June is Pride Month! In this newsletter, we feature events, resources, and news related to supporting LGBTQ mental health, including in our schools.  
 
This newsletter also highlights a wealth of upcoming learning events from our MHTTC, including Adaptive Leadership Trainings, a regional School Mental Health Learning Collaborative, and several conferences where we'll be presenting. We hope to see you soon. 
 
Spread the word: We invite you to . Your team can sign up for our news here: tinyurl.com/pacsw-mh-news   
 
The Pacific Southwest MHTTC is a SAMHSA-funded center serving American Samoa, Arizona, California, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Marshall Islands, Nevada, Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau.
 
adaptiveleadAdaptive Leadership Training in Arizona
Adaptive Leadership for the People:  
Championing Optimized Mental Health Services Systems

Date:
Time: 
Where:
Thursday, August 1 - Friday, August 2
Day 1: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Day 2: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 
Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel 
100 N 1st Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85004 
 
We are pleased to offer two upcoming training events in Phoenix, Arizona. Registration is due by July 22 (deadline extended). View the event flyer. 
 
TRACK 1: Optimizing Leadership and Management of Our Mental Health Workforce Through Adaptive Leadership
 
Facilitated by Change Matrix. As the mental health workforce diversifies, organizations are infused with new perspectives and practices. Workplace leaders have an opportunity to incorporate diverse perspectives into staff roles and responsibilities, but may not understand the consequences of embracing these perspectives. This workshop focuses on adaptive work that leaders can do to optimize diverse perspectives within their teams. We will identify aspects of diversity and culture that influence perspectives and leadership in the workplace. We will define the different tasks of adaptive leaders and discuss when to apply adaptive leadership.
 
Audience: Mental health agency leaders and managers, policy makers, human resource officers, community partners, and mental health advocates. 
 
TRACK 2: Advancing Leadership of Early Career Mental Health Professionals: Achieving Change Using Adaptive Leadership
 
Facilitated by Youth MOVE National. Are you just starting your career in the mental health field and ready to lead positive change? Do you see yourself as a champion for youth and young adult health and wellness? This leadership training uses the adaptive leadership model to advance the capabilities of young adults serving in new or early career professional roles in the mental and behavioral health system (e.g., engagement, peer support, advocacy).  
 
Audience: Young adults (18-30) who are professionals or paraprofessionals (volunteers, advocates, champions) of young adult mental health, or who are considering joining the mental health workforce. 
advisoryJoin Our Advisory Board
 
Seeking Volunteers: PS MHTTC Advisory Board 
 
We are seeking volunteers from the Pacific Southwest states (AZ, HI, NV, and CA) and islands to serve on our Advisory Board. The PS MHTTC Advisory Board provides insights on critical mental health topics for this region. The Advisory Board meets by videoconference quarterly for 90 minutes. Our next meeting is Thursday, July 18, 6:00-7:30 p.m. ET / 3:00-4:30pm PT / 12:00-1:30 p.m. HT.  
 
Will you join us by serving on the Advisory Board? Email Suganya Sockalingam to let us know you are interested: ssockalingam@changematrix.org 
webinarsPS MHTTC Communities of Practice (CoPs)
CoP: Building a Diverse Workforce from the Ground Up 
Wednesdays: June 26 / July 24 / August 28 
6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT / 12 p.m. HT 

Workforce diversity is a critical strategy for improving health care access for communities of color. In this Community of Practice, we explore our organizational successes and challenges in building a diverse workforce. Together we identify action steps to incorporate workforce diversity practices into our organizational plans. 
 
CoP: Integrating Cultural and Linguistic Competence (CLC) - Leading from Where You Are 
Wednesdays: July 10 / August 14 
6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT / 12 p.m. HT 

Are you interested in leading efforts to drive culturally competent health care services at your organization? In this Community of Practice, we discuss a conceptual framework for CLC and what differentiates culturally competent organizations. We explore how to lead our organizations to become more culturally competent.  

  smhSchool Mental Health Feature
2019 School Mental Health Webinar Series 
On June 18, we finished our 2019 School Mental Health Webinar Series. We are grateful to all of our presenters and all of you who joined us in conversation. See below for the archived sessions; webinars will be posted on our website when available.
 
Our Fall School Mental Health Webinar Series will begin in September. Email Leora ( Lwolf@cars-rp.org ) with topic ideas, presenters, or requests for a repeat from this year's series. Topics must focus on: school mental health evidence-based practices; school mental health literacy; school violence prevention and crisis response; or trauma-informed school policy, practices, or programs.
Links go to registration pages; please register to view the archived webinars. 
 
Leora Wolf-Prusan (Pacific Southwest MHTTC), Rachele Espiritu (Pacific Southwest MHTTC), and Kristen Harper (Child Trends)
 
Leora Wolf-Prusan (Pacific Southwest MHTTC) with contributions from Claudia Rojas 
 
Leah Harris, MA, and Kelechi Ubozoh
 
Candice Valenzela (The Teaching Well), Melissa Mendoza and Mindy Melgar (Camino Nuevo Charter Academy), and K.C. Johnson (Sandra Cisneros Learning Academy)
 
Susan Harootunian (Project AWARE Coordinator, Douglas County School District, NV) and Shauna Bake (Project AWARE Coordinator, Pershing County School District, NV) 
Join Us: PS MHTTC School Mental Health Learning Collaborative 
School Mental Health Learning Collaborative 
 
Along with our fellow MHTTCs, we are pleased to announce an opportunity to join our Pacific Southwest School Mental Health Learning Collaborative!
 
This year, the National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH) and the National MHTTC Network established the MHTTC School Mental Health Learning Collaborative to create a national curriculum for school mental health, including a train the trainer for school district leadership.  
 
The Eight School Mental Health Curricular Modules ( view flyer for details):
  1. Foundations of Comprehensive School Mental Health
  2. Teaming
  3. Needs Assessment & Resource Mapping
  4. Screening
  5. Mental Health Promotion for All (Tier 1)
  6. Early Intervention & Treatment (Tiers 2/3)
  7. Funding & Sustainability
  8. Impact
Want to learn more about joining our regional Collaborative and getting trained (or becoming a trainer)? Register for one of the following 30-minute sessions:
  • August 15 | 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT / 8 a.m. HT | Register
  • August 16 | 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT / 10 a.m. HT | Register
  • August 23 | 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT / 6 a.m. HT | Register
Can't attend an information session but want to learn more? Reach out to School Mental Health Lead Leora Wolf-Prusan ( Lwolf@cars-rp.org).  
School Mental Health: Distance Learning 
Virtual Learning Sessions 

Two Virtual Learning Sessions are offered by the NCSMH and the MHTTC Network. Contact Jessica Gonzalez (jegonzalez@stanford.edu) to register.
 
Virtual Learning Session 4: Screening | Thursday, July 11 | 3:00-4:15 p.m. ET / 12:00-1:15 p.m. PT / 9:00-10:15 a.m. HT
Virtual Learning Session 5: Funding/Sustainability | Thursday, August 1 | 3:00-4:15 p.m. ET / 12:00-1:15 p.m. PT / 9:00-10:15 a.m. HT
School Mental Health Conferences
National Assoc. of School Psychologists (NASP) Summer Conference 
Register | July 8-10 | Phoenix, Arizona   
 
The summer conferences bring together top school psychology experts sharing practical, hands-on tools. Earn 3 or 6 hours of CPD for each workshop.
CA School-Based Health Alliance's School-Based Mental Health Best Practices Training: Screening, Brief Intervention, & Referral to Treatment
Register - Flyer | July 10, 1:00-4:15 p.m. PT | Fresno, California 
 
We're a co-sponsor for this event! This school-based mental health series is for educators, clinicians, school-based health providers, and other professionals who work with young people in the Central Valley.
Please join their first workshop: Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) .  Register today--the training is no-cost but seating is limited. Contact Amy Ranger ( aranger@schoolhealthcenters.org) with questions.
Innovative Schools Summit Las Vegas 
Register | July 8-12 | Las Vegas, Nevada 

The Las Vegas Summit features five events: School Discipline Conference, School Climate & Culture Forum, Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference, NextGen School Safety Conference, and Girl Bullying & Empowerment Conference. 
10th Annual Safe Schools Conference 
Register | July 17-19 | Orange County, California  
 
Learn about the critical issues schools face and the direct link between school safety, learning, attendance, and higher test scores.  
The 2019 School Health Interdisciplinary Program (SHIP) Conference  
Register | August 6-8 | Columbia, Maryland   
 
SHIP is a multifaceted approach to continuing education on coordinated school health. This year's theme is "Advancing Innovation and Best Practices in School Health."
HERE this NOW's Trauma-Responsive Schools Conference  
Register | October 23-25 | Temecula, California 
 
Join Emily Read Daniels, James Moffett, Lara Kain, Mona Delahooke, and Jim Sporleder for a unique cohort model conference. This intensive learning experience is designed to prepare and inspire participants as trauma-informed champions.
2019 California PBIS Conference Leading the Way for Positive and Equitable Schools
Register - Flyer | October 28-29 (Post Conference: Oct. 30) | Sacramento, California 
 
We're a workshop and post-conference presenter! The theme this year is "Leading the Way for Positive and Equitable Schools." More information coming soon (hint: we'll focus on school mental health referral pathways). 
2019 Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health
Register | November 7-9 | Austin, Texas  
 
We're a presenter! Advancing School Mental Health is the nation's premier interdisciplinary conference on school mental health. This year's theme is "Safe and Supportive Schools for All Students." 
What We're Reading: School Mental Health Research and Resources 
High School Students' Perceptions of Police Vary by Student Race and Ethnicity: Findings from the California Healthy Kids Survey, 2017/18
 
 
This brief presents data from a large sample of California high school students in diverse, low-income communities. "[M]any schools around the U.S. are partnering with local law enforcement to increase the presence of officers in schools. However, a police presence may not make all young people feel safe."
 
" [C]ompared to their White peers, students of color, especially Black students, had less positive perceptions of police .... Community members, schools, and local law enforcement departments can use this data to understand and address students' disparate experiences ... so that all young people feel safer."
June is Pride Month - School LGBTQ Mental Health Resources 
 
Pride Month is a time to celebrate the people who have championed LGBTQ rights and created the advocacy and activism necessary to ensure that all students and staff feel seen and celebrated in every part of who they are.
 
LGBTQ mental health is a school mental health issue. Homophobia and transphobia prevention is suicide prevention.
Here are our top resources for supporting LGBTQ health and wellness in schools:
  
 
The Safe Space Kit: Guide to Being an Ally to LGBT Students (GLSEN, 2016) offers guidance on creating safe spaces in schools, fostering ally-ship, assessing personal biases, and more.
 
Six Ways to Stand Behind your LGBT Students (Teaching Tolerance, 2017) provides clear guidelines for staff, administration, and teachers for LGBTQ students' inclusion. 
 
New LGBTQ Best Practice Guide (Teaching Tolerance, 2018) highlights best practices that educators should adopt for all LGBTQ students to thrive.
 
The Trevor Project is a support network for LGBTQ youth. They provide crisis intervention and suicide prevention, including a 24-hour text line.
 
The National Queer and Trans Therapy of Color Network (NQTTCN) provides resources and referrals for queer and trans people of color -- both for mental health professionals and mental health seekers.
 
Promoting LGBTQ Students' Well-Being in Schools (2018) provides concrete evidence and guidance for school counselors on why and how to support LBGTQ students.
YYAYouth & Young Adults Feature
Spotlight on CLASP 
Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)
Better outcomes for young adults depend on both practice and policy change. These changes become critical for young adults experiencing "multiple jeopardy": those with behavioral health challenges who are also a part of marginalized communities.  
 
CLASP is a national nonprofit advancing policy solutions for low-income people. CLASP's Youth Policy Team focuses on dismantling systemic and structural barriers to promote economic justice for marginalized young people: "Low-income youth are disproportionately exposed to structural disadvantage and trauma, with lasting implications for their mental health.  ... CLASP advocates for policy reform and community innovations that reduce the prevalence of adverse experiences, increase access to behavioral health supports, and move young people towards wellbeing."
 
 
New CLASP Report: Behind the Asterisk*: Perspectives on Young Adult Mental Health from "Small and Hard-to- Reach" Communities  
Read 
 
 
Behind the Asterisk* describes findings from focus groups in "small and hard-to-reach" young adult communities: white rural; Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander; urban Native American; and homeless. These communities are often relegated to an "asterisk" in research and policy discourse; this report brings their experiences to the forefront. Behind the Asterisk* concludes with 10 policy recommendations for systems reform and equity.
Pacific Southwest MHTTC Youth & Young Adults Webinar
Understanding and Advancing Mental Health Equity for Young Adults
New Date: Tuesday, July 16 | 6:00-7:15 p.m. ET / 3:00-4:15 p.m. PT / 12:00-1:15 p.m. HT 

Young adults of transition age have elevated rates of mental health challenges, yet they often do not receive services, and few interventions have been designed or found effective for this population. This puts young adults of transition age at greater risk for homelessness, justice involvement, and education and employment challenges. These challenges are even more acute for youth from vulnerable populations.
 
This webinar will focus on strategic practices that health departments and mental health agencies can take to begin eliminating health disparities by advancing mental health equity.   Presented by Kristin Thorp and Lydia Proulx, Youth MOVE National. 
 
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
  • Understand the link between health disparities and mental health equity.
  • Gain knowledge about the unique mental health equity challenges facing young adults of transition age.
  • Learn practical strategies for advancing mental health equity for youth and young adults.  

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Kristin Thorp, BSW, Youth Engagement Specialist at Youth MOVE National, has ten years of experience in advocacy, youth leadership, and program development, with a special focus on the mental health and criminal justice systems. In addition to serving as a national TA provider, she is an advisor on the System of Care Children's Mental Health Initiative and supports national evaluation efforts.  
 
lydia proulx
Lydia Proulx is a Youth Program Specialist at Youth MOVE National. In their current role, Proulx is a Technical Service Provider for SAMHSA funded Systems of Care grantees as well as the National Quality Improvement Center for Tailored Services, Placement Stability, and Permanency for LGBTQ2S Children and Youth in Foster Care (QIC).  
UpcomingMore Upcoming Learning Opportunities  
Conferences and Workshops 
Arizona State University (ASU) Center for Applied Behavioral Health Policy (CABHP): 20th Annual Summer Institute 
Register | July 16-19 | Flagstaff, Arizona   
 
We're presenting two workshops! The theme this year is "Illuminating Behavioral Health: Exploring New Pathways for Care and Inspiring Breakthroughs."  
 
Both of the PS MHTTC workshops are on July 18: 
  • Implicit Bias and its Impact in the Mental Health Service Space: Exploring Concepts and Experiences (Part 1) and What Can Individuals and Organizations Do? (Part 2)
  • Building a Diverse Workforce from the Ground Up (Part 1 and 2)
46th Annual Arizona Rural Health Conference 
Register | August 1-2 | Flagstaff, Arizona   
 
The theme of this year's statewide conference is "The Five Cs of Rural Health in Arizona: Care, Capacity, Connection, Culture & Collaboration."  
Webinars 
Webinar - How Can Medicaid and CHIP Support Children's Emotional Health?
Register | June 26 | 2 p .m. ET / 11 a.m. PT / 8 a.m. HT  
 
Learn strategies that state agencies and pediatric primary care providers can use to leverage Medicaid and CHIP funding for children's social-emotional development.
Webinar - Approaches to Evaluating Services for YYA of Transition Age 
Register | June 27 | 1:30-3:00 p .m. ET / 10:30-12 p.m. PT / 7:30-9 a.m. HT  

This webinar will discuss strategies for assessing systems, services, and supports that serve older youth and young adults with significant mental health needs. 
Webinar - Psychiatric Advance Directives: A Compelling Tool to Support Crisis Care 
Register | June 28 | 12-1 p .m. ET / 9-10 a.m. PT / 6-7 a.m. HT  

This webinar, co-hosted by SMI Adviser and the MHTTC Network, focuses on Psychiatric Advance Directives (PAD), their benefits, and barriers to implementation. 
Webinar - Incarcerated Mothers: Understanding the System and their Unique Mental Health Needs
Register | August 23 | 3-4 p.m. ET / 12-1 p.m. PT / 9-10 a.m. HT  

This session will provide increased understanding of how to support women experiencing pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period while incarcerated. 
LGBTQLGBTQ Mental Health & Pride Month
"As progress spreads from State to State, as justice is delivered in the courtroom, and as more of our fellow Americans are treated with dignity and respect--our Nation becomes not only more accepting, but more equal as well. During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, we celebrate victories that have affirmed freedom and fairness, and we recommit ourselves to completing the work that remains." - President Obama's Proclamation of LGBT Pride Month, 2014 

Check out our School Mental Health section above for more LGBTQ health resources.
Events
Webinars - Children's Mental Health Summer Training Series 
 
The Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health will host three upcoming webinars as part of their full summer training series: 
8th Annual LGBTQ Healthcare Conference - Let's Get Better Together: A Quality Look at Healthcare in Arizona 
Register | June 27-28 | Phoenix, Arizona
 
Arizona's statewide Let's Get Better Together conference increases the resources and understanding of health care providers who serve the LGBTQ community. 
Webinar - Conducting Mental Health Assessments: A Trauma-Informed, Cultural Humility Framework 
Register | June 28 | 2-3 p.m. ET / 11-12 p.m. PT / 8-9 a.m. HT  

Using a cultural humility framework, this webinar will explore best practices for engaging clients, conducting a strengths-based assessment, and supporting the client. Service providers, advocates, LGBTQ community, and families should attend. 
2019 Gender Spectrum Conference & Symposium  
Register | July 19-21 | Moraga, California 

The Professionals' Symposium (July 19) is designed for individuals who serve transgender and otherwise gender-expansive youth and their families. The Symposium is followed by the Gender Spectrum Conference (July 20-21) for families with transgender and gender-expansive children and youth. 
Webinar - Working with Gender-Diverse Individuals: Implications to Enhance Services 
Register | July 24 (Part 1) / July 31 (Part 2) | 12:00-1:30 p.m. ET / 9:00-10:30 a.m. PT / 6:00-7:30 a.m. HT   
 
Participants will gain an understanding of behavioral health care disparities impacting gender-diverse individuals, and will learn strategies for improving services for them. 
Spotlight on Recent LGBTQ-Related Policy News 
LGBT Data Inclusion Act (H.R. 3273/S. 1570)
Sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data are critical to assessing and addressing the disparities that LGBTQ people face. This bill would improve federal population surveys by requiring the collection of voluntary, self-disclosed SOGI information.
  • Requires any agency conducting a survey that collects demographic data to identify appropriate methods of obtaining SOGI data.
  • Requires any survey that collects demographic data to include SOGI measures.
  • Requires that reports published on said demographic data to include information on SOGI data.
Equality Act (H.R. 5 / S. 788)
LGBT people commonly experience discrimination in accessing public accommodations (such as restaurants or stores), and when attempting to rent or buy a home. This bill seeks to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to, among other actions:
  • Prohibit discrimination or segregation in public accommodations based on sex and sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI).
  • Revise public school desegregation standards to provide for the assignment of students without regards to SOGI.
  • Prohibit employers, as well as programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance, from discriminating against persons based on sex or SOGI.
Trauma-Informed Care for Children and Families Act (H.R. 1757 / S. 774)
Adverse experiences such as abuse, neglect, or harassment can lead to long-term health and behavioral complications. Some youth, such as LGBTQ youth and Native youth, are more likely to experience high rates of trauma. Among other activities, this bill would: 
  • Establish a task force of federal and tribal agencies to identify best practices for identification, referral, and support of children that experience trauma.
  • Improve training for law enforcement on trauma and information-sharing.
  • Create new tools for coordinating bodies to identify needs, collect data, build skills, and leverage resources to address trauma in communities.
  queryShare Your Insights with Our Team
Please Complete Our Needs Assessment    
 
As your MHTTC, we are eager to learn about your organization's mental health services, challenges, and priorities. We deeply appreciate your time. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Please share with your networks: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MHTTCneedsassessment
 
Contact the Pacific Southwest MHTTC
 
Toll-Free: 1-844-856-1749    Email:  pacificsouthwest@mhttcnetwork.org