Agenda
| 9:00 am – 9:05 am MST | Welcome | |
| 9:05 am – 9:50 am MST | State of the Union | David Covington |
| 9:50 am – 10:20 am MST | 9/11 to 988 | Dr. April Naturale |
| 10:20 am – 10:30 am MST | BREAK | |
| 10:30 am – 11:00 am MST | Chat with Peer Voices | Jeremy Ganger, Brooke Baisas, Mirna Garcia, and moderated by Lisa St. George |
| 11:00 am – 11:15 am MST | Guided Imagery and Music | Lance Israel |
| 11:15 am – 12:00 pm MST | Caring for Our Own | Dr. Christine Yu Moutier |
| 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm MST | LUNCH | |
| 1:00 pm – 1:35 pm MST | DEI Pair and Share | Akemie Jones and Kerry duVent |
| 1:35 pm – 1:45 pm MST | Employee Awards | |
| 1:45 pm – 2:00 pm MST | Daily Drawing and Summary | Paul Galdys |
| 9:00 am – 9:05 am MST | Welcome | |
| 9:05 am – 9:35 am MST | Intersectionality with a Lived Lens Perspective | Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham, Dr. Pierluigi Mancini, Dr. DeQuincy Meiffren-Lézine, Shelby Rowe, and moderated by Vic Armstrong |
| 9:35 am – 10:05 am MST | From the Frontlines | Dr. Kevin Huckshorn and Amy Pugsley |
| 10:05 am – 10:35 am MST | The Matrix Model: Learning So Far | Dr. Mike Riddle and April Halloran |
| 10:35 am – 10:45 am MST | BREAK | |
| 10:45 am – 11:15 am MST | BHL: Who We Are and What We Do | Deepa Avula, Dr. Chuck Browning, Michael Claeys, Dr. John Draper, Sue Ann O’Brien, and Henry Wengier |
| 11:15 am – 11:45 am MST | Ask Me Anything | David Covington, Shannon Jaccard, Vic Armstrong, Lisa St. George, Dr. Chuck Browning and moderated by Dr. Wayne Lindstrom |
| 11:45 am – 12:00 pm MST | IT Action Plan | Henry Wengier |
| 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm MST | LUNCH | |
| 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm MST | Leadership Tic-Tac-Toe | Joy Brunson-Nsubuga |
| 1:45 pm – 2:00 pm MST | Final Drawings | |
| 2:00 pm – 2:15 pm MST | Closing Remarks | David Covington and Shannon Jaccard |
Hosts
Sonya Dryden, LBHP
Program Supervisor
Results-driven Program Director successful at optimizing administrative procedures to control costs and improve operations. Offering a 10-year background implementing and organizing to resolve mental health issues and promote positive living initiatives. Expertise in budget development, team building, coaching and crisis intervention.
NaTascha Hughes, LMSW, MSol, ICADC, CMHS-DE
DELAWARE STATE DIRECTOR
NaTascha currently oversees Delaware operations for RI International. NaTascha is a licensed Master’s Level Social Worker who has over 20 years of experience serving diverse and challenging populations. Her personal mission is simple – LEARN, LIVE, SERVE, EDUCATE.
Courtney Mullins, MBA, MA, LPC, LCMHC
SENIOR PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT
Courtney is an accomplished behavioral health therapist with over 20 years of experience licensed in Arizona and North Carolina. He has worked in multiple settings, including hospitals, prisons, schools, and outpatient clinics.
Julia Neal, MS, CRC, LCMHC
Program Director
Directs Crisis Programming at the Dix Crisis Intervention Center in Jacksonville, NC.
Vincent Sabino, MBA, MSW, LISW-S, LICDC-CS
OHIO STATE DIRECTOR
Vincent has extensive experience in working with highly vulnerable populations such as those who have severe and persistent mental illnesses, dually diagnosed individuals, severe substance use, the chronically homeless and the deaf/hard-of-hearing populations.
Terrence Smithers, BA, CPRP, CRPS
Manager of Training Development
Terrence came to RI International through Community Building. Within a year he was hired and is now more than 16 years with RI. He is in co-occurring recovery and has worked in Behavioral Heath as a Tech, Counselor, Therapist, and Healthcare curriculum developer and facilitator for 35 Years.
Speakers
Vic Armstrong, MSW
Chief Diversity Officer
Promotes Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Responsible for Developing, Implementing, and Embedding Healthy Equity Strategic Initiatives. Former Chief Healthy Equity Officer at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Deepa Avula, MPH
Deputy CEO - Behavioral Health Link
State and Federal Behavioral Health Executive. 20+ Years in Policy, Operations, Finance and Program Development for Complex Behavioral Health Systems. Former Director of the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disability, Substance Abuse Services.
Brooke Baisas, CPSW
Peer Manager
Peer Manager for the RI International Dona Ana Crisis Triage Center. Co-chair of the Southwest/West Regional Peer Leadership Council.
Dr. Chuck Browning, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Developed the Principles of the RI Way. Architect of the Fusion of Medical and Peer System Systems. Medical Director of Call Centers, Mobile Support Teams, and Crisis Recovery Centers. International Speaker.
Joy Brunson-Nsubuga, MA, LMFT, LCAS, CCS
VP Southeast
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Expert in Systems Thinking, Behavioral Health Crisis Systems, and Substance Use/Medicaid Assisted Treatment (MAT) Services.
Michael Claeys, LPC, MBA
President & CEO - behavioral health link
Developed One of Georgia’s First Community-Based Crisis Centers (1996). In Preparation for 988, Reengineered Hiring and Training Practices Resulting in the Highest Statewide Answer Rates in the Nation.
David W. Covington, LPC, MBA
CEO & President
Behavioral Health Innovator, Entrepreneur, and Storyteller. Partner in Georgia's Behavioral Health Link. Architect of Moving America's Soul on Suicide, Crisis Now, and Hope Inc Stories.
Dr. John Draper, PhD
President Research & Development - behavioral health link
Twenty-five Years of Experience in Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention. Leading Expert in Crisis Contact Center Practices (Hotline, Online Chat, SMS Services, and More).
Kerry duVent, CPC
Credentialing Specialist
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Council (DEILC) Co-Chair and Communication Lead. Certified Peer Counselor and Peer Professional. Former Senior Analyst at PACCAR, Inc. Musician, Artist, Writer.
Paul Galdys, MBA, CPRP
Deputy CEO
Experienced Mental Health and Substance Use Service Leader. Former Assistant Director with Arizona Medicaid. Lead Writer of the National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care.
Jeremy Ganger
Peer Support Specialist
Experienced in Mental Health and Substance Use Peer Support Specialization. Serves as the Peer Support Supervisor at the OneFifteen Living facility in Dayton, OH. Graduate of the Emerging Leaders Program.
Mirna Garcia
Bilingual Recovery Educator
Mirna started her career in community-based behavioral services in San Diego County as a Peer Support Specialist in 2012 and advanced into higher levels of responsibilities through the years. Mirna utilizes her lived experience, passion, and commitment to recovery-oriented services to engage, encourage and better serve peers in the community. You can find Mirna now working as a Bilingual Recovery Educator as part of the Crisis Now Academy team.
April Halloran, MSN, BSN, BA
Program director
Directs Services at the Peoria Crisis Recovery Center in Peoria, AZ. Over 20 Years Experience in Nursing with 10 Years of Leadership. Experienced in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder. Successfully Spearheaded the Opening of Several Inpatient MCID and COVID units. Disaster Mental Health Volunteer with the Red Cross.
Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham, MD, DFAPA, FASAM
Director on RI International's Board
Experienced Executive Director and Medical Director with a Demonstrated History of Working in the Addiction and Mental Healthcare Industry. Clinical Consultant and Motivational Speaker.
Dr. Kevin Huckshorn, PhD, MSN, RN, CADC
Executive VP Northeast/ Development consulting
Licenses and Certified Mental Health Nurse. Substance Abuse Clinician. 40 Years Experience with Mental Health and Substance Use Services.
Lance Israel
Meditation and self-regulation specialist
Uses Music and Sound Healting to Help Clear the Mind and Center the Person, Making Way for a Deeper and More Profound Connection to the Process of Healing, Renewing the Spirit and Connecting with the Voice of the Authentic Self
Shannon Jaccard, MBA
Chair on RI International's Board
Behavioral Health Consultant. Adjunct Professor at Alliant University. Member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Former CEO of NAMI San Deigo
Akemie Jones, MS, LMFT, LCASA
Program Supervisor
Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor with a Certificate in Family Systems. Program Supervisor at the First Hope Regional Crisis Recovery Center. Diversity Equity Inclusion Leadership Council (DEILC) Chair.
Dr. Wayne Lindstrom, PhD
VP of Consulting and business Development
Expert on Organizational Development and Behavioral Health Crisis Systems. Former Director of the Behavioral Health Services Division and CEO of the Behavioral Health Collaborative for New Mexico
Dr. Pierluigi Mancini, PhD
Director on RI International's Board
Author, Behavioral Health Expert, Cultural Competence Consultant, Immigrant Behavioral Health, Health Disparities and Media Expert, Program Developer, Public Speaker
Dr. DeQuincy Meiffren-Lézine, PhD
Secretary on RI International's Board
CEO of Prevention Communities. Lifetime Achievement Award Winner of SAMHSA's Voice Award. Internationally Recognized Speaker. Published Author.
Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, MD
Chief Medical Officer - American Foundation for suicide prevention
Dedicated to Fighting Suicide, the Leading Cause of Death. Launched the Interactive Screening Program. Advocate for Culture Change at the National Level. Co-Founder of the San Diego Chapter of AFSP.
Dr. April Naturale, PhD
Interim Executive Director - 988 Suicide and Crisis lifeline
Traumatic Stress Specialist with an Extensive History as a Health/Mental Healthcare Administrator and Clinician Specializing in Responses to Traumatic Events. Led Project Liberty, the NY Mental Health Reponse to the 9/11 World Trade Center Disaster.
Amy Pugsley, MA, CHC
Executive Vice President
Expert in Quality & Compliance Processes and Procedures. Senior Leader of a Leading Behavioral Health Crisis Care Provider. Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Certified in Six Sigma.
Sue Ann O'Brien, LPC, MBA
President Strategic Development - Behavioral health link
Experienced Behavioral Health Leader. Provider of the Nation's Broadest Application of Advanced Crisis Call Center Technology and Care Traffic Control.
Dr. Mike Riddle, MD
Associate Chief Medical Officer
Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry University of Arizona. Lifelong Educator. Experienced Behavioral Health Leader. Medical Director of Crisis Facilities. Experienced Crisis Provider.
Shelby Rowe, MBA
Director of RI International's Board
Director of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center at the OU Health Science Center. 2016 Chickasaw Nation Dynamic Woman of the Year. Public Health Professional. Crsis International Expert. Suicide Attempt Survivor and Leader in the Suiicde Prevention Movement.
Lisa St. George, MSW, CPRP
VP of Peer Supports & Empowerment
Author of RI International's Peer Employment Training and Numerous Other Training Tools. Over 40 Years of Expertise in the Peer Support and Human Services Industry. Executive Sponsor of RI's Peer Leadership Council.
Henry Wengier
Chief Technology Officer - Behavioral Health Link
Technology Leader for Mission-Critical Enterprise Projects from Small Start-ups to large Fortune 500 Companies. Focused on Delivering an Outstanding Customer Experience in a Cost Effective Manner.
