Past Events

A Train-the-Trainer Opportunity Is your school prepared to care for all of the students, staff, and families in your community? Educators are often the first line of support in addressing mental health needs for students. They recognize the impact mental health has on learning and achievement. Ready your school community to weather stress, trauma, and promote well-being for your entire school population. In this session, school staff will: Learn how to implement the Compassionate School Mental Health model being used to enhance services to schools and districts in the New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center's Childhood Trauma-Learning Collaborative. Gain an understanding of how a compassionate school mental health support system can help schools create systems, policies, and protocols to prevent, address, and recover from tragedies and crises including staff or student suicide, school violence, natural disasters, and global pandemics.   Presenter: Martha Staeheli, PhD, Yale School of Medicine, School Mental Health Initiative, New England MHTTC, is a faculty member at the Program for Recovery and Community Health in the Yale School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry. Trained as a secondary English teacher, and with a PhD in Public Health, she has extensive experience in population health and epidemiology; qualitative and mixed methods research design, analysis, and evaluation; and community and clinical intervention implementation.   Participants who complete our sessions have the opportunity to:   Earn 1 hour of CE credit Earn an advocacy-specific micro-credential as a Take HEART Ambassador Apply for funding to support on-the-ground efforts that promote mental health and well being of everyone in your school community Connect with experts Build community with educators, school staff, and behavioral health professionals   This session is an offering of our Healthcare and Educators Addressing and Reducing Trauma (HEART) Collective. Our Take HEART Ambassador Program is a four session training series designed to create a school community that works together to reduce and respond compassionately to trauma, including strategies for increasing stakeholder involvement and disseminating public health and mental health literacy campaigns and materials. Learn more about our series and register for one or all sessions!   Take the lead in bringing system-wide change strategies to your learning community.     Our School Mental Health Initiative develops and disseminates evidence-based resources to enhance school culture and prepare the school mental health workforce to extend trauma-skilled practices. Our efforts are designed to help schools cultivate compassionate school communities that buffer against the negative effects of trauma, build resilience for all students, and provide stress-relief and enhanced well-being for teachers and other school personnel, as well as students.

The South Southwest MHTTC is pleased to host the Case Conceptualization for First Episode Psychosis (FEP) Series. The purpose of the series to introduce FEP therapists, skills trainers, and team leaders to three different case conceptualization approaches. The series will include both didactic and experiential components. Attendees will also have the opportunity to join additional case conceptualization approaches, such as integrating trauma and culture into conceptualization in future months.        Series 2 Topic: TBD    Dates for this series: January 12th, February 9th, and March 9th from 10AM - 11AM CT.

The South Southwest MHTTC is pleased to host the Case Conceptualization for First Episode Psychosis (FEP) Series. The purpose of the series to introduce FEP therapists, skills trainers, and team leaders to three different case conceptualization approaches. The series will include both didactic and experiential components. Attendees will also have the opportunity to join additional case conceptualization approaches, such as integrating trauma and culture into conceptualization in future months.   Learning Objectives At the conclusion of this series of three presentations, participants will have the theoretical and practical skills to: Conceptualize and treat people with schizophrenia and their family members using a systems framework that shifts blame away from any one person in the family system and instead helps the family view themselves as a team with shared mutual goals. Draw upon clients’ cultural, religious, and spiritual beliefs, traditions, and practices in helping them cope with symptoms of mental illness and live a healthier, happier life. Assist clients by helping them establish communication patterns and problem-solving skills that will allow them to better manage their mental health and advocate for themselves effectively and respectfully, in a manner that aligns with their cultural values.   Series 2: Culturally Informed Therapy for Schizophrenia Session 1: Jan 12, 2023 Session 2: Feb 9, 2023 Session 3: March 9, 2023   Handouts:  Case Examples PowerPoint Slides:  Culturally Informed Therapy Slide Deck Facilitator Amy Weisman de Mamani, PhD Amy Weisman de Mamaniis a Professor at the University of Miami and a licensed clinical psychologist. She earned her doctorate at The University of Southern California and completed her clinical internship at UCLA. Her research is focused on family and cultural factors that influence the course and outcome of serious mental illness. She has published approximately 100 manuscripts in areas related to culture and mental illness. In 2021, she published a treatment manual on her Culturally Informed Therapy for Schizophrenia, in the Treatments that Work Series by Oxford University Press. Her research has been funded by NIMH, The John Templeton foundation, APA, and other agencies. In 2018, she was the recipient of theStanley Sue Award for Distinguished Contributions to Diversity in Clinical Psychology by APA’sDivision 12 (Clinical Psychology). In 2021, she received the Trailblazer Award from ABCT’s Psychosis and Schizophrenia Spectrum Special Interest Group. Visit Work Website Email at [email protected]   

  This is Part 3 of 9 of the Supporting Resilience in Children & Youth learning series.     DESCRIPTION: This 2-hour workshop is the third in the Supporting Resilience for Children and Youth series. This presentation will help new and veteran clinicians conceptualize the difference between supporting mental health and wellbeing and treating specific mental illnesses with evidence-based approaches. In doing so, clinicians review the most common youth diagnoses and identify ways to differentiate between competing diagnostic issues. This presentation will also discuss the importance of analyzing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the differential impact of such experiences across economic and cultural conditions.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Identify the factors that support positive Mental health, with or without illness Identify the differential impact of ACEs across class and culture and methods of tailoring interventions Understand key differences in the presentations of youth mental health DSM-V diagnoses, as well as how to distinguish between them Learn evidence-based practices that can be used across cultural groups     CERTIFICATES: Registrants who fully attend this event or training will receive a certificate of attendance via email within two weeks after the event or training.      PRESENTER: Carmela J. DeCandia, PsyD, is a licensed clinical child psychologist who has dedicated her career to advancing best practices and policies to support vulnerable children and families, and to improve the systems which serve them. In practice for nearly 30 years, her primary work focuses on building trauma-informed systems of care. Her specialties include: child and adolescent development, family homelessness,  addressing the impact of traumatic stress, program development and systems change, neurodevelopmental testing and family assessment. A compassionate clinician and effective leader, she is nationally recognized as a writer, advocate, and public speaker. She has led direct service and national agencies including St. Mary’s Women and Children’s Center and The National Center on Family Homelessness. Currently, Dr. DeCandia is the Owner and President of Artemis Associates, LLC where she provides training and consultation to organizations  to enhance resilience for children, families, and their providers. In addition, she maintains a clinical practice in neurodevelopmental and psychological testing of children at Strong Roots Counseling center, and is the Principal Investigator on a NICHD funded project to develop the screening instrument - NEST Early Childhood. Dr. DeCandia has published extensively in academic journals and educational reports, and lectures on lifespan development and psychological testing at Boston College Graduate school in Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology. For her work, she was named the recipient of the 2016 Horace Mann Spirit of Service Award by Antioch University.      The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

  DESCRIPTION: This month, join three PATCH Teen Educators for an interactive game exploring ways you can help teens become responsible managers of their own health care! Wisconsin PATCH (Providers and Teens Connecting for Health) is a collaboration of youth and adults that believe programs and policies for youth should include youth. They encourage young people to raise their voices to create positive change, and have programs and resources to EDUCATE, ENGAGE, and EMPOWER others to do the same.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Identify youth concerns related to transition from pediatric to adult based care Explore ways to better prepare youth to start taking responsibility for their health care.     CERTIFICATES: Registrants who fully attend this event or training will receive a certificate of attendance via email within two weeks after the event or training.      PRESENTERS: Panelists: PATCH Teen Educators   Erica Koepsel, MA   Erica Koepsel is the PATCH Director of Youth Engagement. With a Master of Arts in Gender and Women’s Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and experience as a sexual health educator for diverse groups of youth in Topeka, KS, and Minneapolis, MN, Erica Koepsel joined the PATCH team in 2015 to continue her passion for improving health education for adolescents and young adults.  In her current role with PATCH, she enjoys combining her background in health education with advocacy while also working with Teen Educators to promote open and honest communication about tough topics.     The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

SERIES DESCRIPTION The Central East MHTTC in collaboration with the National Center for School Mental Health is pleased to offer a school mental health webinar series with a focus on advancing high quality, sustainable school mental health from a multi-tiered system of support, trauma sensitive, and culturally responsive and equitable lens. To familiarize yourself with the foundations of school mental health, please review the school mental health guidance document.   SERIES LEARNING OBJECTIVES Gain increased awareness of school well-being within a multi-tiered system of school mental health supports and services Support trauma-informed systems in schools Increase understanding of strength-based practices that promote student academic and social-emotional-behavioral success Learn to provide more culturally responsive and equitable services and supports Hear perspectives on school mental health from school, district and state levels Obtain insight into how youth, families, schools and communities can best work together to address student mental health needs     AUDIENCE Educators, Administrators, Health and Behavioral Health Care Professionals, Central East (Region 3) Project AWARE Grantees, Policymakers and Advocates, and Child-Serving Agency Staff  

This learning community is closed to select participants.  To learn more about this series, visit the homepage: Implementing Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) in Kansas  

This is session one of our Becoming a Trauma-Informed School series.   Event Description This six-session training series provides education on the fundamentals of trauma and how it emerges within our public schools.  It will provide tools and perspectives on the complexities of becoming a trauma-informed school environment and will explore the logistical components of implementing best-practices on a systems-level for trauma-informed supports and protocols.    Session 1   The Fundamentals of Trauma (1/9/23)  1:00 - 2:30 p.m. MT / 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. CT Learning Objectives Learn what trauma is, what it looks like, and how to respond in a supportive way  Learning the key components of what it means to be “Trauma-Informed” within a host environment focused on academics  Identify logistical and operational elements of implementation of a trauma-informed approach to supporting public education  Developing relevant metrics for measuring progress and success in School-Based Trauma-Informed practices.  Trainer Tamera Ford, LCSW Tamera J. Ford, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) holds 15+ years of experience providing mental health therapy and case management in a multitude of settings; residential treatment, school-based health centers, outpatient mental health, primary health care, and early intervention (Head Start children and families ages 0-5).  In addition to her training in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) and Synergetic Play Therapy™, Tamera has advanced standing as a student of Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing® approach for trauma resolution and currently provides trauma therapy in her private practice located in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.  Formerly a teacher (K-12) and more recently a Lean Process Improvement Practitioner, Tamera's passion is in offering support and guidance to individuals, groups and organizations personally and professionally.

  DESCRIPTION: This four-part series focuses on moving mental health providers, teachers, first responders, and their supervisors from overwhelming burnout, anxiety, and fears towards resilience. This training is not specific to only Michigan–everyone is welcome to join!   Note: You must register for each session in this series separately. Each session listed in the training schedule below is linked to its unique event registration.   January 9, 2023: Understanding the Biology of Stress & Vicarious Trauma with Focus on Proactive & Reactive Wellness Opportunities February 13, 2023: Reactive Responses to Acute Stress March 13, 2023: Proactive Responses that Foster Resilience and Wellbeing April 10, 2023: “Know Yourself”: Stress, Secondary Traumatic Stress, and Moral Injury     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Participants will be able to: Describe the biological reactions to stress and vicarious trauma Distinguish between reactive and proactive responses to stress and vicarious trauma Understand the relationship between stress, secondary traumatic stress, and moral injury     CERTIFICATES: Registrants who fully attend this training may be eligible to receive a certificate of attendance. Certificates for this series will be distributed by the hosting agency, Community Mental Health Association of Michigan.     PRESENTER: Dr Tana Bridge, PhD Dr. Tana Bridge is a professor of Social Work at Eastern Michigan University. She is recognized for her passion, expertise, and skills in engagement. She has a 25-year track record of excellence in teaching, service, and professional consulting. Dr. Bridge’s expertise in trauma, ethical practice and collaboration are common threads in all areas of engagement. She currently serves on many local and state-wide committees. Dr. Bridge has several awards and certifications. She is the recipient of a Trauma and Loss Consultant of the Year Award from the National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children and the Marshall Service Award, Excellent Teachers Engaging Alumni Award, and the distinguished Ronald W. Collins Award. She is licensed in both clinical and macro practice.       The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

The South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC), invites Region 6 Peer Specialists and Family Partners working in First Episode Psychosis (FEP) and Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) teams to participate in our monthly networking meetings. These no-cost, virtual meetings offer you the opportunity to collaborate with other FEP/CSC Team Peer Specialists and Family Partners in a supportive, mentoring environment. The goal is provide a space for resource sharing, support around ways to be most effective when working with FEP/CSC clients, options for self-care strategies, and more! This event takes place on the first Friday of each month.   Facilitators:   Missy Boyd Certified Peer Specialist FEP/Hope Program I have years of experience facilitating groups as well as teaching. I have been in Peer Support close to two years now helping others with my shared life experience. I am now with FEP and am flourishing in the job.               Angie Tyler  Certified Family Partner I have been working with the Integral Care RA1SE Team for 5 years and 7 months. I am fortunate to work and be part of an amazing team here in Austin. As a Certified Bilingual Family Partner, I am able to share my lived experience with families and help them navigate through community resources. My work background includes working with Travis County Juvenile Probation, Caseworker at Lifeworks for Homeless Foster Youth, and Arc of the Capital Area working with IDD services as well as with the Juvenile Justice Program. The work I am most proud of is with the Integral Care RA1SE team because it has allowed me the honor to walk with so many families through their own journey and to give them hope and encouragement in their most challenging moments.

For individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities, technology can provide greater independence and increased choice.  Event Description Session 5 - Around the House: Part 1 January 5, 2023 1:00 - 1:30 p.m. MT / 2:00 - 2:30 p.m. CT Technology is a tool that we all use to navigate our schedules and homes and allows us access to information- this is not innovative – it is a way of life that many people take for granted. For others, such as people living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities it can be a vehicle that can provide greater independence and increased choice. This new series of 6 bi-weekly micro- trainings will focus on how existing technology can be used to help providers working with this community balance their workload more effectively while creating solutions for people living with IDD. This is a hands-on training that will demonstrate how to teach individuals living with IDD how to use mainstream technology to support individualized needs. Participants are encouraged to bring real-life examples of current needs (including their current technology). We will focus on applications and tools to address Independence around the House, Workforce Support Tools, and Increased Communication Tools. Trainer Laurie Dale, Consultant, Personal Technology Solutions Ms. Dale is a nationally recognized speaker and consultant with over 30 years of experience on how-to-use technology to support and empower persons with disabilities.  Her company, Personal Technology Solutions, provides support for initiatives and projects to improve access to technologies for persons with disabilities including hands-on training. 

This presentation is part of the Please Pass the Love monthly meetings for school based clinicians. Participants will learn strategies and best practices to support the mental and physical well-being of LGBTQIA+ youth through a multi-tiered system of support.​ 

This learning community is closed to select participants.  To learn more about this series, visit the homepage: Implementing Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) in Kansas  

  DESCRIPTION: A universal experience of crisis call centers is burnout among staff because of seemingly endless, often repetitive interactions with callers who are in distress and suicidal but do not respond to the usual suggestions of self-care or follow-up. An hour-long phone call can leave the worker exhausted and the caller in worse shape than at the beginning of the call.   This follow-up 1-hour training will provide additional training in working with people who have personality disorders on a crisis line. This time around we will address some particular issues that were mentioned by participants in the first training. These issues include additional information about histrionic personality disorder, hypothetical examples of calls, suggestions on how to avoid falling into endless conversational loops with callers and finally, good ways to bring a call to a close.   Watch the recording of Crisis Line Response: Helping People with Personality Disorders (Part 1) on the Great Lakes MHTTC website!     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Be introduced in more depth to histrionic personality disorder and other disorders as requested. Learn about the typical conversational style of various personality disorders. Hear examples of different ways to end a conversation that is no longer therapeutic or productive.     CERTIFICATES: Registrants who fully attend this event or training will receive a certificate of attendance via email within two weeks after the event or training.      PRESENTER:   David Mays, MD, PhD Dr. David Mays is a licensed physician in the state of Wisconsin, where he is a clinical adjunct assistant professor in the University of Wisconsin Department of Psychiatry. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is also a member of the Wisconsin Psychiatric Association. Dr. Mays has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Alliance on Mental Illness in Dane County, the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Exceptional Performance Award from the Wisconsin Health and Family Services, the Outstanding Professional Award from the Wisconsin Association on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, and the Outstanding Mental Health Professional Award from the Wisconsin National Alliance on Mental Illness.     The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

This 60 min webinar will discuss implementation of the 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the Native and Strong Lifeline in Washington State. ABOUT THIS EVENT Please join us for an informative and interactive discussion as we hear about efforts in Washington State to support implementing the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline as well as the first Native and Strong Lifeline in the country.  Learn and share ideas to support the workforce, lessons in implementation and current resources.  Washington State Representative Tina Orwall will describe passing legislation to improve the state’s suicide and behavioral health crisis response system implementing 988, which is strengthening Washington’s behavioral health crisis system. You will hear what is currently in progress as well a continuing vision to strengthen the crisis response system in Washington State, and hear what is happening locally and nationally. Presenters Lucilla Mendoza (WA Health Care Authority) and Rochelle Williams (Volunteers of America Western Washington) will describe the recently launched Native and Strong Lifeline which is the Nation's first crisis line dedicated to serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities and is staffed by Native crisis counselors.   Related Resources from the MHTTC Network 988 Special Edition Newsletter from the Northwest MHTTC Document: A Guide to 988: America's Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline Recorded Webinar: 988 National Crisis Number - A Tribal Outreach Approach Recorded Webinar: 988 Suicide and Crisis Care Transformation   Additional Resources 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Article: House passes Orwall’s 988 lifeline for suicide prevention and crisis response Article: Nation’s first Native and Strong Lifeline Launches as Part of 988 Article: Washington State’s 988 Legislation Includes a 988 Tribal Crisis Line Washington Indian Behavioral Health Hub and Native & Strong Lifeline Information SPEAKERS Tina Orwall, MSW Washington State Representative, 33rd District Tina has represented the 33rd district since 2009. Tina has worked with all levels of government to help embrace best practices to better serve the community. Her 20 years of experience working in the public mental health system, as well as her expertise in strategic planning in workforce development and affordable housing have established her as a valued legislator and community leader. See her full bio.     Lucilla Mendoza, MSW, CPP Lucilla works with the Washington State Health Care Authority as a Tribal Behavioral Health Administrator in Tribal Affairs, which provides support and communication with tribes and tribal-related organizations for American Indian and Alaska Native health care. Lucilla is involved in a myriad of Tribal activities, meetings and collaborations with organizations like Volunteers of America Western Washington, the Tribal Centric Behavioral Health Advisory Board, the American Indian Health Commission, the Washington State Department of Health, the Tribal 988 Crisis Response Improvement Strategy Subcommittee, the Washington Monthly Tribal Meeting, and the American Indian and Alaska Native Opioid Response Workgroup.   Vicki Lowe Vicki Lowe, Executive Director of the American Indian Health Commission for Washington State (AIHC) since July 2015, is a Jamestown S’Klallam descendant. She has also worked in the Health Department of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe since December of 1996. Through their Purchased and Referred Care (PRC) Program, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe purchased insurance for their Tribal Members without access to any other coverage since 1995. Ms. Lowe has seen this program through many changes in the private insurance world as well as Medicare and Medicaid.  She participated on the Basic Health Sponsorship Workgroup, negotiated a Tribal Member only plan with a commercial carrier, initiated contracting with commercial carriers at the Jamestown Family Health Clinic, participated in the creation and implementation of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe Employee Plan, a self-funded plan, worked with Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s newly created Human Resources Department to review and update benefits for the employee’s plans - benefits including Life, AD&D and LTD, Long Term Care Coverage, Self-Funded Worker’s Compensation and Wellness benefits. She also worked on implementation of the Indian provisions of the Affordable Care Act into the Employee Benefits and PRC programs.    Rochelle Williams, MS Rochelle is the Tribal Operations Manager with Volunteers of America Western Washington. She is an enrolled member of the Ehattesaht First Nation and a descendant of the Tulalip Tribes. Rochelle helps run the recently-launched 988 Native and Strong Lifeline as well as the Washington Indian Behavioral Health Hub, a central resource point for those affiliated with the Native American and Alaska Native Communities.    

Description: The field of mental health is in a constant revision and evolution of its understanding of wellbeing and illness. In 2013, the APA released the DSM-5, which included updates to the understanding of some conditions and illnesses, as well as the DSM-5 Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI), a standardized method for cultural assessment for use in mental health practice. In this webinar, participants will learn about the development and use of the CFI. Dr. Lewis-Fernandez will share his experience and reflections on his participation in the process of developing these instruments and changes as well as the ways in which the use of this method can support assessment when working with Latinx communities. This webinar is presented in partnership with El Futuro.   Learning Objectives:  Upon completion, participants will:  Understand the specific definition of culture used in the Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) framework Increase their confidence in their use of the CFI in their work with Latinx individuals and families Reflect on cultural implications of the use of the DSM-5 with Latinx individuals and communities

NOTE: This event is specifically for Washington State attendees who are part of the behavioral health workforce.   This session is part of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) track of the Mental Health Institute. ABOUT THIS EVENT Working with individuals with IDD requires clinicians to be agile and creative in their delivery of interventions. Similar to working with neurotypical children and adolescents, clinicians often run into challenges that impact therapeutic effectiveness and decrease client and clinician motivation for therapy. This training will provide strategies for recognizing when therapy has stalled, and tools for how to get it moving again. Contact hours will be available for participants who attend the entire session. The University of Washington is an approved provider of continuing education for DOH licensed social workers, licensed mental health counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, psychologists, chemical dependency professionals, nurses and physicians under the provisions of: WAC 246-809-610, WAC 246-809-620,WAC 246-811-200, WAC 246-840-210, WAC 246-919-460 and WAC 246-924-240. Session is 11a-1p PT See more in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Track HERE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE HERE FACILITATORS Kalisa Hourie Kalisa Hourie is a lifelong resident of Seattle, and the proud parent and fierce advocate of two amazing and diverse adult children.  Her elder daughter, Brooke, 29, was born with the conditions of Dandy Walker Malformation, Translocated X Chromosome, Sensory Integration Dysfunction with Autistic like characteristics, and Turners Syndrome.  Her younger daughter, Nicole, 27, is neurodivergent and a third-year student of Veterinarian Medicine at Washington State University.   Kalisa draws from years of professional experience as a caregiver as well as professional experience in the private sector to effectively navigate through the many levels of mental health, medical health, public school systems, government agencies, and legal fields.  As the primary caregiver of both of these wonderful people Kalisa has created a loving, balanced and enriched life for both her children. Kalisa enjoys an active family life that is well integrated into their larger community where both Brooke and Nicole can share their immense gifts.    Shayla Collins Shayla Collins designs and leads mindfulness and compassion programs locally & nationally. She facilitates sessions for parents of children with disabilities or special healthcare needs, providers working with children, youth and families as well as individuals who have interfaced with the criminal legal system. Shayla is a devoted wife & a mother of two young Boys. She enjoys reading, eating delicious vegetarian cuisine and antique shopping.      Sina Shah, MD Dr. Sina Shah is a Board-certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Seattle Children’s Hospital, a faculty member of the University of Washington School of Medicine since 2020, and a board member at the ARC Trust of Washington. Dr Shah sees children and families on an outpatient basis at the Children’s Autism Center, and also works as an attending psychiatrist on the inpatient Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Unit at Children’s. As part of his teaching responsibilities, he is the course director for the Genetics component of the child psychiatry fellowship didactics series, and also annual instructor for Child Psychiatry portion of the Mind, Brain, and Body course at the UW School of Medicine. Dr Shah’s professional interests include autism spectrum disorder, neurodevelopmental and genetic disorders, catatonia, bullying, and trauma-informed care.    Marie Loeb, MSW, LICSW, LMHC, CMHS, DMHS  Marie Loeb, LICSW, LMHC, CMHS, DMHS, (she/they) is an Autistic, queer, polyamorous Clinical Social Worker who is committed to serving their community through direct practice, training, and advocating for policy change. Marie is the owner of Holistic Child and Family Practice where she works with individuals and families, is a practicum instructor for the University of Washington School of Social Work, supervises clinicians in and out of the practice, and works to build community through no cost neurodiversity-affirming consult groups and trainings. Holistic Child and Family Practice has a staff that is exclusively neurodivergent, and within this environment Marie developed a new modality, Empathetic Inquiry, which is a strengths-based approach where the client is centered as the expert of their own experience and utilizes the natural hyperempathetic talents of neurodivergent providers.   Jim Mancini, MS, CCC-SLP Jim Mancini, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of experience working with patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities/autism and their families. He is currently the Director of the WA INCLUDE Collaborative, manages ECHO programs at the University of Washington and leads the Washington State Center of Excellence (COE) training program. He has special interest in diagnosis of autism and other developmental disabilities, building community through building relationships, parent and provider education and health equity for underserved communities. Jim loves gardening, backpacking and other outdoor adventures, music and spending time with his family.   Alana McVey, PhD Alana McVey, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Scholar jointly appointed at the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Autism Center. Clinically, she provides evidence-based treatment of mental health concerns to autistic children, adolescents, and adults through the Autism Center's Mood and Anxiety Program. Dr. McVey's program of research centers on the redesign and implementation of evidence-based mental health treatments for autistic people in community settings. Her current project, funded by the Autism Intervention Network on Physical Health (AIR-P), is focused on redesigning Dialectical Behavior Therapy to treat suicidality in autistic young adults.   Karís Casagrande, PhD Karís Casagrande (she/her), PhD, is a clinical psychology postdoctoral fellow with the University of Washington Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program and the Seattle Children’s Autism Center. Clinically, she specializes in neurodevelopmental assessment, parent coaching models of intervention focused on behavior and social communication, and cognitive-behavioral therapy for individuals with neurodevelopmental differences.  She is also engaged in community outreach and capacity-building research and programming to improve access to and quality of care for individuals with autism and their families in their home communities. Previously, she has worked with community organizations such as museums, theaters, and hotels to increase accessibility for individuals with sensory and developmental differences.         Sina Shah-Hosseini   Kalisa Hourie   Shayla Collins VISIT THE MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE MAIN PAGE    

School mental health providers can strengthen their skills and grow their network through the Mid-America MHTTC School Mental Health Provider Learning Community.   This program is designed for community-based mental health providers providing services in schools and school-based mental health providers such as school psychologists, school counselors, school social workers, and board-certified behavior analysts. Participants will meet bi-monthly for virtual learning sessions focused on technical assistance, coaching, and network building.     During learning community sessions, participants will partake in candid conversations and presentations on topics including:   Comprehensive systems to support school mental health  Strategies to engage and participate in school teams   Information-sharing methods  Approaches to managing school crises    To learn more, visit Mid-America School Mental Health Provider Learning Community.    

  DESCRIPTION: Understanding what drives someone to continue using substances will help address barriers to seeking help and successfully complete treatment. This class uncovers the nature of addiction and why treatment can be so difficult. The American Society of Addiction Medicine continuum is used as a framework for understanding how addiction professionals assess the person’s motivation to change, their situation, and their options for treatment.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Review common substances, effects, and recent trends  Explore internal and external drivers of substance use behaviors Examine barriers to treatment including barriers for people providing treatment Identify treatment options and levels of care available     CONTINUING EDUCATION: Registrants who fully attend this training will be eligible to receive 2.0 continuing education (CE) hours certified by the Minnesota Board of Social Work and the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy. CE certificates are provided by the host agency, People Incorporated Training Institute.     PRESENTER: Raymond Young, CPS, BA has 15 years of experience training diverse groups of adult, youth, and adolescent learners prior to joining the Training Institute at People Incorporated Mental Health Services. He has trained mental health workers, police officers, transportation professionals, business partners, and clients. Ray received his certification as a Certified Peer Specialist from the Minnesota Department of Human Services in 2017 and has since worked with individuals with various mental health conditions and behavioral health concerns. He has also studied Drug and Alcohol Counseling. Ray has a passion for working with youth in Youth Leadership Programs and as a mentor in the community.             The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

This learning community is closed to select participants. To learn more about this series, visit the homepage: Implementing Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) in Kansas  

  DESCRIPTION This session will explore mental health challenges that can arise during the winter holiday season and factors impacting the Black community in particular. Strategies for reducing stress and promoting mental health in the Black family will be emphasized.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES Discuss stress and mental health challenges that may arise during the winter holiday season  Explore factors unique to the Black community that impact mental health and how these factors can exacerbate holiday stress  Present strategies for reducing stress and promoting mental wellness in Black families this holiday season and throughout the year   PRESENTER Dr. Gina Newsome Duncan is an adult psychiatrist in private practice at Eastover Psychological & Psychiatric Group in Charlotte, North Carolina. She earned her B.S. in Chemistry from Hampton University, her M.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and completed her general psychiatry internship and residency at Harvard at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)/McLean Hospital Adult Psychiatry Residency Program. Before going into private practice, Dr. Duncan held academic and administrative appointments at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) at Augusta University in Augusta, GA where she served as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and as the Associate Dean for Admissions for MCG. Dr. Duncan’s clinical focus is on the use of medication management and psychotherapy in the treatment of adult mood and anxiety disorders as well as ADHD. Her other areas of special interest include the intersection of spirituality and psychiatry, disparities in health and achievement that disproportionately affect underserved communities, strength-based approaches to building resilience, and faith- and community-based approaches to addressing disparities in mental health. Dr. Duncan regularly presents and provides consultation to community and faith-based groups as well as academic and professional organizations. She is currently the lead mental health expert for the Steve Fund’s Families Healing Together Campaign.   HOST Annelle Primm, M.D., MPH is the Senior Medical Director of the Steve Fund, an organization focused on the mental health of young people of color. She is also a member of the Black Psychiatrists of America Council of Elders.             AUDIENCE Mental health professionals, community health advocates and the general public    

About the Session The Community Resiliency Model (CRM)® is a skills-based wellness and prevention program that provides a biological, non-stigmatizing perspective on normal human reactions to stress and trauma.  The primary focus of this stabilization program is to learn to reset the natural balance of the nervous system. CRM skills help people understand their nervous system and learn to track sensations connected to their own wellbeing. CRM, developed at the Trauma Resource Institute by Elaine Miller-Karas is both restorative and preventive (Miller-Karas, 2015).  CRM is a low-intensity intervention which teaches easy-to-learn skills to manage the agitation, anxiety, numbness, sadness, and despair of emotional dysregulation, which can be brought on by stressful personal or professional situations. CRM is trauma-informed and resiliency-focused. CRM skills are useful for self-care. They can be taught as a peer-to-peer program in a variety of contexts. School workers, healthcare providers, educators, and other frontline helpers can apply CRM skills in any setting: schools, medical/counseling centers, pre-school settings, home visits, faith communities, and crisis situations in the field.  The skills can help prevent burnout.   CRM is a valuable resource for individuals coping with chronic stressors such as physical pain, addiction, and grief and loss.  A range of persons that suffer the effects of cumulative trauma (e.g., violence, poverty, racism, homophobia) benefit from these tools.   Objectives Describe how stress and trauma affect mental and physical health. Explore how current challenges fit into CRM’s framework for understanding stress and trauma. Describe how CRM can protect and heal via sensory-motor awareness. Explain how you can share CRM skills with others as a “CRM Guide”   Trainers Dr. Linda Grabbe, PhD, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FAAN Dr. Grabbe is a board-certified Family and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Adjunct Professor at Emory University School of Nursing. Her clinical expertise is in primary care and mental health care for homeless or incarcerated women and youth, providing Community Resilience Model (CRM) training in group settings.  Her interests include public mental health, trauma-informed care, the neurobiology of trauma and resilience, social justice, and social determinants of mental health.  Dr. Grabbe is a healthcare provider with Community Advanced Practice Nurses, a small non-profit organization that operates a network of clinics in Atlanta homeless shelters for women, children, and youth.  Dr. Grabbe’s published work includes The Trauma Resiliency Model: A “Bottom-Up” Intervention for Trauma Psychotherapy and research on the impact of a brief Community Resiliency Model training on the wellbeing of women in substance abuse treatment, as well as two randomized controlled trials of the Community Resiliency Model on wellbeing, resiliency, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress in front-line health workers. She is on the University of New Mexico ECHO team for the Behavioral Health Professional Workforce Resiliency Program: Creating Cultures of Wellness & Resiliency.   Bria Davis, BA Bria Davis has a degree in criminal justice and has taught CRM for 3 years in weekly sessions with homeless youth in Atlanta.  She has also taught CRM to groups of school counselors and social service providers across the State of Georgia, as well as justice-involved youths and their families in Atlanta.  She has assisted California’s Trauma Resource Institute leadership in week-long CRM Teacher Trainings.  

This is Session 4 of our Cultural Formulation Interview Series. The page for the series can be found by clicking here.  Event Description Session 4: Cultural Formulation Interviews in American Indian Communities (December 15, 2022)   11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. MT / 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. CT This presentation will provide attendees information to help contextualize assessment and diagnosis in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities in a way that honors and respects the culture of AI/AN populations.  Trainers Speakers: Maria Brave Heart and Deidre Yellowhair  Dr. Brave Heart, Hunkpapa and Oglala Lakota, is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Director of Native American and Disparities Research in the University of New Mexico's Division of Community Behavioral Health. Previously, Brave Heart was on the faculty at Columbia University School of Social Work and was a research team member with the Hispanic Treatment Program of New York State Psychiatric Institute/Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She was also on faculty at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work. Dr. Brave Heart has dedicated her research and work to address historical trauma and multicultural, diversity, equity and racial issues; specifically, how systemic racism impacts mental health in American Indian (AI) communities.   Dr. Yellowhair, Diné/Navajo (she/her/hers) is currently a Clinical Psychology Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of New Mexico (UNM) with a clinical rotation in the Pueblo of San Felipe. Dr. Yellowhair also serves as the Project Director for the TRIBES Grant through the Department of Community Behavioral Health at UNM. Dr. Yellowhair graduated from Western Michigan University with a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and completed her pre-doctoral training at UNM. She also received her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University and bachelor degrees in Psychology and English from Fort Lewis College. Originally from Arizona, she has dedicated her research and studies to addressing historical trauma and multicultural, diversity, equity and racial issues. Her current focus is further training and being mentored in how systemic racism impacts mental health in American Indian (AI) communities and learning how to intervene with grants, advocacy and policy. 

The South Southwest MHTTC invites you to attend our virtual series: First Episode Psychosis (FEP) Provider Well-Being Community Calls.   The purpose of the virtual FEP Provider Well-Being Community Calls is for FEP providers to provide mutual aid to one another by discussing shared experiences, offering empathy, and facilitating change. Community calls will be structured to include one skill-based practice (e.g. mindfulness, compassion), discussion about relevant topics, and resource sharing. The 5-session virtual series will begin on December 15, 2022, and take place for 1-hour every two months on the third Thursday of the month @ 10:00 AM. The sessions will be facilitated by Jennifer Baran Prall, LCSW and Samantha Reznik, PhD.   Series dates: Dec 15, 2022 @ 10:00-11:00 AM CDT Feb 16, 2023 @ 10:00-11:00 AM CDT April 20, 2023 @ 10:00-11:00 AM CDT June 15, 2023 @ 10:00-11:00 AM CDT August 17, 2023 @ 10:00-11:00 AM CDT