Meeting of the Minds Workshop Schedule
Please keep in mind that all of the workshops with the same time will be offered concurrently and participants must choose which workshop they would like to attend. Workshops may get full and participants will have to attend the workshop in the Captain's Room.
For conference information, click here.
Program Descriptions
October 11, 2023
Marina Village Conference Center
1936 Quivira Way, San Diego, CA 92109
Workshop 1
Alpha Project
Room E1
10:30am-11:30am
Tenant Peer Support Services
Allison Just, Desiree Montalvo, & Nicole Williams
In this workshop, the participants will develop an understanding of Tenant Peer Support Services as it pertains to individuals experiencing homelessness with serious mental illness. They will learn about the importance of working with people with lived experience. Participants will learn how important it is to hear the clients’ needs, understand them while also assisting them with their mental health needs. Participants will learn about different types of housing and subsidies available in the County.
Workshop 1
Health Services Research Center, UCSD
Room C8
10:30am-11:30am
Differences in Preference for Virtual Mental Health Services by Age and Race
Carol Hafey, B.S., Symone McKinnon, M.A., & Nicholas Dashi
Telemedicine has been in use since before the pandemic and there have been differences in utilization between people of different ages and race. COVID-19 and the increased need for mental telehealth services exacerbated existing barriers for racial minorities and older aged patients to access quality mental health care. Participants will examine whether significant differences exist in preference for in-person or mental telehealth services among different racial/ethnic and age groups during the pandemic.
Workshop 1
Corporation for Supportive Housing, San Diego Workforce Partnership, NAMI SD - Casa del Centro, Pathways
Room E5
10:30am-11:30am
The Work Well Initiative: Increasing Employment Opportunities in San Diego's Behavioral Health System
Tanissha Harrell, Kim Ta, Cara Chesney & Mele Poumele
Employment, for those with the lived experience of mental illness, is a critical component of an individual’s recovery. For many living with behavioral health challenges, work brings with it the universal feelings of hope, self-determination, self-respect, social connections, responsibility, and personal empowerment, and a paycheck – all necessary tools for someone on the path to wellness. It is essential that providers in the behavioral health field encourage maximizing employment opportunities for people with lived experience. With the San Diego Behavioral Health Five-Year Strategic Employment Plan as its basis, this session will highlight progress of the Work Well Initiative and highlight two employment-focused programs in San Diego; programs that deeply understand that employment for their clients is the way to a stronger future.
Workshop 1
San Diego Refugee Communities Coalition, UCSD
Room C1
10:30am-11:30am
Accessibility of Services for Refugee/Immigrant Communities
Ruth Tadesse, MPH, Jama Mohamed, Dr. McCain, DBA, MS, BA
San Diego County is home to immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers representing more than forty countries. San Diego County consistently receives more refugees, asylum seekers and special immigrant visa holders than any other County in the State. A distinguishing feature of the coalition’s behavioral health support is a focus on integrating some elements of western health care without sacrificing some existing traditionally held wellness practices. This workshop will delve into the 1) importance of culturally competent training for behavioral health professional working with refugee communities, 2) highlight current cultural competency training for interested community partners, 3) discuss the current model the SDRCC uses to address behavioral health challenges in our communities, and 4) discuss the unique needs refugee communities face due to trauma in all forms and the need for trauma informed care.
Workshop 1
California Pacific Charter/Alliant International University
Room: Captain
10:30am-11:30am
Empowering Parent Engagement in K-12 Education: Being Seen, Being Heard
Dr. Vangie Akridge, PSYD
While parent involvement is generally encouraged and beneficial for students' academic and overall development, there can be challenges in managing perceptions and interactions between parents, students, and school staff. By actively working to bridge the gap between schools and parents and addressing challenges in perceptions and interactions, the community can foster a positive and productive school-to-home relationship that ultimately benefits the students. This workshop will provide attendees with an understanding of what collaborative parent engagement should look like across school and community settings. This workshop will also provide resources and actionable next steps for parents, professionals and community members.
Workshop 2
Stepping Stone San Diego
Room C8
1:00pm-2:00pm
The Importance of Pronouns, Inclusion, and Visibility
Pam Highfill, LMFT, Oscar Ramirez-Sanchez, MS
This workshop will educate the audience about pronouns and the significance of gender identity, laying the foundation for why using correct pronouns is essential for respecting and affirming individuals' identities. It will also raise awareness about the impact of misgendering on LGBTQIA+ individuals' mental health and self-esteem, emphasizing the role of correct pronoun usage in fostering a more inclusive and compassionate society. It will highlight the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, promoting empathy and understanding among the audience, and emphasize the importance of creating inclusive spaces and becoming allies to foster acceptance.
Workshop 2
Fire Captain Ryan J. Mitchell's First Responder Behavioral Health Support Program, Pathways
Room E1
1:00pm-2:00pm
Self of the First Responder
Taylor Valdivia, LMFT
First Responders help protect and serve our county each and every day. They continue to do important work they are called to do, looking beyond the risk for the sake of those who need help and protection. First Responders have their training, protective gear and physical shields – but how do we promote protection for their brain? First Responders are at a greater risk for experiencing symptoms of posttraumatic stress, depression, substance use disorders and suicidal ideation. (Ruderman, 2018) These behavioral health symptoms impact both their personal and professional lives – increasing conflict within relationships and stigma within self-reflection and wellness. Social wellness, connectedness, gratitude and reflection are integral pieces within the First Responder community. Connecting with the self, colleagues, family members, friends, loved ones and the community – it is pivotal to promote connectedness and strive to grow, be mindful and promote resiliency. Within this presentation, participants will learn about: Social Wellness, Connectedness within Community, Mindfulness, Gratitude and Self-Reflection, Personal and Professional Growth.
Workshop 2
Recovery Residence Association, Independent Living Association
Room E5
1:00pm-2:00pm
Thrive Not Survive: Improving the Quality of Shared Housing
Precyous J. Newton, BA, Ignasio Liscano III, BSW
Shared housing is a viable option for individuals at risk of experiencing homelessness, however can be challenging in relation to perceived stigma. Recovery Residences (RR) & Independent Living Homes (ILH) fall into the recovery model of shared housing; RR’s & ILH’s provide shared housing for adults and some families that may be in various stages of recovery from Alcohol and/or Drugs, mental health challenges and/or transitioning from incarceration or locked placement. Because many RR & ILH welcome some of our most vulnerable yet stigmatized populations, they sometime receive negative attention; but when operated at a high quality, this type of shared housing is a valuable resource. The workshop will provide an overview of the RRA and ILA: how it has been adapted to other communities, including Quality Standard measures, successes, challenges and outcomes.
Workshop 2
Recovery International
Room C1
1:00pm-2:00pm
Recovery International's Cognitive Behavioral Self-Help
Lisa Garcia, Judi Bakke
For over 85 years, Recovery International (RI) has helped people achieve better mental health using a self-help, cognitive behavioral program. This peer-led Method is facilitated by trained leaders with lived experience. The Recovery Method connects people to their own thoughts and ways of thinking about a situation. Participants identify their feelings and symptoms, reflect on their temper, train themselves to think differently about a situation, and self-endorse for their effort and improvement. Additionally, the program connects those suffering from anxious and fearful thoughts, anger, and depression with others who suffer similar feelings and diagnoses. Practicing the Recovery Method allows people to cope with daily upsets which can trigger temper, leaving more time for their licensed professional to focus on the larger issues of life during their sessions. The Recovery Method focuses on reporting a situation rather than complaining about it, replacing insecure thoughts with cognitive behavioral tools, and using tools to control temper and anxiety.
Workshop 2
NAMI San Diego
Room: Captain
1:00pm-2:00pm
NAMI San Diego Warmline - A Place To Be Heard
Melanie Toyzer, Judi Holder, & Mima Garcia
The Warmline has provided a valuable service to people in San Diego County for many years. People call the warmline for a variety of reasons, but they all have the same goal: to be heard. This interactive presentation will explore the role of warmline peer support and how they use their unique experience and skills to provide a valuable service to help people navigate challenges, feel a little less alone, and support their well-being.
Workshop 3
Family Health Centers of San Diego
Room: Captain
2:15pm-3:15pm
Community Harm Reduction Team: Meeting the Individualized Needs of Consumers
Katie Wood, MS, LAADC
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), US Department of Health & Human Services, “Harm reduction is a practical and transformative approach that incorporates community-driven public health strategies – including prevention, risk reduction and health promotion – to empower people who use drugs (and their families) with the choice to live healthy, self-directed and purpose-filled lives. Harm reduction centers on the lived and living experience of people who use drugs, especially those in underserved communities, in these strategies and the practices that flow from them.” The goal for this session is to share information on the C-HRT program in the City/County of San Diego, and to be informed by the perspective of the consumer on the benefits of the program services. How did the program meet unhoused persons with substance use challenges where they were at and help them in the journey to a healthier life and transition to permanent housing? This session will cover the special interest topics of both 1) services to unhoused persons with substance use disorders (and perhaps co-occurring mental health disorder); and 2) the unhoused person’s journey from shelter to permanent supporve housing.
Workshop 3
Minding Your Mind
Room E5
2:15pm-3:15pm
Morgan's Story of Overcoming a Voice of Insecurity
Morgan Hannaleck, MSW
Morgan grew up constantly questioning herself. At a young age, she experienced several incidents that made her question her worth leading to self-doubt and insecurity. She accepted this as her reality and brought this genuine belief with her everywhere she went. Trying to find value wherever she could, Morgan began to seek validation through relationships with others. Diagnosed with depression, anxiety, insomnia, and anorexia-nervosa, Morgan came to the root of these problems during her treatment, and developed new, positive coping mechanisms to counteract her mental health challenges. Participants will develop a better understanding of the signs and symptoms of mental health disorders for adolescents and understand that recovery is possible. Participants will understand the importance of vulnerability, self-identity, and finding their voice. Participants will learn the language to use when supporting someone struggling with a mental health challenge.
Workshop 3
Inner City Fund
Room E1
2:15pm-3:15pm
San Diego's Child and Family Wellbeing Department Introduction
Joanne Pritchard, MA
This workshop will detail how the new CFWB Department integrates the First 5 Commission of San Diego and Child Welfare Services (CWS), along with the childcare system and other essential resources to create a partnership that will shift our traditional approach to child safety and well-being. Its creation is in response to feedback from the community about what is needed to create a system that strengthens families and addresses disproportionality and disparities within the populations served by child welfare system. The workshop will show how the new CFWB Department aims to provide family strengthening and prevention services to keep families together.
Workshop 3
Therapy for Black Women
Room C8
2:15pm-3:15pm
Elevating the Voices of Black Women
Jerisha LaCrae, M.Ed., LPCC, LPC, NCC
This workshop will discuss the anti-Black racism that has to do with the intentional obstruction of Black women’s voices, The presentation will review the censoring of Black women’s voices to include the centennial anniversary of the Nineteenth- (19) Amendment. It will also illuminate the fact that women of color, particularly Black women, had to fight nearly forty-five years longer than white women for voting rights. In addition, the workshop will review the implications of criticism as it relates to the labels thrust upon Black women who use their voice, which include tropes such as “The Angry Black Women,” as well as being referred to as boisterous and/or intimidating.