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In-Person Attendance
- General Session & Keynote Speakers
- Customizable Break-out Session Experience
- Continuing Education Units *If Applicable
- Access to On-Demand Recordings Post Event
- Social & Networking Events
- 475
Registration for in-person attendance has closed.
Digital Attendance
- General Session & Keynote Speakers
- Customizable Break-out Session Experience
- Continuing Education Units *If Applicable
- Access to On-Demand Recordings Post Event
- 275
Enjoy the full Engage & Excel experience with us in person or attend digitally via live-stream.
Join us for a day and a half of engaging discussions with thought leaders from diverse industries, all working to positively transform mental health systems. Keynote speakers, breakout sessions covering vital and timely topics, and a networking reception provide valuable opportunities for inspiration, learning and connection.
Agenda is subject to change.
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Early Registration Check In
7:00am - 3:30pm
Registration Desk Open
CEU Eligible
Join us as we kick off our 7th annual Engage and Excel Conference. Learn about advancements increasing access to mental health care since we last met in 2021 and find out how the best ideas become a reality when we come together for a common purpose.
9:00am - 9:30am
Prerecorded
General Session
The View from the U.S. Senate: Insights on Mental Health
John Cornyn, Chris Murphy, John Snook
CEU Eligible
United States Senators Chris Murphy (CT) and John Cornyn (TX), the key drivers of the federal response to the Uvalde tragedy, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, will help kick off the Engage & Excel Conference and share their thoughts on federal mental health policy.
Speakers
- The Honorable John Cornyn, US Senator for Texas
The Honorable Chris Murphy, US Senator for Connecticut
Moderator
- John Snook, JD, Chief Policy Officer, Meadows Institute
9:30am - 10:15am
Prerecorded
General Session
Mental Health Policy and Texas’s 88th Legislative Session
Greg Bonnen, Andy Keller, Dade Phelan
CEU Eligible
Speakers
- The Honorable Dade Phelan, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives
- The Honorable Greg Bonnen, MD, Chair of the House Appropriations Committee
Moderator
- Andy Keller, PhD, President & CEO, Linda Perryman Evans Presidential Chair, Meadows Institute
10:15am - 10:30am
Transition Break
10:30am - 11:30am
Breakout Session
The Evolving Role of Pediatricians in Mental Health Care
Mia Best, Sabrina Browne, Tegan Henke, Hani Talebi
CEU Eligible
Efforts supporting integrated care in pediatric primary care are increasing, given that approximately two-thirds of behavioral health concerns can be addressed in this setting when pediatricians have the proper tools and support. This session explores integrated care through the Behavioral Health Integration and Guidance Initiative. Attendees will learn about the opportunities integrated care affords pediatricians, healthcare systems, and children with mental health needs.
Speakers
- Mia Best, MD, FAAP, Pediatrician of Behavioral Health and Integration Guidance, Children’s Health
- Sabrina Browne, MD, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Behavioral Health and Guidance, Children’s Health
- Hani Talebi, PhD, LSSP, Senior Vice President, Health Systems Integration, Meadows Institute
Moderator
- Tegan Henke, MS, MFT, Vice President of Community Systems Innovation, Center for Child and Family Wellness, Meadows Institute
10:30am - 11:30am
Breakout Session
One Call, Three Questions: Revolutionizing 911 Response
Mya Speller Cullins, Yolanda L. Lewis, Jennifer L. Skeem
CEU Eligible
Redefining the culture of mental health emergency response requires accurate risk assessments, “least restrictive” responses, and person-centered interventions. This panel explores system transformation that assesses self-harm and violence risks, recognizes the value of those with lived experience at the point of call, and increases trust and confidence in emergency responders. Join this session to learn how the right emergency response can improve community resilience.
Speakers
- Mya Speller Cullins, PhD, (In Honor of Nygil M. Cullins)
- Jennifer L. Skeem, PhD, Professor of Public Policy and Social Welfare, Risk-Resilience Lab Director, University of California Berkeley
Moderator
- Yolanda L. Lewis, Executive Vice President for Justice and Health and Executive Director, Center for Justice and Health, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
10:30am - 11:30am
Breakout Session
Creating a Trauma and Grief-Informed Community in Uvalde
Tod Citron, Niki Henderson, Zena Hooper, Mary Beth Fisk, Julie Kaplow
CEU Eligible
The Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, TX was a horrible tragedy, leaving the community to grapple with catastrophic trauma and grief. This session explores a close collaboration among the Uvalde Independent School District, Hill Country MHDD Centers, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, and the Meadows Institute’s Trauma and Grief Center working together to create a path to resiliency among impacted children and families in Uvalde. Session attendees will gain a better understanding of how a genuine commitment to partners living in the community can undergird the collaboration required to support the needs of a grieving community after such a traumatic event.
Speakers
- Tod Citron, Chief Executive Officer, Hill Country MHDD Centers
- Mary Beth Fisk, CEO & Executive Director, The Ecumenical Center for Education, Counseling and Health
- Niki Henderson, MEd, LPC, Uvalde CISD, Director of Recovery Services
- Zena Hooper, PSYD, Assistant Director, Disaster Behavioral Health Services, Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Moderator
- Julie Kaplow, PhD, ABPP, Executive Vice President for Trauma and Grief Programs and Policy, The Hackett Center for Mental Health, Meadows Institute
11:30am - 12:45pm
Lunch Break
No Programming
12:45pm - 1:45pm
General Session
Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium: Advancing Quality Care and Access
Sonja Gaines, Shannon Ghangurde, Andy Keller, David Lakey
CEU Eligible
The Texas Child Mental Health Consortium, created by the Texas Legislature in 2019 and stood up in the heart of the pandemic, has been instrumental in addressing the growing mental health care needs of Texas youth. This panel will explain how the Consortium’s programs have ramped up in record time to address the escalating challenge, how the Consortium integrates with other Texas behavioral health programs, and opportunities to expand its work. Attendees will learn how collaborative expertise is leveraged to advance mental health care quality and access for children and adolescents.
Speakers
- Sonja Gaines, MBA, Deputy Executive Commissioner, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Behavioral Health Service
- Shannon Ghangurde, JD, Senior Fellow for State Policy, Meadows Institute
- David Lakey, MD, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs & Chief Medical Officer, The University of Texas System; Professor of Medicine, The University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center
Moderator
- Andy Keller, PhD, President & CEO, Linda Perryman Evans Presidential Chair, Meadows Institute
1:45pm - 2:00pm
Transition Break
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Breakout Session
Keeping Students in School and Out of Detention
Tracey Brown, Ambra L. Green, Dana Jackson, Tony Walker
CEU Eligible
For all students, every suspension from school increases the likelihood of later being convicted of a crime. Learn how leaders in education are reimagining school discipline to support student wellness and improve their chances of staying out of the juvenile justice system. Gain insight from leading experts about specific interventions and best practices for reducing exclusionary discipline and hear real-world examples of schools and communities successfully disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline.
Speakers
- Tracey Brown, PhD, LPC, CSC, Executive Director of Mental Health Services, Dallas Independent School District
- Ambra L. Green, PhD, Associate Professor of Special Education, College of Education at The University of Texas at Arlington
- Dana Jackson, EdD, Chief of Support Services, Grand Prairie Independent School District
Moderator
- Tony Walker, PhD, LPC-S, Vice President of Education Strategy and Innovation, Meadows Institute
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Breakout Session
Authentic Community Engagement
Adan Dominguez, David Auzenne, LaMont D. Green, Quianta Moore
CEU Eligible
Community engagement is essential to designing effective policy solutions yet is often misunderstood and difficult to operationalize. This panel examines the benefits and challenges of community engagement and provides concrete examples of successful engagement. Attendees will learn how to transform findings into actionable solutions for lasting systemic change.
Speakers
- Adan Dominguez, Director, Punto de Partida Recovery Alliance
- LaMont D. Green, DSW, LSWAIC, Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC)/li>
- Quianta Moore, MD, JD, Executive Director of The Hackett Center for Mental Health
Moderator
- David Auzenne, Vice President of Health Equity, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Breakout Session
You Really Can Have It All! The Collaborative Care Upgrade to Primary Care
Clare McNutt & Hani Talebi
CEU Eligible
Through rigorous examination, the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) has distinguished itself as the most evidence-based, effective, and financially sustainable form of behavioral health integration. Nevertheless, its implementation has been minimal and fraught with practical barriers. This session will provide a foundational overview of behavioral health integration, highlight the five pillars of CoCM, engage the audience with an active role play to demystify operational aspects of CoCM within primary care, and explore examples of Texas-based initiatives supporting health systems as they adopt CoCM. Attendees will better understand how CoCM addresses the current mental health crisis and offsets workforce challenges.
Speakers
- Clare McNutt, MSHS, PA-C, Senior Clinical Director of Primary Care Innovation, Meadows Institute
- Hani Talebi, PhD, LSSP, Senior Vice President, Health Systems Integration, Meadows Institute
End the day with a fun, informal gathering with colleagues. Enjoy appetizers, drinks, and good conversation while connecting with thought leaders working to transform mental health systems.
7:00am - 11:00am
Registration Desk Open
9:00am - 9:45am
General Session
Transforming Mental Health through Venture Philanthropy
Cara Altimus, Kacie Kelly, Solome Tibebu, Reginald D. Williams II
CEU Eligible
Innovative policy, philanthropic, and economic investment strategies are combining to redefine mental health care at an accelerating rate. Leaders in these efforts discuss how they are casting a bold vision, filling gaps, and setting the stage for success. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the opportunities taking shape in mental health care right now.
Speakers
- Cara Altimus, Senior Director – Center for Strategic Philanthropy, Milken Institute
- Solome Tibebu, Senior Fellow of Digital Transformation, Meadows Institute; Founder of Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech
- Reginald D. Williams II, Vice President, International Health Policy and Practice Innovations Co-Lead, Behavioral Health, The Commonwealth Fund
Moderator
- Kacie Kelly, MHS, Chief Innovation Officer, Meadows Institute
9:45am - 10:00am
Transition Break
10:00am - 11:00am
Breakout Session
The Kids Are Not Alright: Family-Centered Solutions for Juvenile Justice Reform
Amanda Peters Britton, Dan Edwards, Marcy Melvin, Sheamekah Williams, Tiffanie Williams-Brooks
CEU Eligible
An estimated 70% of young people in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosable mental illness, and the vast majority have experienced complex trauma, grief, and loss. When this system fails to address the mental health needs of youth they are more likely to face incarceration, further traumatization, and a lifetime of involvement in the criminal justice system. New strategies offering effective interventions at the home and community levels can disrupt this cycle and improve a young person’s life outcomes. In this session, attendees will learn how to effectively address these challenges through innovations including Multisystemic Therapy, Pediatric Mobile Crisis Response Teams, and a robust continuum of evidence-based programs.
Speakers
- Amanda Peters Britton, MEd, LPC, NCC, TBRI Practitioner, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Deputy Chief Juvenile Probation Officer
Midland County Juvenile Justice Center - Dan Edwards, PhD, Sr. Director, Evidenced Based Associates
- Sheamekah Williams, Director of Children’s Services, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services & Interim Executive Director, Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center
- Tiffanie Williams-Brooks, MA, LPC-S, Director of Children and Adolescent Services, The Harris Center for Mental Health & IDD Services
Moderator
- Marcy Melvin, LPC, Deputy Director, The Hackett Center for Mental Health, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
10:00am - 11:00am
Breakout Session
Mapping the Path from Crisis to Care
Catherine Bialick, Mike Gleason, Elizabeth Groves, Jeremy Hill
CEU Eligible
During their most vulnerable moments of crisis, adults with complex behavioral health needs depend on responses from a network of service infrastructures. To decrease the chance of these individuals becoming involved in the criminal justice system, communities must understand gaps in service to make strategic decisions about viable interventions and improve linkages to care. Session attendees will understand why Sequential Intercept Models are an excellent tool for organizing justice diversion planning across multiple systems, including call centers, first response, courts, and crisis response and juvenile justice.
Speakers
- Jeremy Hill, CPE, Fire Captain & 911 Manager, City of Amarillo, TX APCO International, Executive Council Rep.
- Mike Gleason, Sheriff, Williamson County, TX
- Elizabeth Groves, Mental Health Diversion Coordinator, Grayson County, TX
Moderator
- Catherine Bialick, MPAff, Senior Advisor, Office of the State Forensic Director, Behavioral Health Services, Texas Health and Human Services Commission
10:00am - 11:00am
Breakout Session
Proven and Practical Strategies to Expand the Workforce
Becca Brune, Eric Estrada, Ashlee Harris, Vikram Patel, Matthew S. Stanford
CEU Eligible
Validated models show that community health workers, faith communities, and peer specialists can play pivotal roles as we face the growing mental health emergency brought on by COVID-19. These groups are key to addressing the mental health workforce shortage. This panel introduces scalable, evidence-based practices used in early intervention and treatment of depression that can sustainably address our workforce shortage.
In addition, attendees will learn about federal policy efforts to finance the training, licensing, and use of non-specialist providers in delivery of mental health services in community and clinical settings.
Speakers
- Eric Estrada, Executive Director, Form Communities
- Ashlee Harris, Senior Community Health Worker, Penn Center for Community Health Workers
- Vikram Patel, PhD, Pershing Square Professor of Global Health, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School
- Matthew S. Stanford, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, Hope and Healing Center & Institute
Moderator
- Becca Brune, MPAff, MBA, Chief Strategy Officer and Regional Executive Director of South Texas, Meadows Institute
11:00am - 11:15pm
Transition Break
11:15am - 12:15pm
Breakout Session
Tragedy to Triumph: Addressing the Silent Epidemic of Childhood Grief
Catherine E. Jaynes, Julie Kaplow, Heather Nesle, and John Snook
CEU Eligible
Unaddressed childhood grief has reached epidemic proportions and can lead to a wide array of adverse outcomes. At least 215,000 American children have lost a parent or caregiver as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic between March 2020 and May 2022. This session focuses on the COVID Collaborative + Trauma and Grief Center’s partnership to meet the grief-related needs of bereaved youth across the country. Join this session to learn how programs, partnerships, and policy can be powerful tools in addressing this challenge.
Speakers
- Catherine E. Jaynes, PhD, Senior Director, External Affairs, COVID Collaborative
- Julie Kaplow, PhD, ABPP, Executive Vice President for Trauma and Grief Programs and Policy, The Hackett Center for Mental Health, Meadows Institute
- Heather Nesle, President, New York Life Foundation
Moderator
- John Snook, JD, Chief Policy Officer, Meadows Institute
11:15am - 12:15pm
Breakout Session
It’s Skill Not Will: Giving Families the Tools to Help Their Kids Succeed
J. Stuart Ablon, Tegan Henke, Andy Keller, Karl Rathjen
CEU Eligible
Youth with challenging behaviors are often misunderstood. Many caregivers and professionals assume these children don’t want to behave well. However, a significant body of research shows that challenging behavior is more about lacking the skill to do better and less about lacking the will. The Goodness Web Foundation is investing in a better approach: Collaborative Problem Solving. It has been effectively used across multiple settings to build empathy, teach youth the skills they lack, and improve behavior. Attendees will gain a more effective perspective on why some children struggle and how to help youth and caregivers be their best.
Speakers
- J. Stuart Ablon, PhD, Director, Think:Kids, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital; Associate Professor and Thomas G. Stemberg Endowed Chair, Harvard Medical School
- Andy Keller, PhD, President & CEO, Linda Perryman Evans Presidential Chair, Meadows Institute
- Karl Rathjen, MD, Assistant Chief of Staff, Scottish Rite for Children; Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, University of Texas Southwestern; President, Bette Rathjen Foundation for Emotional Health
Moderator
- Tegan Henke, MS, MFT, Vice President of Community Systems Innovation, Center for Child and Family Wellness, Meadows Institute
11:15am - 12:15pm
Breakout Session
Adapting to the Workforce Crisis
Darilynn Cardona-Beiler, Trina K. Ita, Lee Johnson
CEU Eligible
While the U.S. faces a health care workforce shortage compounded by increasing needs for behavioral health services, systems are unable to meet the demand. In Texas, while behavioral health providers and social services work to ramp up staffing, critical staff shortages and high turnover rates persist. This session examines strategies for addressing the workforce crisis including community behavioral health clinics, workforce training and education, and telehealth and assisted technologies to serve specialty populations. Attendees will learn how the behavioral health care landscape in Texas is shifting to meet the needs of its communities.
Speakers
- Trina K. Ita, MA, Associate Commissioner Office of Mental Health & Substance Use Programs, Texas Health and Human Services Commission
- Lee Johnson, MPA, Chief Executive Officer, Texas Council of Community Centers
Moderator
- Darilynn Cardona-Beiler, MSSA, LCSW, Vice President of Systems Integration and Policy Implementation, Meadows Institute
12:15pm
Conference Adjournment
Thank you for attending E&E 2022
Director, Think:Kids, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital; Associate Professor and Thomas G. Stemberg Endowed Chair, Harvard Medical School
Vice President of Health Equity, The Hackett Center for Mental Health, Meadows Institute
Vice President of Systems Integration and Policy Implementation, Meadows Institute
Pediatrician of Behavioral Health and Integration Guidance, Children's Health
Senior Advisor, Office of the State Forensic Director, Behavioral Health Services, Texas Health and Human Services Commission
TBRI Practitioner, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Deputy Chief Juvenile Probation Officer
Midland County Juvenile Justice Center
Executive Director of Mental Health Services, Dallas Independent School District
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Behavioral Health and Guidance, Children's Health
Chief Strategy Officer and Regional Executive Director of South Texas, Meadows Institute
CEO & Executive Director, The Ecumenical Center for Education, Counseling and Health
Deputy Executive Commissioner, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Behavioral Health Service
Associate Professor of Special Education, College of Education at The University of Texas at Arlington
Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC)
Vice President of Community Systems Innovation, Center for Child and Family Wellness, Meadows Institute
Fire Captain & 911 Manager, City of Amarillo, TX, APCO International, Executive Council Rep
Assistant Director, Disaster Behavioral Health Services, Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Associate Commissioner Office of Mental Health & Substance Use Programs, Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Executive Vice President, Trauma and Grief Programs and Policy, Executive Director, Trauma and Grief Center at The Hackett Center for Mental Health, Meadows Institute
President & CEO, Linda Perryman Evans Presidential Chair, Meadows Institute
Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs & Chief Medical Officer, The University of Texas System; Professor of Medicine, The University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center
Executive Vice President for Justice and Health; Executive Director, Center for Justice and Health, Meadows Institute
Senior Clinical Director of Primary Care Innovation, Meadows Institute
Deputy Director, The Hackett Center for Mental Health, Meadows Institute
Executive Director, The Hackett Center for Mental Health, Meadows Institute
Pershing Square Professor of Global Health, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Assistant Chief of Staff, Scottish Rite for Children; Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, University of Texas Southwestern; President, Bette Rathjen Foundation for Emotional Health
Faculty Director, Risk-Resilience Lab
Professor of Public Policy & Social Welfare University of California, Berkeley
Senior Vice President, Health Systems Integration, Meadows Institute
Senior Fellow of Digital Transformation, Meadows Institute; Founder of Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech
Vice President of Education Strategy and Innovation, Meadows Institute
Vice President, International Health Policy and Practice Innovations Co-Lead, Behavioral Health, The Commonwealth Fund
Director of Children's Services, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services & Interim Executive Director, Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center
Director of Children and Adolescent Services, The Harris Center for Mental Health & IDD Services
Presenting
Investor
Partner
CEU Sponsor
This is a day and a half conference taking place at the Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West in Plano, Texas. See additional details below.
- The conference will be held at Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West located at 6007 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX, 75024.
- The room block with a discounted conference rate has now closed. Rooms may still be available at Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West at the regular rate and there are several other accommodation options nearby.
- For attendees with reservations at Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West:
- Check-in time is 3:00 p.m. CST. Check-out time is 11:00 a.m. CST.
- In case of cancellation, your deposit will be refunded if notice is received at least three working days prior to arrival.
- Parking is available onsite. Self-parking is $12 per day and valet parking is $27 per day.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered free of charge for LMSWs, LCSWs, LPCs, LMFTs and psychologists in Texas. CEUs have been generously sponsored by Haven Behavioral Hospital of Frisco. CEUs will be provided depending on conference attendance. Additional details and instructions will be provided prior to the conference.
Unless prior arrangements have been made, all unpaid registrations will be voided at midnight on Friday, September 30, 2022.
Check Payments
- Check payment is only available to attendees registered by September 12, 2022.
- Checks should be made payable to MMHPI and mailed to 2800 Swiss Ave., Dallas, TX, 75204.
- All check payments must be received before Friday, September 30, 2022.
- No refunds will be processed after September 23, 2022.
- Substitutions will be accepted through September 23, 2022, by contacting [email protected].
- Registration has closed.
Please note: This event will be photographed, video recorded, and broadcasted.
Attendees are encouraged to wear face coverings and observe social distancing as they feel comfortable. Keep in mind, certain businesses may continue to have COVID-19 related requirements. All attendees are expected to comply with the establishment’s requests, if any.
© 2022 Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. All rights reserved.