Improving Lives
The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Conference
September 27th and 28th, 2022
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Dena’ina Convention Center, Anchorage, Alaska
Plenary Presentations
Serving Alaskans with Complex Needs
- Kristy Becker, PhD, Director of Clinical Services, Alaska Psychiatric Institute
- Kim Champney, MSW, Executive Director, Alaska Association on Developmental Disabilities
- Adam Crum, MSPH, Commissioner, State of Alaska Department of Health
- Richard Ellsasser, MD, Behavioral Services Department Medical Director, Southcentral Foundation
- Jared Kosin, J.D., M.B.A., President and CEO, Alaska Hospital & Healthcare Association
- Nicole Nelson, MPS, Executive Director, Crossroads Counseling & Training Services
- Steve Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (the Trust) (moderator)
- Anne Zink, MD, FACEP, Chief Medical Officer, State of Alaska Department of Health (moderator)
Transforming Behavioral Health Crisis Response in Alaska
- Thea Agnew Bemben, Principal, Agnew::Beck Consulting, Inc. (moderator)
- Michelle Baker, MBA, Executive Vice President of Behavioral Health Services,
- Southcentral Foundation
- Jacob Butcher, ENP, Communications Manager, Matcom Dispatch
- Renee Rafferty, MS, LPC, Senior Director of Behavioral Health Services, Providence Alaska
- Karl Soderstrom, CDC-S, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, True North Recovery
Keynote Speakers
KEN DUCKWORTH MD
Chief Medical Officer, NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness
ABOUT KEN DUCKWORTH MD
Ken has worked for the last year working on NAMI’s first book, “You Are Not Alone.” The book is a celebration of lived experience as expertise and is a practical resource for individuals and families who have mental health conditions. All proceeds from sales go to NAMI. Ken’s passion is fueled by his loving dad, who had bipolar disorder.
DANIEL H. GILLISON, JR.
Chief Executive Officer, NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness
ABOUT DANIEL H. GILLISON, JR.
Dan has over 30 years of experience and has previously held leadership positions at Xerox, Nextel, and Sprint. Dan holds a B.A. from Southern University and A&M College.
Dan spearheaded the creation of the CEO Alliance for Mental Health in 2020, which represents some of the most vulnerable and diverse populations affected by disparities in the mental health care system. The leadership collective has collaborated to identify and amplify their priorities for creating a future of quality mental health care for all who need it.
HALEY MOSS
Attorney & Neurodiversity Expert, Haley Moss LLC
ABOUT HALEY MOSS
Haley Moss is a lawyer, neurodiversity expert, and the author of four books that guide neurodivergent individuals through professional and personal challenges. She is a consultant to top corporations and nonprofits that seek her guidance in creating a diverse workplace, and a sought-after commentator on disability rights issues. The first openly autistic lawyer in Florida, Haley’s books include “Great Minds Think Differently: Neurodiversity for Lawyers and Other Professionals” (ABA Book Publishing; June 2021) and “The Young Autistic Adult’s Independence Handbook” (Jessica Kingsley Publishers; November 2021). Her articles have appeared in outlets including the Washington Post, Teen Vogue, and Fast Company.
Pre-Conference Workshops
September 26th, 2022
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
AGENDA
2022 Conference Themes
Behavioral health support across beneficiary groups and the lifespan, including co-occurring disorders
Innovative and Promising Practices for Serving Trust beneficiaries
Strengthening our Continuum of Care for Trust beneficiaries
Incorporating lived experience and beneficiary perspectives into programs and planning
The work of the Trust aligns with Strengthening the System: Alaska’s Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program Plan (Comp Plan), that was developed in a partnership between the Trust and the Department of Health and Social Services in coordination with community stakeholders. The Comp Plan identifies priorities for the next five years to inform planning and funding decisions to meet the needs of Trust beneficiaries. The intent is to strengthen the system of care to allow a comprehensive approach that quickly meets their needs.