-
Through a variety of events each month, the SMVF TA Center promotes increased awareness of resources and promising, best, and evidence-based practices to strengthen SMVF behavioral health care systems. Some events are geared towards the general public, while others are closed events for specific initiatives and audiences. Session information can be found below.
For questions related to upcoming TA events, please email smvftacenter@prainc.com.
July
Time: 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Community of Practice (CoP) meetings are designed to strengthen technical assistance support for Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge workgroup leaders and members. CoPs meet monthly to (1) Increase knowledge about suicide prevention best practices related to each specific priority area, (2) Facilitate team-to-team sharing of insights and suicide prevention strategies, and (3) Inspire practice improvement ideas and innovations across teams.
Topic: Trauma-Informed, Gender-Sensitive Lethal Means Counseling
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team members
Time: 2 - 3 p.m. ET
*Registration Limited* This event is limited to current Governor’s Challenge and Mayor’s Challenge team members. To request to be added to the distribution list for this event, please email smvftacenter@prainc.com
Team leader calls are designed to provide technical assistance support specifically for team leaders of the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges through a monthly 1-hour virtual meeting.
Topic: Preparing for Suicide Prevention Month – Resources for Positive and Effective Messaging
Presenter: Theresa Murray, Director of Communications, National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team leaders
Time: 1 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Join us for an informative webinar on how clinical community partners can work together to support the behavioral health needs of service members, Veterans, and their families. You will hear from Federal and community-based speakers on the following topics:
The Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act of 2020: The COMPACT Act supports implementation of a new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) policy that provides access to free emergency suicide care for Veterans in non-VA care settings. The goal of the COMPACT Act is to reduce Veteran suicide by guaranteeing no-cost care in times of crisis.
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) services to Veterans: CCBHCs are funded to bring comprehensive community-based mental health and substance use services to individuals in communities. The statutory criteria requires that CCBHCs provide nine core services, including community-based behavioral health care and recovery supports for Veterans and certain members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
CCBHC/VA Care Coordination: Care coordination is a critical element of services for CCBHCs. You will hear about how one CCBHC in Texas has partnered with their local VA medical center, supporting collaborative behavioral health interventions for Veterans in the community.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore how CCBHCs bridge gaps in access to behavioral health care in communities, providing comprehensive support to SMVF and other populations
- Learn how the VA’s COMPACT Act enhances access for Veterans to receive emergency suicide care within community-based settings
- Understand how you can synergize efforts with Veteran-serving partners in your community to strengthen service delivery for SMVF
Presenters:
- Stacey Owens, M.S.W., LCSW-C, Military and Veterans Affairs Liaison, Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- Leila DiSola, Ph.D., Public Health Advisor, Government Project Officer, Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
- Abdallah Ibrahim, Dr.P.H., CPH, Public Health Advisor, Government Project Officer, Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
- Michelle Sorie, MSN, BSN, RN, Integrated Care Management Nurse, Office of Integrated Veteran Care (IVC), Department of Veterans Affairs
- Sarah Strang M.Ed., LPC, Mobile Crisis Outreach Team and Resiliency Team Director, The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD
August
Time: 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations have an exemplary tradition of military service and sacrifice, serving at one of the highest rates per capita of any ethnic group. AI/AN Veterans are disproportionately impacted by suicide. A culturally centered comprehensive public health approach is needed to incorporate, respect, and elevate Indigenous Knowledge and build on the strengths of SMVF and their communities.
The webinar learning series will meet monthly beginning in May 2024 via Zoom. Each session will feature both expert presentations and group discussions.
Session 2: Honoring Traditions and Cultural Practices in Healing
Presenters:
- Barbara Aragon (Laguna Pueblo, Crow) | Technical Assistant, SAMHSA’s Tribal Technical Assistance Center
- Raymond Daw (Navajo Nation) | Behavioral Health Consultant, National Association of Behavioral Health Consultants
- Ivan Sam (Navajo Nation) | Cultural Ambassador, The Veterans Art Project
Intended Audience: Open to anyone interested in serving American Indian and Alaska Native SMVF
Time: 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Community of Practice (CoP) meetings are designed to strengthen technical assistance support for Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge workgroup leaders and members. CoPs meet monthly to (1) Increase knowledge about suicide prevention best practices related to each specific priority area, (2) Facilitate team-to-team sharing of insights and suicide prevention strategies, and (3) Inspire practice improvement ideas and innovations across teams.
Topic: Data Sharing
Presenter: Alison Athey, Ph.D., Associate Behavioral Scientist, RAND Corporation
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team members
September
Time: 2 - 3 p.m. ET (RESCHEDULED from August 26 to September 3)
*Registration Limited* This event is limited to current Governor’s Challenge and Mayor’s Challenge team members. To request to be added to the distribution list for this event, please email smvftacenter@prainc.com
Team leader calls are designed to provide technical assistance support specifically for team leaders of the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges through a monthly 1-hour virtual meeting.
Topic: Sustainability Toolkit
Presenter: Don Harris, Assistant Director, SAMHSA’s SMVF TA Center at Policy Research Associates, Inc.
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team leaders
-
Past Events
June
Time: 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. ET
Community of Practice (CoP) meetings are designed to strengthen technical assistance support for Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge workgroup leaders and members. CoPs meet monthly to (1) Increase knowledge about suicide prevention best practices related to each specific priority area, (2) Facilitate team-to-team sharing of insights and suicide prevention strategies, and (3) Inspire practice improvement ideas and innovations across teams.
Topic: Quarterly Regional Breakouts
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team members
Time: 2 - 3 p.m. ET
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations have an exemplary tradition of military service and sacrifice, serving at one of the highest rates per capita of any ethnic group. AI/AN Veterans are disproportionately impacted by suicide. A culturally centered comprehensive public health approach is needed to incorporate, respect, and elevate Indigenous Knowledge and build on the strengths of SMVF and their communities.
The webinar learning series beginning in May 2024 via Zoom. Each session will feature both expert presentations and group discussions.
Session 2: Resources to Address Tribal Behavioral Health
Presenters:
- CAPT Karen Hearod, M.S.W., LCSW (Choctaw Nation) | Director, Office of Tribal Affairs and Policy, SAMHSA
- Sienna Hunter-Cuyjet, LMSW, LCSW, LICSW, ACSW (Shinnecock Nation) | Certified Trauma & Resilience Practitioner, SAMHSA Tribal Training & Technical Assistance (TTA) Center, Three Star Government Solutions, LLC
Intended Audience: Open to anyone interested in serving American Indian and Alaska Native SMVF
Time: 2 - 3 p.m. ET
*Registration Limited* This event is limited to current Governor’s Challenge and Mayor’s Challenge team members. To request to be added to the distribution list for this event, please email smvftacenter@prainc.com.
Team leader calls are designed to provide technical assistance support specifically for team leaders of the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges through a monthly 1-hour virtual meeting.
Topic: Supporting Each Other as Leaders Small Group Discussion
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team leaders
Time: 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET
This listening session seeks input from American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Service Members, Veterans and their Families (SMVF), and community leaders serving this population.
Listening Session Goals:
- Better understand the views and concerns of tribal communities and find ways to build a strong tribal program for suicide prevention
- Ensure representation and elevate indigenous knowledge throughout all aspects of program planning and implementation
Intended Audience: American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Service Members, Veterans and their Families (SMVF), and community leaders serving this population