Join SAMHSA’s GAINS Center this summer for the Advancing Early Diversion Summer Series! This four-session webinar event will explore practical strategies to implement an early diversion program in your community, with a focus on collaboration.
In each of these webinars, you will hear from national experts and local jurisdictional representatives. The presenters will provide guidance on best and promising practices as well as practical lessons learned, so you can design an early diversion program that fits the needs of your community.
In addition, each webinar will be immediately followed by a small group discussion, where audience members can engage directly with the presenters to learn more about the topics of discussion.
Part 1: Data and Information Sharing in Early Diversion
Data and information sharing across criminal justice and behavioral health agencies can pose challenges in terms of data collection processes, data storage and sharing infrastructure, privacy and confidentiality laws, and agreement around the purpose and use of data. This webinar will highlight recommended data points and strategies for data and information sharing in the early intercepts of the Sequential Intercept Model, as outlined in a forthcoming SAMHSA publication Data Collection Across the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM): Essential Measures.
Presenters
- Chris Schneweis, HIPAA/Healthcare Privacy Officer, Senior Management Analyst, Johnson County, Kansas
- Holly Matthews, Esq., Executive Director, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Small Discussion Group
This webinar will include a unique opportunity to ask targeted questions to the webinar presenters in a small discussion group immediately following the webinar. Take advantage of having subject-matter experts and local practitioners on the line to answer your questions and provide virtual technical assistance related to your work. The discussion group will be capped to allow for specific questions to be answered in full. Registration for the discussion group is required for participation.
Registration for the July 17, 2019, webinar and discussion group has passed. The event is now closed.
Part 2: Strategies for Collaborative Early Diversion Encounters
Many early diversion strategies rely upon cooperation between law enforcement officers and mental health professionals to manage crisis encounters. However, on-scene cooperation depends on stakeholder collaboration and clear protocols for how to handle a variety of situations. This webinar will spotlight jurisdictions that have established effective joint responses to mental health crises and provide participants with guidance for their own communities.
This webinar is being rescheduled. Please check back for an updated registration link!
Presenters
- Sgt. Doug Winger, M.P.A., Los Angeles Police Department’s Systemwide Mental Assessment Response Team (SMART)
- Josh Cantwell, L.C.S.W., Clinical Director of Special Programs, Grand Lake Mental Health Center, Inc.
Small Discussion Group
This webinar will include a unique opportunity to ask targeted questions to the webinar presenters in a small discussion group immediately following the webinar. Take advantage of having subject-matter experts and local practitioners on the line to answer your questions and provide virtual technical assistance related to your work. The discussion group will be capped to allow for specific questions to be answered in full. Registration for the discussion group is required for participation.
This webinar is being rescheduled. Please check back for an updated registration link!
Part 3: Effective Early Diversion Follow-up for Engaging Individuals in Services and Recovery
August 19, 2019// Webinar: 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET // Discussion Group: 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Many early diversion programs experience challenges around engaging individuals in services following the warm hand-off to mental health professionals. Early diversion programs have employed follow-up engagement strategies led by a variety of professionals, including law enforcement officers, emergency medical services, mental health professionals, and peer support specialists. This webinar will examine follow-up strategies implemented in several jurisdictions to improve treatment engagement.
Presenters
- Wanda Jofre, L.C.S.W., Connecticut Mental Health Center (New Haven)
- Mike Fumiatti, New Haven Police Department
- Teresa Pemberton, L.M.F.T., San Luis Obispo (California) County Behavioral Health Department
- Toby DePew, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office
- Lorena Cramins, L.P.T., San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health Department
Register for the August 19 webinar.
Small Discussion Group
This webinar will include a unique opportunity to ask targeted questions to the webinar presenters in a small discussion group immediately following the webinar. Take advantage of having subject-matter experts and local practitioners on the line to answer your questions and provide virtual technical assistance related to your work. The discussion group will be capped to allow for specific questions to be answered in full. Registration for the discussion group is required for participation.
Register for the August 19 discussion group.
Part 4: Emergency Medical Services as Partners in Early Diversion Strategies
August 23, 2019 // Webinar: 1:00–2:00 p.m. ET // Discussion Group: 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Emergency medical services can be essential partners in early diversion responses for individuals in crisis. This webinar will focus on the ways that fire departments and emergency medical services can be partners with behavioral health providers and other first responders on early diversion initiatives. Medical clearance will also be explored as part of this webinar.
Presenters
- Ted Collas, M.S., Chief, Colorado Springs Fire Department
- Victoria Allen-Sanchez, Psy.D., L.P.C., Behavioral Health Coordinator, Colorado Springs Fire Department
- Annie Burwell, L.B.S.W., Director of Mobile Outreach, Williamson County Emergency Services
- Kevin E. Mackey, M.D., F.A.E.M.S., Medical Director, Sacramento Regional Fire Services
Register for the August 23 webinar.
Small Discussion Group
This webinar will include a unique opportunity to ask targeted questions to the webinar presenters in a small discussion group immediately following the webinar. Take advantage of having subject-matter experts and local practitioners on the line to answer your questions and provide virtual technical assistance related to your work. The discussion group will be capped to allow for specific questions to be answered in full. Registration for the discussion group is required for participation.
Register for the August 23 discussion group.