General Session
September 27, 2022 - 7:30 AM
Registration, Exhibitor Booths and Breakfast Open
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Join us before the beginning of today's programming to browse our exhibitor booths and enjoy a complimentary breakfast!
General Session
September 27, 2022 - 8:30 AM
Welcome Remarks
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Kick off the day with a warm welcome from our Trust leadership team, partners and conference hosts, including:
- ANITA M. HALTERMAN, Chair of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees
- STEVE WILLIAMS, Chief Executive Officer of the Trust
- KIM KOVOL, Acting Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Family and Community Services
- LISA MURKOWSKI, US Senator for Alaska
- DAN SULLIVAN, US Senator for Alaska
ANITA M. HALTERMAN
Chair of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees
STEVE WILLIAMS
Chief Executive Officer
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
KIM KOVOL
Acting Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Family and Community Services
LISA MURKOWSKI
US Senator for Alaska
DAN SULLIVAN
US Senator for Alaska
Breakout Session
September 27, 2022 - 10:15 AM
Reentering Society and Finding Peer Support
Nothing about us without us
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I will be sharing my experience, strength and hope of before, during, and after release from prison.
Bobby Dorton
Breakout Session
September 27, 2022 - 10:15 AM
Expanding Alaska’s Mental Health Crisis and Suicide Care Practices
Current Initiatives by the Alaska Division of Behavioral Health
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"This session will be broken into two parts and focus on the Alaska Division of Behavioral Health’s 988 and Zero Suicide work.
Zero Suicide: Participants will learn about the Zero Suicide framework, why it is needed in Alaska, and what resources are currently being offered by DBH to expand comprehensive suicide care in healthcare settings. The presentation will include an overview of
findings from the State’s environmental scan of suicide care practices in Alaska’s hospitals. Participants will learn about best practices in suicide screening, assessment, treatment, safety planning, and transitions.
988: Participants will learn about the implementation of 988 in Alaska and the role crisis call centers play in the crisis continuum of care. This presentation will include data regarding the demographics of people served as well as preliminary data around call volume and outcomes for 988."
Leah Van Kirk
Statewide Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Division of Behavioral Health
Charity Lee
Zero Suicide Program Coordinator
Division of Behavioral Health
Plenary Presentation
September 27, 2022 - 11:45 AM
You Are Not Alone
What first person experience and storytelling can do to change attitudes and increase awareness around mental illness
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Dr. Duckworth will review the design and framework for NAMI’s first book, built on the stories of real people who face life with a mental illness, and families who have loved ones with a mental illness. The book derives practical lessons from these lived experience experts for the public. It also combines that with Q and A from traditional experts.
Ken Duckworth
Chief Medical Officer
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Dan H. Gillison, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Breakout Session
September 27, 2022 - 1:15 PM
Mental Health Services in Child Advocacy Centers
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Our agency received a Mental Health Trust grant to assist in expanding mental health services to children and families of children seen through Stevie's Place Child Advocacy Center. We have now expanded this program to two full-time clinicians who provided evidenced based trauma treatment. This session will describe our journey to where we are today and also the importance of having these services housed within agencies that have child advocacy centers.
Leigh Bolin
Executive Director
Resource Center for Parents & Children
Resource Center for Parents & Children
Breakout Session
September 27, 2022 - 1:15 PM
Addressing the Continuum of Adolescent Behavioral Healthcare in Alaska
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"This presentation will review the documented need for a robust adolescent continuum of care, and share the multifaceted planning effort to improve behavioral healthcare in Alaska for children and adolescents. We will provide an overview of the systematic approach to gaining deeper insight into the current continuum of care, outline the workgroup process, and how the voices of parents and guardians with lived experience intersecting with the behavioral health system were integrated into the findings and recommendations. Lastly, the presentation will share key differences between the adult and pediatric behavioral health systems along with the preliminary findings and recommendations of the workgroup."
Elizabeth King
Director of Behavioral Health
AHHA
AHHA
Breakout Session
September 27, 2022 - 1:15 PM
No Turning Back - The Future of Direct Support
Thinking differently about workforce in a post-pandemic world
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Workforce trends in Alaska pre-pandemic, followed by COVID and the Great Resignation, have had a permanent impact on workers across many industries. Employers have been forced to adapt by offering increased flexibility and individualized options. What does this look like in the world of direct support, particularly for people who rely on in-person, hands-on assistance? According to the Department of Labor, acute worker shortages will continue for the next decade, if not beyond. What does true innovation look like? What resources are available and how do we leverage them to build a quality system of support in this new reality?
Kim Champney
Executive Director
Alaska Association on Developmental Disabilities
Alaska Association on Developmental Disabilities
Breakout Session
September 27, 2022 - 2:00 PM
Safe Families For Children Alaska
An Innovative Prevention Model that Surrounds Families in Crisis With Hospitality, Healing, and Hope
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The Safe Families for Children prevention model will be presented and explained, including the referral process, program requirements, and benefits to vulnerable individuals and families facing a crisis.
Kristen Bierma
Executive Director
Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill
Breakout Session
September 27, 2022 - 2:00 PM
9 Core Messages: What Everyone Should Know About Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
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This presentation offers an introduction to nine essential messages about prenatal alcohol exposure — including definitions, impacts, prevalence, common characteristics, diagnosis and early intervention, strategies for success, and advocacy.
Tami Eller
Lead Behavioral Health Training Coordinator
Center for Human Development
Center for Human Development
Teri Tibbett
Advocacy Coordinator
Alaska FASD Partnership
Alaska FASD Partnership
Breakout Session
September 27, 2022 - 2:00 PM
Meaningful Transition in Rural Alaska
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What does meaningful transition look like in rural Alaska? How can school districts support traditional skills development that will better prepare youth with disabilities to participate in their communities after high school? Come learn about the Alaska Native Traditional Transition Skills project, which demonstrated how to include traditional skills into the Individual Education Plan Transition Plan. The project included two units for each of the five regions of Alaska. The topics were selected and developed in partnership with Indigenous culture bearers in each region. The curriculum models how the inclusion of Indigenous values, regionally specific learning stories, and Indigenous learning principles can support a meaningful path to live and work in rural Alaska. This project was funded by the Alaska Mental Health Trust, in partnership with the Governor’s Council on Disability and Special Education and the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Rain Van Den Berg
Owner
Rain Van Den Berg Consulting
Rain Van Den Berg Consulting
Breakout Session
September 27, 2022 - 2:45 PM
Mental Health Supports in Alaskan Schools
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Approximately 120 thousand Alaskan children and youth attend public schools where more than 20 thousand adults work. In 2020-2022, Statewide stakeholders supported a landscape assessment of a multi-tiered system of support in Alaskan schools. This panel of school and behavioral health professionals will discuss this effort and efforts in their communities, from across the state, to respond to the behavioral health needs of school communities. From universal support for all students, families, and staff to individual clinical services, a spectrum of support is ideal. Panelists will explain what barriers and opportunities their different communities have encountered and how they have responded. This interactive session will help participants reflect on how they can work with schools.
Sharon Fishel
"School Counseling, Suicide Prevention, Trauma Engaged Schools, PBIS, Behavioral Health Education Specialist II"
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Beverly Schoonover
Executive Director
AMHB / ABADA
AMHB / ABADA
Breakout Session
September 27, 2022 - 2:45 PM
Improving Psychiatric Patient Outcomes by Improving Psychiatric Patient Rights
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An examination of Alaska's past history of psychiatric patient care and what can be learned to provide better care for acute care psychiatric patients.
Faith Myers
Mental Health Advocate
Breakout Session
September 27, 2022 - 3:30 PM
The Intentional, Cooperative Village
Gathering for an Environment of Wellness
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Discussion and presentation of creating self-funded, intentional, cooperative wellness communities developed and populated by people with disabilities or traumas.
Eliza Eller
Project Director
Ionia
Breakout Session
September 27, 2022 - 3:30 PM
Authenticity = Recovery & Wellness
How Being Raw Grows Recovery
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"Finding Recovery and Wellness in one’s journey is often times blinded by their limited understanding of the very root of their illnesses.
Authenticity grows when one can see themselves for who they are in their most holistic form by self-love, -acceptance, and
empowerment. As peer support professionals, gifting others with your stories of struggle, triumph, and self, is what brings recovery and wellness to the forefront and gifts your recovery communities with authenticity – You as Your Most Authentic Self!!!"
Jenifer Galvan
Peer Support Professional Program & Training Manager
Alaska Behavioral Health
Alaska Behavioral Health
General Session
September 27, 2022 - 4:00 PM
On-Site Networking Reception and Poster Presentations
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All registered attendees and conference participants are invited to join us for a private networking reception and poster presentations at the conclusion of Day 1. Complimentary hor d'ouvres and beverages will be provided.
General Session
September 28, 2022 - 7:30 AM
Registration, Exhibitor Booths and Breakfast Open
More Information
Join us before the beginning of today's programming to browse our exhibitor booths and enjoy a complimentary breakfast!
General Session
September 28, 2022 - 8:30 AM
Welcome Remarks
More Information
Kick off the day with a warm welcome from our Trust leadership team, partners and conference hosts.
Breakout Session
September 28, 2022 - 10:00 AM
Cultural Barriers to ADRD Care
Recommendations to Improve the Trust Beneficiaries from Their Personal Experiences
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Racial and ethnic minority families and communities face unique challenges in accessing and utilizing care and support services for their family members experiencing Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD), elder abuse, and other health-related challenges. Racial and ethnic minority families, including Alaska Native and American Indian, possess strengths and resiliency factors that enable them to care for their family members in their homes and communities. These families also experience barriers to accessing care impacted by their cultural norms and values, which are often seen to play a major role in families seeking help with dementia patients. These values are also considered strengths and values that enable families to care for their loved ones and remain resilient in times of challenge, such as caregiving. This presentation will highlight the cultural barriers Trust beneficiaries with ADRD may face, as well as the strengths and resiliency that exist in their cultural values and teachings, and discuss how to incorporate these values and beliefs into programs and services to improve their quality of life for beneficiaries and their caregivers.
Steffi Kim
Research Scientist
Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus
Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus
Breakout Session
September 28, 2022 - 10:00 AM
Getting to the Roots of the Problems
Traumatic Brain Injury, Homelessness, Incarceration, Addiction, Disability, and Dementia
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"Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) underly many of the Trust priorities. Because TBI impacts many aspects of a person’s cognition, it is not difficult to imagine that a TBI could lead to bad outcomes. There is ample research showing that large numbers of those who are
incarcerated, homeless and abusing substances have TBIs that have not been identified or treated. Further, a TBI dramatically increases the risk of behavioral and mental health problems and greatly complicates attempts at treatment. Children with unidentified and untreated TBI are at a greater risk for intellectual disability and reduced life potential. A TBI increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s later in life. The goal of this presentation is to cultivate a deeper understanding of TBI as one of the root causes of these problems and thus point toward an approach in which screening and treatment can reduce the sequelae of these injuries and improve outcomes."
incarcerated, homeless and abusing substances have TBIs that have not been identified or treated. Further, a TBI dramatically increases the risk of behavioral and mental health problems and greatly complicates attempts at treatment. Children with unidentified and untreated TBI are at a greater risk for intellectual disability and reduced life potential. A TBI increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s later in life. The goal of this presentation is to cultivate a deeper understanding of TBI as one of the root causes of these problems and thus point toward an approach in which screening and treatment can reduce the sequelae of these injuries and improve outcomes."
Adam Grove
Physician
Head to Toe Holistic Healthcare, LLC
Head to Toe Holistic Healthcare, LLC
Breakout Session
September 28, 2022 - 10:00 AM
Therapeutic Court Alumni
Supporting Therapeutic Courts Statewide
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With the rise in the number of therapeutic courts nationwide and in Alaska, there is also a rise in the number of graduates. The duration of the wrap-around care of therapeutic courts is disproportional to the amount of time it takes for stabilized recovery from substance use. William White notes in From Treatment to Sustained Recovery, “Most people completing addiction treatment are fragilely balanced between sustained recovery and the resumption of use. Recovery is not considered fully sustained until four or five years.” Many participants feel vulnerable at graduation and have expressed their concern about maintaining recovery. This is where alumni groups make a difference. We will provide an overview of our Peer Support programming in support of Alaska’s Therapeutic Courts, recovery, and the de-stigmatization of addiction. We will also discuss the national effort of peer support for Therapeutic Courts.
Ron Wilson
Statewide Therapeutic Court Peer Support Coordinator
Alaska Therapeutic Court Alumni Group, Inc.
Alaska Therapeutic Court Alumni Group, Inc.
Lance Hanes
Supervisor
Chanlyut Residential Treatment Center Program
Chanlyut Residential Treatment Center Program
Charles Diaz
Board Chair
Alaska Therapeutic Court Alumni Group, Inc.
Alaska Therapeutic Court Alumni Group, Inc.
Michael Mooradian
Co-founder & Board Member
Alaska Therapeutic Court Alumni Group, Inc.
Alaska Therapeutic Court Alumni Group, Inc.
Alicia Westberg
Board Member
Alaska Therapeutic Court Alumni Group, Inc.
Alaska Therapeutic Court Alumni Group, Inc.
Breakout Session
September 28, 2022 - 11:45 AM
The Work of Alaska's Dementia Action Collaborative
First Year Progress - Second Year Priorities
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This presentation focuses on the work of the Dementia Action Collaborative, an informal group comprised of public, nonprofit, tribal, and other health organizations to address the needs of Alaskans affected by dementia over the next decade.
Pamela Kelley
Executive Director
Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska
Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska
Breakout Session
September 28, 2022 - 11:15 AM
Coming Home: Finding a New Normal for Ourselves and Those We Serve
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We will 1) utilize the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) to determine the participants stress score and correlating chance of developing a stress-related disorder, 2) examine the elements of what makes "normal" feel normal, and what elements of normal we have lost during the pandemic, 3) establish some concrete approaches to increasing our sense of normalcy and stability and 4) discuss how to use these techniques with those we serve while leading through example by implementing them in our lives first.
Annie Thomas-Landrum
Associate Director of Health Workforce
University of Alaska Anchorage / Alaska AHEC
University of Alaska Anchorage / Alaska AHEC
Plenary Presentation
September 28, 2022 - 12:45 PM
Granting Access: Dismantling Ableism and Embracing Neurodiversity
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No two brains are the same. An estimated 1 in 7 people are neurodivergent, including those with autism, ADHD, mental health disabilities, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities or acquired brain differences. Given this prevalence, why are conversations around neurodiversity nonetheless so difficult, and how do we dismantle ableism and barriers to access? In this session, Haley will unpack the nuances of navigating disclosure, advocating for ourselves and others, and building accessibility into our understanding of “inclusion.” Come prepared for lightbulb moments, and leave feeling more empowered to tackle stigma.
Haley Moss
Attorney & Neurodiversity Expert
Haley Moss LLC
Haley Moss LLC
Breakout Session
September 28, 2022 - 2:00 PM
Listening is Hearing
Lessons learned from direct services in harm reduction
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Describing the spectrum of harm reduction and substance abuse treatment services that have been tailored by incorporating feedback directly from those we serve.
Lindsey Grennan
Program Manager
Interior AIDS Association
Interior AIDS Association
Brenda Henze-Nelson
Clinical Director
Interior AIDS Association
Interior AIDS Association
Breakout Session
September 28, 2022 - 2:00 PM
Strengthening the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Workforce in Alaska
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"Please join us to learn about two approaches to strengthening the infant and early childhood mental health workforce in Alaska. Project BLENDS is a new graduate training opportunity at UAA that aims to prepare scholars in four graduate programs to work collaboratively with young children with high-intensity social-emotional needs and their families. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education - Office of Special Education, Project BLENDS scholars acquire competence in culturally responsive a) interdisciplinary collaboration and coordination, b) family-centered practices, c) cross-discipline evidence-based practices, and d) interdisciplinary professionalism with foundations in infant and early childhood mental health.
Scholars receive financial support for tuition, books, travel, and more! You will also learn about implementing reflective supervision groups as a workforce development model for improving the self-efficacy and job satisfaction of infant and early childhood mental health consultants who work with rural Early Head Start and Head Start programs."
Mary Dallas Allen
Professor of Social Work
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Anchorage
Cary Moore
Academic Program Director, Creighton University / UAA Occupational Therapy Program
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Anchorage
Breakout Session
September 28, 2022 - 2:00 PM
Support for the Littlest Alaskans
An Introduction to the Infant and Early Child hood Mental Health and the Alaska Association for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and its mission in our state.
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"This presentation will be an introduction to the ever, growing field of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. We will introduce the Alaska Association for Infant Mental Health, its mission, and resources. We will share a brief historical overview of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and discuss the philosophy and guiding principles for working with Infants, young children, and their families The presentation will touch on issues of diversity and equity that affect the lives of young children and families and other challenges to providing consistent, quality mental health services.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about the infant mental health endorsement process in Alaska and see examples of the work being done in different organizations and communities throughout our state."
Lori Markkanen
Developmental Specialist III
Tanana Chiefs Conference
Tanana Chiefs Conference
Breakout Session
September 28, 2022 - 3:15 PM
Using Data to Disrupt Patterns that Lead to Relapse
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Health TIE is an Alaskan Healthcare Innovation hub connecting health and human service organizations to innovative entrepreneurial partners. OpiAID and Health TIE have joined forces and are on a shared mission to bring innovative technology solutions to address Alaska's opioid epidemic.
David Reeser
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
OpiAID
OpiAID
Jacqueline Summers
Executive Director
Health TIE
Health TIE
Breakout Session
September 28, 2022 - 3:15 PM
Augmenting Care with Digital Therapeutics
Review and discussion of current evidence on digital therepautics and the utility with expanding access to behavioral health services.
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Within the current environment, care access is limited, and unmet needs in treating those with behavioral health needs. Digital therapeutics utilize novel approaches to replicating cognitive behavioral therapy and adapting it. The current program will review the need for advances in care mechanism of action and define prescription digital therapeutics vs. non-prescriptive. Review several digital therapeutics available with their evidence, limitations, and potential benefits
Christopher Dietrich
Medical Director
Orion Behavioral Health Network
Orion Behavioral Health Network
Breakout Session
September 28, 2022 - 3:15 PM
Changing the Workforce Landscape for the Better
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This presentation is about how positively impactful it is for businesses to hire people with disabilities to work in leadership positions. An explanation of a current success story and how it has greatly benefited both the employer, employee and people they serve. How positive changes in how those exposed to impacts from employees with various disabilities working in leadership positions have permanently changed and improved the attitudes of all. We will demonstrate with the example of our success story in this endeavor, how the outcomes have dramatically changed attitudes and perceptions of all involved in the organization we are associated with. Our pathway to achieve this goal can provide the audience with ideas that can spark interest in their organization to explore the concept of recruiting and then hiring people who experience disabilities to work in leadership positions.
Ric Nelson
Advocacy & Outreach Manager
The Arc of Anchorage
The Arc of Anchorage
Barbara Rodriguez-Rath
Chief Executive Officer
The Arc of Anchorage
The Arc of Anchorage
General Session
September 28, 2022 - 4:30 PM
Closing Remarks and Door Prizes
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Celebrate two days of learning, gathering, networking, making connections and sharing ideas with a closing presentation and door prize giveaway!