Past Events

In the Managing Chronic Pain in the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Webinar Series, Drs. Christian Klepper, Chase Grosse and Tyler Brown will discuss the ways behavioral health providers understand, assess and manage chronic pain in the primary care setting. The first webinar will focus on conceptualizations and models of pain; the second will focus on assessment; and the third will focus on treatment. All of these concepts will be presented within the context of the behavioral health provider working with the medical home team.

The Mission of the Midwest Symposium for Leadership in Behavior Disorders is to foster leadership to improve educational programs and outcomes for students with behavioral needs, and to support the professionals and families with whom they are connected. For the 38th year, the Midwest Symposium for Leadership in Behavior Disorders will address cutting edge issues of interest to professionals working with students with emotional/behavioral disorders and autism spectrum disorders. Mid-America MHTTC will exhibit at the 2020 Symposium to expand reach in Region 7. 

This training will provide participants with an overview of Cross-Cultural Leadership Principles: Agility as Cross-Cultural Process Improvement. Cross-Cultural leadership by nature is agile and focuses on empathy, reflection, revision, and a belief that partnerships will lead to better solutions.  This is a closed event. However, you can learn more about our upcoming training and technical events on the Great Lakes MHTTC website under Upcoming Events. If no upcoming events are taking place near you, please contact your nearest state project manager to inquire about future training opportunities in your region.

The school mental health supplement is excited to sponsor the Mental Health strand at the 18th Annual Northwest PBIS Conference and Pre-Conference. We're bringing experts from across the field to present and provide trainings in over 20 sessions on key topics related to school mental health across the conference and pre-conference. About the Conference: The Annual NWPBIS Network Conference is the largest gathering of educators, researchers, thought leaders, community partners, and practitioners in the field of Schoolwide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) in the Pacific Northwest.This year's theme "PBIS for ALL" asks us to examine the impact of our work for every child who walks through our doors. Real success in school is measured by our collective ability to support our most vulnerable students.  This year's conference will take place on February 27-28, 2020 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center in Tacoma, WA. Join us and learn from some of the country's most influential researchers, educators, and community partners that call the Pacific Northwest home. Together, our positive influence can be resounding! Conference strands include: Classroom Coaching Data & Evaluation Equity Mental Health Special Topics (Early Childhood, Juvenile Justice, Alternative Education, Adult Settings, etc.) Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 We will also feature RoundTable discussions on Thursday afternoon. Roundtable sessions are interactive sessions for networking, getting your questions answered, and hearing from experts in the field!   The keynote this year will be presented by Dr. Rhonda Nese & Dr. Eric Bruns. > Learn more about the conference and register here Want more information and school mental health resources? Visit the Northwest MHTTC's School Mental Health page and sign up for our monthly newsletter for regular updates about events, trainings, and resources available to the Northwest region.

The purpose of this training is to provide effective tools to increase awareness of mental health service providers, about the implications of vicarious trauma on mental health and who to prevent it.

Sponsored by the New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center, this series features online meetings focused on bringing together leaders, clinicians, administrators, and constituents who are interested in working together to increase feasibility and scalability of specialized early psychosis and clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P) treatment across the New England region and other areas in the U.S. Guest presenters will share their experience with finding ways to pay for high quality prevention services for youth and families affected by early psychosis and/or signs of clinical high risk. This will include discussions about negotiating bundled payment structures with third-party payers, providing telemedicine, and finding creative solutions to maximize existing resources in order to provide stepped care that matches evidence-based services to individual needs and preferences. The format of each discussion in this series includes a 30-minute presentation by an invited expert followed by 30 minutes of questions and discussion by participants. Sessions will have a limit of 50 participants in order to maximize opportunities for meaningful discussion. Participants will be encouraged to network and develop workgroups to advance initiatives that are discussed. The lineup of guest speakers for this series includes:   2/26/2020 - 2-3PM EST | Financing First Episode Psychosis Programs: Developing Medicaid and Commercial Insurance Support in Maine - Douglas R. Robbins, M.D., psychiatrist for Maine Behavioral Healthcare 3/11/2020 - 2-3PM EST | Reid Plimpton, MPH, Project Manager for Northeast Telehealth Resource Center, Medical Care Development

Description: The purpose of this four-webinar series is to disseminate information and discuss applications of person-centered tools available to help engage and activate individuals with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders in person-centered treatment and services. Part 1 will explore how shared decision making (SDM) can be effective with individuals who are difficult to engage, working with limited choices, and application of SDM when a person is in acute crisis.   Presenter: Elizabeth Whitney, MSW, LICSW, is a full time faculty member of the Simmons School of Social Work on-line Master’s program. She leads all aspects of the program’s field education, including curriculum development, training, and working directly with students and field department faculty. For 20 years, Ms. Whitney was an Associate Division Director/Clinical Director at a large community behavioral health service. Her experience includes comprehensive clinical, psychiatric rehabilitation, and support services for adults with behavioral health issues. She has presented at conferences in recovery-oriented practices, including person-centered planning, trauma-informed approaches, shared decision making, and clinical risk management. Part 1 will be hosted by Laurie Curtis, MA, CPRP, senior program manager at Advocates for Human Potential. Her experience includes extensive training and consultation on evidence-based practices and recovery-oriented services.   Learning Objectives: Provide service providers with information about two tools to support positive relationships and productive communication with individuals often considered “difficult to engage.” Provide examples of how these tools can be applied in a range of settings and with diverse groups of people. Offer opportunities to discuss practical challenges and opportunities for implementing these tools in day-to-day practice.   Who Should Attend? Clinicians and practitioners working in mental health and substance use services, managers and supervisors, people using services and their families.

The school mental health supplement is excited to sponsor the Mental Health strand at the 18th Annual Northwest PBIS Conference and Pre-Conference. We're bringing experts from across the field to present and provide trainings in over 20 sessions on key topics related to school mental health. About the Pre-Conference:  The full-day, pre-conference will take place on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. This event offer a hands-on, practical, professional development opportunity on a range of topics. Workshops are three hours in length, and include a morning session (8:30-11:30am) and afternoon session  (12:30-3:30pm).  Workshop topics include:  Equity in School Discipline, Dr. Eoin Bastable, University of Oregon Suicide Prevention in Schools, UW SMART Center School Safety, Jeff Sprague, UO National PBIS TA Center Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF: Mental Health in PBIS), Susan Barrett, National PBIS TA Center  Reducing Seclusion & Restraint and Discipline Laws, OSPI and ODE personnel Trauma Informed Educator Skills, Pamela Vona and Vivien Villaverde, USC Early Childhood, Mackenzie Weintraub, Mackenzie Weintraub Consulting  Teacher Wellness, Renee VanNorman, WellEducator LLC Psychological First Aid, Pamela Vona and Vivien Villaverde, USC Check in Check Out Training, Dr. Billie Jo Rodriguez, Springfield School District Seeing Beyond Behavior, with Torri Wright, Child and Family Advocate and Behavior Consultant Want more information and school mental health resources? Visit the Northwest MHTTC's School Mental Health page and sign up for our monthly newsletter for regular updates about events, trainings, and resources available to the Northwest region.

Researchers and leaders in the field have discussed the power of language as it relates to empowerment and personal identification.  This webinar will provide a basic foundation regarding the importance of using appropriate terminology and why language evolves.   Additionally, we will begin to understand the current language to use when working with members of sexual and gender diverse populations.   Trainer: Dr. Anthony Zazzarino, PhD, LPC, ACS, CPRP is a full-time faculty member at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions. He currently provides instruction for professional education courses for New Jersey’s Supported Housing agencies implementing Community Support Services (CSS), the Master’s program in Rehabilitation Counseling, and the Doctoral program in Counselor Education and Supervision. Dr. Zazzarino is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), and Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP). He completed his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Walden University where he focused on improving the lives of sexual minorities with serious mental illnesses and enhancing individual’s knowledge of multicultural competence. Dr. Zazzarino is actively presenting at local, state, and national conferences related to psychiatric rehabilitation methods, counseling services, and supervision practices. In addition to his work at Rutgers, Dr. Zazzarino is a suicide prevention trainer for the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, facilitates group therapy for adolescents and adults at an intensive outpatient program, provides outpatient counseling services at his private practice, and provides clinical supervision for counselors who need supervised clinical hours in New Jersey.

The School Mental Health Learning Community is a 6-month program focused on improving state and district capacity to implement effective multi-tiered systems of school mental health support. Based on input from our region's state leaders, this intensive learning opportunity is uniquely focused on the region's needs and interests. This program is closed to selected teams from schools and districts across HHS Region 7.

The purpose of this training is to increase the knowledge and management skills of school personnel and first responders on emotional regulation to traumatic events during emergencies and disasters.

This pre-conference session will highlight (1) Core features of the foundations of comprehensive school mental health and (2) What, why, and how to create aligned district and school mental health teams in partnership with local community and behavioral health providers. Co-Sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education Intended Audience: School nutrition professionals, physical education teachers, school nurses and social workers. Three CEU's will be issued through the Illinois State Board of Education. Please register for the conference - using the link above.  

A NE-MHTTC and MAPNET co-hosted webinar   Dr. Crow will be describing harm reduction for substance use in the context of treating early psychosis in young people.   Presenter: Fredrick Crow, MD Dr. Crow is a child and adolescent psychiatrist with the Young Adult Team (YAT), which is a program for transitional aged youth (age 18-26) who are Department of Mental Health Client’s and who struggle to access care in more traditional settings. Common concerns for youth in this program include trauma, mood difficulties, psychosis, and substance use. He has a longstanding interest in early psychosis and was a co-founder of RISE (Recovery in Shared Experiences), the early psychosis program at Cambridge Health Alliance.

The purpose of this training is to increase the knowledge and management skills of school personnel and first responders on emotional regulation to traumatic events during emergencies and disasters.

Free In-Person Training:  Youth Mental Health First Aid   The Northeast and Caribbean MHTTC is proud to offer a free Behavioral Health Workforce Development Training program in Youth Mental Health First Aid.  Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a training for teachers, school staff, and others to prepare them to help young people experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge or crisis.  The training will address common mental health conditions among youth, typical development, and an action plan to address crisis and non-crisis situations. Come join us!   St. Thomas Location:   When:   February 24, 2020  (for teachers, teacher’s aides, all school staff, school administrators and community partners) 8:30 am - 5:30 pm    When:   February 25, 2020  (for family members and caregivers of school age children) 8:30 am - 5:30 pm    Where:  VI Small Business Development Center University of the Virgin Islands 8000 Nisky Center, Suite 720 St. Thomas, VI  00802     St. Croix Location:   When:   February 27, 2020  (for teachers, teacher’s aides, all school staff, school administrators and community partners) 8:30 am - 5:30 pm    When:   February 28, 2020  (for family members and caregivers of school age children) 8:30 am - 5:30 pm    Where:  University of the Virgin Islands Albert A. Sheen Campus Northwest Wing Great Hall RR1  Golden Grove, St. Croix, USVI 00851   Trainer: Pamela J. (PJ) Wenger, LPC, NBCC, MFT, Ed.S., MA, M.Ed., is a licensed professional counselor with over 15 years of experience working as a school guidance counselor. She has also served as a trauma loss responder with the NJ Trauma Loss Coalition since 2004. Ms. Wenger has experience as a psychiatric screener, a mental health counselor, and a recreation therapist. She utilizes her extensive experience to provide dynamic professional development seminars and trainings on topics such as Youth Mental Health First Aid, QPR – Suicide Prevention Program, Sandplay Therapy, trauma response to suicide and other traumatic events, and school anxiety and school refusal.   Questions and to Register: Contact Katty Rivera, M.Ed. (908.889.2552)   [email protected]

The purpose of this training is to introduce providers to a basic understanding of culture and its possible relation to the provision of treatment that is competent and responsive to Hispanic and Latino populations. At the same time, this educational product presents norms and values that might influence the therapy process,  engagement and outcomes of the client. This product is designed to teach cultural competence concepts, values, and strategies for engagement and treatment, and to apply those concepts when working with Hispanics and Latinos with mental health disorders. Cultural consideration for school personnel will be also discussed during the training.

Time: 3:30pm - 4:30pm PT View full announcement   Webinars are the launch of learning, and we know that while our 60-minute sessions helped us gain foundational language and hear from leaders in the field, many of you wanted the chance to share with one another, ask questions, and continue the intensive discourse needed to create transformational educational environments through ISF. Join us for five extension Interconnected Systems Framework Discussion Hours hosted by the Northwest and Pacific Southwest MHTTC. These sessions are supported by Susan Barrett & our ISF Field Leaders, and made meaningful with your participation. Presenters & participants will share their ISF implementation challenges, celebrations, and lessons learned or learning.   WHAT: A series of five Discussion Hours for school mental health practitioners from Regions 9 and 10 who want to share experiences, resources, and ask and answer questions. Each ISF Discussion Hour will be hosted by an MHTTC School Mental Health Lead and supported by an ISF Field Leader. Each session will be themed to focus our learning and discussion.  

The Northwest MHTTC and Pacific Southwest MHTTC are excited to bring you a 5-part discussion hour series to deepen your knowledge around Interconnected Systems Framework.   The ISF Discussion Hours are part of a collaboration between the Northwest & Pacific Southwest MHTTC's to bring you training and technical assistance on the Interconnected Systems Framework. Click here to learn more about our 3-part webinar series and access recordings and presentation materials.  About the Discussion Hours: Did you register and attend one or more of our ISF Webinar Series and want to learn and discuss more with colleagues? Webinars are the launch of learning, and we know that while our three, 60-minute webinars helped us gain foundational language and hear from leaders in the field, many of you wanted the chance to share with one another, ask questions, and continue the intensive discourse needed to create transformational educational environments through ISF.   Join us for five extension Interconnected Systems Framework Discussion Hours to deepen your knowledge. These sessions are supported by Susan Barrett & our ISF Field Leaders, and made meaningful with your participation. Presenters & participants will share their ISF implementation challenges, celebrations, and lessons learned or learning.   **Learn more and access all presentation materials and recordings after the event here.**   Prerequisites:  We strongly ask that if you are joining one or more of the ISF Discussion hours, please 1) download and read the three ISF Fact Sheets and 2) watch or listen to the three ISF Webinar Series recordings. You can access all fact sheets & webinar recordings here. Want more information and school mental health resources? Visit the Northwest MHTTC's School Mental Health page and sign up for our monthly newsletter for regular updates about events, trainings, and resources available to the Northwest region.

Times: 6-7 p.m. ET / 3-4 p.m. PT / 1-2 p.m. HT As our population becomes increasingly diverse, mental health organizations and providers see the value of employing diverse staff that reflect the people they serve. The Pacific Southwest MHTTC has developed a self-assessment instrument to help mental health organizations identify and implement workforce diversity strategies in six critical areas. This webinar will highlight the importance of increasing workforce diversity for achieving health equity. Presenters will briefly outline the purpose of the six areas in strengthening workforce diversity. Then participants will have the opportunity to complete the tool and explore the different aspects of each area. This session is geared towards those in mental health organizations who are interested in assessing the importance of a culturally responsive workforce and taking action.   Participants will be able to: Explore the importance and benefits of a diverse workforce in effectively addressing mental health disparities for community populations. Describe the critical components needed to assess the successes and challenges for mental health organizations in building a diverse workforce. Identify how your organization is doing in each area and overall to identify areas of focus. Identify action steps to address areas where organizations are more limited and incorporate these action steps into an existing organizational plan (e.g., strategic, cultural competency, or diversity plan).

Family-run organizations perform an important role in supporting children’s systems of care. In this one-hour webinar, Malisa Pearson of the Family Run Executive Director Leadership Association (FREDLA) will give an overview of the specific roles that family-run organizations play in workforce development, advocacy, and education.  Presenter: Malisa Pearson, FREDLA Malisa is the parent of two boys who both have specialized behavioral health care needs. She brings more than two decades of direct experience navigating systems, advocating for services, and partnering with professionals on behalf of her own child and family’s needs. Ms. Pearson’s years of experience, leadership skills, public speaking abilities, partnership and collaboration efforts, and training skills, have made her a highly respected individual in the family-run organization and family- driven care movement. Malisa brings her first-hand involvement working with systems of care, collaborating across service systems, developing peer-to-peer, parent-to-parent support service programs and developing diversified budgets that include the blending of state and local contracts, foundation funds, state and federal grants, and Medicaid. During her numerous roles over the past decade, she has worked as a Lead Family Contact for a federally-funded system of care community, served as the Statewide Parent Support Partner Coordinator to implement Michigan’s certified parent-to-parent support services program, and served as the Executive Director of Michigan’s statewide family network.    

School Mental Health Navigators are invited to join us for a Motivational Interviewing (MI) skills building session! February 20, 2020  9:00 am - 12:30 pm CST This event is hosted by the Great Lakes MHTTC School-based Supplement in partnership with Wisconsin Association of Family & Children’s Agencies (WAFCA) Join us for a day of learning, sharing and networking with other School Mental Health Navigators in your area! In the morning, Laura Saunders, MSSW, will lead a workshop on Motivational Interviewing. The afternoon will include a guided discussion of topics identified by you and your colleagues.  This event is hosted by the Great Lakes MHTTC School-based Supplement in partnership with Wisconsin Association of Family & Children’s Agencies (WAFCA). ​​​ Trainer: Laura Saunders State Project Manager, Wisconsin Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC Laura A. Saunders, MSSW, is the Wisconsin State Project Manager for the Great Lakes Addiction, Mental Health and Prevention Technology Transfer  Centers. Her position is housed at the UW–Madison, where she’s worked since 1988. Since 2001, Laura has provided SBIRT and Motivational Interviewing training to physicians, nurses, medical students, psychologists, specialty addiction treatment providers, social workers, physical therapists, health educators, and staff who work in correctional settings. She has provided feedback and coaching to hundreds of social workers, correctional staff,  and other human service providers who are interested in using evidence-based practices with fidelity. Laura joined the international group of Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) in 2006 (Sophia, Bulgaria) and is an active member of the Wisconsin MINT group.    

The purpose of this training is to introduce providers to a basic understanding of culture and its possible relation to the provision of treatment that is competent and responsive to Hispanic and Latino populations. At the same time, this educational product presents norms and values that might influence the therapy process,  engagement and outcomes of the client. This product is designed to teach cultural competence concepts, values, and strategies for engagement and treatment, and to apply those concepts when working with Hispanics and Latinos with mental health disorders. Cultural consideration for school personnel will be also discussed during the training.

At the South Dakota National Association of Social Workers conference, Stefanie Winfield will present on the National School Mental Health Curriculum. To attend this session, you must register to attend the the conference. Please contact Stefanie Winfield at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

Recovery from SMI has been studied and documented by researchers, practitioners, and individuals with lived experience around the world and across time. Recovery is real. Recovery can be supported by practices and services that encourage participant engagement, community inclusion, valued social roles, and overall wellness. This webinar series will introduce you to recovery from SMI and many of the evidence-based and promising practices that support recovery.  This session focuses on practices that support independent community living.