Past Events

Private event, by invitation only.   The purpose of this training is to further develop the skills of mental health providers working with Latinx populations with co-occurring disorders, thus reducing disparities in services and improving outcomes. The training includes information on cultural values and how they may relate to symptom manifestation, help seeking behaviors and recovery processes. Furthermore, the training addresses risk and protective factors for co-occurring disorders among Hispanic and Latino populations promoting a strength-based approach to treatment, as well as the use of the Cultural Formulation Interview as part of assessment when working with Hispanic and Latino populations. The goal of this training is to increase the awareness and enhance the abilities of providers in their use of cultural elements by promoting cultural formulations when treating Hispanics and Latinos with co-occurring disorders. Target Audience- Professionals working Latino populations who experience co-occurring disorders The specific objectives of the training are to: Discuss prevalence of mental health and co-occurring disorders among Latinos and contributing factors. Demonstrate the consideration and incorporation of cultural values and cultural idioms of distress when treating Hispanics and Latinos with mental health and co-occurring disorders. Distinguish cultural considerations when working with Latino populations with co-occurring disorders. Identify and address mental health risk and protective factors in Hispanic and Latino communities. Address how to incorporate strategies to effectively engage, and treat Hispanic and Latino clients, including the Cultural Formulation Interview.   About Presenters: Haner Hernández, PhD, CPS, CADCII, LADCI Dr. Hernández is originally from Puerto Rico, is bilingual and has worked for 31 years in the health and human service field developing, implementing, and evaluating culturally and linguistically intelligent youth and adult health prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support programs. Also, Dr. Hernández has many years of experience in delivering addiction counseling and clinical supervision to professionals in the field. Furthermore, he is a professional trainer and facilitator and provides individualized technical assistance and support to organizations that provide addiction prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery supports. Haner earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Springfield College and a Master of Education with concentrations in Counseling Psychology and Addiction Studies from Cambridge College in Massachusetts. His doctoral degree was earned at the School of Public Health and Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His major was Community Health Education and his minor was Social Justice Education. In addition, Mr. Hernandez holds an advance Certification in Drug and Alcohol Counseling at the reciprocal level, is licensed in Massachusetts, and is a Certified Prevention Specialist.   Erick Senior-Roges, MS Erick Senior is currently the Training and Content Specialist for the National Hispanic and Latino MHTCC. He received his master’s degree in Psychology from The New School for Social Research in New York and is currently completing his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico. He has worked in clinical and research mental health settings with Hispanic and Latinx populations as a study coordinator for the Albert Einstein School of Medicine and the Behavioral Sciences Research Institute in Puerto Rico. He has also provided psychotherapeutic services to immigrant families and at the Roberto Clemente Center Family Guidance Center of New York City and as part of post-disaster recovery efforts with Proyecto Patria of Hispanic Federation in Puerto Rico.

The National American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health TTC is partnering with the American Red Cross to provide this training. The Red Cross Virtual Family Assistance Center provides individual and group support for frontline workers during COVID, facilitating groups for employees and supervisors, and providing a class on Psychological First Aid during COVID.

This event will be held on April 21st, 2022 from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. MT.  Event Description According to the U.S. Department of Education: Guide for developing high-quality school emergency operations plans (2013), research shows that perpetrators of targeted acts of violence engage in both covert and overt behaviors preceding their attacks. They consider, plan, prepare, share, and in some cases, move on to action. One of the most useful tools a school or facility can develop to identify, evaluate, and address these troubling signs is to develop a systematic way to addressing threats. This training will help to protect the interest of those students or people involved in the incident and assist with follow through of aftercare.   Objectives Participants will gain knowledge on when and how to address a threat made by a student.  Participants will be taught how to evaluate the seriousness of a threat and what steps need to be taken.   Participants will gain resources and templates to utilize in evaluating threats made.  Participants will understand how to evaluate threats, who needs to be contacted, what needs to be documented   Participants will receive all necessary flowcharts and threat documentation and feel comfortable utilizing the documents and materials during a threat assessment through role-play and practice and rehearsal.  Trainers Leslie Baunach, MA/CAS, NCSP                     Leslie Baunach, NCSP, was a school psychologist with Oahu Central School District for over 10 years. She is currently the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Delegate for the state of Hawaii and a Delegate Representative for the West Region on the NASP Board of Directors. Leslie has previously served on the Hawaii Association of School Psychologists (HASP) board of directors as Treasurer and President, and has headed up the legislative platform for nine years, currently serving as the HASP legislative co-chair. Leslie serves as the Executive Director of the School Psychology Support Network, which supports school psychologists nationally. Leslie became a NASP PREPaRE trainer in 2015 and has conducted PREPaRE workshops for the Hawaii DOE, HASP, Northern Marianas Islands schools, and Punahou School in Honolulu.     Traci Effinger, NCSP                     Traci Effinger is a Nationally Certified School Psychologists who has worked for the Hawai`i Department of Education for over 10 years. Traci has worked from preschool to high school in her daily job as a School Psychologist in addition to responding to crisis events at all levels. Traci is co-author of Crisis manual for Central district and also co-chair of the Crisis Team. She Performs data collection, progress monitoring, and professional development trainings for her district and school staff. She is one of only two people that are NASP Certified PREPaRE 3rd Edition trainers within the state of Hawaii. Traci and her colleague trained the entire country of Saipan for the CNMI Project HALIGI AWARE in PREPaRE and also presented and trained entire Punahou School District on PREPaRE Workshops 1. Traci is also a presenter in various professional development topics and has most recently presented for the Afterschool Alliance coalition on social emotional learning, behavior management, and threat assessment

Description: The Healthy People 2030 goals include a nationwide commitment to achieving health equity by eliminating health disparities and attaining health literacy. But what does it take to codify a health equity commitment in our provision of mental health services? This webinar will discuss what health equity looks like in practice and address some of the structural barriers that unfairly burden the mental health outcomes of priority populations.   Presenter: Dr. Maranda C. Ward is an assistant professor at The George Washington University. Her research is translated into practice as the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Promising Futures. Working as a community educator with program development, evaluation, grant writing and management experiences, her presentations span from urban youth identity and maternal mortality to teaching empathy to health professionals and combating the social conditions that produce structural violence. Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser appointed her to fill the Ward 8 seat on the DC Commission on Health Equity. Dr. Ward earned her doctoral degree (EdD) in Curriculum and Instruction from The George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development, her master’s degree in Maternal and Child Health from Tulane University School of Public Health, and her bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Spelman College.   Learning Objectives: Distinguish between health equity and health disparity Identify the root causes of mental health disparities in priority populations Examine the ongoing challenges to translating a health equity lens into the provision of mental health services   Certificates of attendance will be available to viewers of 50% (30 minutes) or more of this presentation (via email within 30 business days following the event). CEUs are not available for this session.   The Central East MHTTC supports this Baltimore Faith Based Commission for Behavioral Health event.

Description:  There are few things within the lifetime of most Americans that rival the depth of life disruption caused by SARS CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). Much effort has been expended to understand as much as can be understood about this novel virus while simultaneously developing therapeutics and vaccines to treat and/or prevent severe illness. This presentation will review current understanding of "Long CoVID syndromes" in order to best serve those in need of care and compassion as they seek full recovery from this novel virus. Download Flyer   Presenter: Cynthia Turner-Graham, M.D., DLFAPA, is a board-certified adult psychiatrist, who completed her undergraduate studies at Fisk University and residency training at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. She has practiced psychiatry in private and public settings, has served in several executive leadership positions, and maintains a virtual outpatient private practice. She is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Washington Psychiatric Society and Immediate Past President of the Suburban Maryland Psychiatric Society. Currently, Dr. Turner-Graham serves as the President of Black Psychiatrists of America. Pursuing a life of spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness is the organizing focus for her life, and she encourages others to do the same. Empowering individuals and groups to take control of their life and health is the mission of her business, ForSoundMind Enterprises, Inc.   Learning Objectives: Discuss the broad reach of CoVID-19 globally and locally List central nervous system-mediated Long-Covid symptoms Describe the differential impact of Long Covid dependent upon race and ethnicity List the components of treatment and rehabilitation programs for persons with Long Covid Discuss Long Covid as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act Discuss how to locate community resources for persons suffering from Long Covid   Who Should Attend? Mental health clinicians, primary care clinicians, staff of social service agencies that support individuals and families impacted by CoVID-19   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.   

Context Clues: Using Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) to Enhance Treatment, a monthly training series co-developed by the Mid-America MHTTC and Aetna Better Health of Kansas, will provide health care providers and other interested parties the tools they need to identify social determinants of health and strategies for addressing them. Attendees will learn how economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and environmental factors, and social and community context affect patients’ health and quality-of-life outcomes.

Digital Peer Support Every Thursday, March 31 - April 28, 2022 12-1:30 ET . 11-12:30 CT . 10-11:30 MT . 9-10:30 PT . 8-9:30 AKT DESCRIPTION This enhanced professional learning (EPL) series is designed for mental health and substance use peer support specialists/recovery coaches to expand their skills in the use of digital technologies to provide peer support services.  Participants will receive training on: 1) the history and role of digital peer support; 2) digital peer support competencies; 3) how to select digital support technologies including decision support tools to aid in selection; 4) specific keys to digital peer support with a focus on engagement; 5) privacy and ethical issues; and 6) how to develop a digital peer support platform. This EPL will be taught by a digital health technology scientist and a peer certified digital peer support specialist. During the sessions, time will be built-in to practice text message-based support as well as discussions and other skill building activities as it relates to digital peer support. TARGET AUDIENCE Mental health and substance use peer support specialists, recovery coaches, and recovery service providers working with American Indian or Alaska Native populations. PARTICIPANT COMMITMENT & EXPECTATIONS Commit to 4-weeks of live online training for 1.5 hours weekly  Attend one-hour online Orientation on Thursday, March 31 Complete weekly self-study learning activities Access to appropriate technology to utilize videoconferencing platform (internet connection, webcam, laptop/tablet, speakers, and microphone) Be prepared and actively engage during scheduled series time FREE TO PARTICIPATE  The first 40 registrants will receive a grant scholarship that covers the $350 cost to participate. Once the 40 spots have been filled, registration will be closed.  Due to limited enrollment, if you cannot commit to the full requirements, please defer this opportunity to others. FACILITATORS: Karen Fortuna, PhD, LICSW Robert Walker, MS, COAPS QUESTIONS? Please email Kim at [email protected] or by phone at 775-784-6265 or 866-617-2816 (toll-free)          

This workshop takes a deep dive into the Five Critical Functions of Supervision – a framework for exploring a range of issues that may be addressed during supervision – to encourage small-group consultation and role playing to hone problem-solving skills. The goal of this workshop is to learn from each other and advance peer support and supervision practice through collective wisdom, reflection and collaboration. Upon completion of this webinar you will be able to:  Identify the Five Critical Functions of Supervision Provide examples of how to use the Five Critical Functions in practice  Describe how the Five Critical Functions of Supervision can be used as a supervisory self-assessment to enhance interactions with peer specialists

Session Overview This session, hosted in collaboration with the Center of Excellence on LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity, will provide guidance on what types of school policies and strategies can be implemented to help promote and build an affirming environment for LGBTQ+ young people. Attendees will also learn strategies for responding when a student discloses their sexual orientation and/or gender identity and expression (SOGIE).    For and introduction to sexual orientation, gender identify, and expression check out this animation, Learning about SOGIE (6 min), and download the accompanying Center of Excellence on LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity glossary for a list of terms commonly use in LGBTQ+ communities.  For more information on LGBTQ+ youth mental health, view our toolkit here.    If you would like CEU credit for this event register here.  If you would like CME credit for this event 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 Lunch & Learn will provide an opportunity to learn more about SMI Adviser and how this resource can be utilized when working with individuals with serious mental illness, including schizophrenia, major depression, and bipolar disorder.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Understand the purpose of SMI Adviser. Identify resources SMI Adviser has providers. Understand how to access resources related to serious mental illness.     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.      SPEAKER INFO: Amy Cohen, PhD Dr. Cohen is the Director of SMI Adviser, an initiative funded by SAMHSA and implemented at the American Psychiatric Association, which is tasked with supporting teams caring for those with serious mental illness.  Dr. Cohen is a clinical psychologist and implementation scientist with clinical and research expertise in serious mental illness. She has over 17 years of experience implementing and evaluating evidence-based services that improve patient outcomes in complex state and federal healthcare delivery systems.  She has considerable expertise in evidence-based guidelines, best practice models of care delivery, evidence-based quality improvement strategies, physician motivation, patient-centered care, development, and implementation of informatics to support care quality improvement, systems redesign, and research methodology. She services on scientific review panels for NIMH, Department of Defense, and the Veterans Administration.  Her work has continually been funded through grants from NIMH, Veterans Administration, SAMHSA, and Foundations.

In this talk clinical suggestions to use the CFI to assess and engage in a culturally competent manner with children and adolescents will be presented

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: De-escalating a mental health crisis is a very difficult skill set and starts with the worker calming themselves and maintaining their composure as they move toward the situation. Fear elicits a threat response in both the upset person and the one trying to help. This means that without specific strategies it is common for the worker to inadvertently worsen the situation as they react to the “noise” of the situation.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Practice a de-escalation model Pause: Introduce tips to get oneself calm Listen: Identify the need or concern Respond: Verbal de-escalation strategies to build cooperation     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: Warren Duncan, BS has had various roles throughout his career working with households experiencing homelessness and multiple barriers to stable housing. He has worked as direct support staff on mobile teams in Permanent Supportive Housing program across the metro area, assisted in outreach efforts for program participants living on the streets and in shelter, provided outreach to property managers and landlords, connecting them to support services in metro and greater Minnesota communities. He has worked to provide support to a network of supportive housing programs and community organizing among County, State, and local community agencies in Southern and Central Minnesota. He is currently overseeing all programming as Program Director for a Minnesota Nonprofit. Warren enjoys facilitating workshops and has led a number of training sessions. Topics include Building Landlord Relationships, Housing First, Harm Reduction, Navigating Conflict, De-escalation, and Mindfulness. Warren grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and moved to Minnesota shortly after graduating from Iowa State University. He currently lives with his family in the Twin Cities western suburbs. He enjoys drawing, painting, and photography in his spare time.

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: Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based practice used to help people overcome their ambivalence about change. In this interactive, skills-based workshop, participants will have the opportunity to learn about and practice the spirit of MI and the relational skills. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe Motivational Interviewing: Purpose, benefits, and limitations Summarize each of the 4 processes in Motivational interviewing Recognize differences between engagement helps and harms Prepare to apply the spirit of Motivational interviewing to patient interactions. Observe and practice fundamental skills: Listening, open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarization.   NOTE: Motivational Interviewing Relational Skills is a prerequisite for subsequent MI Technical Skills and SBIRT trainings.  At completion of Relational Skills you will receive the link to register for Technical Skills. The dates for Technical Skills are May 11, 18 & 25, 2022.  All sessions are from 8:30 - 11:30 AM Central Time.   TRAINER:     Laura A. Saunders, MSSW, is the Wisconsin State Project Manager for the Great Lakes Addiction, Mental Health and Prevention Technology Transfer Centers. Her position is housed at the UW–Madison, where she’s worked since 1988. Since 2001, Laura has provided SBIRT and Motivational Interviewing training to physicians, nurses, medical students, psychologists, specialty addiction treatment providers, social workers, physical therapists, health educators, and staff who work in correctional settings. She has provided feedback and coaching to hundreds of social workers, correctional staff, and other human service providers who are interested in using evidence-based practices with fidelity. Laura joined the international group of Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) in 2006 (Sophia, Bulgaria) and is an active member of the Wisconsin MINT group.     CONTINUING EDUCATION Participants who attend this training in full will be eligible for 9 NAADAC Continuing Education hours.  Partial credit will not be awarded

The School Mental Health Supplement of Northwest MHTTC was requested by SAMHSA to provide technical assistance (TA) during our Year 4 (August 15, 2021 - August 14, 2022) to the Project AWARE grantees from the 2018-2021 cohorts. This event is for state-level Project Aware Grantee staff in Region 10 only

3:30pm - 4:30pm PT Meeting 3 of 5 (view main book club page) Every third Tuesday of the month from February 15th through June 21st, 2022 Note that while it’s not mandatory to attend all sessions, we strongly ask that you commit to minimally attending the first session and do not miss more than one so that community and learning is stable and strong.   Peace from Anxiety: Get Grounded, Build Resilience, and Stay Connected Amidst the Chaos is Hala Khouri’s latest book which combines somatic experiencing with social justice through an intersectional lens of privilege and power-dynamics. Join the Pacific Southwest MHTTC’s “Peace from Anxiety Book Club” led by the author, Hala, to discuss anxiety and using somatic experiences to explore critical consciousness as awareness of our mental and school mental health leadership.  Each meeting will start with a Q&A session with Hala and a group discussion based on a chapter of the book. Then we'll move into optional breakout groups for more intimate conversations, and then we'll end with a debrief. Sharing is always optional and the breakout groups are never recorded.   "I can say positively, and with the authority of someone who has been extremely candid in the public eye about her experience with anxiety, that this is THE BOOK we’ve all been waiting for. Whether you yourself deal with anxiety isn’t a prerequisite for reading because you know someone who does. We all do. This beautiful book is a guide on how to be human. Filled with grace and practical lessons and guidance, Hala Khouri has offered us a life-saving gift" — Jennifer Pastiloff, (author of National Bestseller On Being Human)    Where do I find the book?  Peace from Anxiety is available at: Amazon, Bookshop (supports local bookstores), Indiebound (supports local bookstores), & Penguin Random House    > More about the book club   Who is the faculty for this book club?  Hala Khouri, M.A., trains direct service providers and educators on how to be trauma-informed with their students and clients. Believing that oppressive systems harm all of us, even those who benefit, Hala has a private practice for individuals and couples. She also works with A Thousand Joys training direct service providers and educators to be trauma-informed and culturally responsive. The focus of both her clinical and group work has been trauma- personal, interpersonal, and systemic.  She brings her decade of clinical experience combined with her experience as a facilitator of group processes for over 15 years. As a Lebanese immigrant in a multi-racial marriage who also gets white skin privilege, Hala is able to be a bridge in the work of equity and inclusion with diverse groups. Hala is known for her compassionate yet straightforward style of facilitation which invites people to grapple with the often charged topics of diversity, inclusivity, justice, and oppression. She knows that none of us individually created these harmful systems, but it’s up to all of us to shift them and create a new paradigm that embraces and celebrates everyone.  Hala earned her B.A. in Psychology from Columbia University and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and an M.A. in Community Psychology with an emphasis in Liberation Studies and Social Justice from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Hala is trained in Somatic Experiencing, a body-based psychotherapy that helps resolve trauma and its symptoms. She lives in Venice, California with her husband and two sons and teaches yoga classes weekly.   

Session Description: Helping professionals, such as counselors, teachers, and health professionals, are critically important to the workforce, yet we are also at great risk for helping others more than we help ourselves! In this 6 part series, we invite YOU to sit down, take a breath, replenish yourself and restore by considering strategies to help you flourish. Together, we’ll explore the importance of making our own well-being a priority, think about our work/life balance, remember our purpose, take actions to flourish, and use our strengths within a framework of healthy positivity. This 6-week collection (webinar and podcast series) will be led by experts in supporting personal recovery, wellness, and positive psychology with practical approaches that build up to a comprehensive flourishing plan. Join us for this series designed to support your flourishing. Your one-time registration will automatically enroll you in all 6 sessions of this series. Presenter:  Michelle Zechner, PhD, MSW, LSW, CPRP, Assistant Professor at Rutgers, Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Programs, has focused her career on the promotion of health and wellness for people with mental health conditions, their families, and the staff who support them for over 25 years. She has worked in a variety of settings including: academia, outpatient mental health programs, family advocacy organization, psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes, and training services. She conducts research, teaches and mentors students, and consults with state psychiatric hospitals on the implementation of evidence-based mental health practices. She is also involved in family advocacy in New Jersey.

The timeliness of the topic ethnoracial disparities in mental health is an important one given the growing awareness of structural racism and ethnic discrimination that has been manifested in episodes of police violence and in disparities related to the COVID infection and death and ethnoracial disparities in that. Disparities in mental health access and service delivery have also been well documented. This webinar will address ethnoracial disparities in mental health risk, assessment and service delivery in Latinx populations. The conceptual basis of disparities will be covered first, folloed by promising topics for research on disparities in mental health, risk assessment, service access, and delivery. These topics are important for service providers to understand as the social conditions that lead to disparities affect all aspects of mental health, including neurobiology. They are often poorly measured, and if unaddressed, will continue to interfere with mental health care. Audience: Mental health service providers working with Latinx populations Objectives: 1.    Discuss ethnoracial disparities and contributing factors at the individual, social and structural levels. 2.    Address how worse access in services of care and outcomes have an impact on the severity, impairment, and persistence of psychopathology. 3.    Identify ways to understand and address intersectionality as it pertains to mental health outcomes. 4.    Discuss the Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) as a person-centered sociocultural assessment tool.   About Presenter:   Roberto Lewis Fernández, MD Dr. Roberto Lewis-Fernández is Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons and Director of the New York State (NYS) Center of Excellence for Cultural Competence and the Hispanic Treatment Program, and Co-Director of the Anxiety Disorders Clinic, at NYS Psychiatric Institute. He is also Lecturer on Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard University. He led the development of the DSM-5 Cultural Formulation Interview, a standardized method for cultural assessment for use in mental health practice, and the Principal Investigator of its international field trial. Dr. Lewis-Fernández was educated at Harvard College, Harvard Divinity School, and Yale Medical School. He trained in psychiatry at The Cambridge Hospital (1986-90) and completed a Dupont-Warren psychiatric research fellowship (1990-91) and an NIMH-sponsored fellowship in clinically applied medical anthropology (1991-93) at Harvard Medical School. From 1993 to 1995, Dr. Lewis-Fernández worked for the Puerto Rico Health Department implementing an innovative collaborative care (physical-mental health) for rural primary care clinics.

Growing More Than Corn: Nebraska Behavioral Health Workforce Development:   Join us to learn about best practices involving retention efforts within the behavioral health workforce. This webinar discusses recruitment strategies that are essential to enhance behavioral health pathways for a successful career while addressing the shortage of this specialty in rural communities.  Many resources will be explored to assist with recruitment of behavioral health students in rural communities through academic training programs, rural partnerships to collaborate on common goals, and support networks through residences, internships, and practicum placements within a community. Discussion will explore the options available for students to engage within student advisory boards, the BHECN app, and other engagement opportunities in the effort to maintain and strengthen the rural behavioral health care workforce throughout the states.   Learning Objectives: Discuss the importance of retention within the behavioral health workforce and what resources are accessible to support these health care professionals. Explain best practices for improving staff retention rates within behavioral healthcare as derived from BHECNs' ongoing efforts to maintain and strengthen rural partnerships and satellite locations.   Identify how opportunities for networking amongst community members and other behavioral healthcare professionals can enhance retention in health care and benefit the community.   Speaker:   Christine Chasek, PhD, LIMHP, LADC, LPC   Dr. Tina Christine Chasek is an Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska Omaha and Associate Workforce Director for UNMC’s Behavioral Healthcare Center of Nebraska. Dr. Chasek is a practicing mental health and addictions counselor with over 20 years of experience in treating substance use disorders. Dr. Chasek serves on the Nebraska Alcohol and Drug Licensing Board, Past President of the International Association of Alcohol and Drug Counselors, and coordinates Project ECHO in Nebraska.       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.   The University of Nebraska Medical Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.   The University of Nebraska Medical Center designates this activity for 1.0 ANCC contact hour. Nurses should only claim credit for the actual time spent participating in the activity.   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.

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: In this presentation you will learn evidence-based approaches to co-occurring disorders treatment and recovery including: the use of motivational incentives; feedback informed treatment; stage-based interventions; CBT; twelve step facilitation; evidence-based family therapy and integrated approaches. Emphasis will be placed upon understanding the reason that some clinicians are more evidence based than others and how to be influenced by the evidence in your work with clients with co-occurring disorders.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Articulate five evidence-based approaches to co-occurring disorders treatment. Work with clients with co-occurring disorders in an evidence based, integrated manner. Be influenced by evidence-based practices in your work with clients with co-occurring disorders.     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.

75-minute webinar on mental health and homelessness from an approach that is person-centered, trauma-informed, strengths-based and culturally appropriate.  Offered in collaboration with C4 Innovations. ABOUT THIS EVENT In the United States between 2.5 and 3.5 million individuals experience homelessness in some form over the course of a single year. Homelessness is a serious problem, and risk factors exacerbating the potential for homelessness include adverse childhood experiences, substance use and mental illness. Studies exploring the significance of mental illness within the homeless population have discovered a high occurrence of mental disorders. Additionally, the culture of homelessness adds a dimension to outreach and delivery of services and supports that are often either missed or ignored, often to the detriment of the person in need of the services. Join us as we explore the culture of homelessness and the impact of mental illness upon unhoused individuals with an eye towards strategies and tips to provide person-centered, trauma-informed, strengths-based and culturally appropriate services and supports.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Explain the culture of homelessness Identify at least three environmental and/or individual risk factors for homelessness Describe the racial disparities associated with homelessness Describe the importance of client retention and continuity of care for someone experiencing homelessness List at least two recovery management and relapse prevention techniques for people experiencing homelessness with mental and/or substance disorders Recall at least 4 of the 12 core guiding principles of permanent supportive housing programs Discuss the integration of substance use and mental disorder treatment in homeless services and why it is important Describe at least two special populations who experience homelessness at higher rates than the general population   ABOUT THE SPEAKERS   Steven Samra, MPA, Senior Associate, C4 Innovations Steven Samra was Deputy Director for SAMHSA's Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS). He has served in leadership capacities for SAMHSA’s Housing and Homelessness Resource Network, Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness, and Services in Supportive Housing Technical Assistance Center and has led numerous peer involvement initiatives. Steven brings expertise in developing and leading peer advisory councils, harm reduction approaches, substance use and mental health recovery, peer leadership, criminal justice, cultural competence, promotion of lived experience as critical experiential knowledge, and effective outreach and engagement for challenging populations. After entering recovery in 1999 from homelessness, complex trauma, substance use, criminal justice involvement, and mental health challenges, Steven began medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in 2000. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where he co-founded a street newspaper, The Contributor, and serves on the Nashville/Davidson Metropolitan Strategic Planning Committee to end homelessness in Nashville.   Will Connelly, CEO, Park Center Will Connelly grew up in Nashville and after graduating from high school, studied theology during his undergraduate years and then pursues a Master of Theology at Vanderbilt University, he felt called to be helpful to those who stand with their backs against the wall. He began his career engaging individuals experiencing homelessness and making connections to housing, entitlements, mental health support, and sometimes just an ear and a cup of coffee. Shortly after that, Will joined Park Center and led the SOAR program and has worked to end homelessness across the U.S. since then. His goals are simple: continue to provide excellent, evidence-based services in an inclusive, consistent, and radically compassionate way.      

Workshop Wednesday **April's Workshop Wednesday will be held on a Monday (4/18/22) due to schedule availability on behalf of the trainer. All future Workshop Wednesday's will take place on the third Wednesday of each month, unless specifically noted otherwise.**  Event Description The stress brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on almost everyone; it has been particularly challenging for people who have battled COVID, and now have lingering symptoms,   a condition is known as long COVID.       While we do not currently fully understand the nature or impact of long COVID, initial research has been able to identify nine core symptoms of long COVID that include both physical and mental symptoms. The nine core symptoms are: breathing difficulties, fatigue, chest/throat pain, headache; abdominal symptoms, muscle pain; other pain; cognitive symptoms (notably, “brain fog”), and anxiety/depression.       Join Dr. Andrew McLean for training on this timely issue. Topics covered will include an overview of the current situation, what researchers and leading mental health professionals are reporting from the field, and suggestions for successful strategies that have helped individuals and communities deal with the mental health aspects of long-COVID. Trainer Dr. Andrew McLean, MD, MPH                     Technical Trainer, Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Clinical Professor and Chair,  Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences   Dr. McLean is also a hospital surveyor for The Joint Commission. He previously was the Medical Director of the ND Department of Human Services. Dr. McLean has served on a number of clinical, administrative, and regulatory boards including medical licensing and professional health programs. He has lectured internationally on pertinent behavioral and public health issues. Dr. McLean has a particular interest in individual and community resilience and collaborative care.  

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 virtual presentation focuses on how to prevent and recover from burnout and compassion fatigue. Emphasis will be placed upon self-care techniques, reducing burnout and compassion fatigue, maintaining positive energy, reducing frustration in your clinical work, and feeling a greater sense of success.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Participants will learn: Signs of burnout and compassion fatigue Strategies for self-care Techniques for preventing burnout and compassion fatigue Methods to achieve greater work-life balance     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.     SPEAKER: Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC, is the Illinois State Project Manager for the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. Mark is a published author, trainer, educator, and mentor, as well as the founder of the Online Museum of African American Addictions, Treatment, and Recovery and the co-founder of Serenity Academy of Chicago, the only recovery high school in Illinois. Mark is the 2021 recipient of the NAADAC Enlightenment Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the field.

Event Description Sexual minority people in general have an elevated risk for mental health concerns, including suicidality. Sexual minority youth have unique risk factors, particularly in households or school-settings where they are bullied or harassed for their identities (or fearful of disclosing their identity). Research has demonstrated that even one affirming adult in a child’s life can reduce their risk of suicide significantly – making it essential to have a safe and positive environment at school.      This webinar will provide information on some of the most pressing mental health concerns for sexual minority youth and a review of the best practices for mental health care and supportive intervention strategies. We take a wraparound approach to understanding interventions, offering information about individual-level intervention as well as community development and primary prevention efforts.  Trainers Keri A. Frantell, Ph.D.    Dr. Keri A. Frantell (she/her/hers) is an assistant professor in Counseling and Counseling Psychology at the University of North Dakota. She earned her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Tennessee. Her integrated program of research, teaching, service, and advocacy centers on multiculturalism and social justice. In both research and clinical practice, she has extensive experience working with suicidality and LGBTQ+ populations. She has published on factors related to transgender suicidal ideation and attempts, bisexual oppression and the impact on mental and physical health, and the connection between religiosity and suicidality for LGB young adults. She currently leads a research team actively committed to disseminating information and resources to the community.    Kamryn Holtz, B.S.    Kamryn Holtz (she/her/hers) is a second-year doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at the University of North Dakota. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Michigan State University with minors in both Queer Studies and Youth and Society. Both her clinical practice and research is centered around the influences of interpersonal relationships and multiculturalism. Kamryn has previously presented on cultural adaptations to DBT and gender affirming healthcare. She is currently investigating the impact that Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA) have on queer identity development. Additionally, Kamryn is presently involved in research teams dedicated to increasing the accessibility of information and educational resources, as well as multicultural education practices.   

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: A comprehensive school-based mental health plan starts with good information about the needs of your students and existing mental health resources. In this interactive session, we will review best practices for gathering needs and resource data and share tools and examples. We will discuss local challenges and successes and provide recommendations for gathering community data and using it to inform local school mental health planning.     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.      SPEAKERS: Cheryl Holm-Hansen, PhD Cheryl Holm-Hansen, PhD, is a community psychologist who specializes in community-based research and evaluation. She provides consulting and support to help school-based mental health programs understand community needs, develop effective services, build stronger systems, and demonstrate impact.     Mark Sander, PsyD Mark Sander, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist who currently leads school-based mental health initiatives for Hennepin County and the Minneapolis Public Schools. He has an extensive history in providing, managing, and supporting school-based mental health work, and currently serves on the Advisory Board for the center for School Mental Health at the University of Maryland.