Powerpoint slide decks that we have permission to share have been converted to pdf format and are hyperlinked with the title of the presentation. Enjoy!

Learn more about special tracks offered during the conference

Monday, March 5, 2018, 5:15 pm - 6:15 pm

Session 23

5:15 pm - 6:15 pm
Bayshore 5 ~ (60-minute Symposium)

Drop-in Centers: A Low-Barrier Approach for Engaging Transition-Age Youth and Young Adults and Supporting Their Progress in Services
Symposium Chair: Alexis Henry, ScD, Center for Health Policy and Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Shrewsbury, MA; Discussant: Sue Wing, EdM, MSW, LICSW, Department of Mental Health, Tewksbury, MA

The Massachusetts YouForward and Kentucky TAYLRD Healthy Transitions projects represent innovative models that effectively engage transition-age youth and young adults who have fallen through the cracks of the mental health system. Drop-in Centers are a core strategy in both projects, providing a low barrier pathway to evidence-based services and connecting young adults to other needed resources. This symposium presents emerging findings from each state’s local evaluation of the Centers and explores considerations for replication.

• Using Drop-in Centers to Engage Transition-age Youth and Young Adults and Support Evidence-Based Services
  Betsy Edes, BA, Department of Mental Health, Lawrence, MA; Adriana Estevez, MA; Emmanuel Hernandez, Children's Friend and Family Services, Justice Resource Institute, Lawrence, MA
  
  In this presentation, YouForward will provide an overview of their Drop-in Centers, discussing how centers engage TAYYA who are falling through the cracks and complement EB/EI services. Topics will include the following: who are the TAYYA and how can they be reached; what low-barrier access to services looks like; creating a culture of safety & learning; the value of a Drop-in Center Community; and moving beyond the Drop-in Centers

• Drop-In Centers: Building a One Stop Shop for Young PeopleKate Tilton, BS, Now is the Time- Healthy Transitions-YouForward, Kentucky Partnership for Families and Children, Inc., Frankfurt, KY; Andrea Barras, Communicare, Inc., Hardinsburg, KY
  
  In this presentation, TAYLRD will discuss implementation and sustainability around developing Drop-In Centers to provide specialized services and supports for transition age youth. Topics covered will include the following: community readiness preparation and developing partnerships; specialized services and supports for TAYYA; center membership process; adopting a youth-driven approach; and center operations.

• Drop-in Centers: Response & Discussion Session
  Betsy Edes, Department of Mental Health, Lawrence, MA; Kate Tilton, BS-Psychology, Now is the Time Healthy Transitions, YouForward, Kentucky Partnership for Families and Children, Inc., Frankfurt, KY    
  
  This presentation will provide a summary of integral pieces of Drop-in Center, drawing highlights from the prior two presentations before moving into an interactive reflection and discussion session. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and participate in a facilitated discussion about various aspects of Drop-in Centers and methods for supporting engagement and services. This session will provide considerations for those planning to open centers and insight into lessons learned. 

Session 24

5:15 pm - 6:15 pm
Bayshore 6 ~ (Discussion Hour)

Youth Suicide Prevention in Pennsylvania Schools
Perri Rosen, PhD, NCSP, Bureau of Children's Behavioral Health Services, Department of Human Services, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Harrisburg, PA; Shaye Erhard, Children's Bureau of Behavioral Health Services, Department of Human Services, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Harrisburg, PA; Tita Atte, MPH, CPH, Center for Family Intervention Science, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

This panel will overview suicide prevention in Pennsylvania schools, highlighting how existing infrastructure has promoted engagement across education and behavioral health systems. The training model for the project will be described, along with a review of available training resources. Presenters will overview the Behavioral Health Screen (BHS) and share data regarding identification of youth at risk for suicide. Finally, presenters will share how awareness activities have helped to engage youth in suicide prevention efforts statewide.

Session 25 

5:15 pm - 6:15 pm
Bayshore 7 ~ (60-minute Discussion)

The Role of Philanthropy in Developing Systems of Care: Lessons Learned (Sometimes the Hard Way)
Heather Alderman, JD; Amy Starin, PhD, LCSW, Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation, Oak Brook, IL

The Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation (ILCHF) is a private foundation that provided grants to four communities in Illinois to develop and implement mental health systems of care (SOC). There are unique aspects to philanthropic funding that may serve as both an asset as well as a limitation to the SOC project. Evaluation findings from the ILCHF SOC projects will be briefly reviewed, then discussion will consider the promise that private foundation funding offers to SOC.

Session 26

5:15 pm - 5:45 pm 
Esplanade 1 ~ (30-minute Paper) 

The Implementation of Multiple Evidence-Based Practices in Children’s Mental Health: The Experiences of Five Agencies
Kellie Randall, PhD; Kim Campbell, MSW, Child Health and Development Institute, Farmington, CT

This presentation describes the results of five agencies that integrated a second evidence-based practice (EBP) over a three-year period. Overall, the number of EBP-trained clinicians increased by 30% and children receiving an EBP increased by 57%. However, agencies varied in their implementation and individual outcomes. Factors such as the percent of clinicians cross-trained and the relative percentage of each model in EBP caseload highlight the variation in implementation decisions made by each agency.

5:45 pm - 6:15 pm 
Esplanade 1 ~ (30-minute Paper) 

Effective Implementation for Effective Outcomes: A Menu of Practical Strategies for Community-Based Agencies
Evangeline Danseco, PhD; Sandra Huang DelFrari, MEd; Ann Barber, MA, Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health, Ottawa, ON

The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) outlines constructs that impact effective outcomes when implementing evidence-based practices. This presentation describes specific strategies at each stage of implementation using CFIR constructs as an organizing framework, based on a qualitative analysis of implementation efforts across three years and among 14 community-based agencies providing child and youth mental health services in Ontario. Change management and evaluation processes that agencies can use to guide their implementation efforts will be presented. 

Session 27

5:15 pm - 5:45 pm 
Esplanade 2 ~ (30-minute Paper)   

Social Marketing Implementation: A Way of Getting Youth Involved in Systems of Care
Monique Thornton, MPH; Nataly Johanson Tello; Sushama Rajapaksa; Joselin Bravo; Chandria Jones, PhD, MPH, Westat, Rockville, MD

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Children’s Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) FY2013 and FY2014 four-year System of Care Expansion and Sustainability Implementation grantees use social marketing to engage youth, support interagency collaboration and improve barriers to access. The aim is to understand the extent to which social marketing-related mechanisms and strategies are implemented; the effectiveness of these strategies in sharing information, and whether implementing these strategies relates to youth involvement in grant activities, governance and management.

Session 28

5:15 pm - 6:15 pm 
Esplanade 3 ~  (60-minute Symposium)

Judicious Use of Psychotropic Medications for Youth in Foster Care: Empowering Youth to Guide the Way
Symposium Chair and Discussant: Christopher Bellonci, MD, DFAACAP, Judge Baker Children's Center, Boston, MA  

Youth in the US foster care system are prescribed high rates of psychotropic medications. Federal mandates require state child welfare agencies to provide oversight, yet there is little research to guide policy-makers, and leaders are inadequately informed by youth voice. In this symposium, three teams present different perspectives on promoting the patient-centered use of psychotropics: findings from a systematic research review, a youth-driven policy initiative, and a qualitative study of youth perspectives regarding shared decision-making.

• But If I Don't Take It, I Can't Get up Outta Here: Identifying Youth Voice in Decisions Related to Psychotropic Medications: a Systematic and Critical Review of Patient-Centered Care
  Erin Barnett, PhD, Psychiatry, The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, New Hampshire; Milangel Concepcion-Zayas, MD, MPH, Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH
  
  In an effort to provide guidance to leaders and policy-makers, we systematically and critically reviewed the perspectives of youth in or formerly involved with child welfare, caregivers, and direct service providers regarding the patient-centered use of psychotropics. Findings revealed a pervasive lack of knowledge about medications, little voice in decision-making, and imbalanced power between providers and patients, with underlying systematic barriers. Participants valued trusting relationships with providers and autonomy in decisions.
  
  
• This Is How the System Is Designed, but Does It Work for You? Advancing Youth Move National's What Helps What Harms Policy Initiative
  Brie Masselli, MA, Youth MOVE National, Portland, ME
  
  Through a youth-driven forum and discussion process, What Harms What Helps captured the voices and needs of youth within 14 chapter networks related to service systems. Major qualitative themes identified needs for establishing trusting relationships and improved decision making related to medication, and a lack of knowledge related to services, placements, and medication side effects. Youth voice can effectively be incorporated into quality improvement and research initiatives and improve decision making within local services and policy.
  
  
• Let Young People be Heard! The Clarion Call for Shared Decision-making in Treating Mental Health Challenges
  Sheree Neese-Todd, MA, Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging, Center for Health Services Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Cassandra Simmel, MSW, PhD, School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ    
  
  Using vignettes to inspire a deliberate discussion, the PCORI-funded project team facilitated semi-structured group interviews to understand how 28 foster care alumni perceived shared decision making in antipsychotic medication treatment. A qualitative descriptive framework was used and content was analyzed. Notable findings: perceived benefits and challenges facing young people eager to be responsible for their health care; tools to bolster shared-decision making; shared decision making and informed consent co-mingle; and recommendations to improve shared decision making.

 

Session 29

5:15 pm - 6:15 pm 
Palma Ceia 1 ~ (60-minute Symposium)   

Developing & Testing Helping Youth on the Path to Employment (HYPE) Manual: The Process of Modernizing IPS by Prioritizing Education
Symposium Chair: Marsha Ellison, PhD, Psychiatry, Transitions RTC, UMASS-Medical, Shrewsbury, MA

This symposium will showcase the Helping Youth on the Path to Employment HYPE, the manualized intervention to is intended to develop career services for high quality supported employment (SE) programs for those who are interested in incorporating supported education (SEd) programming. This session will discuss the development of HYPE, show examples of the manual (including the fidelity assessment), and discuss the field-testing conducted to pilot its feasibility within SE programs. A portion of the presentation will be focused on the lessons learned in manual development as well as in the feasibility pilot.

• Developing the Helping Youth of the Path to Employment (HYPE) Manual: Modernizing IPS
  Michelle Mullen, MS, Psychiatric Rehabilitation & Counseling Professions, Rutgers, Scotch Plains, NJ; Vanessa Klodnick, PhD, Thresholds, Chicago, IL
  
  This presentation will discuss the process of developing the HYPE manual including the research and practices activities that informed the manual. The presentation will discuss the modernization of IPS principles, but will more so focus on sharing the manual content. Examples from the manual will be shared, including HYPE's philosophical and practice framework, crucial support strategies to helping young adults maintain or return to school, and the corresponding tools and worksheets to support new HYPE practitioners develop intentional services.

• HYPE Feasibility Pilot: Does the Manual Work In the Way We Intended?
  Kathryn Sabella, PhD, Psychiatry, Transitions RTC; UMASS-Medical, Shrewsbury, MA
  
  The HYPE manual was tested with two supported employment (SE) programs in order to evaluate the feasibility of incorporating educational supports as well as how programs and practitioners use the manual. The pilot combined process and outcome data collection with robust, regular technical assistance to gain practitioner feedback to help revise the manual for further implementation.The presentation will focus on lessons learned and challenges experienced in the pilot as well as future directions of HYPE. 

Session 30

5:15 pm - 5:45 pm 
Palma Ceia 2 ~ (30-minute Paper)   

Integrating Early Psychosis Intervention into Systems of Care: Opportunities and Recommendations
Tamara Sale, MA, EASA Center for Excellence, OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Portland, OR; Patrice Fetzer, LISW-S, BeST Practices for Schizophrenia Center, Department of Psychiatry, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH; Jennifer Humensky, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center/New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, NY

In the last several years, the United States has made rapid progress toward establishing early psychosis intervention programs attempting to reduce delays and provide effective, evidence-based care. This session will review the potential benefits for integrating early psychosis intervention into a System of Care (SOC) framework, how this integrated system can be conceptualized, and the potentially significant improvements in service delivery and outcomes that could result.

5:45 pm - 6:15 pm 
Palma Ceia 2 ~ (30-minute Paper)   

Structural Disparities & Structural Competency in Early Psychosis: Challenges, Opportunities and A Call to Action
Nev Jones, PhD, Mental Health Law & Policy, College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

Background disadvantage is a well-established risk factor for the development of psychosis, with researchers outside the US also stressing the interplay of disadvantage on specific symptoms, including paranoia and voices. Intervention strategies grounded in an understanding of these impacts remain underdeveloped in the US. The presenters will elucidate these issues and their relevance to US early psychosis services through the presentation of mixed methods findings and discussion of the value of a structural competency framework.

Session 31

5:15 pm - 6:15 pm 
Palma Ceia 3 ~ (60-minute Discussion Hour)

Session 32

5:15 pm - 5:45 pm 
Palma Ceia 4 ~ (30-minute Paper)

Early Intervention Partnerships Program (EIPP): Working With a State System of Care To Enhance a Promising Early Childhood Intervention Model
Rhea Chase, PhD; Robert Franks, PhD; Matthew Pecoraro, MSW, Judge Baker Children's Center, Boston, MA

This presentation will describe how the Judge Baker Children's Center worked with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to standardize a promising early childhood home visiting model, the Early Intervention Partnerships Program. The process of stakeholder engagement, operationalizing of the model and manual development will be presented, as well as the use of a statewide learning collaborative to promote standardization and access to best practices within a statewide system of care.

5:45 pm - 6:15 pm 
Palma Ceia 4 ~ (30-minute Paper)

Session 33

5:15 pm - 6:15 pm 
Garrison Suites ~ (Closed Session)

ITR Scholars’ Reception 

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