Past Events

Session Overview This webinar will provide an overview of the reasons that challenging behavior may occur in students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).  It will also provide an overview of strategies that can be used to prevent challenging behaviors in these students, and resources that can provide additional information related to managing challenging behaviors. The two presenters have expertise in supporting students with ASD and behavioral health challenges within school settings.   Learning Objectives  By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: Describe and define common types of challenging behaviors among students with ASD. Explain three primary reasons that challenging behavior may occur among students with ASD. Discuss preventative strategies for educators and providers to prevent challenging behavior in the classroom among students with ASD. Identify online resources and training opportunities that can provide additional information on managing challenging behaviors among students with ASD.   Speakers             Katherine Pickard, PhD, received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Michigan State University and completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at JFK Partners at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Her primary research interest is in the translation of evidence-based treatments into community systems that are naturally positioned to serve children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and developmental delays. Clinically, Dr. Pickard is a licensed psychologist and has a strong background in supporting individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities across the lifespan. She holds specific expertise in parent-mediated intervention for young children as well as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for youth with ASD and co-occurring anxiety.                  Deva Carrion, PhD, BCBA-D, began working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related developmental disabilities in 2010.  She then went on to earn her doctorate in school psychology from the University of Iowa and her pre-doctoral internship at Munroe-Meyer Institute before returning to Marcus Autism Center in 2018 for her postdoctoral experience. She is a licensed psychologist and doctorate-level, board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA-D). She oversees the School Consultation Program which provides consultation, trainings, and professional development for school systems to effectively serve students with educational needs and behavioral challenges, especially those diagnosed with autism and related disorders. 

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)          

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

This presentation describes the process that the DSM-5 Cross-Cultural Issues Subgroup followed to develop the core Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI). It summarizes research evidence since the publication of the DSM-5 in 2013. It also offers recommendations for clinicians to implement the CFI with adults in their practice settings.

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.  In part 2 of this series, the facilitators will discuss differing peer perspectives on and experiences with crisis, explain strategies for preventing and managing crises, and provide crisis support resources.   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 South Southwest MHTTC is hosting a Mindful Self-Compassion training for Educators that will take place over the course of six weeks. In the event that timelines do not work out, those who are interested will have priority for any rescheduled date, if necessary. Mindful Self-Compassion for Educators is a 6-week online course.  All participants who finish the course by the course end date will receive a Certificate of Completion and can earn 1 graduate-level credit (provided through Courses4Teachers). This training is designed for educators, caregivers, and those who work in service of young people. There is no prerequisite or prior experience required for this course. Both beginners and those with significant mindfulness experience find this training deeply impactful.  This is a closed session and is posted on the calendar as a SAMHSA requirement.

This event will be held on April 13th, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. MT.  Event Description Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24 per data gathered in 2019, with rates increasing 61.7% between 2009-2018 (Ivey-Stephenson et al., 2020).  Panelists represent perspectives from professionals working with youth in crisis in both the school and community. This panel will discuss how some schools and communities are responding to this increasing epidemic and considerations specific to rural communities based on learned experiences. The targeted audience for this session is school mental health professionals and educators from Region 8, which takes in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.  Trainers McKinley Withers, Ed.D., M.Ed.                   I have had the privilege of working as teacher, counselor, and administrator. I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science Teaching from Brigham Young University, a Master’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in School Counseling from Utah State University, and a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah. I currently work as Jordan District’s Health and Wellness Consultant. If you don’t find me in public schools then you’ll find me with my amazing wife and beautiful children, running (preferably on trails), or trying some other outdoor hobby. I hope to meet you out in our schools or out in the wild!    Christin "Kiki" Quarry, BSN, MSN, PHN, RN                   Kiki Quarry has been practicing in the Emergency Department as an RN for 7 years in a rural community. She has earned her accelerated BSN from Samuel Merritt University graduating cum laude in 2013. And completed her MSN from UH Manoa in public health nursing graduating cum laude in 2016. She has applied to the University of Minnesota for her PhD in nursing focusing on research disparities of rural and indigenous communities. Kiki Quarry currently works at Maui Memorial Medical Center-Kaiser run community Hosptial level three trauma center. During her time there, she has worked in behavioral health and emergency medicine in the rural community of Maui. She has also spent time working in the community for Aloha house Licensed Crisis Residential Services and detox Center. She has focused trainings in Crisis Prevention Intervention, Trauma Nursing Core Certification, Advanced Trauma Certified Nurse, and community health liaison. Currently, she is a member of the DMAT team for Hawaii deployed during disasters, an OR RN for international delegations with Aloha Medical Missions, and continues to keep her 100-ton USCG-certified master/mater Captain’s License current with 20 plus years working professionally on boats.    Tina Boteilho, LMFT                   Tina Boteilho, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Tina was born and raised on Maui. Tina lived in California for several years but couldn’t resist the invitation to go back to Maui after college. Over the past 20 years Tina has worked for several non-profit agencies and the state of Hawaii with children 0-18 years old, children with special health needs/disabilities and their families, individuals reintegrating back into their communities and families after several years of incarceration, emergency responders, military families, individuals needing crisis interventions, and individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. Tina currently runs her own private practice, contracts with several non-profits as a qualified mental health practitioner, has created several trainings for children, adolescents, couples, families, and individuals, and volunteers with several local non-profits. Tina has been invited to several trainings and conferences as a guest speaker to talk about best practices with people experiencing trauma and crisis, grief and loss, working in isolated rural areas, community resource building, pandemic relief, blending families, coparenting, LGBTQIA issues, and cultural sensitivity. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family hiking, going to the beach, landscaping, ranching, and farming.

The Northeast and Caribbean MHTTC and the Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey are proud to offer a free, webinar series for professionals in the behavioral health workforce designed to spotlight different aspects of mental health services for the Latinx/Hispanic community and adequately respond to their unique mental health needs.   This webinar series will explore the range of experiences that may lead to mental health conditions such as immigration, acculturation, trauma, and generational conflicts. This series will also highlight the unique institutional and systemic barriers that impede access to mental health services, which result in reduced help-seeking behaviors.  Note: Your one-time registration will automatically enroll you for all 3 sessions. Session 1 March 11, 2022 | 12:00-1:30 pm EST Identify and discuss the barriers that prevent members of the Hispanic and Latinx community from seeking and accessing mental health services. Presented by Dr. Jesselly De La Cruz. View Session Recording   Session 2 April 13, 2022 | 12:00-1:30 pm EST Explore the intersectionality and cultural diversities within the Hispanic and Latinx community and how it impacts mental health services with a focus on cultural considerations and trauma histories. Presented by Dr. Azara Santiago Rivera    Session 3 May 10, 2022 | 12:00-1:30 pm EST Identify the intersection between the legal system and mental health services as an undocumented member of the Hispanic and Latinx Community. Presented by Dr. Melissa Rivera Marano Presenters:   Dr. Jesselly De La Cruz, BA in Political Science (Rider University), MSW (Rutgers University), and DSW (Rutgers University), is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in NJ. She completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy at The Multicultural Family Institute, Inc. in Highland Park, NJ. Having originated from an underprivileged background and being a child of an immigrant family herself, Dr. De La Cruz’s education and work has been motivated by her desire to support traditionally underserved populations. Towards that overarching goal, she has worked with Latino advocacy nonprofit agencies. She currently serves as Executive Director for the Latino Action Network Foundation. Her clinical experience includes providing emergency screening of persons in mental health crisis at an inner-city hospital, outpatient and in-home child and family therapy, and clinical consultation for nursing homes with primarily Spanish-speaking residents. In addition, she has extensive experience working in the prevention of child sexual abuse by conducting forensic evaluations, individual, group and family therapy at an intensive outpatient program for court mandated youth who have been sexually abused and/or have fire setting behaviors. Currently, Dr. De La Cruz coordinates the psychological treatment of child sexual abuse survivors and their non-offending families in Hudson County, NJ. As a Practitioner Scholar, her research interests focus on systemic approaches to the prevention and treatment of sexual abuse, and the healing of intergenerational trauma in families through the use of mindfulness-based psychotherapies, play therapy, multi-systemic family therapy, as well as the political empowerment of Latinos in NJ.    Dr. Azara Santiago Rivera serves as the Coordinator of the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at Felician University, Lodi, New Jersey. Also, she earned the status of Emeritus Professor and was the Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program in the Department of Psychology at Merrimack College. Before joining the Merrimack community, she held academic appointments at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) as the chair of the Counseling Department in August 2011 and became dean of academic affairs in August 2013 until 2015.  Dr. Santiago-Rivera served as the associate dean of the School of Education, University at Albany (NY) from 2001―2004. Among outcomes of her work were initiatives to advance early career faculty with a focus on publishing, teaching strategies and tenure and promotion processes.   In addition, she also held faculty positions as a professor, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2004―2011) and assistant and associate professor, University at Albany [NY] (1992―2004). Her publications and research interests include multicultural competencies in the counseling profession, bilingual therapy, Latinx adults and depression, and the impact of environmental contamination on the biopsychosocial well-being of Native Americans.  Her current work involves assessing depression in Latinx adults and the challenges associated with the use of translated measures from English to Spanish. She is a coauthor of 3 books, over 50 peer reviewed articles and book chapters, and has given over 120 presentations/workshops at local, national and international conferences, universities, and organizations. She has held leadership positions in professional organizations such as the Vice-President of the Latino Interest Network of the Association of Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD), and the President of Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ) within the American Counseling Association. She is a past- President of the National Latino/a Psychological Association. She is the Founding Editor of the Journal of Latinx Psychology (APA journal) and is a Fellow of Divisions 45 and 17 of APA. In 2014, Dr. Santiago-Rivera received the APA Presidential Citation for outstanding contribution to the profession. Currently, Dr. Santiago Rivera is the President of the Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey and the Treasurer-Elect of the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education.   Dr. Melissa Rivera Marano obtained both her Masters and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University. Dr. Rivera Marano has provided assessment and therapy services as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist since 2001. In addition to clinical services, during her career she has worked as an administrator of a youth-based community organization and program researcher. Dr. Melissa Rivera Marano is the owner of MRM Psychological Testing and Clinical Services, a group practice with two locations in Monmouth County, NJ.  She is also a Part Time Lecturer for the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University. Dr. Rivera Marano is on medical staff at Monmouth Medical Staff and works as the Psychologist on the inter-disciplinary team for the Regional Newborn Extension Program. Dr. Rivera Marano is published. Publications, presentations and research involve topics about Latinx mental health, cultural values, family and couple’s therapy, immigration and assessment. Dr. Rivera Marano is a former Board Trustee on NAMI NJ and former Board member of the New Jersey Psychological Association Foundation of New Jersey. She is an active member of the National Latino Psychological Association, NJ Psychological Association and Monmouth/Ocean County Psychological Association. Dr. Rivera Marano is also a member of NJPA’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion’s Immigration Action Group. Currently, Dr. Rivera Marano serves as the Past President of the Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey.   

Please join us for our monthly MHTTC webinar series featuring Dr. Avis Garcia, PhD, LAT, LPC, NCC, Northern Arapaho, in collaboration with the South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency in Tacoma, WA.

Please join us for our monthly MHTTC webinar series featuring Dr. Avis Garcia, PhD, LAT, LPC, NCC, Northern Arapaho, in collaboration with the South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency in Tacoma, WA.

Please join us for our monthly MHTTC webinar series featuring Dr. Avis Garcia, PhD, LAT, LPC, NCC, Northern Arapaho, in collaboration with the South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency in Tacoma, WA.

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: The Great Lakes MHTTC will host 11 sessions and 3 learning collaboratives between April through September 2022 on how to develop a Trauma Informed Care organization.   Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) & Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is the first event in the series. In this 2-hour workshop is the first of a Trauma-Informed/Resiliency Series developed for leaders and organizations interested in cultivating and sustaining a trauma-informed culture. This may be an overview for some; however, is foundational information for the workshop series. Due to the widespread impact of trauma experienced by clients, families, and staff alike, the need for a deep understanding of trauma-informed principles and practical application is imperative. And now more than ever. A trauma-informed approach to the work is not just for the benefit of those we serve, it must be a parallel process for an organization to experience real transformation. By fully integrating this knowledge into policies, procedures, and practices, supervisors and managers can become aware of how their own leadership style can influence their team and ultimately the organization. However, there are those that are comfortable with status quo, comfortable with how things are now, and resist system change. This workshop plans to inspire all participants to take the road to resilience and transformation. Attending to trauma-informed principles will help management and staff be more regulated, resilient, and able to bring hope and energy into their professional and personal lives.     Workshop Objectives: By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:   Explain the ACEs Study and its importance to Health & Human Services.  Identify trauma-informed principles and demonstrate their practical application in their work setting/department (will build on this during future workshops).  Describe the benefits of a trauma-informed workplace on employee well-being and outcomes for those they serve.  Recognize the impact of trauma experienced by clients, families, and staff and consider ways to promote a safe, healthy, and thriving work culture (will build on this during future workshops).      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: Chuck Price, MS Although many consultants strive to create trauma-informed environments and guide leaders through culture change, very few have successfully led their organizations through this process. Bonafide experience is what sets Chuck Price and Blue Collar Consulting apart from the others. This experience, along with Chuck’s easy manner and ability to form authentic relationships, make Chuck a natural fit to help support you as you lead your agency’s transformation process. Chuck has filled leadership roles in several counties and private agencies throughout his 27-years working in child welfare and health and human services. Chuck’s career has been dedicated to making drastic improvements in the lives of children and families. He has been brave and selfless in his pursuit of excellence, often pioneering pathways not yet traveled by his peers. He has served in leadership roles within public and private agencies, in both urban and rural settings. All of this has provided him with a diverse perspective and the ability to quickly understand and relate to challenges faced by leaders.   As a DHHS Director, Chuck led his department on a successful and transformational journey from traditional compliance-based practice to becoming a legitimate trauma-informed agency. As a result of his work recruitment, retention, agency health, and case outcomes dramatically improved. Under his leadership, overall numbers of children living in congregate care were significantly reduced, and at one point even dropped to zero! Chuck's results and process gained recognition across the state, the country, and internationally.   Chuck started Blue Collar Consulting to broaden the impact of lessons learned so you don’t have to start at the beginning. His passion is to help support brave leaders in their professional growth and development, and to use his real-world experience to assist organizations in their trauma-informed cultural transformations. He also has a sweet spot for his two dogs, Brewer and Uecker, which might give away his other passion…Milwaukee Brewers baseball! Chuck lives in Central Wisconsin with his wife of 27 years. As a new member of the empty-nester club, he is free to travel, connect, and lead your transformational work, no matter where you are on your journey, or the map.

The Northeast and Caribbean Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) at Rutgers University will provide monthly webinars to support you in developing your school-based mental health services and supports. During these sessions, the MHTTC in collaboration with school mental health experts and New Jersey district exemplars will focus on the following core features of effective school mental health: Developing your Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Needs Assessment and Resource Mapping Establishing Universal Prevention Establishing Tiered Supports (Tier 2 & Tier 3) System Partners Risk Assessment Funding Comprehensive School-based Mental Health Staff Self-Care Intended Audience: The webinars are intended to help support school/district mental health teams that will develop and influence school mental health programming. This includes, but is not limited to: Administrators (school principals/vice-principals) School mental health professionals (e.g., school counselors, social workers, etc.) District Mental Health Director or Student Services Coordinator Community Behavioral Health Agencies

This training is on April 12th, 2022 and will run from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. MT.  Event Description This training reviews a range of evidence-based strategies for application by teachers, afterschool professionals and other support staff to reduce disruptive and challenging behaviors in their educational or out-of-school time setting. These include a number of strategies intended to help minimize the emergence of problematic behaviors and a range of those which provide positive outcomes for appropriate youth behaviors.   Objectives: 1.Participants will gain an array of research and evidence based strategies for behavior management.  2. Participants will gain an array of research and evidence based strategies for proactive classroom management.  3.Participants will gain an array of research and evidenced based reinforcement systems for behavior.  4.Participants will understand how to establish, maintain, and restore relationships and why this is important to behavior management.   5.Participants will feel comfortable, through role-play and practice and rehearsal, in practicing strategies with a student that needs behavior management.  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.  

Session 2 Event Description This two-part seminar series will focus on how to effectively implement trans-affirmative care for transgender and nonbinary patients. In Session 1, we will cover relevant research (including health disparities as they exist for transgender populations), terminology, and cisgender privilege. In Session 2, we will explore barriers for healthcare providers, mental health care considerations, and ethical forms of treatment.    Session 2 – April 12, 2022  11:00 a.m. MT - 12:00 p.m. MT Trainer Hannah Muetzelfeld, PhD                     Hannah Muetzelfeld, PhD received her training in Counseling Psychology at the University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY Albany) where she co-created a trans-affirmative social justice consultation project aimed at training medical residents on how to effectively implement trans-affirmative care at the patient-level at a local family medicine clinic. While on her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Utah, she continued the project and worked to consult with medical students earlier on in their training to work both ethically and responsibly with transgender and nonbinary populations in primary care. She is currently working as a Staff Psychologist at Weber State University’s Counseling and Psychological Services Center where she continues to develop and cultivate her interests in trans-affirmative care, and fostering support spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals.

The Northwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center is excited to be a sponsor for the 20th Annual Northwest PBIS Conference that brings experts from across the field to present and provide trainings on key topics related to school mental health across the pre-conference and conference. Join us in-person, or for virtual sessions, April 12-14, 2022 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center in Tacoma, WA >>> To register click the 'REGISTER' button above <<< About: The Annual NWPBIS Network Conference is the largest gathering of educators, researchers, thought leaders, community partners, and practitioners in the field of Schoolwide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) in the Pacific Northwest. NWPBIS Network is a private nonprofit organization that is part of a network of school districts, ESDs, community organizations and other stakeholders invested in creating positive systemic change in schools and other environments that serve children and youth in the Pacific Northwest region.   >>> Learn more about the conference 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 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: It can often be difficult to know how much personal information to share in a professional setting with the people we support, and what crosses the line and is too personal. Finding this balance is becoming more complicated as communication is increasingly digital, text based, and exists on a variety of social media platforms. This class explores best practices in this difficult area.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Explore the purpose and function of self-disclosure Articulate the hallmark of effective self-disclosure Recognize that effective self-disclosure is situational and individual Examine the impact of social media and technology     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 those 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 who are homeless and in shelter, providing 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 numerous training sessions. Topics of these trainings 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.

Session 3 Building on our phenomenally successful Mindful Monday training series, we are pleased to continue our micro-mindful training series. Research indicates that mindfulness therapy and practices are very effective in helping to reduce levels of stress and feelings of being overwhelmed. This series is for anyone looking to build personal resiliency while investing and developing self-care practices.      Mindful Monday sessions will feature a wide range of evidence-based practices from different disciplines, including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Dialectal Behavioral Therapy, Evidence-Based therapy, and yoga. It is a bi-weekly, 30-minute training that will begin on March 14th and run through August 8th.      Each session will involve a brief summary and learning of a new mindful skill, 5–20-minute application through practice in session, and resources to implement outside of session.      This is a great place to try different activities and practices, and to acquire tools and skills to apply in your everyday lives either personally or professionally!  Trainer Christina Ruggiero, Masters of Counselling Psychology, has developed this training and will facilitate the sessions. She is a Psychotherapist currently working at the University of Toronto in Ontario, CA. Christina will provide participants with practical tips and experiential activities that can be incorporated into daily routines and easily shared with others. 

       Become a licensed PeerZone facilitator with this 4-day virtual training for Region 10 peer professionals! ABOUT THIS EVENT The Northwest MHTTC is excited to offer a limited number of $1,500 scholarships for peer professionals in HHS Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington) for the April 11-14, 2022, PeerZone training hosted by Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon. The PeerZone 4-day virtual training certifies peer workers as licensed facilitators who will deliver the PeerZone workshops as part of their employment to people in their service or community. Completing this training provides two years of PeerZone licensing. As a licensed provider, PeerZone facilitators receive monthly group support calls, advice on demand, access to online curricula, improvements to workshops and new materials as developed, analysis and feedback of workshop evaluations, and access to the mobile-friendly PeerZone website. Licensed facilitators also gain access to an online toolkit with 52 new workshops full of resources for use one-on-one and in shorter groups.   100% attendance over the 4 days is required to become licensed.   Application and Eligibility Apply by March 28, 2022, using the "register" link above. Please note that completing this registration application is not a guarantee of enrollment into the training, nor a guarantee that a scholarship will be available if you are requesting a scholarship. This training is open to people working in peer support in HHS Region 10 (Idaho, Alaska, Oregon, and Washington). To qualify, each person must: Have lived experience of mental distress and/or addiction and are willing to disclose his/her/their experiences Currently provide peer services in his/her/their workplace Have prior experience facilitating groups Have the ability to implement the PeerZone curriculum with the support of his/her/their supervisor and employer Attend the training in its entirety; persons who miss any training are not eligible for PeerZone licensure Complete an expert review of facilitation skills to competency to be promoted to Licensed Facilitator status Participants will be asked to complete online evaluations intended to research the impact of this training.   What is PeerZone?  PeerZone is a series of peer-led workshops for people who experience mental distress and addiction. The workshops are a combination of peer support and recovery education and provide a fun, interactive, safe structure for participants to share their experiences, learn self-management, and expand their horizons. Workshops explore distress, recovery, and major life domains such as lifestyle, relationships, housing, and employment. These pre-packaged, billable workshops can be offered as 18 three-hour or 36 ninety-minute sessions. Since 2013, PeerZone has certified over 300 facilitators worldwide and is currently running in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S. PeerZone has been successfully piloted and all the workshops are evaluated. Facilitator Feedback on PeerZone: “This course has been a lifechanging opportunity for me as a peer and as a facilitator.” “The best week ever!” “The content is brilliant and honors the lived experience.” “A great way to use one’s lived experience to support others.” “PeerZone is an incredible opportunity to further one’s self development.” Flyer Download the training flyer here.  

Are you new to working with individuals with early psychosis? Are you interested in learning more about what early psychosis coordinated specialty care is all about? Please join our monthly webinar series beginning 2/3/22 at 2 PM ET.   Coordinated specialty care for early psychosis is an evidence-based treatment model aimed at fostering resilience and recovery for individuals who have experience a first episode of psychosis or are at clinical high risk for developing psychosis.  Each webinar will be co-presented by a professional with expertise in that component of care, as well as an individual with lived experience who can speak to how this aspect of care was meaningful in their journey towards recovery. This series is geared towards any individuals that are new to working on an Early Psychosis Specialty Team – including students, clinicians, prescribers, supported employment specialists, family clinicians, and peer specialists.    The content from these webinars will be recorded and used for the development of an online course aimed at helping to provide a basic orientation to new staff and trainees that are beginning to work in a coordinated specialty program for individuals experiencing early psychosis. The series will happen once per month starting in February, on the first Thursday of each month at 2 PM ET (11 AM PT).    Presenter: /*--> Raelyn Elliott-Remes, bio coming soon!

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: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Core Mindfulness Skills is the second in a series of eight DBT modules that will be presented every three weeks through August 11, 2022.  This session will review the three steps in learning a skill along with include homework to strengthen the skills learned. Join this training to learn three states of mind, “what” skills, and “how” the presenter will also introduce ways to use Mindfulness 101 and goals for Core Mindfulness.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: General tasks of skills training. Guidelines and structure of a DBT skills training group. Learn and be able to teach and illustrate DBT's three states of mind Learn and be able to teach and illustrate how to use the what and how skills in DBT to facilitate a wise mind decision.       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 training in full.

About the Event:  Evidence-based practices have become the goal for supporting recovery for people with severe mental illness. But, we are not all working in environments that have the capacity to achieve full fidelity to these models.  This 6-part series will review the core aspects of several evidence-based psychiatric rehabilitation practices, focusing on practical strategies and skills that participants can do now to make a difference. Part 6 of this 6-part series (Thursday, April 7th | 12:00 PM ET) focuses on take-away tools: Unifying Themes Across Evidence-Based Practices. To learn more or register for other sessions in this series, please visit our Keeping It Practical: Core Skills for Evidence-Based Practices page or click here.    About the Presenter:  Michelle P. Salyers, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). She directs the ACT Center of Indiana, a collaboration of academic and community partners, including researchers, administrators, clinicians, consumers, and family members who share an interest in recovery-oriented, evidence-based practices. The overarching goal of her work is to help adults with severe mental illness live meaningful lives in the community. Her research addresses both consumers of mental health services and the providers of those services. She is increasingly targeting the interaction of consumers and providers, looking for the best way to support relationships that promote recovery and well-being. Her current work involves developing effective ways to reduce staff burnout and to increase shared decision-making in mental health care.  

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 presentation will describe the role of culture in the experience of and presentation of mental health problems by individuals seeking care and in assessments and treatments offered by providers. The value of a person-centered cultural assessment will be presented, focusing on cultural concepts of distress, social determinants of mental health, and treatment planning and engagement. The Cultural Formulation Interview will be introduced, a standardized method for person-centered assessment that appeared in DSM-5.