2016-2017 Behavioral Health Training & Technical Assistance for State, Tribal, and Local Health OfficialsProgram:

Welcome Packet

Congratulations again!

We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work more closely with you over the next several months! Your commitment to the improvement of mental health and substance use treatment (behavioral health) services in your community and nationwide is a passion that we truly share and we are looking forward to supporting you and your health agency as you work toward meaningful progress.

This is the 2016-2017 Behavioral Health Training & Technical Assistance for State, Tribal,and Local Health Officials Program Welcome Packet. It will provide you with the materials you will need to be successful in this program including a letter of commitment form, important dates, overview of the project, and travel instructions.

We look forward to working with you!

Shelina D. Foderingham MPH MSW

Project Director, Behavioral Health Training & Technical Assistance for Health Officials

Assistant Vice President, Practice Improvement

National Council for Behavioral Health

Background

Over more than two decades, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has reiterated the strong recommendation that public health professionals possess the appropriate education and training to perform the required roles by this workforce. IOM asserts that public health workers should be trained in a set of core public health competencies and should have adequate opportunities for practical experience; and additional education and training must be tailored to and depend on the experiences, activities, and functions of particular groups[1]. One public health professional sub-group that is of particular interest is state, tribal, and local health officials.

The state public health worker shortage report recommended providing educational and training opportunities as a means to both build capacity among the public health workforce and to retain staff[2]. Currently, the CDC’s Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support (OSTLTS) funds the New Health Official Orientation which provides state, tribal, territorial, and local health officials with training and educational opportunities in general public health. However, this orientation does not substantially cover the current trends and landscape of behavioral health (mental health and substance use disorders).

As an off-shoot to the New Health Official Orientation, OSTLTS is collaborating with the National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council) to provide behavioral health training and technical assistance to state, tribal, and local health officials.

Program Overview

In collaboration with OSTLTS, the National Council has launched the second round of the Behavioral Health Training and Technical Assistance for State, Tribal, and Local Health Officials Program. The second cohort of thiseight-month initiative is comprised of 40 state, tribal, and local health officials. As a participant, you will havedirect access to training and technical assistance that will enhance your department’s behavioral health efforts.

From December 2016 through June 2017, the Behavioral Health Training and Technical Assistance for State, Tribal, and Local Health Officials program participants will participate in one (1) introductory webinar, one (1) two-day in-person training, the National Council’s Annual Conference, and gain access to additional ongoing trainingsand resources. The two-day in-person training (April 1-2, 2017) will precede the National Council’s 2017 Conference from April 3-5, 2017 in Seattle, WA. Program participants will also be granted the opportunity to attend the National Council Conference for FREE.

Additionally, participants will have access to the following:

  • Toolkit of resources that will include archived webinars, white papers and training materials
  • Bi-weekly e-digest of the latest news and innovative resources in behavioral health
  • Series of webinars tailored to meet the needs identified by the health officials cohort
  • Monthly conference calls to share and solicit feedback from peers related to behavioral health efforts including, but not limited to primary-behavioral health integration, partnerships with community behavioral health organizations, and addictions treatment and prevention.

Program Expectations and Requirements

Participants should be available to participate in at least 80% of the following program activities:

  • One (1) introductory Behavioral Health (Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders) Training & Technical Assistance for State, Tribal, & Local Health Officials webinar (Tuesday, December 13, 2016 from 1:30 – 3:30pm ET)*
  • Five (5) open conference calls (optional) to network with peer health officials, exchange ideas and information related to behavioral health efforts, and garner feedback. These calls will be held every month beginning in January 2017. Specific dates are TBD based on availability (Doodle poll to follow).
  • One (1) 2-day in-person training (April 1-2, 2017) in conjunction with the National Council’s Annual Conference in Seattle, Washington, April 3-5, 2017
  • The 2-day in-person training (Saturday, April 1 – Sunday, April 2, 2017)* will include:
  • Executive version of the Mental Health First Aid USA ® Training;
  • An Intensive Orientation to the Systems, Challenges and Opportunities within Behavioral Health;
  • Networking Event(s): state, tribal, and local health officials, Medicaid directors, behavioral health commissioners, and other behavioral health leaders
  • FREE Access to the National Council 2017 Conference, April 3-5, 2017 in Seattle, Washington
  • There will also be additional topic-specific webinars made available to program participants based on the needs identified by health officials in the behavioral health assessment.

*Participation in these activities is MANDATORY.

Travel, lodging expenses, and conference registration for the in-person training (April 1-2, 2017) and National Council Annual Conference April 3-5, 2017 will be covered for program participants by the National Council*.

*Please NOTE: This offer is non-transferrable, and can only be applied to ONE selected, pre-approved individual per jurisdiction.In order for the National Council to cover a participant’s travel, lodging, and conference registration expenses, attendance at the two-day preconference in-person training is MANDATORY. All travel arrangements must be booked through the National Council’s travel agency (please see pgs. 6-7 for detailed travel instructions). Any selected participant who is no longer able to attend this two-day in-person training (April 1-2, 2017) must notify the National Council in writing no later than Friday, March 3, 2017 to avoid incurring travel expenses. Any participant who does NOT attend the two-day in-person training and fails to notify the National Council in writing by March 3, 2017 will be required to pay for their own travel, lodging, and conference registration expenses.

Program Timeline

Please mark the following dates and activities on your calendar.

Friday, December 9, 2016: Deadline to complete and return Letter of Commitment (see pg. 5)

Tuesday, December 13, 2016, 1:30-3:30pm EST: Program Introductory Webinar (View the Archived Recording)

Friday, February 24, 2017: Deadline for booking travel to Seattle, WA for in-person training and National Council Conference (refer to pgs. 6-7 of this Welcome Packet for detailed travel instructions)

Friday, March 3, 2017: Deadline to notify National Council in writing of inability to attend April 1-2, 2017 in-person training without penalty

Saturday, April 1 – Sunday, April 2, 2017: In-person Trainings, Seattle, WA

  • Saturday, April 1, 2017
  • 12:30pm -5:00pm PST: Executive Version of Mental Health First Aid USA ®
  • 5:00pm – 6:00pm PST: Networking Event #1
  • Sunday, April 2, 2017
  • 8:30am – 4:30pm PST: Behavioral Health & Public Health Integration Summit
  • 4:30pm – 5:30pm PST: Networking Event #2

Monday, April 3 – Wednesday, April 5, 2017: National Council Annual Conference, Seattle, WA

Additional project activities (including webinars and tailored technical assistance) will be scheduled throughout the program based on participant availability and requests.

* Please complete the letter of commitment and return to by Friday, December 9th, 2016, 8:00pm EST.

Letter of Commitment

The National Council for Behavioral Health greatly appreciates your commitment to achieving health equity among people with mental illnesses and substance use disordersand is excited to support the fantastic work you do. Participation in the Behavioral Health Training & Technical Assistance for Health Officials program requires significant time, dedication, thought, energy and enthusiasm to engage in this initiative. This ensures that we are able to support you in the best way possible. Therefore, we ask all participating agencies to agree to an important set of commitments as outlined below.

I hereby agree to (initial next to each item below):

  1. ______Identify a primary project lead who will provide adequate time, energy and enthusiasm to participate in the process and will consistently attend all applicable program activities.

The primary project lead should be either:

i.The health jurisdiction’s primary health official; OR

ii.A staff member in direct support of the primary health official, with health official support*.

*NOTE: Project leads who are NOT the primary health official must also submit a letter of support written by the primary health official on official letterhead indicating their support for the identified project lead’s participation in this program.

  1. ______Identify a secondary project support person, able to participate and attend project activities in cases during which the primary project lead is not available.
  2. ______Complete any assignments and surveys.
  3. ______Attend the mandatory two-day preconference in-person training in Seattle from April 1-2, 2017.
  4. ______Notify the National Council in writing no later than Friday, March 3, 2017 of attendance cancellation without penalty.
  5. ______If I do NOT attend the two-day in-person training and fail to notify the National Council in writing by March 3, 2017, I understand that I will be required to pay for my own travel, lodging, and conference registration expenses, in an amount not to exceed $2,400.

Sign & Date here:______

  1. ______Actively participate in sharing and dissemination of lessons learned, successes and challenges to other program participants and to broader National Council member audience.

1

Primary Project Lead

Date: ______

Signature: ______

Print name: ______

Email: ______

Alternate Project Support

Date: ______

Signature: ______

Print name: ______

Email: ______

1

Travel Instructions

We look forward to seeing you in Seattle, WAfor the Behavioral Health Training & Technical Assistance for Health Officials in-person training on Saturday, April 1, 2017 and Sunday, April 2, 2017 and the National Council Annual Conference from Monday, April 3, 2017 through Wednesday, April 5, 2017. This logistics sheet contains information that will be helpful to you as you prepare for your trip.

If you will be flying into Seattle, please use the following link through Avenue Travel to book your flights. Should you have any difficulty, please feel free to contact Lynn Hendrick at r (703)548-5554 ext. 5646 and reference charge code “2383.0004: Public Health Officials Training” in your correspondence.

Please make your travel arrangements no later than Friday, February 24, 2017. You must book your travel through Avenue Travel in order for the National Council to cover these costs.

Day 1 of the in-person training will begin at 12:30pm PST on Saturday, April 1st, and will end by 5:00pm PST. There will be an optional networking event immediately following from 5:00pm – 6:00pm PST. Day 2 of the in-person training will begin at 8:00am on Sunday, April 2nd, and will end by 4:30pm PST. The National Council Conference will last all day on Monday, April 3rd and Tuesday, April 4th, and will end by 1:00pm PST on Wednesday, April 5th. Please ensure that your travel home allows you to attend as much of these activities as possible.

Hotel Location and Accommodations

The National Council has blocks of rooms reserved at a number of hotels near the Washington State Convention Center. Hotel check-in date is as early as March 31st, check-out date is as late as April 5th. Your room will be reserved by and paid for by the National Council. However, you must present a credit card when you check in to cover any other incidental charges that you may incur beyond the cost of your room.

Once the National Council receives confirmation of your travel plans through Avenue Travel, a room will be reserved for you at one of the conference hotels. Do NOT contact the hotel directly for a room reservation, as this will result in a double-booking. If you choose to stay beyond these nights you will be responsible for paying for those additional night(s) of lodging.

Transportation from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

  • By Car, Taxi, or Uber (est. 25 minute drive)
  • From the airport, merge onto WA-518 E toward I-5/I-405/Seattle/Tacoma. After 1.47 miles, merge onto 1-5 N via the exit on the left toward Seattle and continue for 10.95 miles. Keep right to take I-5 N via EXIT 165 toward Seneca St.Take the Seneca St. exit, EXIT165, on the left. Turn right onto 6th Ave.Turnright onto Pike St. Take the 3rdright onto Convention Pl.
  • By Link Light Rail
  • Travelers also have the option of taking the Link Light Rail from the SeaTac/Airport station. The SeaTac/Airport Station is connected to the 4th floor of the airport parking garage. Trains arrive/depart on the platform level of the station. Travelers should take the northbound train toward University of Washington and exit at the Westlake station (12 stops). From the Westlake station, it is a 0.2 mile walk. Head southeast toward Pine St. Turn left onto Pine Street, then take a right toward Pike Street. Once you hit Pike Street, take a left and the Convention Center will be located on your right.

Travel Coverage Restrictions: Please read this section carefully.

Airline reservations should be booked as soon as possible. Please be mindful that the National Council will cover tickets that are non-refundable, non-transferable, and the lowest available coach fare.

  1. Once the ticket has been issued, additional costs associated with flight schedule changes will be charged to the traveler.
  2. Travel is only paid from your origin and back to your origin. Any deviations from this route will be charged to the traveler.
  3. Only one checked bag will be covered by the National Council. Additional bags will be charged to the traveler.
  4. The National Council will cover up to $50 a day for meals not already provided at the meeting.
  5. Travel reimbursement is for meeting related expenses only (i.e. for taxis to the airport from your origin, from the airport to the hotel and back, airport parking). Taxi and airport parking receipts are required for reimbursement.
  6. Please note that rental cars require prior approval for reimbursement. Also, all reimbursement requests must be accompanied by receipts for all purchases and should be received by the National Council within 10 business days after the meeting.
  7. If you need special accommodations for any of the restrictions listed above, please contact the staff lead for prior approval.
  8. A reimbursement form will be provided prior to and following the meeting.

If you have any logistical questions leading up to the training and conference or travel issues, please contact Margaret Jaco at 202-684-7457 ext. 265 or .

Project Team Bios

Project Director

Shelina D. Foderingham, MPH, MSW

202-684-7457 ext. 272

Shelina D. Foderingham, MPH, MSW is a public health social work professional who serves as aSenior Director of Practice Improvement at the National Council for Behavioral Health where she manages the organization’s public health portfolio. She serves as the Program Directoron a number of projects includingthe CDC OSTLTS Capacity Building Assistance for Public Health Professionals cooperative agreement. Ms. Foderingham also serves as faculty for the National Council’s practice improvement projects focused on primary-behavioral health integration, health information technology (HIT) and clinical quality improvement. Prior to joining the National Council, she spent over seven years providing training and technical assistance to supporting health systems transformation efforts across the United States Gulf Coast. She holds a dual Masters in Social Work and Public Health from Tulane University and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology from Xavier University of Louisiana.

Project Manager

Margaret Jaco, MSSW

202-684-7457 ext. 265

Margaret Jaco, MSSWis a behavioral health professional who currently serves as Senior Policy Associate at the National Council for Behavioral Health. In this role, Margaret provides project coordination and other support to multiple practice improvement and leadership programs, including CDC-funded initiatives and the Reducing Adolescent Substance Abuse Initiative learning community, funded through the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Ms. Jaco provides project management and writing support for other federal and state grant proposals, and serves as the Project Manager for the CDC-funded National Behavioral Health Network for Tobacco & Cancer Control. Also at the National Council, Margaret previously served as Program Associate for Mental Health First Aid, the National Council’s premier mental health public education program. In this role, Ms. Jaco was responsible for providing tailored technical assistance, developing customized curriculum modules, and creating detailed reports. Prior to joining the National Council, Margaret served in various positions for behavioral health and advocacy organizations, including extensive work in the realms of affordable and public housing, Medicaid, and public policy analysis. During her graduate studies, Ms. Jaco authored two Federally-funded publications on topics related to homelessness.

Project Faculty

Linda Rosenberg, MSWserves as the President and Chief Executive Officer at the National Council for Behavioral Health. Ms. Rosenberg is a national expert in the financing and delivery of mental health and substance services. Under her leadership, the National Council for Behavioral Health has become our nation’s most effective advocate for behavioral health prevention, early intervention, science-based treatment, and recovery. Harnessing the voices of the 10 million adults, children, and families served by the National Council’s 2,500 member organizations, Rosenberg helped secure passage of the federal parity law, expanded integrated behavioral and primary care services, introduced Mental Health First Aid in the U.S., and built an array of organizational, clinical and workforce improvement initiatives. The National Council’s strong support of the Mental Health Excellence Act will result in the first comprehensive effort to establish community accountability for the health of people with serious mental illnesses and addictions, the consistent utilization of evidence-based practices, and the standardized measurement of outcomes. Rosenberg was Senior Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health prior to joining the National Council. She has over 30 years experience in designing and operating hospitals, community and housing programs, and implemented New York’s first Mental Health Court. Rosenberg serves on an array of boards of directors and is a member of the Executive Committee of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention.