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2025 NDBH Conference Presentations
Behavioral Health in a Changing Environment: Adapting and Thriving
SUNDAY, October 26th – PRE-CONFERENCE
Cutting Edge Strategies and Lessons Learned in Behavioral Health Disaster Planning and Management
Disasters caused by naturally occurring events or by man-made events affect systems, organizations, communities, families/individuals, and responders/providers. The ability to effectively address emergencies resulting from disasters requires the development of strategies and coordination across a range of federal and state agencies, municipalities, counties, and community-based organizations to address public health and medical health needs as well as infrastructure. Given the number of natural and man-made disasters in recent years, what have we learned from responding to these events? This session will discuss lessons learned that can be used to inform behavioral health disaster planning and management now and in the future. In some ways, these models are useful for informing the design for the future of the behavioral health system as a whole.
Speakers: Tanya McGee, Imperial Calcasieu Health Service Authority (LA); Shari Sinwelski, Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center (CA); Melissa Witmeier, Henderson County Department of Public Health (NC); John Draper, Behavioral Health Link (GA)
Presentations
Imperial Calcasieu Health Service Authority
Behavioral Health Needs in Disaster Preparation and Response
Henderson County, North Carolina Response to Hurricane Helene
Natural & Human-Caused Disasters: Lessons Learned from Regional and National Mental Health Responses
MONDAY, October 27th, 2025
Session 1: Strategies to Address Policy and Funding Changes
This session will provide an overview of policy and funding changes that have occurred, and are occurring, at federal and state levels, and behavioral response strategies that have been developed to address these changes. Some of these responses may be preliminary and in the planning stage. However, clearly, there are major changes taking place in the federal health policy and funding landscape, as well as in the restructuring of health and human services.
At the state level, a major issue is how behavioral health will advocate for its share of the Medicaid “pie.” This in turn will affect local funding implying that local agencies may need to prepare to seek alternative sources of support and develop new partnerships. The objective of this session is for the speakers to share information about these issues so that they can be the basis for discussion and dialogue with conference attendees.
Speakers: Kirsten Beronio, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (VA); Carrie Slatton-Hodges, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Research Institute (VA); Jonah Cunningham, National Association of County Behavioral Health and Disability Directors, National Association for Rural Mental Health (DC).
Presentations
Strategies to Address Policy and Funding Changes
Federal Funding Developments Impacting Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Programs
Rescissions, Rancer, and Budget Reconciliation: A Federal Policy Update
Session 2: Access for People with Complex Needs
This session will delve into the intricate intersection of psychotic disorders, co-occurring substance use disorders, and homelessness. The speakers will highlight the unique challenges and vulnerabilities faced by persons grappling with these overlapping conditions, the data surrounding the prevalence and costs to systems of this population including the criminal justice system, child welfare systems, Medicaid and overall state budgets as well as the costs to provide services to this population, which is often difficult to track, locate, or engage. It will also highlight evidence-based or promising practices and programs pertaining to treatment. One of the key takeaways will be the critical role of cross-sector collaboration among mental health services, substance use treatment and recovery programs, and housing support agencies. The presentations will also shed light on innovative strategies and best practices that have shown promise in improving outcomes for this population.
Speakers: Sarah Babcock, Public Health-Jefferson (LA); Ashley Weiss, DO, Tulane University EPIC Program (LA); Mark Reynolds, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OK); Deborah Levy, M.D., MPH, former Director of “Street Psychiatry” program in New Orleans (LA)
Presentations
Building a Homeless Service Center
Psychosis is Real, so is Recovery: Snapshot of the Last Decade of Early Psychosis Intervention
Oklahoma Most in Need List: Data-Driven Processes for Complex Public Behavioral Health Populations
Behavioral Health Engagement in People Experiencing Homelessness with Complex Needs
TUESDAY, October 28th, 2025
Session 1: Building the Future System of Care: A Blueprint for Moving Challenges to Solutions
States, counties, and localities have been working to develop a system of care that provides services that meet the level of care an individual may need. Many states have worked hard to develop Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), 988 and crisis services, peer support services, and services that help individuals stay out of crisis, including employment and supported housing. However, states and localities also face challenges in addressing competency issues, forensic issues, and a renewed emphasis in increasing state psychiatric hospital beds. As states, counties, and providers experience a recent tightening of budgets, decisions must be made on how to maintain a focus on building the community-based continuum of care even while budgets may be shrinking.
This session will provide an overview of the status of the different aspects of the system of care and a blueprint leaders can utilize to navigate challenging budget environments to get the best value from the funding available. Presenters will discuss how using value-based principles, such as person-centered treatment planning, can help guide funding priorities to best help meet the needs of the people they serve. Participants will learn how to take advantage of all the ways to leverage and increase funding; the critical role of partnerships and how to develop them, including how to engage and encourage cross system partnerships; and how the combination of these approaches and the use of value -based principles can ultimately result in making the case for investment in behavioral health to build an effective continuum of care.
Speakers: Carrie Slatton-Hodges, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Research Institute (VA); Sheamekah Williams, Evolution Foundation (OK); Amy Brinkley, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (VA)
Presentations
Building the future System of Care: A blueprint for moving challenges to Solutions
Providing Hope for Oklahoma’s Children, Youth, and Families, One Community at a Time
National Overview of Peer Support and the Future of Peer Services
Session 2: Behavioral Health Science: Best Practices and the Changing Landscape
As the field rapidly adapts and changes, systems and professionals must navigate shifting policies, emerging research, and innovative treatment models to provide effective care. This expert-led panel will explore some of those best practices and examine how societal needs, workforce challenges, and changing policies are shaping the future of mental health and substance use treatment. Panelists will discuss the use of research-based programs proven to offer more effective treatments based on observable outcomes; the policies and systemic changes that impact workforce development and service delivery; and how we can ensure behavioral health care is inclusive and accessible for all communities. Join in this dynamic conversation as our panelists provide insights into the changing landscape of behavioral health and explore actionable solutions for the future.
Speakers: Christine Bonura, MSW, MST Adaptations (LA); Annie Niermann, FFT, LLC (NY); Kyrill Gurtovenko, Ph.D., University of Washington (WA); Berre Burch, Ph.D. Director Children’s Bureau of New Orleans (LA)
Presentations
The Development and Implementation of Functional Family Therapy-Child Welfare (FFT-CW)
WEDNESDAY, October 29th, 2025
Session 1: The Future Workforce
The future behavioral health system will be shaped and determined by the future workforce. The key questions are: What are the workforce models to address the growing shortages in the behavioral health workforce, including new and shifting roles, telehealth support, and expanding behavioral health roles in partner agencies? What models exist at the state level for training and education of the future behavioral health workforce? And what are local agencies doing to support workforce development and support?
For the last several decades, severe shortages have been projected for psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, and social workers. At the same time, there are new roles emerging related to peer services and new demands in partner agencies such as law enforcement and child welfare. These problems are exacerbated in rural and sparsely populated areas.
The speakers for this session will address these questions and propose models and solutions that can address the development of the behavioral health workforce of the future at different levels.
Speakers: Jennifer Black, Carelon Healthcare Services (CT ); Joseph “Chip” Johnston (MI); Erin Glossop, National Council of State Legislators (DC)
Presentations
Behavioral Health Workforce: State Legislative Trends
Rural Behavioral Health Interventions and Solutions