Past Events

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 Clinical Assistant 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 on wellbeing, resiliency, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress in front-line health workers.         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 event is being held on May 25th, 2022 from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. MT/12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. CT.  Event Description May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness month.  As many as 1 in 5 new mothers experience some type of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMADs). These illnesses frequently go unnoticed and untreated, often with long-term consequences to both mother and child.  No one is immune to experiencing PMADS. Women of every culture, age, income level and race can develop perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Symptoms can appear any time during pregnancy and the first 12 months after childbirth. There are effective and well-researched treatment options available to help women recover, but stigma often prevents women from seeking help.     Join us this month as we offer two 1-hour training sessions that address sensitive topics that are often missed in the perinatal mental health conversation: Grief and Loss, and Birth Trauma.    Learning Objectives: ·      Define birth trauma and related experiences during the perinatal period  ·      Recognize symptoms and  screening tools for birth trauma and PTSD  ·      Examine effective ways to support individuals who have experienced trauma during birth  Trainer Marianela Rodriguez-Reynaldo  Marianela Rodriguez-Reynaldo is a mother, postpartum doula, Certified Lactation Educator and Clinical Psychologist specialized in Perinatal Mental Health. She completed her Master’s degree at Xavier University in Ohio and went on to complete her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the Carlos Albizu University in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She has been a PSI Coordinator in Puerto Rico since 2009, has a private practice and led a monthly support group for parents who have experienced perinatal loss for 11 years. She is an activist for reproductive justice and human rights in maternal infant care. Provides training on perinatal mental health and trauma for health and birth professionals, is part of the expert panel for the Observatory of Obstetric Violence in Puerto Rico and serves as a Psychology Consultant for the Puerto Rico Health Department, Mother, Child and Adolescent Division (Title V). In 2020 she co-founded the first Center for Perinatal Mental Health in Puerto Rico that focuses on research, awareness, and service for this population. 

The U.S. is facing a national mental health crisis among youth due to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rural communities face unique challenges and barriers developing treatment and recovery options, which can lead to increased rates of mental illness.   This webinar features experts who will address challenges faced in reducing barriers to mental health services in rural communities and share innovative ideas for bringing mental health services to youth. They will also address how social connections are crucial to eliminate the red tape and establish mental health services in these areas. This “Let’s Talk about Resilience” conversation takes place on Wednesday, May 25 at 11 am ET.   Moderator: Nathaniel Batiste, Project Amp Fellow/Intern, C4 Innovations Presenters: Alicia McCall, Research Associate, Community Health Systems Development at Georgia Health Policy Center Sean Perry, Founder, We R H.O.P.E. Shea Haury, Executive Director, ComWell  

This webinar will discuss cultural needs and treatment adaptations that can best serve Hispanic and Latinx populations. ABOUT THIS EVENT This is the second of three sessions. Each session will last 75 minutes. You are welcome to attend any of the sessions. May 11, 10-11:15am Pacific, Session 1: Understanding the Cultural Needs of the Hispanic and Latinx Client May 25, 10-11:15am Pacific, Session 2: Assessing the Cultural Adaptation Needs of the Organization and Clinician June 8, 10-11:15am Pacific, Session 3: Incorporating Strategies to Effectively Engage Hispanic and Latinx Clients Culture has proven to be the foundation of the working relationship with all populations. A positive cultural connection has been proven to increase the success of clinical interventions and prevent early termination. In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to gain awareness of the cultural needs and treatment adaptations that can best serve the Hispanic and Latinx populations. In addition to identifying cultural needs, this workshop will also provide options for cultural assessment in the client-clinician-supervisor relationship and within the organization. Lastly, this presentation will provide guidance as to specific cultural adaptations that clinicians can make to their evidence-based practices (EBPs) to increase the success of treatment. Participants in this workshop will be able to: Identify specific cultural needs of Hispanic and Latinx clients Assess the cultural dynamic of the client-clinician-supervisor relationship Assess the organizational environment to identify cultural adaptation needs Incorporate strategies to effectively engage and intervene with Hispanic and Latinx clients   FACILITATOR Michelle Evans, DSW, LCSW, CADC Dr. Michelle Evans is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and Licensed Sex Offender Treatment Provider and Evaluator. She has worked in primarily with the Latinx population throughout her career as a child welfare specialist and forensic evaluator and treatment provider. She is currently the Hospital Administrator for Elgin Mental Health Center in Elgin, Illinois, a state forensic psychiatric hospital. She is in private practice at Nickerson & Associates, PC as a bilingual therapist where she treats adults and adolescents with mental health issues, substance abuse issues and sex addictions. She also teaches on these topics at Aurora University and University of Chicago. Previously, she was the Assistant Dean for Health Professions and Public Service at Waubonsee Community College, and she has held other positions within private psychiatric hospitals. Throughout her career, she has worked to increase equity, justice and cultural awareness in these institutions. Michelle Evans earned a Doctor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work degree from Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois.

The Northwest MHTTC is excited to co-sponsor the UW SMART Center's Annual 2022 Speaker Series. Originally a series of in-person events, we have moved these presentations to a virtual format due to COVID-19.    Join us on Wednesday, May 25 from 8:30 - 9:45am for a presentation by Drs. Walter Gilliam & Tunette Powell who will present What’s Going On: Choosing Understanding over Escalating and Punishing Please Note: Certificate of Attendance and Washington state clock hours will be available for attendees of the live session. About the Presenters: Walter Gilliam, PhD Professor of Child Psychiatry and Psychology, Director of the Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy @Yale University Child Study Center Walter S. Gilliam is the Elizabeth Mears & House Jameson Professor of Child Psychiatry and Psychology at the Yale University Child Study Center and Director of the Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy. Dr. Gilliam is Vice President of ZERO TO THREE, a past president of Child Care Aware of America; a board director for the Irving Harris Foundation, First Children’s Finance, and All Our Kin; and a former Senior Advisor to the National Association for the Education of Young Children. He is frequently quoted in major national and international news outlets, and actively provides consultation and invited testimony to decision-makers in the U.S. and other countries. He was co-recipient of the prestigious 2008 Grawemeyer Award in Education for the coauthored book, A Vision for Universal Preschool Education.       Tunette Powell, PhD Director of Equity, Inclusion and Community @Mirman School, Los Angeles Dr. Tunette Powell is an activist mama, storyteller and scholar of race, kinship, trauma, racism and knowledge whose current research centers on Black families with children in early childhood education and school-induced collective trauma. She currently serves as the Director of Equity, Inclusion and Community at the Mirman School in Los Angeles. Dr. Powell earned her PhD in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles. She formerly served as the interim director of the UCLA Parent Empowerment Project.           Learn more and register for other events in the series here Want more information and school mental health resources? Visit the Northwest MHTTC's School Mental Health page and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates about events, trainings, and resources available to the Northwest region.

The United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. and the New England MHTTC would like to invite you and your staff to attend the Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance, a Tribal Behavioral Health ECHO webinar series. Native Psychological Brilliance refers to the intelligence, strengths, balance, innate resources, and resilience of Native people. This no-cost telehealth series will be held throughout 2022 on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 11:00 am Pacific/12:00 pm Mountain/1:00 pm Central/2:00 pm Eastern. Each session will be one hour in length that will provide an opportunity for participants to:  Gain skills on strength-based approaches in partnership with Native People to enhance Native behavioral health,  Discuss ways that Native brilliance is demonstrated and supports behavioral health, and  Learn about Native brilliance examples to share with behavioral health and other health care staff, as well as with local Tribal Nation citizens.    In addition, the concept of Native psychological brilliance will be highlighted through Native music videos and Native spoken word performances as part of each session of the Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance series.    Who should attend? Tribal health directors, clinic staff, counselors, social workers, physicians, nurses, Tribal Epidemiology Center staff, and anyone supporting Tribal communities through the health or behavioral health sector are welcome to join. 

Join us on May 24 to explore singing and song as a simple, free, and effective pathway to foster mental health for mothers with depression and their infants.   Presenter: Elizabeth B V Brisola, PhD /*-->*/ /*-->*/ /*-->*/ /*--> Elizabeth Brown V. Brisola, PhD is a psychologist, musician, and researcher in the areas of health promotion and mental illness prevention, enthusiastic in fostering creativity and singing in human day-to-day life. She will be sharing her research and publications on mothers’ lived experiences and their meanings. Having completed most of her education in Brazil, she advocates for the Latinx population and participates in Yale’s Latino Colectivo and IRCC-Brazil projects.  

  Description The current sociocultural and sociopolitical realities of the world, requires both an examination of individual and systemic experiences affecting the lives of many BIPOC communities, including Latinx communities. This presentation will examine how systemic and structural violence continues to perpetuate ideologies of colonialism and white-bodied supremacy, and how these processes impact our ability to create meaningful change, both individually and systemically. The presentation will discuss ethno-racial trauma and race-related stress, while elucidating ways to heal and to remain maladjusted to unhealthy environmental circumstances among Latinx individuals and communities. The presentation will discuss strategies and approaches that may increase engagement and wellness among Latinos.   Learning objectives: 1. Define ethno-racial trauma 2. Identify race-related stressors for Latinx communities and individuals 3. Discuss meaningful strategies and approaches when working with Latinx persons with mental health challenges 4. Address how systemic and structural violence impacts Latinx communities’ well-being   Who should attend? This webinar is designed for substance use and co-occurring disorders counselors and clinicians who work with Latinx populations and are interested in learning about the vulnerabilities and uniqueness of these populations. About the presenters:      Miguel Gallardo, PsyD- Dr Miguel Gallardo has been a long- time collaborator for the previous National Hispanic and Latino Addiction Technology Transfer Center and now National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center. His expertise in culturally responsive approaches has been instrumental for our audience that has included addiction counselors, clinicians, clinical social workers, psychologist, mental health counselors and graduate level students. Dr. Gallardo´s sensibility and awareness in describing the social, historical, community and individual factors that have an impact on the mental health of Latinos has been recognized and appreciated by our audiences. Dr Gallardo has been a presenter at our conferences and has also facilitated webinars, and in all of those he has been well-organized, articulate and responsible in presenting the information. We are grateful to have him as one of our main collaborators.

Session overview How do we approach achieving longevity of our school mental health initiatives? We face changing resources, complex challenges, and many moving parts. Adaptive leadership offers a strategic framework for how to think about the issues, generate solutions, and implement lasting change. In this second of two sessions, we will review core tenants and share advanced practices for leading efforts for lasting school mental health impact. Intended Audience This session is designed for local and state champions of school mental health initiatives.  It is ideal for those with a role in leading, influencing, and/or planning for the longevity of school mental health services through implementation of systems, policies, and programs. This is an opportunity to learn how to apply leadership strategies to sustainability efforts, including in collaboration with teams/partners. Learning Objectives Participants who join this session will be able to: Identify six core adaptive leadership tenants supporting longevity of school mental health initiatives. Recognize strategic solutions for sustaining initiative outcomes, including sharing the work within the school/district and community-wide. Build practices for disciplined attention to leading sustainability strategies in the context of competing priorities. Use inclusive decision making for equitable sustainability, including a holding environment when there are differences of opinion on how to move forward.   Presenter  Monica Caldwell, LCSW Monica leads and supports the innovative mental health programs at RISE Wisconsin in Madison. She is the former SEA Project Director of Wisconsin’s Project AWARE grant. With 35 years of experience in schools, mental health and child welfare, she remains passionate about high quality services and supports for youth and families living with mental health challenges. Monica believes that collaboration and collective care can change the trajectory of our children’s system of care.

The  Integrated Care Psychiatric Consultant Learning Collaborative (PCLC) is designed for psychiatric providers seeking additional training to deliver integrated care in community-based settings. The one-hour sessions are offered once a month, with a short didactic presentation followed by questions and discussion on a variety of integrated care topic. Sessions are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 12:00-1:00 pm Pacific. ABOUT THIS EVENT Integrated Care Psychiatric Consultant Learning Collaborative (PCLC) is a collaboration with the University of Washington Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, UW Medicine, and the Integrated Care Training Program. By training psychiatrists and other healthcare providers in evidence-based integrated care, we aim to increase the access to effective mental health care across HHS Region 10: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington State. Our mission is to improve the health of our communities by preparing and supporting a workforce to advance effective, integrated behavioral health care. TARGET AUDIENCE: Psychiatric consultants, such as psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and psychiatric physician assistants currently practicing or planning to practice as a psychiatric consultant doing integrated care. FACILITATORS Tanya Keeble, MD       CME ACCREDITATION  The University of Washington School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The University of Washington School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Each session is 1.0 credits.  

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: Topics covered in this presentation include: Three types of co-occurring disorders treatment; the 10 components of integrated co-occurring disorders treatment; how to evaluate your program’s effectiveness in addressing co-occurring disorders and how to help clients with co-occurring disorders avoid slipping through the cracks, which involves going back and forth between mental health facilities, substance use disorders facilities; prisons and medical hospitals without recovering.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Articulate the tenants of 3 types of co-occurring disorders treatment. Utilize the 10 components of integrated co-occurring disorders treatment in your work. Evaluate your programs current effectiveness in addressing co-occurring disorders and be in position to improve effectiveness.     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:   Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC is the State Project Manager for the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC and PTTC. Mark has worked for 40 years as a social worker, educator, and part of the SUD workforce. He is founder of the Online Museum of African American Addictions, Treatment and Recovery and co-founder of Serenity Academy of Chicago, the only recovery-oriented high school in Illinois. Mark is also an international speaker, trainer, and consultant in the behavioral health field whose work has reached thousands throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, the Caribbean, and the British Islands.    Recently, Mark Sanders was named as the 2021 recipient of the NAADAC Enlightenment Award in recognition of his outstanding work and contributions to NAADAC, the field of SUD services, and SUD professionals. He is also the recipient of the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health’s 2021 Lawrence Goodman Friend of the Field award in honor of the many years of dedicated service Mark has provided to communities throughout his home state of Illinois.

***REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL! IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT [email protected]. THANK YOU!*** Series Description Current conditions have created new and unique challenges for parents, caregivers, and families who may have already been coping with trauma and stress. Mental health providers have a responsibility to support the mental health needs of these individuals by learning and applying new skills to assist in stress management and addressing trauma using evidence-based interventions.      This seven-part Community of Practice (CoP) series will allow participants to explore and understand family coping resources, learn new skills and practice therapeutic techniques to support families dealing with stress and trauma during uniquely challenging times.      Region 8 Only Event: This series is available only to providers of Region 8 states (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming).       Registration Information: Registration in this series will be limited to 30 people to ensure opportunities for participant sharing, engagement, and skill-building. If you are unable to commit to participating in all sessions in this series, please defer your registration to allow others to participate.      Objectives Gain Knowledge about the impact of chronic stress and trauma on families.    Become familiar with resources and skills that families can use to cope.    Learn new therapeutic strategies and techniques for building family coping resources.     Session Topics:    May 24th - An Overview of Family Coping with Stress and Trauma June 7th - Deliberateness  June 21st - Structure and Safety  July 5th - Connectedness  July 19th - Resource Seeking   August 2nd - Co-Regulation and Crisis Management  August 16th - Positive Affect, Memory and Meaning    Each one of these sessions will run from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. MT. Trainers Laurel Kiser, PhD, MB , University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Medicine and Center for Strengthening Family Coping Resources                      Laurel Kiser is a Psychologist working in the field for over 40 years. She leads the Family Informed Trauma Treatment (FITT) Center, a Category II Center in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Along with a dedicated team of clinicians and families, she developed Strengthening Family Coping Resources (SFCR), an intervention designed specifically for families coping with chronic and severe stress and trauma. She is the founding director of the Center for Strengthening Family Coping Resources, Inc., a nonprofit organization, supporting SFCR.     Vikki Rompala, LCSW, Consultant for the Center for SFCR and Vice-President of the Family Hub at Chicago Commons Association                     Vikki Rompala, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of social work practice and management experience. She has been an Affiliate of NCTSN since 2011 and was the former chair of the NCTSN Partnering with Youth and Families committee from 2007-2011. She has extensive program development and evaluation experience and is a Peer Reviewer for the Council on Accreditation. She is a trainer in the SFCR model and has assisted in training and implementation of SFCR in Chicago within domestic violence, adoption preservation, grandparents raising children programs and in an outpatient mental health center.

This closed training event focuses on the evidence-based, in-depth, group-based, School-Age BASIC Parenting programs, which are designed to promote positive parenting strategies and assist parents in managing children’s behavioral needs (for parents of children 6-12 years).

  We will spend time together reflecting on Native people reconnecting to culture through health and wellness. Through our keynote presenter, Dr. Rebecca Crawford Foster, 2 interactive sessions with traditional health and wellness experts using informed and guided sessions and an Indigenous chef, we will explore the idea of MH and wellness as educators/administrators. Together we will learn traditional ways to impact our youth for self-care and wellbeing. Participants will learn methods to include in a classroom and school setting to help foster positive behavior.

  We will spend time together reflecting on Native people reconnecting to culture through health and wellness. Through our keynote presenter, Dr. Rebecca Crawford Foster, 2 interactive sessions with traditional health and wellness experts using informed and guided sessions and an Indigenous chef, we will explore the idea of MH and wellness as educators/administrators. Together we will learn traditional ways to impact our youth for self-care and wellbeing. Participants will learn methods to include in a classroom and school setting to help foster positive behavior.

This 2-hour session is part of the live learning lab series Essentials of Care for Supporting Individuals with Serious Mental Illness presented by the SPIRIT Lab at the University of Washington. This training is limited to a specific cohort. Find out more about this learning lab series here. ABOUT THE SESSION Building Communication. Improve knowledge and skills to feel more effective and confident in your communication with individuals experiencing  serious mental illness (SMI).  FACILITATOR SHANNON STEWART, LMHC   Shannon Stewart graduated from Arizona State University with a dual major in Psychology and Communication and completed a Master’s Degree in Community Counseling at Seattle University. Prior to joining the UW SPIRIT Lab, she worked at Harborview Medical Center providing supported employment and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis (CBTp) to adults with persistent and medication-resistant psychosis as well as First Episode Psychosis. She also served as the CBTp Agency Lead for Harborview’s Mental Health and Addiction Services. Shannon’s interests involve understanding/addressing how stigma around serious mental illness creates barriers to access, engagement, therapeutic rapport-building, and recovery. Now as a CBTp trainer with the SPIRIT lab, she is committed to using her personal experience learning CBTp as a community mental health clinician to support other professionals in their learning journey.  

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: Distress Tolerance Skills module is the fourth in a series of eight DBT modules that will be presented every three weeks through August 11, 2022. This module includes crisis survival skills, building distress tolerance, and teaching reality acceptance skills.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Learn the relationship between distress tolerance skills and the secondary targets of Inhibited emotions and unrelenting crisis.   Learn and be able to teach and illustrate the crisis survival skills of DBT. Learn and be able to teach and illustrate the reality acceptance skills of DBT.     SPEAKER:     Neal Moglowsky earned his MS degree in Educational Psychology from UW-Milwaukee and is a Licensed Professional Counselor.  He completed advanced training in the treatment of anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder.  Neal also enjoys working with couples.  He has been intensively trained in Exposure/Response Prevention for the treatment of anxiety disorders, as well as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for difficulties regulating emotions.  Neal has been conducting DBT skills training groups since 1997.  He also has an interest in integrating mindfulness practices into his clinical work to help increase self-awareness and teach clients how to better control their focus and attention.  Neal’s goal is to empower his clients to let their values and ethics drive their life choices rather than their emotions and impulses.  Neal is a Certified DBT Clinician through the Linehan Board of CertificationTM.     CERTIFICATES: Certificates of attendance will be emailed to all who attend the session in full.   

Description: Over the last three decades, there has been a steady and continuous rise in Black youth suicides. Despite these increases, there has been a shortage of research regarding the cause. This webinar will explore the increasing surge and discuss possible contributing factors related to this public health emergency. Download Flyer Presenter: Dr. Napoleon B. Higgins, Jr., MD is a child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist in Houston, Texas.  He is the owner of Bay Pointe Behavioral Health Services and South East Houston Research Group. Dr. Higgins received his MD from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, and he completed his residency in Adult Psychiatry and his fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He is the Executive Director of the Black Psychiatrists of America, President of the Black Psychiatrists of Greater Houston, and Past President of the Caucus of Black Psychiatrists of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Higgins is co-author of Bree’s Journey to Joy: A Story about Childhood Grief and Depression, How Amari Learned to Love School Again: A Story about ADHD, Mind Matters: A Resource Guide to Psychiatry for Black Communities, and author of Transition 2 Practice: 21 Things Every Doctor Must Know In Contract Negotiations and the Job Search. Dr. Higgins has worked with countless community mentoring programs and has special interest in trauma, racism, and inner-city issues and how they affect minority and disadvantaged children and communities. Learning Objectives: Discuss the phenomenology of Black youth suicide Examine the rising rate of suicides among Black youth and teens Explore factors that are contributing to stress and poor mental health for children in Black communities Identify protective factors that prevent poor mental health and decrease risks of suicide Who Should Attend? Mental health clinicians, others in human services fields, and the general public interested in the mental health of Black youth and ways to prevent the tragedy of suicide and its impact on communities Certificates of attendance will be available to viewers of 50% (30 minutes) or more of the live webinar (via email within 30 business days post-event). CEUs are not offered for this session. The webinar slide presentation and recording will be posted to the website.

About the Event:  Perspectives in Mental Health Crisis is a four-part series examining the experiences of Certified Peer Specialists (CPS) as they navigate, utilize, and provide crisis services.  Criminalizing mental illness causes adverse mental health outcomes in hundreds of thousands of people and creates additional barriers to their recovery. In part 3 of this series, Certified Peer Specialists and allies in the mental health decriminalization movement will discuss the factors that have contributed to the criminalization of mental health issues, and strategies that can help communities to decriminalize mental illness such as diversion, co-responding, forensic peer mentoring, and reduced contact with law enforcement.   About the Facilitators: The Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network believes in the ability of everyone living with mental health concerns to enjoy lives of purpose, meaning, productivity, and wellness. Since it was founded in 1991, this grassroots nonprofit organization has been led and run by mental health peers—people in mental health recovery. At its core, the basis of peer support—one person using their lived experience to support another—is not new; in fact, it is the basis of human growth and development. Mental health peers with special training are now able to use their lived recovery experience in clinical settings to provide something beyond a diagnosis or medication.   Roslind D. Hayes, BS, CPS-AD, CARES, WHWC is the Statewide Coordinator of the GMHCN's Peer Support, Wellness, and Respite Centers. She is a trainer/facilitator for the Certified Peer Specialist Project, Peer Zone, and Intentional Peer Support.  Chris Johnson, MFA, CPS, CPS-AD is GMHCN's Director of Communications. He is responsible for sharing information about recovery and wellness opportunities to behavioral health peers and providers across Georgia. 

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: Managing on-the-job stress is a challenge for any human services worker and Peer workers have an extra focus: to model success for the people they support. The resilience needed to navigate a lived experience of a mental health or substance use disorder, and work in a field that sees a high-burnout rate, means Peer workers need that extra focus on their self-care and their work environment. This session will discuss how a Peer Specialist can help improve their own resilience profile and be a role model for the people seeking services and the whole care team.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Explore Secondary Traumatic Stress and assess risks of exposure Review Compassion Fatigue signs and strategies to minimize burnout or setbacks to recovery Identify practices for advocating to care teams and coworkers to build Compassion Satisfaction     CERTIFICATES: Registrants who fully attend this event or training will be eligible to receive 2.0 continuing education hours provided by the Minnesota Board of Social Work. Certificates are disseminated by People Incorporate to all qualifying individuals after the conclusion of the event or training.      SPEAKER: 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.

Workshop Wednesday This event takes place on May 18th, 2022 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. MT/1:00-2:00 p.m. CT. Event Description In recent years there has been increased attention to the pervasiveness of trauma in the lives of individuals seeking behavioral health services. In response to the awareness of trauma and its impact, trauma-informed care approaches have been implemented to deliver services in a manner that does not re-traumatize. A key dimension of providing effective trauma-informed care is providing supervision that incorporates this approach and recognizes the potential impact of trauma on those who provide services.      This webinar will focus on how the principles of trauma-informed care can be used to guide the supervisory process and relationship and how supervisors can be sensitive to those supervisees who may have experienced trauma.     Learning Objectives:   Identify the principles associated with trauma-informed care  Understand the practice of trauma-informed supervision as a component of trauma-informed care  Recognize the signs that may suggest that supervisee have experienced trauma and/or are experiencing secondary trauma   Identify supervisory strategies to address the issue of trauma in supervisees who have their own trauma experiences  Trainer Kenneth 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. 

Workshop Wednesday This training takes place on May 18th, 2022 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. MT/1:00-2:00 p.m. CT.  Event Description In recent years there has been increased attention to the pervasiveness of trauma in the lives of individuals seeking behavioral health services. In response to the awareness of trauma and its impact, trauma-informed care approaches have been implemented to deliver services in a manner that does not re-traumatize. A key dimension of providing effective trauma-informed care is providing supervision that incorporates this approach and recognizes the potential impact of trauma on those who provide services.      This webinar will focus on how the principles of trauma-informed care can be used to guide the supervisory process and relationship and how supervisors can be sensitive to those supervisees who may have experienced trauma.     Learning Objectives: Identify the principles associated with trauma-informed care  Understand the practice of trauma-informed supervision as a component of trauma-informed care  Recognize the signs that may suggest that supervisee have experienced trauma and/or are experiencing secondary trauma   Identify supervisory strategies to address the issue of trauma in supervisees who have their own trauma experiences  Trainer Kenneth 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.   

Session Overview This session, hosted in collaboration with the Center of Excellence on LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity, will provide information on safety planning with LGBTQ+ youth. Safety planning is a protective measure that can be implemented with youth in situations that may lead to distress and crisis — from disclosing their identities to engaging in gender-segregated activities. This session will cover: (1) assessment of available supports for LGBTQ+ youth; (2) anticipation of challenges LBGTQ+ youth may face in distressing situations; and (3) tools that can help youth cope through difficult times. For more information on LGBTQ+ youth mental health, view our toolkit here.    For CEU credit register here.  For CME credit register here. 

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 third of a Trauma-Informed/Resiliency Series developed for leaders and organizations interested in cultivating and sustaining a trauma-informed culture. This presentation is intended to take an honest look at the current “system,” our roles as leaders in perpetuating the current system, and to challenge all of us to change it. One of the most critical steps to successful change is a thorough understanding of what to expect during the process. A trauma-informed approach to Human Services and other systems is certainly a great foundation; however, setting the stage and planning for change are key elements to transparency and sustainability. Change happens at the speed of trust. Cultivating an environment of trust is crucial to implementing and sustaining change. This is especially apparent during the “messy middle.” This workshop will outline strategies for managing the messy middle and leadership lag that leaders may encounter. The group will also discuss the importance of the leader’s role in establishing rhythm, predictability, and safety, all of which are key to developing a healthy workforce. The implications, but more importantly the benefits, of a healthy regulated workforce will be outlined. A trauma-informed approach to work is not just for the benefit of those we serve – it must be a parallel process with those in our organizations and departments.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:   Understand how trust impacts all facets of the organization. Recognize the importance of preparation when planning for change. Describe the importance of establishing rhythm, predictability, and safety. Develop insights and lessons learned to normalize the “messy middle.” Recognize the impact of leadership lag and create a plan to manage it.     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, M.S. 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.