to address.   Speaker: Dennis Culhane, PhD, is the Dana and Andrew Stone Professor of Social Policy at the School of Social Policy and Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. Culhane is a nationally recognized social science researcher with primary expertise in the field of homelessness. From July 2009 to June 2018 he served as Director of Research at the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He is a leader in the integration of administrative data for research and directs Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy (AISP), an initiative that promotes the development of integrated data systems by state and local governments for policy analysis and systems reform.  His homelessness work has positioned him as an early innovator in the use of administrative data for research and policy analysis, particularly for populations and program impacts that are difficult to assess and track. Culhane’s work has resulted in federal legislation requiring all cities and states to develop administrative data systems for tracking homeless services in order to receive HUD funding. His work has also been instrumental in a national shift in how cities address chronic homelessness and family homelessness. Culhane’s current research utilizes linked administrative data to better understand and respond to the emerging crisis of aging homelessness. Recently, this work was featured in The New York Times Magazine article, Elderly and Homeless: America’s Next Housing Crisis.   Permanent Supportive Housing: A Webinar Series  

Original Broadcast Date: 1/25/21 Peer Specialists bring distinct value in the engagement of people during and after suicide crisis in numerous ways, such as inspiring a sense of hope for recovery, personal understanding of barriers and solutions to mental health system navigation, and contributing to anti-stigma efforts with lived experience of mental health recovery. With a diverse panel of Peer Specialists (youth and adult) working across the crisis continuum of care from the Pacific Northwest and Southwest and New England regions of the United States, audiences will learn about the roles of Peer Specialists in promoting wellness and recovery within mobile crisis units, peer respite programs, creating self-help tools like Apps and documentary film, supporting our colleagues within the Peer workforce, and working on warm and hot lines for both youth, adults, and older populations. This recorded panel is Part 1 of a 3-webinar series about Peer Specialists’ Roles in Behavioral Health Crisis including Suicide.

During Year One (August 2018 to August 2019), we have focused on building relationships with key stakeholders in the New England region (Region 1), deepening our understanding of the region’s needs, and developing high-quality training and technical assistance products to promote the dissemination of evidence-based practices.

Monthly electronic newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. November 2020 issues features Native American Heritage Month, Veterans Day, and new resources including Stigma Basics, Counselor's Corner, and Telehealth Services for Mental Health infographic.  

Spotlight on Young Adults is a quarterly newsletter dedicated to promoting resources, perspectives, and organizations that support youth and young adult (YYA) advocates, advocates for YYA, and YYA-serving professionals.

About the Event:  In this webinar, the findings from our recent listening session, “Hearing the Truth about Racism in Recovery” were presented.  Participants will learn about how race is impacting recovery supports in the community and the behavioral health system; will learn about how race creates barriers to recovery and wellness; and will learn immediate actions peer support providers can take to identify and remedy these barriers.   Key Learning Objectives:  1. Describe how race impacts recovery supports in the community and the behavioral health system.  2. Discuss how race creates barriers to recovery and wellness.  3. Identify immediate actions peer support providers can take to recognize and remedy barriers.    About the Presenters:  The Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network believes in the ability of everyone living with mental health concerns to enjoy lives of purpose, meaning, productivity, and wellness. Since it was founded in 1991, this grassroots nonprofit organization has been led and run by mental health peers—people in mental health recovery. At its core, the basis of peer support—one person using their lived experience to support another—is not new; in fact, it is the basis of human growth and development. Mental health peers with special training are now able to use their lived recovery experience in clinical settings to provide something beyond a diagnosis or medication.   Roslind D. Hayes, BS, CPS-AD, CARES, WHWC is the Statewide Coordinator of the GMHCN's Peer Support, Wellness, and Respite Centers. She is a trainer/facilitator for the Certified Peer Specialist Project, Peer Zone, and Intentional Peer Support.  Chris Johnson, MFA, CPS, CPS-AD is GMHCN's Director of Communications. He is responsible for sharing information about recovery and wellness opportunities to behavioral health peers and providers across Georgia. 

Monthly electronic newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.  October 2020 issue features project updates from the co-directors of each of our projects, a state spotlight on Illinois,  and the results of our National Recovery Month 2020 recovery word cloud project. 

The New England MHTTC has as its overarching aim to use evidence-based means to disseminate evidence-based practices, and promote resilience and recovery to our region. To read more about our guiding principles, click here.

Monthly e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.  September 2020 focus: National Recovery Month. 

This resource showcases the amazing work of organizations that are driving research, policy, and practice change to improve systems for youth and young adults (YYA) of transition age. Find brief features on eleven key organizations and initiatives, including highlighted resources from each. The PS MHTTC Youth and Young Adult Co-Leads created these features in collaboration with each organization.

Recording of the webinar titled Tools for Engagement in Person Centered Care Part 4: WRAP - An Approach to Person-Led Crisis and Post Crisis Planning, originally held on May 13, 2020.   Slide Presentation

On May 14th and May 21st, Janis Tondora lead this webinar which reviewed key indicators of PCRP from both a process and a documentation perspective. Particular emphasis was placed on strategies for maintaining a strengths-based recovery orientation in collaborative care planning while simultaneously meeting rigorous documentation standards associated with fiscal and regulatory requirements.   Learning Objectives: Identify a minimum of 3 differences between traditional methods of treatment planning and best-practice Person-Centered Recovery Planning Define the 4 component “Ps” of Person-Centered Recovery Planning (Philosophy, Process, Plan, and Product/Purpose) Learn strategies for respecting strengths-based, person-centered principles while also satisfying expectations associated with accreditation, and fiscal regulations, e.g., those associated with medical necessity criteria and/or funder documentation standard.     To access a copy of the presentation, click here.  To access the Person-Centered Care Planning Overview resource, click here.  To access the Recovery Roadmap: Tips for Recognizing a Good Person-Centered Plan, click here.  To access the Recovery Roadmap: Tips for Recognizing Person-Centered Process, click here.    Presenter: Janis Tondora, Psy.D. is the Director of Systems Transformation, Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health. Dr. Tondora’s professional interests focus on the design, implementation, and evaluation of services that promote self-determination, recovery, and community inclusion among individuals living with behavioral health conditions. She has provided training and consultation to over two dozen states and numerous international collaborators seeking to develop person-centered planning models and programs.

  Peer delivered services are increasingly being recognized for their value, and becoming more readily available.  In peer support, we believe recovery is possible for all and work to support others to achieve their self-directed recovery. This webinar provides a broad overview of the history, research, misconceptions, implementation, supervision and benefits of peer delivered services. Slides available for download here References for this presentation Speakers Adrienne Scavera is the training and outreach director for Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO), one of Oregon's oldest and largest peer-run organizations. In her role as a department director, Adrienne works to support the peer workforce from initial entry and training to systems-level advocacy. Currently, Adrienne serves on several committees and boards, including the Oregon Health Authority’s Training Evaluation and Metrics Program Scoring Committee and the state Traditional Health Worker Commission. In her work, Adrienne prioritizes the experience of individuals as the experts on their own lives. Over the years, she has worked in research, direct service, program development, management, training, and with non-profits, educational institutions, and peer-run organizations. She enjoys writing about herself in third person, well-organized spaces, and friendly animals.   Janie Gullickson is a person in long-term recovery and for her that means she has not used alcohol or other drugs in over 11 years. Janie is in recovery from both addiction and mental health challenges as well as homelessness, incarceration, and criminal justice involvement. She navigated all types of systems and institutions that can accompany such life experiences, from frequent hospitalizations to prison. Janie was released from Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in September of 2006. Janie first began her work as a Peer Support Specialist/Recovery Mentor for Yamhill County HHS in McMinnville, Oregon in 2011. Janie joined the peer-run organization Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO) as a project assistant in 2014. In May of 2017 Janie became MHAAO’s Executive Director. She also earned her Master of Public Administration: Health Administration (MPA: HA) degree from Portland State University in June of 2017. Janie is passionate about social justice issues with a focus on mental health and addiction recovery, peer programs and services and advocacy in these realms.  

"Citizenship is for all, but our citizenship work has focused on the needs and aspirations of people with experiences of psychiatric illness. This guide also contains references to substance abuse, homelessness, and incarceration. People confronting these issues along with a psychiatric illness may have a higher risk of social isolation than others, and often lack opportunities to engage in valued roles in their communities. Our longest-running citizenship project has served people with psychiatric illness and histories of incarceration. Still, most of the material in this guide applies to anyone with a psychiatric disability who wants to do ‘citizenship work’."

On March 12th, Larry Davidson, NE-MHTTC director, led the fourth and final session of the webinar series that discussed the principles of recovery-oriented systems of care. In this session, he addressed the importance of community inclusion in the mental health treatment and recovery process of patients. 

On February 13th, Larry Davidson, NE-MHTTC director, led the third session of the webinar series that discussed the principles of recovery-oriented systems of care. In this session, he addressed recovery-oriented modifications to clinical care and how it can be helpful in the mental health treatment of patients.

Monthly electronic newsletter sharing news and events for the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. 

On December 12th, Larry Davidson, NE-MHTTC director, led the second session of the webinar series that discussed the principles of recovery-oriented systems of care. In this session, he addressed the role of peer support as recovery-oriented care and how the integration of peers can be helpful in the mental health treatment of patients.

On November 14th, Larry Davidson, NE-MHTTC director, led a webinar that discussed the principles of recovery-oriented systems of care. He also talked about a resource called "Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) Resource Guide" which can be downloaded through the download button. Resources: ROSC Guide

Youth peer support is an emerging and innovative role within mental health that is seen as valuable for young adults who are system involved. While many agencies want to employ or do employ youth peer support specialists, there are many questions and challenges regarding how to best support this role. In this webinar we will clarify the responsibilities and boundaries of the youth peer support role and offer tips on how to support this role and these employees within your agency.

Youth peer support is a growing field in many mental health and child-serving systems, yet many agencies are new to supervising and supporting these roles. This line of work can often be taxing for its young employees, and self-care is just as important to supervision as job performance. This webinar presents specific strategies supervisors can use to promote self-care among their youth peer staff while ensuring accountability to their job duties.