Agenda

X Day 1: Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Virtual

View Sessions

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

X Day 2: Wednesday December 7, 2022​
Virtual

View Sessions

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

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

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

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

Julia Neal, MS, CRC, LCMHC

Program Director

Directs Crisis Programming at the Dix Crisis Intervention Center in Jacksonville, NC.

Vincent Sabino

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

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

Victor Armstrong

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

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

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

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

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 Covington

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.

John Draper

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).

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

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

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

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

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

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.

Rochelle Head-Dunham

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.

Kevin Huckshorn

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 Isreal

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

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

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.

Wayne Lindstrom

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

Pierluigi Mancini

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

DeQuincy Meiffren-Lezine

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.

Christine Yu Moutier

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.

April Naturale

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.