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Tag: behavioral health

  • WellLife launches PlayWell fund for youth in Suffolk County | Long Island Business News

    THE BLUEPRINT:

    • WellLife Network launches PlayWell Fund in Suffolk County.

    • $100,000 grant from NY State Cannabis Community Grants supports the initiative.

    • Fund provides access to sports, arts, music, and educational programs for youth aged 5–24.

    • Program aims to enhance emotional wellness, social skills and leadership development.

    WellLife Network (WLN), a nonprofit with locations across Long Island that provides behavioral health and related services, has launched the PlayWell Fund. The initiative, which was made possible by a $100,000 grant from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management’s Community Grants Reinvestment Fund, aims to expand access to extracurricular activities for those in Suffolk County between the ages of five and 24 who are receiving behavioral health support.

    “Increasing access to structured, holistic, and developmentally focused extracurricular activities is not only beneficial for achieving favorable clinical outcomes but also enriching the overall livelihoods and experiences of young people dealing with behavioral health challenges,” Sherry Tucker, chief executive of WLN said in a news release about the initiative.

    The Community Grants Reinvestment Fund was designed to reinvest tax revenue from the legal cannabis industry into communities and populations that are “harmed by harsh drug policies, higher levels of criminalization and social and economic disadvantage,” according to the news release.  A total of $600,000 was awarded to six Long Island projects through this debut round of awards for the fund.

    “Programs like the Community Grants Reinvestment Fund are so crucial to these efforts and we are grateful to the Office of Cannabis Management for selecting our project as a recipient of this grant, as it would not be possible without it. Seeing the tax revenue promised to our communities come to fruition in such a tangible manner is refreshing, as it will benefit countless underserved New Yorkers,” Tucker said.

    Through the PlayWell Fund, WLN aims to address what it defines as a critical gap for youth from low-income families who often face systemic barriers to enrichment opportunities. The program will cover the costs of participation in sports, arts, music and educational programs, with the goal of enhancing emotional wellness, social development and leadership skills.

    The PlayWell Fund is a collaboration among WLN’s program development team, clinical leadership and children and family services program. A recreation specialist will partner with case managers and clinicians to work with families, identify interests and coordinate enrollment in enrichment activities.

    The program will be evaluated through enrollment data, family feedback and standardized mental health assessments. Drawing on over 20 years of experience with Medicaid-eligible and high-needs youth, WLN said it will partner with Suffolk County agencies and community providers for equitable, trauma-informed support that complements clinical services and fosters holistic, strength-based development for young people in need of support.


    Adina Genn

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  • From Struggles to Solutions: How Kennett Schools Transformed Student Health Coordination With CrossTx

    From Struggles to Solutions: How Kennett Schools Transformed Student Health Coordination With CrossTx

    School districts that help students receive mental health and healthcare treatment create safer, more inclusive learning environments. By making care accessible, reducing stigma, and fostering early intervention, students are empowered to thrive both emotionally and academically, ultimately benefiting families, schools and society at large.

    Kennett School District 39 (Kennett), a rural school district in the Missouri Bootheel, received a grant through Project AWARE to hire a coordinator to connect students in need of mental health services. They immediately experienced positive results with CrossTx, a HIPAA-compliant referral management platform. 

    As Morgan Blankenship, ED. S., Project AWARE care coordinator for Kennett, explained, “One of our students, let’s call her ‘Lucy,’ faced significant behavior challenges and found it difficult to stay in class for even an hour without being sent to the office. Thanks to our new student referral system, she was able to start mental health services, which led to extraordinary strides. Now, Lucy is able to attend school all day and fully participate in classroom activities alongside her peers. This transformation is a testament to her hard work, the availability of our referral system, the dedication of our school staff, and the invaluable support from the behavioral health agency. It highlights the critical role of mental health resources in fostering student success. We are incredibly proud of her and excited to see Lucy’s continued growth.” 

    Schools often struggle to integrate behavioral health services into the educational environment. Although many schools recognize the importance of addressing mental health, few have comprehensive programs to integrate these services. On-site services, such as counseling or therapy, are often limited, leading to reliance on external providers. Kennett School District had similar challenges. Initially, the district faced difficulties with workflow, communication, and recordkeeping, which resulted in students missing vital services. Often, staff lacked clarity on whether students had received services or made progress.

    The team at Kennett Schools reached out to the Missouri School-Based Health Alliance to find a solution. This resulted in a partnership with Healthy Blue to access funding for a cloud-based software and training solution implemented and delivered by CrossTx, a care coordination and referral management platform used by rural health clinics, health networks, and school districts around the country. 

    Kennett engaged with CrossTx to implement a closed-loop referral management collaborative care coordination program for the school district in what became known as Project AWARE.

    Blankenship praised the solution to date. “CrossTx has proven to be an invaluable program for our district, effectively ensuring that no student falls through the cracks. Through this platform, I can easily send referrals to the agency, which allows for prompt appointment-scheduling and provides us with essential tracking information, such as attendance, no-shows, transportation needs, and agency notes.”

    According to Chandra Donnell, Vice President of Client Success for CrossTx, the program has been a successful start. “As a society, there is still plenty of work to make our schools safer and more supportive of the mental health needs of our students. I am, however, excited to be a part of the transformational process that supports our teachers’ natural ability to notice behavioral changes and thereby advance early intervention before problems escalate. Many educational leaders work tirelessly to reduce the stigma of mental health and create supportive networks in their schools; our software uses these networks to increase access to services while tracking supportive data to highlight progress. Without the data and feedback, schools don’t fully understand the impact of their programs, an integral part to optimizing successful outcomes for students.” 

    The dedication of many individuals helped create Kennett School District’s positive results for students like Lucy. Their continued success is a model for American school districts determined to support their students’ health and wellbeing. 

    About Kennett School District 39

    Kennett School District is in a rural area of the Missouri Bootheel. It has received grant funding to implement a care-coordinated, referral management program with local behavioral health practices.  

    About CrossTx Inc.

    A cloud-based, HIPAA compliant platform supporting bi-directional and multi-directional referral management and care coordination specialized in school, community, and healthcare workflows. 

    Source: CrossTx

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  • Duncan White Joins Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance

    Duncan White Joins Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance

    The Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA) is proud to announce the addition of Duncan White as its new International Outreach Ambassador. In this role, Mr. White will be instrumental in promoting FBHA’s mission of education and suicide awareness on a global scale.

    About the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance

    Founded in 2010 by Jeff and Karen Dill, FBHA is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing educational workshops for firefighters, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, and dispatchers. FBHA has traveled over one million miles delivering workshops across the United States and Canada. Additionally, the organization has been tracking and validating firefighter and EMS suicides since 2010, utilizing data from government sources, media outlets, fire service reports, and articles referencing their data.

    “Unfortunately, behavioral health challenges and firefighter suicides are a global issue,” states FBHA founder Jeff Dill. “We want to extend our message to our brothers and sisters around the world, and we believe Duncan White is the ideal person to lead this effort.”

    Duncan White Brings Extensive Experience

    Mr. White joins FBHA with a distinguished background. He currently serves as the Managing Editor for both International Fire and Safety Journal (IFSJ) and Fire and Safety Journal Americas (FSJA). Prior to that, he dedicated 30 years to the UK fire service, rising through the ranks to the position of Response Chief before retiring in 2016. 

    Mr. White’s editorial roles will be instrumental in leveraging the reach of IFSJ and FSJA to promote FBHA’s work and feature expert guidance from the Alliance. Furthermore, his presence at international trade shows will allow him to forge connections with first responders and potential corporate partners.

    “I’m excited to connect with first responders worldwide and share the valuable resources offered by FBHA,” says Mr. White.

    Shared Vision for the Future

    “We are thrilled to welcome Duncan White to the FBHA team,” states Founder Jeff Dill. “His expertise and experience are invaluable assets as we expand our reach globally. We are confident that Duncan will play a pivotal role in ensuring first responders have access to the high-quality educational workshops and services they deserve.”

    Contact:

    Duncan White can be reached at dwhite@ffbha.org.

    # # #

    Source: Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance

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  • New co-response clinician welcomed by Tewksbury PD

    New co-response clinician welcomed by Tewksbury PD

    TEWKSBURY — The Tewksbury Police Department recently welcomed a new co-response mental health clinician to the Behavioral Health Unit Police Collaborative.

    In her role, Amanda Grant will respond alongside Tewksbury police to mental health emergencies and crises, and will work with individuals after crises to ensure they have access to appropriate services.

    “I have family members in the policing profession, so the opportunity to collaborate with dedicated and hard-working law enforcement professionals is a privilege which I am very excited about,” Grant said.

    Grant, who grew up in West Roxbury, has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UMass Boston, and a master’s degree in psychology from William James College.

    Grant succeeds a former co-response clinician who recently left the unit, according to police. She will work primarily with the Tewksbury Police Department.

    The Behavioral Health Unit Police Collaborative, funded by a grant from the state Department of Mental Health, provides member departments with access to a co-response clinician who can respond to active calls for service, and follow up with individuals post-crisis. The clinicians can also make referrals to community-based services, such as for non-acute levels of care and case management.

    Fully embedded into each department, police said the program provides a trauma-informed, highly-trained co-response clinician for individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crisis.

    Since 2016, the Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury, and Tyngsboro police departments have worked to create a regional mental health collaborative aimed at diverting individuals with mental health and substance misuse disorders from being unnecessarily processed through the criminal justice system or through emergency rooms.

    In addition to on-scene responses, clinicians are accessible 24/7 to police for mental health consultation, and available to community members for follow-ups with police.

    For more about the Behavioral Health Unit, visit tewksburypolice.com/behavioral-health-unit.

    Follow Aaron Curtis on X, formerly known as Twitter, @aselahcurtis



    Aaron Curtis

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  • Moral Injury in Firefighters: Wounds of the Spirit

    Moral Injury in Firefighters: Wounds of the Spirit

    Press Release


    Feb 13, 2023 10:30 PST

    The Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA), along with Elizabeth Anderson-Fletcher, Ph.D., and Chaplain Mark Schimmelpfennig, M. Div., announce the release of their latest comprehensive report designed to help educate both clinicians and firefighters on the prevalence and effects of Moral Injury in the fire service industry.

    • 57.6% of firefighters report having experienced a major Morally Injurious Event, like injured children or evidence of abuse
    • 49.8% admitted to feeling emotionally detached and isolated, long recognized as a mental-health stressor
    • From 2014-2020, more firefighters died by suicide than in the line of duty

    The fire service culture has begun to recognize the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, but an emerging issue firefighters face is Moral Injury, which occurs just as often in the men and women serving their communities. Moral Injury is a relatively new term in First Responder circles, with signs and symptoms that can mirror those of the more widely recognized PTSD – even though they are distinctly different ailments.

    Moral Injury generally results from a major conflict in one’s moral code which causes a negative response, such as having to prioritize who can be saved and who cannot. Education about Moral Injury and its effects is critical to help individuals normalize their own unique, personal reactions to Morally Injurious Events.

    FBHA was founded in 2010 to track firefighter and EMS suicides across America. In 2019, FBHA began tracking emergency services dispatcher suicides as well. Responding to unprecedented need, FBHA now presents eight different first-responder-focused workshops on behavioral health to fire departments and EMS organizations across the globe. These spotlight behavioral health awareness, suicide prevention, and resources for firefighters/EMS and their families.

    For more information, contact Media Contact listed above or see the FBHA’s home page at www.ffbha.org

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    Source: Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance

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  • Family and friends come together for International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

    Family and friends come together for International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

    FRANKENMUTH, Mich. (WNEM) – Family and friends of those lost to suicide gathered at Bavarian In for the “Hope Starts Here” conference.

    “it’s just a beautiful day, a wonderful event, where you’re surrounded by love and hope and caring and so much empathy in the room,” says Julie Hart who lost her nephew to suicide.

    The event was held for International Day Survivors of Suicide Loss.

    Hope Starts Here conference chair Barb Smith says, “there are events just like this all over the world being held. So this is our local event called Hope starts here is for anyone who has been impacted by suicide in a place to bring people together to let them know that they’re not alone in their grief journey.”

    The annual event hosted by the Barb Smith Resource and Response Network brought guest speakers and more than a dozen vendors offering resources to help those grieving or struggling with the loss of their loved ones.

    “We have a panel of families who have lost someone to suicide to talk about what their grief journey looked like and really the message of hope,” says Smith.

    Organizers say suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in people between the ages of 10-22. And for every death to suicide there is 120-135 people who have been exposed to someone who has died by suicide.

    “We have 1400 deaths to suicide in Michigan, you know, that’s a lot of people who’ve been impacted that struggle alone. And suffer alone because, you know, we don’t want to talk about it because sometimes it can bring shame or guilt or you know, just kind of that lack of understanding,” says Smith.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2020, more than 45,000 people died by suicide in the United States; that is 1 death every 11 minutes, and in the same year 1.2 million adults have attempted suicide.

    If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide you can call the suicide and crisis lifeline at 988.

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  • Cordant Health Solutions Opens 10,000-Square-Foot Pharmacy Location in Louisville, Kentucky, to Serve Midwest and Southeast

    Cordant Health Solutions Opens 10,000-Square-Foot Pharmacy Location in Louisville, Kentucky, to Serve Midwest and Southeast

    New Location Expands Pharmacy Footprint to Support Whole-Person Behavioral Health Care

    Press Release


    Jul 20, 2022

    Cordant Health Solutions®, a leader in providing innovative tools for addiction treatment programs, has expanded its pharmacy footprint with the opening of a new 10,000-square-foot pharmacy location in Louisville. The new location houses Cordant’s two pharmacy brands, St. Matthews Community Pharmacy and St. Matthews Specialty Pharmacy, and serves as the hub for pharmacy operations in the Midwest and Southeast.

    Cordant acquired St. Matthews Community and Specialty Pharmacy, a well-known and respected pharmacy in April 2021 and has since invested in St. Matthews to expand its capacity to serve patients in the Commonwealth as well as across the Midwest and Southeast. The combination of Cordant’s integrated laboratory and managed pharmacy program with St. Matthews’ expertise in specialty medications and clinical pharmacy services creates an unparalleled solution to support clinicians who treat patients with substance use disorder (SUD) and associated behavioral health and specialty disease conditions. 

    To address the growing need both regionally and nationally for specialized pharmacy services for addiction treatment and behavioral health conditions, Cordant merged its existing Louisville Cordant Pharmacy Solutions™ location and the newly acquired St. Matthews pharmacies into the new, larger facility in February 2022. The new location allows Cordant to offer its managed medication-assisted treatment (MAT) pharmacy program to more treatment providers and patients and support evidence-based harm reduction efforts by improving access to the life-saving overdose reversal medication, naloxone. 

    People with SUD are also at particular risk for developing one or more primary conditions or chronic diseases, including hepatitis. By consolidating care, providers can help patients access the treatment they need and increase treatment retention. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) supports this approach, stating, “integration of service delivery, addressing the unique needs of addiction patients, including HCV (hepatitis C virus) treatment, is strongly encouraged.” The expanded pharmacy offering from St. Matthews includes specialty medications and services for hepatitis as well as a variety of other conditions that are commonly co-occurring with SUD, including HIV and mental health disorders.

    Patient feedback on Cordant’s programs has been overwhelmingly positive. In a study published in the Journal of Opioid Management, patients expressed improved satisfaction due to Cordant’s delivery program and indicated that it was a motivating factor for them to attend their treatment appointments. Patients testified to the encouragement Cordant’s program has given them, stating, for example, “It makes my appointments more important to me and more convenient in getting my meds,” and “It is much more convenient and discrete. It ensures that I don’t miss my appointments.”

    “One of the biggest barriers our patients face is getting their prescriptions filled—difficulty finding transportation to pharmacies, for example,” said Shannon Cales, founder and CEO of NuLease, a treatment facility in Louisville and Campbellsville that specializes in medical and behavioral therapies for opioid and alcohol dependency. “What I love about Cordant and St. Matthews is they treat people the same way we do. We give our patients a feeling of togetherness and family with no judgment. Cordant shares the same mission of treating patients with respect and total acceptance. They will do whatever they can to help find solutions to the problems our patients face with getting access to the medications they need.”

    In May 2022 alone, Cordant and St. Matthews helped more than 10,000 patients struggling with SUD and other behavioral health conditions receive their medications. “While going to the pharmacy to get a prescription filled is simple for many people, those battling SUD and mental health diagnoses are in a much more difficult situation and often lack the means to get to the pharmacy. How we partner with patients and providers helps ensure patients have access to the medications that can help them reclaim their lives,” said Bob Mann, executive vice president of Cordant’s integrated services.

    While Cordant has long offered a naloxone program, calls for expanded access to the overdose reversal drug from harm reduction organizations, the medical community and the White House have increased as overdose rates continue to rise. By delivering naloxone to patients with their addiction treatment medications, it overcomes the barriers some experience in obtaining access to the pharmacy and ensures the patient has it if needed. In May 2022, Cordant dispensed more than 1,000 doses of life-saving naloxone to patients being treated for SUD. 

    “Overdose deaths have risen sharply over the last two years and continue to rise,” said Mann. “There is a dire need for better access to medications for opioid use disorder that are proven to help a patient be successful in treatment. With this pharmacy expansion, we will be able to help patients get the medications they need while also continuing our efforts to remove the barriers they face that can often derail recovery.”

    St. Matthews Specialty Pharmacy is accredited by the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC) for Specialty Pharmacy and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), which demonstrates the pharmacy’s commitment to excellence and upholding the industry’s most rigorous standards for healthcare quality, safety and accountability. 

    About Cordant Health Solutions®

    Cordant Health Solutions® (cordantsolutions.com) provides innovative solutions for clinicians, organizations and payers involved with substance use disorder, pain management and criminal justice cases to provide accurate, actionable results to hold patients accountable, reduce risk and improve patient outcomes. A leader in quality standards, Cordant integrates its unique specialized pharmacy services for medication-assisted treatment and associated behavioral health conditions with drug testing options that include monitoring and risk assessment tools to improve patient accountability and optimize quality of life.

    For media inquiries, contact Kim Kudasik, Senior Marketing Manager, kkudasik@cordanths.com.  

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    Source: Cordant Health Solutions

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  • Strategies, Methods & Technology for School Districts Overcoming the Mental Health Crisis

    Strategies, Methods & Technology for School Districts Overcoming the Mental Health Crisis



































    Millions of children show signs of a mental health disorder. School districts play a distinct role in supporting children and their families with education and services necessary to thrive. Join a panel, sponsored by CrossTx, of leading mental health experts across America on Thursday, May 26 to learn more about sustainable strategies and pragmatic approaches school districts are taking to counter this mental health epidemic.

    Press Release


    May 20, 2022

    The mental health crisis impacting school districts has only worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic. Join school districts around the country for an expert panel discussing this mounting crisis with real-world strategies, programs, and technologies that school districts embrace to promote healthy students and schools. In a collaborative effort, CrossTx and Flagler Cares invites Erika’s Lighthouse, Christine Ravesi-Weinstein, Perry Hilvitz, ED.D, and Flagler School District to discuss the current state of mental health in school districts, proactive measures that can be taken to improve student mental health, and additional supports available for children and their families. The free webinar will be held Thursday, May 26 at 12 noon Eastern. Register to learn:

    • The current impact of mental health challenges in school districts
    • Practical strategies and tools that school districts can implement to promote inclusive, healthy school culture
    • Once mental health issues are escalated to external providers, emerging approaches to close the loop of care for greater insight into student health and wellness
    • The journey of one school district to embrace technology to make significant strides to support students with mental and social concerns
    • Financing mental health initiatives in school districts (challenges and opportunities) using Medicaid and other vehicles to help ensure a dynamic and supportive environment
    • A vision for a healthier future for districts and students

    Each panelist brings expertise in their corresponding areas of expertise.

    • Perry Hilvitz, ED. D brings a wealth of information regarding the financing of mental health projects in school districts
    • Christine Ravesi-Weinstein, an Assistant Principal, has become a national thought leader sharing strategies and approaches focused on solving mental health challenges in school districts
    • Ilana Sharman, Director of Education for Erika’s Lighthouse empowers school districts with tools, best practices and supports based on the four pillars of support centering on classroom education, teen empowerment, family engagement and best practices for school staff.
    • Brandy Williams, LCSW from Flagler School District discusses the introduction of a best-in-class digital behavioral health network connecting the school district with key mental health providers across the state.

    Take away valuable insight about how some of the most advanced school districts are taking on the mental health crisis in our school districts.

    Join us to learn more from this valuable panel of speakers about employing emerging best practices and methods to more effectively manage the mental health crisis in school districts on May 26 at 12 noon ET.

    Register here

    Press Contact: Marketing@CrossTx.com

    Source: CrossTx

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    Categories:
    Healthcare Technology, Educational News, Education, Pre-School, School Libraries, Parenting, Children’s Issues

    Tags:
    behavioral health, Child, Children, depression, education, Health, Mental Health, School Districts, Schools, suicide, technology, teen, teenagers


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  • MHF Announces SAMHSA Assistant Secretary to Participate in Upcoming National Conference – Progress Made Possible at the Intersection of Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice

    MHF Announces SAMHSA Assistant Secretary to Participate in Upcoming National Conference – Progress Made Possible at the Intersection of Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice

    Progress Made Possible Conference on Dec. 3-5 is being hosted by IBHI, with support from the Mental Health Foundation.

    Press Release



    updated: Oct 25, 2017

    The upcoming conference, Progress Made Possible: Better Outcomes at the Intersection of Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice will be held in Miami, Florida, Dec. 3-5, 2017. The conference is being organized with support from the Mental Health Foundation and is being hosted by the Institute for Behavioral Healthcare Improvements. Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz, MD, Ph.D., recently confirmed to serve as the head of the federal government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), will join other national leaders at an upcoming conference.

    As the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse in the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. McCance-Katz advises the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary on improving Behavioral Health Care in America and leads SAMHSA’s efforts.

    The Institute for Behavioral Healthcare Improvement (IBHI) with support from the Mental Health Foundation, is presenting the conference. It will showcase the remarkable progress that can be achieved when community leaders and other stakeholders work together to better coordinate efforts and integrate programs. This is IBHI’s second national conference.

    “Communities across the country are struggling with behavioral health challenges but there are places where the right set of leaders are coming together and making progress,” said Stuart Buttlaire, President of the IBHI Board of Directors. “We can learn from each other and having Secretary McCance-Katz join us provides a great opportunity for meaningful national dialogue.”

    The conference will also feature the Hon. Steven Leifman, Associate Administrative Judge, Miami-Dade County, who has earned national recognition for his tireless reform work to bring people together to improve Florida’s criminal justice and behavioral health systems. His keynote address and other program presentations will highlight Miami’s story. It is an example of what is possible with a city’s dedication and hard work to improve conditions and help people. The conference will also provide opportunities for participants to tour facilities and ride-along with Crisis Intervention Teams.

    The conference will focus on model practices underway in communities around the country to help individuals and strengthen communities by diverting individuals in need away from jails and emergency departments and into more effective help. The models stress the importance of peer to peer programs, crisis intervention teams and evidence-based practices for better outcomes.

    The program is targeted at public officials, public safety leaders, behavioral health advocates and providers. Sessions covering a range of Best Practice experiences from communities across the country will also be featured including presentations from representatives of the National Association of Counties and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

    IBHI is a not-for-profit organization focused on promoting the use of evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for people, families and communities facing the challenges of behavioral health problems. The Mental Health Foundation is also a not-for-profit organization with a mission to support best practices that help end stigma associated with behavioral health.

    For full information and registration visit www.ibhi.net or www.mentalhealthfoundation.net.

    -30-

    Source: Mental Health Foundation

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