Past Events

SERIES DESCRIPTION Central East MHTTC in collaboration with the National Center for School Mental Health is pleased to offer a school mental health webinar series with a focus on advancing high quality, sustainable school mental health from a multi-tiered system of support, trauma sensitive, and culturally responsive and equitable lens. To familiarize yourself with the foundations of school mental health, please review the school mental health guidance document.   OBJECTIVES Gain increased awareness of high quality, sustainable multi-tiered system of school mental health supports and services Support trauma-informed systems in schools Discover the impacts of social determinants of health on student academic and social-emotional-behavioral success Learn to provide more culturally responsive and equitable services and supports Hear perspectives on school mental health from school, district and state levels Obtain insight into how youth, families, schools and communities can best work together to address student mental health needs   WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Educators, Administrators, Health and Behavioral Health Care Professionals, Policymakers and Advocates, Child-Serving Agency Staff

Description:  Stigma – which involves labeling, stereotyping, and discriminating – is a major barrier to mental health help-seeking, psychiatric service engagement, and full inclusion in society. Stigma is particularly detrimental to young people (e.g., adolescents and young adults) who are just developing their attitudes and identities, making this an ideal time to interrupt the stigma process. Both public stigma (e.g., negative stereotypes about mental illness among peers) and internalized stigma (e.g., integrating stereotypes into one's identity; fears of disclosing one's mental health concerns) can interfere with overall youth mental health. This webinar will discuss ways to reduce stigma via a multipronged approach, including efforts that are youth-driven and have an intersectional lens. Download Flyer   Presenter: Joseph DeLuca, Ph.D., is an NIMH-T32 Postdoctoral Fellow at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, specializing in psychosis-risk and the early stages of psychosis. He earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the City University of New York Graduate Center and completed his predoctoral internship at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. DeLuca’s research and clinical interests include screening and treatment for psychosis-spectrum symptoms, particularly with youth and families, as well as stigma, the role of culture and context in psychosis, and the intersection of mental illness and the criminal justice system.   Learning Objectives: Conceptualize and define youth mental health stigma Understand the unique impact of stigma on youth Discuss efforts to combat youth mental health stigma   Who Should Attend? Mental health professionals, mental health advocates, mental health graduate students, people with lived mental health experience, young people interested in mental health, and others who work with/on behalf of youth diagnosed with mental illness   Certificates of attendance will be available to viewers of 50% (45 minutes) or more of the live webinar (via email within 30 business days post-event). CEUs are not offered for this session.

Youth Advocate Leadership Academy   The Pacific Southwest MHTTC is pleased to announce the Region 9 Cohort of the Youth Advocate Leadership Academy (YALA), a training for youth and young adults seeking to build their own leadership skills to create positive change in the mental health field and world around them.   This no-cost opportunity includes access to PS MHTTC/Youth MOVE’s leadership curriculum in four online training sessions designed to create a peer-led environment that builds off each participant’s current skills. We blend experiential learning with peer facilitated group discussions and activities. All youth and young adults (YYA) ages 14 – 29 who are passionate about mental health, and who identify as having lived experience in a youth-serving system, are encouraged to apply.   This second Cohort within the YALA series is designed to serve YYA who work and reside in the MHTTC Region 9, which includes Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada. (Due to the disparate time zone of the Pacific Islands and the US mainland, a specific YALA Cohort for this region was scheduled in March)   YYA who may be interested in working as a youth peer provider in the future, or who are currently serving as a youth peer, would be a great fit for this training opportunity.     Apply here, by Friday, March 25, 2022      Objectives Identify individual capacity to lead and develop personal leadership style Build understanding of how personal values, culture, and experiences shape our approach to leadership Identify individual strengths and grow adaptive leadership skills Connect the value of lived experience to leadership   Benefits of Participation Learn principles of adaptive leadership and practice application in your work Access individualized coaching and resources to enhance leadership skills Meet and engage with a diverse peer-learning cohort Certificate of completion provided to build resume strength and support professional development goals at work or school   Commitment Requirements Participate in pre-work including the Gallup Strengths Finder 2.0 Assessment Participate in virtual learning sessions (on Zoom with webcam and audio connection) Complete brief thought work between each virtual session Complete training session evaluations     YALA Training Schedule All sessions will take place from 3:00PM – 7:00PM PT.   Session 1 Tuesday, 04/5/22 3:00- 7:00 p.m. PT   Session 2 Tuesday, 04/12/22 3:00- 7:00 p.m. PT   Session 3 Tuesday, 04/19/22 3:00- 7:00 p.m. PT   Session 4 Tuesday, 04/26/22 3:00- 7:00 p.m. PT   Facilitators for the Pacific Island YALA Cohort Kristin Thorp, MPP Youth Program Director, Youth MOVE National   Kristin has ten years of experience in advocacy and youth leadership and program development with a special focus on the mental health and criminal justice systems. She currently serves as a Youth Program Director, where she is a national technical assistance provider on the development, implementation, and sustainability of quality youth programming and supports organizations develop meaningful and mutual partnerships with youth, young adults, and system leaders to advance best practices for youth engagement. Prior to joining Youth MOVE National, Kristin was the Continuous Quality Improvement Coordinator for Maine’s System of Care. In this role, she offered technical assistance, training, and consultation to government agencies, providers, and communities on incorporating and embedding trauma-informed principles and practices and developing a youth guided system. Kristin has utilized her own lived experience, passion, and expertise in the field of positive youth development to bridge multiple perspectives to promote trauma-informed approaches to recovery.   Michelle Vance Peer Support Specialist, Youth MOVE National Michelle’s advocacy work began when she attended a planning meeting where she met project stakeholders interested in hearing what they could do better for young adults. She was a great person to connect to as she has never had a shortage of ideas to create change in the foster care, juvenile justice, and mental health systems. Michelle spent extensive time working on youth voice and youth engagement within Utah’s Systems of Care and Healthy Transitions Initiatives. She is a trained Peer Support Specialist who helped develop a Youth MOVE chapter in Utah. Michelle is proud of the work she led creating intentional spaces for youth to share their experiences directly with those involved in policy and systems change efforts. On the weekends, Michelle is an avid gamer; PS4 and Switch are her favorite past times. She also has two dogs, a hedgehog, and a day gecko that keep life interesting.   Application Process If you are interested in joining a FREE YALA training, please complete the Interest Form. The Interest Form will ask about your availability to attend the above training options. A waitlist will be developed should the trainings fill and YMN will notify applicants of future training sessions as they are scheduled. For more information, or to participate in the Youth Advocate Leadership Academy, please complete the participant information form or send an email to [email protected].   Apply here by Friday, March 25, 2022

Join our value-added Diversity Talk! Session collaborator, Miraj Desai, PhD, Assistant Professor at the Program for Recovery and Community Health of the Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Desai will lead our talk as we collectively explore ways to mitigate the effects of implicit organizational bias on provider interactions, care decisions, and engagements with BIPOC populations. Our Diversity Talks offer a window of availability with thought leaders and provide the space and opportunity for small group conversations and discussions around curated resources that promote racial equity and culturally humble practices in behavioral health and recovery-oriented care. This session pairs with our Understanding Organizational Implicit Bias and its Impact on BIPOC Populations webinar on Thursday, March 24 at 1:00 p.m. Register for that session now and make plans to extend your learning at our related Diversity Talk.  

​​​​​​​ Event Description Transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive people in general have an elevated risk for mental health concerns, including suicidality. Gender expansive 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 gender expansive 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.      Ben Gilbert, B.A.    Ben Gilbert (he/they) is a first-year Counseling Psychology PhD student at the University of North Dakota. They graduated summa cum laude with a major in Psychology from Emory University in 2021. Ben’s research interests focus primarily on the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ individuals. Ben has pursued these topics on both the graduate and undergraduate levels. In their undergraduate career, Ben was president of their Pride organization (2017-2019) and earned the university’s Transgender Advocate of the Year award in 2021. In graduate school, Ben continues to pursue these topics; he is currently part of a research team focused on developing education materials focused on multiculturalism and inclusion and is in the process of researching transmasculine experiences of and relationship to sexism. 

Hispanic and Latinx populations in the U.S confront particular structural barriers towards receiving accessible and responsive mental health care services (e.g. lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate services, lack of insurance, lack of transportation, lack awareness of the mental health system). Due to such factors, mental health care providers require the knowledge and skills to identify and help address the societal and community-level barriers that negatively impact behavioral health care outcomes among Hispanic and Latinx communities. A crucial step towards helping increase health equity and accessibility of services among Hispanic and Latinx groups is building upon programs and strategies which promote and strengthen community-driven mental health services and which can deliver culturally oriented practices.   Objectives   1) Discuss the structural level of barriers that impact mental health care services, access and outcomes of Hispanic and Latinx communities.   2) Address models, programs, and resources that help improve the accessibility of culturally grounded and responsive mental health care services for Hispanic and Latinx communities.   3) Discuss means, strategies, and recommendations to develop and implement advocacy initiatives and connect individuals to community-based supports which improve prevention of mental health conditions and reduce behavioral health disparities among Hispanic and Latinx communities.   About Presenter:   Hector Colón-Rivera, MD Dr. Colón-Rivera is a distinguished quadruple board-certified adolescent, adult, and addiction psychiatrist of the Pennsylvania medical community. He is currently a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh Medical and the Einstein Medical Center. He has broad experience in community-based programs, emphasizing those that help increase access to severe mental illness and substance use disorders treatments in minorities. He is the Medical Director of the Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha, Inc Behavioral Health Program (APM), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving Hispanic communities' quality of life through direct behavior and substance use disorder services in the Philadelphia region. APM has functions related to education, health, human services, community, foster homes, & economic development. Dr. Colon Rivera is also an attending physician at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic and UPMC through their telemedicine services. He is a co-founder, volunteer, and member of CrearConSalud.org, a non-profit with the goals of supporting and conducting educational, research, and advocacy activities to increase public awareness and action regarding mental health in Puerto Rico and Latinx communities in the United States.Dr. Colon-Rivera also serves as a clinical advisor for the Advisory on Alcohol and Other Drugs Committee for Pennsylvania under the Governor Wolf administration and the Opioid State Targeted Response Technical Assistance senior advisor Puerto Rico. He is the President of the Hispanic Caucus, a member of the Assembly, and the Council on Communication at the American Psychiatric Association.

Description:  Well-being is a state of feeling satisfied, fulfilled, and having a sense of meaning or purpose. Within the work context, well-being is an important factor in employee morale, productivity, and retention. Individual employees can take steps to improve their well-being, but organizations also play a large role in promoting and sustaining the well-being of their staff. The first step to improving well-being is to assess current strengths and needs from both an individual and organizational perspective. This webinar will introduce a new online platform that offers a comprehensive approach to workplace well-being. Individuals can explore the self-paced well-being workbook that includes self-assessments and strategies for improvement. Separately, this tool also gives organizations the ability to assess organizational well-being via confidential employee feedback and provide resources to inform improvement plans. Download Flyer   Presenters: Kristin M. Scardamalia, PhD, SSP, LP  Assistant Professor, National Center for School Mental Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine Dominique Charlot-Swilley, Ph.D.  Director, Provider Wellbeing Practice and Expert Advisor/Technical Assistance of HealthySteps for Early Childhood Innovation Network (ECIN); Assistant Professor, Center for Child and Human Development, Georgetown University Oscar Morgan Interim Executive Director, Danya Institute & Project Director, Central East MHTTC   Learning Objectives: Understand how well-being impacts individuals and workplaces Learn how to assess and address individual well-being with the online Individual Provider well-being workbook Learn how to assess and address organizational well-being with the Organizational Well-being Inventory (OWBI) and associated resource center    Who Should Attend? Physicians, nurses, mental health providers, support staff, administrators and other primary health care providers   Certificates of attendance will be available to viewers of 50% (45 minutes) or more of the live webinar (via email within 30 business days post-event). CEUs are not offered for this session.

The Certified Personal Medicine Coach Training combines online e-learning, practice and group video coaching over the course of a 10-week curriculum. Once certified, Personal Medicine Coaches will be approved to use Personal Medicine, Personal Medicine Guides and Personal Medicine Cards with individuals and in groups.  Personal Medicine are the things we do to get well and stay well. Personal Medicine supports recovery-oriented practice, is evidence-based and has been shown to increase activation which leads to more robust health outcomes. This is a closed training.

  The Great Lakes A/MH/PTTC 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.     Register to join us on the first Tuesday of each month from 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Central (11:00 AM – 11:30 AM Eastern). Each session will feature a new expert presenter.     DESCRIPTION  Alcohol is STILL a drug.  The opioid crisis, increase in stimulant misuse, and marijuana legalization dominate the news— yet alcohol remains the number one substance causing health, social, legal and financial problems throughout the US.    While this series will focus on the hopefulness of recovery from alcohol use disorder, we’ll also take a deep dive into what we know about the full impact of alcohol overuse and the ways it affects every person in the US.   April 5th Topic: Alcohol Use in Hmong Communities Yengyee Lor will provide information about alcohol use in Hmong communities, and how the intersection of cultural practices and alcohol consumption is experienced within these communities. She will share ways to engage in cultural celebrations and activities while maintaining safe alcohol usage.      TRAINER Yengyee Lor, President–Faithful Consulting Yengyee is a trainer, leadership coach, and organizational consultant helping organizations strategically deliver meaningful organizational impact that is holistic, sustainable, and profitable. She is s a certified PCC coach, certified non-profit consultant, workforce planning strategist, and keynote speaker. Yengyee has degrees in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Counseling, and Social Work.          CERTIFICATES Certificates of attendance will be emailed to all participants who attend the sessions in full.     TRAINING SCHEDULE All sessions in this series will be held on the first Tuesday of each month from 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Central. There will be a new expert presenter for every session.  September 7, 2021 October 5, 2021  November 2, 2021  December 7, 2021 January 4, 2022 - NO SESSION February 1, 2022 March 1, 2022  April 5, 2022  May 3, 2022  June 7, 2022 July 5, 2022 - NO SESSION August 2, 2022    

This series of six meetings will promote further peer-to-peer learning and collaboration among Employment and Education providers in community mental health settings who want to better engage and support the career development of young adults with serious mental health needs. Each learning collaborative will cover a topic that is critical for engagement and career development; an activity; and a discussion facilitated by trainers with lots of real-world vocational and community mental health experience.

This series of six meetings will promote further peer-to-peer learning and collaboration among Employment and Education providers in community mental health settings who want to better engage and support the career development of young adults with serious mental health needs. Each learning collaborative will cover a topic that is critical for engagement and career development; an activity; and a discussion facilitated by trainers with lots of real-world vocational and community mental health experience.

These no-cost, virtual meetings offer you the opportunity to collaborate with other First Episode Psychosis (FEP) and Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) team Peer Supports and Family Partners in a supportive, mentoring environment. This is a space for resource sharing, support around ways to be most effective when working with FEP/CSC clients, options for self-care strategies, and more!

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)          

Join us for Youth Peer Support Group Coaching! These no-cost, virtual meetings offer trained Peer Supporters working with young people an opportunity to have regular coaching sessions.  The goal is to provide a space for facilitator led-discussions on topics pertinent to providing youth peer support.  This is also a chance to share resources and network while growing your professional skillset. Future Dates: April 28, 2022 May 26, 2022 June 30, 2022 July 28, 2022

The National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC), in collaboration with the Central East MHTTC, the Milken Institute School of Public Health at GW, the National Center for School Mental Health, and the Center for Health and Health Care in Schools, have organized a hybrid conference based on the fundamental premise that significant disparities exist, particularly for Latinx students in need of access to mental health services and behavioral health resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. and access to behavioral health resources This conference will serve as a forum where providers, researchers, educators, students, and stakeholders can share practical ideas and resources to address the disparities heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic among Hispanic and Latinx students. The conference will:  Address the trauma, adversity, and adjustment faced by Latinx students and their families.  Discuss the behavioral health needs of Latinx students and families and how mental health providers can address them. Discuss recommendations and strategies for the school mental health workforce serving Latinx students and families.   Who should attend? This event is designed for mental health providers, including psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, and graduate-level students in the mental health field or public health who are interested in learning about how economic, health, and social stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic are affecting mental health and school performance for Latinx students. 

Creating a safe, engaging environment can make or break success in mental health and substance use disorder recovery. From helping to create a home (not just “housing”) to holding a safe space in a conversation, it starts with meeting people where they are through Person-Centered Planning. This workshop will help you set the stage for recovery-oriented transformation by establishing an environment where the condition of being human is priority number one and the evidence-based practice of Person-Centered Planning (PCP) is activated across the system of care. Part One of this workshop will focus on the organizational structure and systems required to support PCP, as well as recruitment and hiring.   Presenter:  /*-->*/ /*-->*/ /*-->*/ /*--> Remi Kyek, MA, MFT Remi Kyek, MA, M.F.T., is Mental Health Connecticut’s Chief Experience Officer and has been at MHC for over 30 years. Remi leads internal and external delivery of the recovery-oriented, evidence-based practices for a team of 200+, as well as help to create new services and directly support the personal development and self-care practices of staff. Named in 2021 as a “Connecticut Health Care Hero” from the Hartford Business Journal, Remi’s work is a key reason for MHC receiving a platinum-level certification for Mental Health America’s Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health and top-level accreditation from CARF. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Montclair State College and earned her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fairfield University.

This event has already occurred. To view the recording and slides from this webinar, click here.     Session Overview In this foundational webinar, Dr. Adam Wilk will provide an overview of Medicaid and an introduction to how Medicaid finances school mental health services. He will discuss the Medicaid benefits that can cover school mental health services, what child populations can be eligible for Medicaid, what providers can bill Medicaid for school mental health services, and related considerations for schools and community mental health providers. Dr. Wilk and Allison Hu, the lead author of a new report that answers frequently asked questions about Medicaid and school mental health, will conclude the webinar by answering attendees' questions.   Learning Objectives  Identify the four requirements for receiving Medicaid reimbursement for school mental health services.  Identify Medicaid benefits that can cover school mental health services.  Identify services covered by the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit.    Speakers   Adam Wilk is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public health.  He is the Financial Policy Lead for the Southeast Region’s Mental Health Technology Transfer Center: Administrative Supplement on School-based Mental Health.  Dr. Wilk is a health economist and health services researcher, conducting research on Medicaid and underserved populations, physician decision-making, and the management of complex, chronically ill patients.  He received his doctorate at The University of Michigan School of Public Health in 2015.  Before his time in Michigan, Dr. Wilk worked at The Brookings Institution and as a consultant at The Lewin Group.   Allison Ju-Chen Hu is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Emory University Rollins School of Public Health. She is a research assistant for the Southeast Mental Health Technology Transfer Center: Administrative Supplement on School-based Mental Health. Her research interests include Medicaid, access to care among underserved populations, health disparities, and mental health. She received her Master of Health Services Administration degree at The University of Michigan School of Public Health in 2018.  

Description:  This webinar will explore how Family Based Therapy (or FBT) is used as a treatment modality for an adolescent with an eating disorder and the role that parents/caregivers play in the treatment. Download Flyer   Presenter: Kristen Mahoney is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Virginia and has experience providing evidence-based approaches to children, adolescents, adults, and families. Kristen has spent the majority of her career treating eating disorders and other comorbid mental health concerns, and has worked in all levels of care in eating disorder treatment, from outpatient to inpatient. She joined the Rock Recovery team in the summer of 2021 as the Clinical Program Director, and is passionate in working with clients on their eating disorder recovery. Kristen has an overall interest in women's mental health, particularly in supporting women during transitional times of their lives such as the pregnancy and postpartum period, parenting, career shifts, and relationship changes.   Host:  Christie Dondero-Bettwy serves as the Executive Director for Rock Recovery, a nonprofit that helps people overcome disordered eating by combining clinical and community care. Having gone through recovery herself, she understands the depth of emotional, physical and spiritual support needed to recover and is passionate about spreading the message that freedom from disordered eating is possible. She is an active speaker and shares her story with organizations and media outlets across the country. Christie lives in Washington, DC with her husband Ryan, who serves as a pastor at their church in Northern Virginia.    Learning Objectives: Identify eating disorders warning signs that parents should be aware of Explain when FBT is appropriate for treatment of eating disorders  Discuss stages and the role parents play in treatment Identify ways for parents to manage their own stress when engaged in FBT with their adolescent   Who Should Attend? Parents and caregivers for a child/adolescent with an eating disorder   Certificates of attendance will be available to viewers of 50% (45 minutes) or more of each live webinar (via email within 30 business days following the event). CEUs are not available for this session.

The South Southwest MHTTC will host it's annual Regional Advisory Board meeting on March 30, 2022.  Every year, we enjoy meeting with our board and other representatives from Region 6 to network with each other and discuss how we can help you support providers to meet the mental health needs of people and providers in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.  This is a closed event.

Private event, by invitation only. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted Latinx communities and highlighted how preexisting health disparities increased mental health conditions. In addition, the pandemic resulted in the loss of family members, food insecurity, reduced access to mental health services, and housing instability among Latinx communities. The unique challenges faced by Latinx families emphasize the critical need to translate best practices and apply them at the intersection of behavioral health, comprehensive school mental health systems, and culture. State governments play an essential role in monitoring and addressing the needs of their residents. The convening of federal government staff and national, state, and local leaders will bring key stakeholders to discuss lessons learned in implementing behavioral health strategies during the pandemic. This roundtable discussion will highlight organizational and public health strategies to implement comprehensive mental health systems needed to improve the health and well-being of Latinx communities. Current efforts provide a unique opportunity for communities and agencies to work towards a more equitable recovery for Latinxs. This event is a collaborative effort between the Central East MHTTC, the National Center for School Mental Health, and the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University.   Learning objectives:  Address the challenges Latinx communities faced in the Central East Region during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Discuss the behavioral health needs of Latinx communities and how they can be addressed at the organizational and provider level.  Discuss recommendations on organizational strategies and workforce services at both the system and local levels.    Agenda*  *Subject to change    Welcome and Introductions Christine Miranda, PhD Associate Project Director National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine   Ibis S. Carrión-González, PsyD  Director  National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine    Oscar Morgan  Project Director  Central East MHTTC    Opening Statement CDR Karina D. Aguilar, DrPH, MSW, CPH Assistant Regional Administrator, Region 2 Commander, United States Publich Health Services   Roundtables Discussion: Finding a Way Advancing Together to Improve Latinx Communities Behavioral Health  Scott Bloom, LCSW-R (Moderator)   Director of Special Projects  New York Psychotherapy and Counseling Center (NYPCC)  Advisory Board Member  National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC    Group Discussion Luis H. Zayas, PhD (Moderator)   Dean and Professor  Steve Hicks School of Social Work  Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences  Dell Medical School  The University of Texas at Austin  Advisory Board Member   National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC    ¿Quiénes somos y de dónde venimos? A Historical Context to Inform Mental Health Services with Latinx Populations National Hispanic and Latino MHTCC  Oscar Fernando Rojas Perez, PhD   Postdoctoral Associate Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry Trainer, National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC    David G. Zelaya, PhD   Postdoctoral Research Associate Brown University School of Public Health Harvard Medical School   Manuel Paris, PsyD   Associate Professor of Psychiatry  Yale University School of Medicine  Advisory Board Member, National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC    Closing Remarks / Next Steps / Evaluation  Scott Bloom, LCSW-R  Director of Special Projects  New York Psychotherapy and Counseling Center (NYPCC)  Advisory Board Member  National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC 

The National American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Technology Transfer Center, the K through 12 mental health program, and the National American Indian and Alaska Native Child Traumatic Stress Initiative are pleased to announce a collaborative project with Jacqueline S. Gray, PhD, retired research associate professor, to assist in creating a crisis, recovery, and resiliency team to serve your community. After completing the training, participants will possess the knowledge and skills to go out into their Native community as a facilitator.  This session provides an overview of the training. 3-4:30 ET . 2-3:30 CT . 1-2:30 MT . 12-1:30 PT . 11-12:30 AKT

Session 1 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 1 – March 29, 2022  11:00 a.m. MT - 12:00 p.m. MT   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 South Southwest MHTTC will create a space specifically for peer representatives in our region to connect, collaborate, and share insights.  Please register if you are a Peer Supporter (Mental Health, Substance Use/Recovery, Veteran, Youth, Survivor, Re-Entry/Forensic, etc.), a Peer Support Volunteer, a Peer Supporter working as a Peer Support Supervisor, a Peer Supporter in Leadership, or another Peer Support workforce role. Full certification is not required for participation. We plan to utilize this time to gain information on the training, technical assistance, and support needs of the Peer Workforce within our Region. Please come with your thoughts on our topics identified (Creating more Job Opportunities/Career Progression/Pay, Fidelity to the Role, Co-Occurring Challenges, Ethics, Medication Assisted Treatment/MAT). The session will be from 9 am central time to 12 noon central time on March 29th. We hope you’re able to attend!   

The South Southwest MHTTC will create a space specifically for peer representatives in our region to connect, collaborate, and share insights.  Please register if you are a Peer Supporter (Mental Health, Substance Use/Recovery, Veteran, Youth, Survivor, Re-Entry/Forensic, etc.), a Peer Support Volunteer, a Peer Supporter working as a Peer Support Supervisor, a Peer Supporter in Leadership, or another Peer Support workforce role. Full certification is not required for participation. We plan to utilize this time to gain information on the training, technical assistance, and support needs of the Peer Workforce within our Region. Please come with your thoughts on our topics identified (Creating more Job Opportunities/Career Progression/Pay, Fidelity to the Role, Co-Occurring Challenges, Ethics, Medication Assisted Treatment/MAT). The session will be from 9 am central time to 12 noon central time on March 29th. We hope you’re able to attend!