Past Events

This webinar will highlight findings from SAMHSA’s guide titled, Addressing Burnout in the Behavioral Health Workforce through Organizational Strategies, which explores evidence-based, organization-level strategies and promising practices to address burnout within the behavioral health workforce. Following an overview of the goals of SAMHSA’s Evidence-Based Resource Guide Series by SAMHSA’s Humberto Carvalho, MPH; Candice Chen, MD, MPH, George Washington University, from the guide’s technical expert panel will discuss this guide’s development. Ellen Childs, PhD, Abt Associates, will provide an overview of the framing of the guide, describing factors leading to burnout, and relevant evidence-based strategies to address it. Representatives from organizations featured in the guide’s case studies will discuss development of their policies or programs to address burnout. The webinar will close with information about how to access the guide. Download the slides for this presentation here.  Access the guide here. 

  Promotoras are key in promoting mental health awareness and literacy, helping increase access to mental health care treatments among Latino communities. For underserved Latino communities, the availability of culturally and linguistically appropriate behavioral health care is a high-priority need — including trauma-informed care and mental health crisis services. As members of the communities they serve, Promotoras are highly equipped to build trust and meaningful conversations with Hispanic and Latino individuals and families around trauma, healing, and mental health, being closely attuned and understanding their sociocultural experiences and community life. In this respect, Promotoras serve as ambassadors of Latino communities' physical and emotional well-being, helping to communicate and expand understanding around mental health needs and services. Objectives: 1. Identify trauma experiences as a high-priority need among Latino communities and the role of Promotoras in educating and increasing awareness among community members. 2. Describe trauma-informed community outreach and the role of Promotoras in implementing culturally grounded outreach strategies. 3. Address culturally responsive, effective communication strategies to address Latino families' trauma-related needs. 4. Recognize and discuss the importance of implementing self-care strategies among Promotoras working with Latino communities.   Welcome   Teresa Chapa, PhD Advisory Board Member, National Hispanic, and Latino MHTTC Dr. Teresa Chapa is a lifelong advocate for mental health and wellness, health equity, integrated behavioral health, cultural and linguistic competence, and workforce development. She comes to Fred Finch after a distinguished career in government and higher education, most recently as a senior clinical consultant with the National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center; executive dean for the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP), Alliant International University, and more than 16 years in senior positions across the US Department of Health and Human Services. Teresa has a BA in psychology from San Francisco State University, a PhD in Clinical Psychology from CSPP-Berkeley, and an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School.       Opening Remarks CDR Karina D. Aguilar, DrPH, MSW, CPH Assistant Regional Administrator Region II Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)   CDR Karina D. Aguilar, DrPH, MSW, CPH, is the first to serve as the Assistant Regional Administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in Region II Office, where she works to advance SAMHSA's mission through the promotion of evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts. Before joining the SAMHSA Regional team, CDR Aguilar worked in the HHS - Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) and served as the Regional Program Consultant for the Title X Family Planning Grant Program. In this role, she supported the Region II grantees in providing individuals with comprehensive family planning and related preventative health services. CDR Aguilar received her undergraduate degree in Health and Human Services from the State University of NY at Buffalo, her M.S. in Health Services Administration from D'Youville College, an M.S.W from Hunter College, and her Doctorate in Public Health Policy and Management at New York Medical College. Her professional interests include working with youth/young adults and the elderly to achieve healthy outcomes and navigating healthcare systems to increase access. CDR Aguilar was recognized for her leadership and talent and is the recipient of many awards and honors. As a Commander with the United States Public Health Service since 2006, she has deployed numerous times, including in response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Ebola mission, and the Unaccompanied Children Support.     988: Ampliando Acceso a Servicios de Salud Mental y Uso de Sustancias en Comunidades Latinas Karla Zenteno, MS Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services Karla Zenteno nacio en la Ciudad de México y vive en los Estados Unidos desde los 15 años. Posee una licenciatura de Cal State Northridge en Artes Liberales. Actualmente esta cursando una maestría como terapeuta familiar y matrimonial en Mount St. Mary's University. Trabaja en Didi Hirsch en prevención del suicidio por los pasado 6 años. Se unio a esfuerzos de prevención del suicidio como voluntaria hace 7.5 años, y me siente enamorada de la misión.  Ha apoyado, guiado y contratado a consejeros de BL / Crisis para la línea de crisis.      Desarrollo Comunitario Informado en Trauma: Promotoras Como la Clave Ibis Carrión-González, PsyD Director, National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC Dr. Ibis S. Carrión-González is a clinical psychologist from Puerto Rico. Since 2005, she has worked with the Institute of Research, Education, and Services in Addiction (IRESA) at Universidad Central del Caribe, School of Medicine in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Dr. Carrión has been involved in research for Brief Family Strategic Therapy (BSFT) clinical research funded by NIDA-CTN among Hispanic adolescents living in Puerto Rico. In addition, she was studying the effect of traumatic events on Hispanic women's coping strategies and drug use. After this, SAMHSA granted funds to treat women identified with substance use and other mental health disorders; and who have a history of trauma. Her experience working with Hispanic and Latino communities includes the managing of an educational curriculum focused on reducing the behavioral health disparities among the Latino population through training and technical assistance to strengthen and enhance service delivery, promote the growth of a diverse, culturally competent workforce, and bridge access to quality behavioral health services. This has been implemented through SAMHSA's Addiction Technology Transfer Centers and Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers grants. She also led an educative initiative in the Psychological First Aid (PFA), Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Curriculums. Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) to train first responders, parents, family members, caregivers, peers, neighbors, and any other adults to learn how to act as first-responders in the event of a mental health crisis in adolescents, elders, and veterans. In addition, Dr. Carrión is the Director of a community home-based project to enhance linkages and services for persons with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers in the metropolitan area of Puerto Rico. She has publications on diverse topics related to her professional work.      Valores Latinos: Herramientas de Empoderamiento Mirla Lopez, BA  Mirla Lopez was born in Mexico; she immigrated with her mother and younger brother when she was six years old and has lived in the United States for over 30 years. Ms. Lopez attended the University of Texas at Austin as an undocumented student and received her Bachelor of Arts in 2006. She has been involved in the immigrant's rights movement since 2004 and received her DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) in 2014. Ms. Lopez is the Program Manager for the Household Centered Care program at the University of Houston Graduate College of Medicine. In addition, she manages the Household Centered Care Healthy Connections program. She supervises 6 Community Health Workers who do direct home visits and case management with community members and students from Medicine, Social Work, and Nursing. In addition, she volunteers in several community organizations, specifically in community engagement, education, immigration, and college access. She is an avid reader and is currently in a fantasy and sci-fi phase.       Estrategias Prácticas para Hablar sobre el Trauma y su Sanación en Comunidades Latinas Luz M López, PhD, MPH, MSW Boston University School of Social Work   Luz M López, PhD, MPH, MSW - is a faculty member at Boston University School of Social Work, Director of the Global Health Core at the Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health, and Director of the dual degree program in public health and social work. She has experience conducting prevention, education, and research in interpersonal violence, trauma, mental health, and substance use treatment with Latinos(as)/Latinx and other racial and ethnically diverse communities. She incorporates participatory community research, strength-based practices, and anti-violence pedagogy. Dr. López works with immigrants and refugees and provides culturally specific mental health and trauma training in partnership with Makarere University in Uganda; the Supremos Domestic Violence Program in Estelí, Nicaragua, and the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Regional Multidisciplinary Faculty (UNAN-FAREM). She also leads an annual cultural immersion course for graduate students in Puerto Rico, where she was born and raised. Dr. López believes in culturally responsive partnerships to advance health equity, social work, and public health practices around the globe.        Auto cuidado y Promotoras: Promoviendo Bienestar Individual y Comunitario    Maria Isabel Coss-Guzmán, PhD Comisión para la Prevención del Suicidio La Dra. María Isabel Coss Guzmán posee un doctorado en psicología clínica de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras. Como parte de su trabajo de disertación llevó a cabo una investigación sobre el nivel de aceptación social hacia familias no convencionales. Completó su internado en psicología clínica en el Roberto Clemente Family Guidance Center en la ciudad de Nueva York, clínica de salud comunitaria adscrita a la red de hospitales públicos de Nueva York. Desde el año 2016, la Dra. Coss-Guzmán se desempeña como Psicóloga Consultora en la Comisión para la Prevención del Suicidio del Departamento de Salud, brindando asesoría en política pública en prevención de suicidio, diseñando y facilitando talleres sobre prevención de suicidio, asesorando sobre el Protocolo para la Prevención del Suicidio y publicando informes estadísticos mensuales sobre mortalidad por suicidio en Puerto Rico.     Danza del Corazón: Conciencia Corporal y Cuidado Colectivo Azucena Ortiz, BA Azucena Ortiz (Ella/she/her/they) brings 17 years of experience in personal growth/healing, supporting diverse communities of families and individuals; facilitating non-violent parenting classes, retreats, trauma-informed workshops interweaving connecting communication, embodied listening, healing-centered modalities, trauma-informed care, and embodiment practices. Her desire for her children to grow in a better world ignited her passion for healing and social justice, becoming her work and life journey. Her journey has led her to discover the complexity of relationships, intersectionality, and the impact of bigger systems. Azucena has a BA in Organizational Studies; for the last five years, she's worked as an independent consultant and co-founded Cambio Colectivo::Collective Change and The People's Resource Center. Azucena joined CMDC as a dance student in 2016, developing a passion for healing through movement. In 2017 she became a board member and facilitator of the Women's Empowerment program.             This event will be in Spanish. To see PowerPoint slides click on each presentation or click here. 

This is part two of our learning series titled Suicidal Awareness, Response, Safety Planning, and Postvention. Session 2: School-Appropriate Response and Screening Practices (September 19, 2022)    Learning Objectives  Learn how to have conversations about suicide and interact with a youth in crisis  Learn practical screening tips  Recognize levels of suicide ideation and risk  Learn best responses to identified risk level Trainer Erin Briley, M.S., NCSP                   Erin Briley is the School Mental Health Coordinator for the Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC) and a Technical Assistant Associate for WICHE’s Behavioral Health Program.  As the school mental health lead, her work focuses on providing intensive technical assistance, resources, and training school staff to support school-based mental health. As a Technical Assistant Associate, her work is primarily focused on assisting in creating and implementing Psychology Internship Consortiums in rural western states. Ms. Briley has over 20 years of experience working in the schools, serving primarily as a school psychologist for school districts in California, Hawaii, and Colorado while providing direct and indirect supports for children ages 3 through 22 of all developmental levels. Ms. Briley has also served temporarily as a special education and a School Based Behavioral Health program administrator and trained and supervised paraprofessionals providing individualized supports to children with special needs. Ms. Briley has extensive experience with psycho-educational evaluations, classroom, and individual behavioral management, conducting Functional Behavioral Assessments, creating Behavioral Support Plans, special education legal mandates, and rights related to IDEA and Section 504, and learning needs accommodations to support. Ms. Briley earned her Bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies at Colorado State University, her Master’s in Counseling/School Psychology and a Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis at California State University Los Angeles and is working on her PhD (ABD) in Clinical Psychology; she is also a Nationally Certified School Psychologist.

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) serves more than 25% of full-time Hispanic and Latino students, classifying it as a Hispanic-serving Institution. In fact, 58.6% of UTSA’s currently enrolled students identify as Hispanic or Latino. Sensitivity and knowledge of students’ cultural identities, values, and experiences are central to supporting their psychological well-being and journey through university life. The National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (NHL-MHTTC) will host a 2-part virtual workshop with the goal of discussing and addressing the efforts of its academic staff and leaders on how to support Hispanic Latinx student's well-being and success at the University of Texas at San Antonio. This technical assistance offering will describe and discuss the mental health needs of Hispanic and Latinx students through an understanding of their cultural backgrounds, values, characteristics, and contexts. It will also provide an opportunity to develop ideas around the practices and services that allow for more culturally grounded spaces and opportunities for engagement with Hispanic and Latinx students. Private event by invitation only.  

This is a 30-minute introductory call for the Mid-America 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    This regional peer learning community is focused on comprehensive service delivery in the school-based setting and will guide providers integrate into school settings and address school mental health from a multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) framework.    

  Lumina practitioners will share how our personality aspects influence our leadership traits. Participants will be guided through an interactive experience to create a unique picture of their personalities, strengths, weaknesses, and overextensions that will lead to improving team communication and collaboration. Additionally, participants will learn the 5 thinking styles and uncover how to quickly build rapport with each. Finally, this session will guide the participants through an exercise that helps them identify what helps them be at their best and identify barriers that keep them from being their best.    Learning Objectives: Examine individuals' own multi-faceted personality, strengths and growth opportunities to improve team communication and collaboration. Recognize the diversity and strengths of each individual team member and what they bring to the table. Identify individuals’ overextensions and examine strategies for personal growth. Describe the 5 thinking styles and strategies to quickly build rapport with each.   Presented By: Dave Closson Dave Closson is the owner of DJC Solutions, LLC, a modern-day consulting company with a combined focus of serving substance misuse prevention professionals, law enforcement officers, and military veterans. DJC Solutions connects others to sustainable habits, aligned experiences, and next-level excellence. Dave is the author of “Motivational Interviewing for Campus Police” and was chosen as one of the few Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) #StillServing Heroes nationwide. Dave was most recently the Co-Director of the Mid-America Prevention Technology Transfer Center which is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. His PTTC served as a prevention catalyst, empowering individuals and fostering partnerships to promote safe, healthy, and drug-free communities across Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas. He was previously a Training/Technical Assistance Specialist for SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT). Before joining CAPT, Dave was Assistant Director of the Illinois Higher Education Center for Alcohol, Other Drug, and Violence Prevention. Dave brings a unique experience to substance misuse prevention, having served as a university police officer at Eastern Illinois University. Dave was deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While spending a year in Iraq with his infantry battalion and his recon team, he earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and was awarded two Army Commendation Medals (one for valor and one for meritorious service). Training, coaching, and helping others is what he does best!   Learn more about the series: Leadership Institute Community of Practice     ACCREDITED CONTINUING EDUCATION In support of improving patient care, University of Nebraska Medical Center is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.   Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. This activity has been approved for 1.0 credit hour of continuing education credit.                   

This 60-minute webinar combats stigma around mental health for families through sharing of facts and lived experience. ABOUT THIS EVENT The Northwest MHTTC is proud to partner with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Seattle to present "Ending the Silence -- for Families." This presentation is designed for a family context and will teach the signs and symptoms of mental illness, how to recognize the early warning signs and the importance of acknowledging those warning signs. NAMI Ending the Silence presentations include a lead presenter who shares an informative presentation and a young adult with a mental health condition who shares their journey of recovery. Audience members can ask questions and gain an understanding of an often-misunderstood topic. Through dialogue, we can help grow the movement to end stigma. This event is being offered in honor of National Recovery Month   FACILITATORS       NAMI Seattle Presenters          

The dueling between machismo Latino male identities associated to Big M (e.g. strong loud controlling angry abusive) and little m (strong, reflective, listens, sensitive encourager leader humble), truly calls for us to examine toxic masculinity compared to appropriate masculine nobility. If we solely categorize Latinx males as Machismo we fail to examine those Latinx males who choose, work towards, and embrace noble characteristics and prefer to be leaders/family men/men of a more refined approach. Participation in the NLBHA Conference 2022, Las Vegas, Nevada.

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.   There is limited training capacity for this series–please only submit a request to register if you know you can attend. The registration deadline is September 6, 2022 or until the maximum training capacity is reached prior to this date.    Target Audience: Great Lakes region behavioral health and human services professionals that serve at-risk youth.   Note: This is a “training of facilitators” course that teaches participants about the curriculum, program delivery, and guiding principles of Girls…Moving On with the goal of preparing them to support the implementation of this program within their own agencies.     DESCRIPTION: Girls...Moving On (GMO) is an intervention program designed specifically for girls and young women, ages 12–21, who are involved with the criminal justice system. This program is designed to assist participants in mobilizing and developing personal and social resources to mediate the risk of recidivism. The GMO training is open-ended and can be offered to girls who are detained or those who are living in the community on an individual or small group basis.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Please refer to the Girls... Movin On Program Description to review the learning objectives for each training module, as well additional information about program delivery and the guiding principles of GMO.         TRAINING SCHEDULE: September 14, 2022; 1:30 PM–4:30 PM CT September 15, 2022; 8:30 AM–4:30 PM CT September 16, 2022; 8:30 AM–4:30 PM CT     PRESENTER(S): Presenters are selected by the hosting agency: Orbis Partners.

This interactive webinar will provide an overview of key strategies to move person-centered care from theory to reality through the practice of Person-Centered Recovery Planning (PCRP). Critical components of PCRP will be addressed including philosophy, process, planning documentation, and purpose. Practical coaching will be offered for how to maintain a strengths-based, person-centered orientation within a comprehensive plan which simultaneously meets rigorous fiscal and regulatory standards. Participants will have an opportunity to “build” a recovery plan through interactive polls and breakout groups and will hear directly from individuals with lived experience about the necessity of person-centered approaches in supporting self-determination and recovery. A variety of take-home tools and resources will be available for those interested in more intensive learning on this topic.  

DESCRIPTION Navigating late adolescence and early adulthood can be an exciting time of both crisis and opportunity, as roles, identities, relationships, and social expectations shift. For many LGBTQ young adults, this developmental crossroads may represent long-awaited freedom and new paths to self-determination along with treacherous new hazards. This workshop is designed to equip behavioral health clinicians and other helping professionals with an up-to-date overview of the unique challenges LGBTQ emerging adults may face, develop a toolbox of skills and therapeutic approaches to best meet the needs of young LGBTQ clients, and to tune up the affirming attitudes needed to help this vulnerable population thrive.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES Explore developmental, structural, family systems, and psychosocial challenges as well as physical and mental health disparities sexual and gender minority youth often encounter Explore the unique strengths, stressors, and needs of emerging adults as they navigate shifts in roles, relationship dynamics, self-concept, and refine identity Develop a toolbox of skills to support sexual minority and gender diverse emerging adults in Behavioral Health encounters from an intersectional, cultural humility perspective   PRESENTER Kate Bishop, MSSA (she/her), Education Coordinator at the Center for LGBTQ Health Equity of Chase Brexton, is a seasoned professional development trainer with expertise in serving LGBTQ populations, sexual and reproductive health care, intimate partner violence, sexual trauma, and training adult learners. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Gender Studies from Hiram College and a Masters in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University.      

This is part one of our learning series titled Suicidal Awareness, Response, Safety Planning, and Postvention. Session 1: Suicidal Awareness in the School Setting (September 12, 2022)    Learning Objectives:  Identify common risk and protective factors for youth at risk of suicide.  Identify warning signs for youth at risk of suicide.  Increase awareness of the myths and stigma behind suicide  Trainer Erin Briley, M.S., NCSP                   Erin Briley is the School Mental Health Coordinator for the Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC) and a Technical Assistant Associate for WICHE’s Behavioral Health Program.  As the school mental health lead, her work focuses on providing intensive technical assistance, resources, and training school staff to support school-based mental health. As a Technical Assistant Associate, her work is primarily focused on assisting in creating and implementing Psychology Internship Consortiums in rural western states. Ms. Briley has over 20 years of experience working in the schools, serving primarily as a school psychologist for school districts in California, Hawaii, and Colorado while providing direct and indirect supports for children ages 3 through 22 of all developmental levels. Ms. Briley has also served temporarily as a special education and a School Based Behavioral Health program administrator and trained and supervised paraprofessionals providing individualized supports to children with special needs. Ms. Briley has extensive experience with psycho-educational evaluations, classroom, and individual behavioral management, conducting Functional Behavioral Assessments, creating Behavioral Support Plans, special education legal mandates, and rights related to IDEA and Section 504, and learning needs accommodations to support. Ms. Briley earned her Bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies at Colorado State University, her Master’s in Counseling/School Psychology and a Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis at California State University Los Angeles and is working on her PhD (ABD) in Clinical Psychology; she is also a Nationally Certified School Psychologist.

This is Week 2 of our Mindful Monday- Experiential Practices to Develop Personal Resilience micro-training series. Event Description This series will expand on the evidence-based practices that have been introduced in prior series. Participants will have the opportunity to review and practice mindfulness-based exercises, led by a facilitator. Each month will feature a mindfulness theme with supportive practices. Participants can register for and attend any number of sessions. The same link will be used for all sessions. Upon completion of your registration, you will receive the session link in a confirmation email.    September 12th- Breathing & Visualization Techniques 1 Trainer Christina Ruggerio, Masters of Counseling Psychology, Registered Psychoterapist

Join the conversation on discussing autism best practices, challenges, and tools that can be used.  Event Description This talk will describe several of the most common tools for screening and diagnosis of autism. Best practices and gold standard tools will be discussed, however, complexities and challenges that may limit their use in community settings will also be discussed. Some solutions will be proposed, that may work particularly well in under-resourced environments (e.g., rural, or inner city). Trainer Eric Moody, PhD                     Eric J. Moody, PhD, is the Associate Director and a Research Professor at the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND). He received his doctorate in Social Psychology and Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Denver in 2007, and a postdoc at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in autism assessment and public health/epidemiology. Following this postdoc, he joined the Faculty of the Department of Psychiatry, and expanded his research to include public health, community based participatory research, and health disparities. Dr. Moody joined the University of Wyoming, College of Health Sciences in 2018 as the Director of Research and Evaluation for WIND.  In his role at WIND, Dr. Moody oversees all research and evaluation activities. Key among these is the Equality State Research Network (ESRN), which he directs. The ESRN is a community and practice-based research network to advance healthcare in Wyoming using Community-Based Participatory Research techniques. He is also a co-director of the Project SCOPE National Training Initiative, which is disseminating a model to train multi-disciplinary teams to support infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome. Dr. Moody also serves as a co-director for the Wyoming Family to Family Health Information Center, focusing on a Family Mentorship program and other community-based methods to disseminate high-quality health information.   Dr. Moody's research interests include uncovering the basic mechanisms of social impairment in autism by using psychophysiological methods (e.g., electromyography), exploring novel community-based interventions for those with developmental disabilities, especially for underserved groups, and using observational methods better understand the social factors that contribute to developmental disabilities outcomes. 

The First Episode Psychosis (FEP) monthly mentor call hosted by the South Southwest MHTTC provides technical assistance and an open discussion platform for mental health workers offering services for FEP and clinical high risk populations. These virtual meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of every month via zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/817083117.

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: Leveraging Beacon Health Options’ national experience and local expertise, Wendy Farmer presents on the newly implemented nationwide 988 crisis lifeline. Attendees will garner a deep understanding of the components that make up a crisis system beyond the initial 988 contact. This engaging session will also demonstrate how community collaboration can support crisis system development and how to successfully implement braided funding mechanisms that sustainably support crisis system capacity.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Learn about the new 988 Crisis Lifeline Understand the components of this service and how it has been implemented across the country Discover ways that community collaboration can support the 988 crisis response services     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:   Wendy Farmer, BA, MBA, MS Wendy Martinez Farmer serves as Beacon Health Options' Assistant Vice President, Crisis Product, and is a licensed professional counselor with more than 20 years of experience working in crisis services. She provides expert consultation to Beacon's state and local crisis programs on crisis systems of care and industry best practices. Widely considered to be an expert in crisis services, Ms. Farmer has developed specialty co-responder programs with paramedics and serves on the Crisis Intervention Team Advisory Board for the state of Georgia where she lends her expertise to ensure law enforcement and 911 operators receive crisis intervention training.

The Early First Episode Psychosis Program at the University of New Mexico's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences provides multidisciplinary, recovery-oriented, and coordinated specialty care for young adults experiencing a first episode of psychosis (FEP). Members of the Early team will present best practices for (i) initial engagement, assessment, and family involvement, (ii) psychosocial interventions, and (iii) pharmacological treatment when working with Latinx youth experiencing psychosis for the first time. The curriculum is designed for clinicians across different disciplines who may be in contact with this population in their daily work and providing mental health services (Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, Psychiatric PAs, PCPs, social workers, psychologists, school counselors, etc.).  The following manual provides clinicians from differing backgrounds and disciplines with information on Hispanic and Latinx youth experiencing a first episode of psychosis (FEP). The main objectives include:  Providing an overview of the current literature regarding early psychosis specific to Hispanic and Latinx youth and differences with the rest of the United States population.  Discussing clinician growth and awareness in their ability to assess and explore cultural/ethnic identity, engage clients and families, and build rapport. Reviewing current evidence-based psychosocial and pharmacological interventions for FEP and applicability to this unique population.

Suicide is a growing problem in America's rural communities. Learn more during this one-hour webinar.  Event Description Suicide has been identified as a serious public health issue that has significant impacts on families and communities. According to the Center for Disease Control suicide rates have increased with nearly 46,000 deaths by suicide in 2020 thus being the 12th leading cause of death in the United States. According to SAMHSA in the year 2020 1.2 million individuals attempted suicide. Individuals who reside in rural and agricultural communities experience higher than average rates of suicide. This webinar will address the issue of suicide in rural and agricultural communities as well as identifying strategies for suicide prevention and postvention intervention. Learning Objectives At the end of this webinar participants will be able to:  Identify the prevalence of suicide in rural communities  Describe conditions and risk/protective factors that contribute to suicide rates in rural communities  Identify successful suicide prevention approaches  Define postvention and identify strategies that can assist individuals, families, rural communities heal following a suicide loss  Trainer Ken Flanagan                       Dr. Kenneth Flanagan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of North Dakota. He currently serves as a curriculum developer for the Mountain Plains Mental Health and Addiction Technology Transfer Centers.  Dr. Flanagan holds a license as a clinical social worker and provides counseling and behavioral management services with a clinical focus on depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, and chronic pain. He received his MSW and Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. Dr. Flanagan has held a range of clinical and administrative positions in healthcare and community-based organizations.    

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: Teens will gain confidence and skills to help a friend who might be facing a mental health challenge or crisis. They will learn facts about depression, what do to if they're worried about a friend, and how to have supportive conversations with friends. Teens will also learn how to spread awareness and education about mental health in their school. They will also gain access to Awareness into Action Activities to promote positivity and remind their peers that they are not alone.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Learn what depression is and how to recognize signs of depression Develop skills to help a friend facing mental health challenges or crisis Share ways to spread mental health awareness and an understanding that you are not alone     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:   Ilana Sherman, MPH Ilana joined Erika’s Lighthouse in September 2019 as Director of Education. She has a Masters Degree in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Ilana brings with her over 15 years of non-profit health education programming experience ranging from Outreach Coordinator to Director of Education. Ilana is excited to be part of Erika’s Lighthouse to help further the mission and empower preteens, teens, their caregivers and educators to learn and talk openly about adolescent depression.

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: Join the third Learning Collaborative: Ask the Expert Event focused on previous webinars in the Sustainability Stage of the Trauma-Informed/Resiliency Series. This 14-Part workshop series was developed for leaders and organizations interested in cultivating and sustaining a trauma-informed culture. Each Learning Collaborative in the Trauma-Informed Series is a live interactive format that allows participants to ask specific questions and engage in a lively discussion. Trauma-Informed Early Adopter, Chuck Price will answer questions, share in-depth information, and tips & tricks to enable participants to gain new insights into the Trauma-Informed approach.     CERTIFICATES: Registrants who fully attend this event or training will receive a certificate of attendance. Certificates are disseminated via email to all qualifying individuals approximately two weeks after the conclusion of the event or training.      PRESENTER: Chuck Price, MS   Although many consultants strive to create trauma-informed environments and guide leaders through culture change, very few have successfully led their organizations through this process. Bonafide experience is what sets Chuck Price and Blue Collar Consulting apart from the others. This experience, along with Chuck’s easy manner and ability to form authentic relationships, make Chuck a natural fit to help support you as you lead your agency’s transformation process. Chuck has filled leadership roles in several counties and private agencies throughout his 27-years working in child welfare and health and human services. Chuck’s career has been dedicated to making drastic improvements in the lives of children and families. He has been brave and selfless in his pursuit of excellence, often pioneering pathways not yet traveled by his peers. He has served in leadership roles within public and private agencies, in both urban and rural settings. All of this has provided him with a diverse perspective and the ability to quickly understand and relate to challenges faced by leaders.   As a DHHS Director, Chuck led his department on a successful and transformational journey from traditional compliance-based practice to becoming a legitimate trauma-informed agency. As a result of his work recruitment, retention, agency health, and case outcomes dramatically improved. Under his leadership, overall numbers of children living in congregate care were significantly reduced, and at one point even dropped to zero! Chuck's results and process gained recognition across the state, the country, and internationally.   Chuck started Blue Collar Consulting to broaden the impact of lessons learned so you don’t have to start at the beginning. His passion is to help support brave leaders in their professional growth and development, and to use his real-world experience to assist organizations in their trauma-informed cultural transformations. He also has a sweet spot for his two dogs, Brewer and Uecker, which might give away his other passion…Milwaukee Brewers baseball! Chuck lives in Central Wisconsin with his wife of 27 years. As a new member of the empty-nester club, he is free to travel, connect, and lead your transformational work, no matter where you are on your journey, or the map.

The South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC), in collaboration with PEPPNET, invites Region 6 Peer Specialists and Family Partners working in FEP and Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) teams to participate in our newly established 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.

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 webinar will provide educators and youth serving professionals important updates on mental health services for youth in Ohio. The webinar will provide an overview of OhioRISE, Mobile Response Stabilization Services (MRSS), 988, and the national Crisis Text Line.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Participants will begin to familiarize themselves with new mental health services for Ohio’s youth. Participants will identify at least two resources that you can access to support their mental well-being.     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.      SPEAKERS:   Liz Henrich, MA Liz Henrich is an Associate CEO at the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities, representing Ohio’s Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health (ADAMH) Boards. Liz directs the Association’s legislative, policy, and communications activities. Liz is a graduate of Carroll College in Helena, Montana where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Liz also holds a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Management from The Ohio State University.   Elijah Jones, MSW, LISW-S, LICDC Elijah Jones is the Director of Health Equity & Clinical Resources at the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from the University of Toledo. He is an independently licensed social worker with experience in community psychiatric crisis care, integrated behavioral health, and substance use disorder treatment.

We honor International Overdose Awareness Day with this 60-minute webinar on opioid overdose awareness and prevention. ABOUT THIS EVENT International Overdose Awareness Day is observed annually on August 31st. This day is an opportunity for us to talk about and prevent overdose in our community. Knowing the real facts about drugs and what to do when you see someone experiencing an overdose saves lives. Presenter Alison Newman, MPH, will address overdose prevention in our region and beyond and describe how to best utilize the websites StopOverdose.org and LearnAboutTreatment.org. She will cover: Trends in overdose prevention, naloxone, other harm reduction strategies Overview of stopoverdose.org, including: Fentanyl Methamphetamine “overdose”/overamping How to talk to young people about overdose Overdose prevention resources for professionals, including library staff, pharmacists, and Resources outside of Washington State for overdose prevention and response, including national resources FACILITATOR Alison Newman, MPH Since joining Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI) at the University of Washington in 2017, Alison Newman, MPH, has provided training and education on overdose, opioids, and worked on the websites StopOverdose.org and LearnAboutTreatment.org. She specializes in health education and healthcare access around drug use and health. This event is being offered in honor of National Recovery Month

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 2-hour workshop is the thirteenth of a Trauma-Informed/Resiliency Series developed for leaders and organizations interested in cultivating and sustaining a trauma-informed culture. This presentation will provide attendees with formal and informal measurement tools and monitoring recommendations. Participants will gain the understanding that becoming a trauma informed organization does not have a finish line. Changes in staff, programs, leadership, or other areas of the organization will continue to push for organizational flexibility. Establishing consistent processes, benchmarks and ongoing training will be key to keeping a trauma informed care culture sustainable. Participants will be introduced to the DAPIM framework (Define, Assess, Plan, Implement, and Monitor) for ongoing continuous improvement, a hallmark of the Organizational Effectiveness (OE) Model.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: Explain the importance of continued review and adjustment of trauma-informed practices in their organization. Identify best practices to track and measure progress and sustainment of change. Gain insight into the role of continuous quality improvement. Learn how to utilize the DAPIM framework for ongoing continuous improvement.     CERTIFICATES: Registrants who fully attend this event or training will receive a certificate of attendance. Certificates are disseminated via email to all qualifying individuals approximately two weeks after the conclusion of the event or training.      PRESENTER: Chuck Price, MS   Although many consultants strive to create trauma-informed environments and guide leaders through culture change, very few have successfully led their organizations through this process. Bonafide experience is what sets Chuck Price and Blue Collar Consulting apart from the others. This experience, along with Chuck’s easy manner and ability to form authentic relationships, make Chuck a natural fit to help support you as you lead your agency’s transformation process. Chuck has filled leadership roles in several counties and private agencies throughout his 27-years working in child welfare and health and human services. Chuck’s career has been dedicated to making drastic improvements in the lives of children and families. He has been brave and selfless in his pursuit of excellence, often pioneering pathways not yet traveled by his peers. He has served in leadership roles within public and private agencies, in both urban and rural settings. All of this has provided him with a diverse perspective and the ability to quickly understand and relate to challenges faced by leaders.   As a DHHS Director, Chuck led his department on a successful and transformational journey from traditional compliance-based practice to becoming a legitimate trauma-informed agency. As a result of his work recruitment, retention, agency health, and case outcomes dramatically improved. Under his leadership, overall numbers of children living in congregate care were significantly reduced, and at one point even dropped to zero! Chuck's results and process gained recognition across the state, the country, and internationally.   Chuck started Blue Collar Consulting to broaden the impact of lessons learned so you don’t have to start at the beginning. His passion is to help support brave leaders in their professional growth and development, and to use his real-world experience to assist organizations in their trauma-informed cultural transformations. He also has a sweet spot for his two dogs, Brewer and Uecker, which might give away his other passion…Milwaukee Brewers baseball! Chuck lives in Central Wisconsin with his wife of 27 years. As a new member of the empty-nester club, he is free to travel, connect, and lead your transformational work, no matter where you are on your journey, or the map.