Wednesday, March 30, 2022

1:00 - 1:15 p.m.	Welcome
1:15 - 2:30 p.m.	DHHS Panel Stephanie Beasley - Director, Division of Children & Family Services Sheri Dawson - Director, Division of Behavioral Health Kevin Bagley - Director, Division of Medicaid & Long-Term Care
2:30 - 2:45 p.m.	Break
2:45 - 4:00 p.m.	National Council Federal Update (presenter subject to change) National Council for Mental Wellbeing Vice-President of Policy and Advocacy Reyna Taylor will present a review of federal legislation and funding related to behavioral health, including ARPA funds, SAMHSA block grants and Provider Relief funds.
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.	Meet and Greet in Exhibitor Area

Thursday, March 31, 2022

7:00 - 8:00 a.m.	Continental Breakfast
8:00 - 8:30 a.m.	Welcome
8:30 - 9:45 a.m.	Opening Keynote - Joyce Marter, LCPC Joyce Marter is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and will speak to the keys to Psychological Success that are vital in increasing your own mental wealth, whether personally or professionally. She indicates that they are universal truths that she has seen through her work with clients over the past 20 years and she, herself, puts them into place in her own life. They include: self awareness, presence, responsibility, compassion, self love, support, essence, detachment, positivity, vision, resilience, and abundance. (CEUs: 1.25 MH and LADC)
9:45 - 10:00 a.m.	Break
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.	Break Out Sessions: Integration Best Practices - Dr. Brandy Clark, Ph.D, Associate Professor, Munroe Myer Institute and Graduate Faculty Associate, and Dr. Holly Roberts, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychology at Munroe-Meyer Institute and MHTTC trainer. Learn how to navigate integrating behavioral health into pediatric primary care using the PCBH – Primary Care Behavioral Health Model. Essential components and best practices for both adult and pediatric integrated care will also be reviewed. The 6 levels of the integrated care continuum will be described highlighting levels of integration from coordinated and co-located care to fully integrated care. The use of telehealth and tele-consultation to enhance integrated care efforts will also be described. Additionally, other training and technical assistance opportunities for establishing or enhancing integrated care through the Mid America MHTTC integrated care team will be presented. (CEUs: 1.5 Criminogenic) Specialty Courts and Providers - Adam Jorgensen, Problem Solving Court Administrator, Tara Bos, MSW, PLMHP, PCMSW, Problem Solving Court Specialist, and Dr. Connie Petersen, Ph.D., Clinical Director, Behavioral Health Specialists. Problem-Solving Courts are innovative programs that combine intensive community-based supervision, judicial accountability, and behavioral health treatment to intervene against crime by addressing circumstances underlying criminal conduct. Nebraska Problem Solving Courts that are specifically designed for justice involved individuals with substance use and/or mental health disorders, who are veterans, who are reentering the community after incarceration or who are young adults. Participants will learn about the types of courts in Nebraska; become familiar with the target populations, research supporting the use of these courts, and the role of behavioral health providers in these specialty courts. Participants will also learn about the Standardized Model for the delivery of Substance Use services, how to become a Registered Service Provider and where to locate additional information on Problem Solving Courts. Download Slides here. (CEUs: 1.5 Criminogenic; 1.5 MH and LADC) Advocating to Serve Culturally Diverse Populations and Fundamental Approaches for Service Providers - Cynthia Surrounded By Enemies, Piegan, Blackfeet Confederacy, MFS, PLADC, LOSS team. Learn to better serve diverse populations through understanding the role of factors such as profiling truths, violence, mental illness, and risk assessment causes. The session will explore effective responsive systems and responsibilities, traditional healing modalities, historical cultural appropriations, the use of evidence based practices, and solutions for serving indigenous populations. (CEUs: 1.5 Criminogenic; 1.5 MH and LADC)
11:45 - 1:15 p.m.	Lunch and Awards Ceremony Citizen of the Year: George, Hope Spoke Therapy Dog Legislator of the Year: State Senator Anna Wishart, Legislative District 27, Lincoln Legislator of the Year: State Senator Myron Dorn, Legislative District 30, Gage County Professional of the Year: Susan Henrie, South Central Behavioral Services Professional of the Year: Bridget Johnson, Boys Town President's Award: Jay Conrad, formerly with Houses of Hope
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.	Break Out Sessions: Quadruple Aim and Workforce - Shannon Mace, JD, Senior Advisor, Practice Improvement and Consulting, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, and Aaron Williams, MA, Senior Director, Practice Improvement and Consulting, National Council for Mental Wellbeing. The Affordable Care Act, has seen significant achievements within the behavioral health field toward meeting the Quadruple Aim of 1) better outcomes; 2) improved clinical experience; 3) improved patient experience; and 4) lowered costs. However, behavioral health workforce challenges still persist, especially in light of the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic and the profound changes in the way care is delivered. Using the Quadruple Aim as a framework we will provide an overview of key existing and emerging policies, financing, and practice strategies that behavioral health providers may consider when delivering mental health and substance use disorder treatments. Establishment of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, and the impact of Covid 19 on behavioral health will also be discussed. Additionally, strategies to improve and enhance workforce outcomes, including retention, staff wellness, and supporting peer support staff will be identified. Real world local and national examples will be used to describe best and promising practices and lessons learned. Download slides here. (CEUs: 1.5 Criminogenic) Peer Support - Creating a Culture of Inclusion – Sadie Thompson- Certified Peer Support and Wellness Specialist and Chief Implementation Officer/Training Development Coordinator, The Wellbeing Initiative Danielle Smith – Certified Peer Support Specialist and Chief Visioning Officer/Project Director Wellbeing Initiative; and Kasey Moyer, Executive Director, Mental Health Association of Nebraska. Learn how Peers enhance and support treatment through Recovery Oriented Systems of Care and the importance of using Person First Language. Participants will learn about appropriate policies and developing an Administrative Check List, along with conducting an Organizational Readiness Assessment. Focusing on Outcomes and how you can advance Cultural Humility and Diversity will round out the session. A culturally diverse panel of Peers will discuss how they have supported the inclusion, diversity, and increased knowledge of MHA staff as well as working directly with partnering organizations to reduce stigma and addressing biases. These organizations include public schools, hospitals, neighborhood associations, law enforcement, jails, and prisons. (CEUs: 1.5 Criminogenic; 1.5 MH and LADC) Comparison of Treatment Models - Harm Reduction vs. Abstinence - Ryan Carruthers – Director of Clinical Operations, CenterPointe. Learn how harm reduction can help individuals improve and help substance use disorder programs reach individuals in the per-contemplation and contemplation stages of change. This session will help you identify: 3 key misunderstandings about Harm Reduction approaches; 3 challenges that COVID-19 pandemic created for professionals treating individuals with substance use disorders; how evidence based practices of Motivational Interviewing and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy align with Harm Reduction practices and; the 4 harm reduction techniques that can be adapted immediately by all programs treating substance use disorders. View slides here. (CEUs: 1.5 Criminogenic; 1.5 MH and LADC)
3:00 - 3:15 p.m.	Break
3:15 - 4:30 p.m.	Closing Keynote - Dr. JoAnne Owens-Nauslar Dr. Owens-Nauslar will speak to the critical elements of well-being, including health and humor and will include doable tips to take care of yourself before you help others which means healthy and active living should be a daily priority. She will also present coping skills, action strategies to sustain your energy and the importance of laughing, learning, sharing, and networking. View the PowerPoint.

2021 Conference Sponsors

NABHO Alliances Partners


Rural Drug Addiction Research Center	Minority Health Disparities Initiative

Gold Sponsors

Mid-America Addiction Technology Transfer Center at the University of Missouri-Kansas City

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Behavioral Health Division

Soarin Group

Silver Sponsors

Mid-America Mental Health Technology Center

Funding for this conference was made possible (in part) by SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.