Interventions for Substance Use Disorders: Crisis Management and Treatment Resources
This workshop is sponsored by the Arizona Biomedical Research Centre (ABRC) in collaboration with Northern Arizona University’s Center for Health Equity Research (CHER).
Thursday, April 4, 2024 – 3:00pm-7:00pm
@ High Country Conference Center – 201 West Butler Avenue Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Also available online via Zoom
Recording
Program
Agenda Accordion Closed
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm – Check in
3:00 pm – 3:15 pm – Welcome & ABRC Introduction
- Steve Palmer, PhD, Northern Arizona University
- Julie Baldwin, PhD, Northern Arizona University
- Ramona Mellott, PhD, Northern Arizona University
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm – Keynote Address
- Leonard Swanson, MSW, Wayne State University
4:05 pm – 4:50 pm – Keynote Address
- Dr. Jennifer Conn, MD, CEO Flagstaff Emergency Physicians
4:50 pm – 5:45 pm – Dinner
5:45 pm – 7:00 pm – Crisis Management and Treatment Resources Panel
- Panel Discussion:
- Holly Figueroa (moderator), Tribal Liaison, BCBSAZ Health Choice
- Wendy White, Community Assistance Teams Flagstaff
- Cory Runge, MS, Director of Livable Communities, The NARBHA Institute
- Christopher David, Chief Executive Officer, NACA
- Tatum Covey, NAH Community Care Network
- Kelli Gonzales, Residential Unit Program Manager, The Guidance Center
7:00 pm – 7:15 pm – C-CART Feature and Wrap Up
Speaker & Panelist Bios Accordion Closed
Speakers
Leonard Swanson, MSW, Wayne State University
Leonard serves as manager for the crisis policy initiative at the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice at the Wayne State University School of Social Work. He leads grants and projects focused on crisis reimbursement structures, crisis program model fidelity, and system-level performance metrics. Leonard joined the CBHJ team in February 2017 while completing his MSW at Wayne State University. His interest in macro social work led him to the confluence of broken mental health and criminal justice systems, which became too convoluted and captivating to ignore. His contributions to the work of the CBHJ include the development of the SIMPLE Scorecard (Sequential Intercept Model Practices, Leadership, and Expertise) to assess behavioral health and justice systems and the creation of the PROACT model (Proactive Response to Overdose and Appropriate Connections to Treatment) in collaboration with emergency medical services and behavioral health agencies to facilitate post-overdose response programs across Michigan. Leonard has presented his work at the Society for Social Work Research, the CIT International Conference, and various local Michigan behavioral health and justice conferences. He received CIT International’s Excellence in Research award in 2023.
Dr. Jennifer Conn, MD, CEO Flagstaff Emergency Physicians
Dr. Jennifer Conn attended Northern Arizona University for her undergraduate degree and during this time she fell in love with Flagstaff. She then attended medical school and Emergency Medicine residency at the University of Arizona in Tucson. After training, she moved back to Flagstaff in 2002 to work at Flagstaff Medical Center. Dr. Conn was the Emergency Department Medical Director from 2005 until 2020 when she was elected CEO of Flagstaff Emergency Physicians. When she is not working, she enjoys hiking, traveling, refereeing NAU Swim Meets and spending time with her husband, 2 daughters and her mini Aussie
Panel Moderator
Holly Figueroa (she/her), Tribal Liaison, BlueCross Blue Shield AZ Health Choice
Holly Figueroa is Ohkay Owingeh and Hopi from the village of Sipaulovi and is Sun Clan. Holly serves as the Tribal Liaison for BCBSAZ Health Choice. As the Tribal Liaison, she works to strengthen tribal relations with 17 tribes in BCBSAZ Health Choice service area, focusing on Access to Care, Prevention, Coordination of Care, Nation Building, Training & Education, Reducing Health Disparities, Stigma Reduction, and cross sector tribal collaborative efforts.
With a Cultural Competency background, Holly works to ensure that culturally responsive services are delivered to all including Health Choice members and that providers meet the language and unique cultural needs of those they serve. Holly also develops education and awareness programs for staff and residents of the Health Choice service area to help reduce the stigma aimed at diverse cultures and to raise awareness and decrease health disparities they are often faced with. Holly was born into a military family and is the spouse of an Operation Desert Storm & Operation Vigilant Warrior Veteran. Holly is a certified Adult, Youth, and Veteran Mental Health First Aide Trainer. Holly serves on the Arizona Town Hall Board of Directors; she is a Northern Arizona Healthcare Foundation Certificate Holder; she serves as the President for Arizona Rural Health Association; the MPOWRD Board of Directors. Holly is also a dedicated Ally who works to advocate and ensure Safe Spaces for 2SLGBTQ individuals and community. Additionally, Holly pursues other ways to give back to her community and to be an effective advocate for Native American people everywhere.
Holly is the recipient of the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health 2023 Community Star Award. She is also the recipient of the 2023 Arizona Department of Health Services Michael T. Alison Award for Excellence in Tribal Health.
Panelists
Wendy White, Community Assistance Teams Flagstaff
Wendy White has decades of experience as a criminal defense attorney. She has first hand knowledge of the confluence of mental illness and behavioral health with the criminal justice system. She was instrumental to the creation of Flagstaff’s first mental health court in 2006. She regularly presents seminars at the Arizona Public Defender Association convention on effective communications with clients with mental illness and cross cultural awareness borrowing from her experiences as the attorney for the traditional Hopi elders of the Village of First Mesa. In 2006 she co-founded Flagstaff Shelter Services acting as its Executive Director until 2010.
In 2021, after losing a dear friend to Flagstaff’s streets, she co-founded Community Assistance Teams of Flagstaff with Indigenous activist Darrell Marks to address gaps in the social service safety net and to create a cultural bridge between unsheltered Indigenous relatives and the rest of the Flagstaff community.
She is also the co-founder and Executive Director of Southwest Center for Equal Justice, whose mission is to reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system and to decriminalize poverty and mental illness. When not practicing law, she spends much of her time talking to members of the unhoused community on the C.A.Ts mobile outreach bus to better understand their needs and help them overcome barriers to a more stable life.
Cory Runge, MS, Director of Livable Communities, The NARBHA Institute
Cory Runge, MS, serves as the Director of Livable Communities at The NARBHA Institute, having previously served in the United States Marine Corps and as a Peace Officer in northern Arizona for more than 25 years. Cory leads Well North, SEDI, and represents The NARBHA Institute in social determinants of health and training initiatives in the community.
Christopher David, CEO Native Americans for Community Action, Inc. (NACA)
Christopher David is from the small Navajo community of Lower Greasewood Springs, AZ. His clans are Náneesht’ézhí Táchii’nii – Charcoal-Streak-red Running in to water, born Tábąąhá – Water’s Edge clan, and grandfathers are Kinliichíi’nii – Red House People and Honágháahnii – One-Walk-Around clan.
Christopher earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology, a minor in Criminal Justice from Southern Utah University, and a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix. He holds dual licensures as a Professional Counselor in the State of Utah and Arizona, and he also serves as a Clinical Supervisor in the State of Arizona. He has more than 20 years of healthcare experience, and has served in various healthcare support roles, including managing group home for individuals with developmental disabilities, supervising residential treatment programs for at risk youth, and operating his own private practice. Christopher has been employed at Native Americans for Community Actions, Inc. since 2021.
Christopher supports the Native Americans for Community Action, Inc. (NACA) mission, which is to provide preventive wellness strategies and empower and advocate for native people and others in need, in order to create a health community based on harmony, respect, and indigenous values. He has the deepest respect for Indigenous traditions and incorporates the pathway to Hozho’ in his daily life. Christopher is married, loves to explore the outdoors, and is a self-taught Native American flautist.
Tatum Covey, Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) Community Care Network
Tatum Covey, LMSW (she/her) serves as an Outpatient Clinical Social Worker with Northern Arizona Healthcare. Tatum earned her Master of Social Work degree from NAU, as well as Bachelor’s degrees in both Criminology & Criminal Justice and Psychological Sciences. Tatum has been practicing social work in Northern Arizona for 8 years, during which she has held roles involving crisis response, Domestic Violence services, non-profit housing, and cancer support. She believes in a whole health approach, which recognizes that social determinants of health impact how well we can function together as a community. In addition to her professional role, Tatum serves on the Flagstaff Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, where she exercises her passion in advocating for affordable and accessible housing in Northern Arizona. Tatum is also passionate about her two adorable cats, Pierogi and Basil, and she will gladly show you pictures if you ask!
Kelli Gonzales, Residential Treatment Program Manager, The Guidance Center
Kelli Gonzales is the Residential Treatment Program Manager for The Guidance Center. She is an outgoing mother of three children who found a passion for mental health and addiction after her first passion for Special Education. She has resided in Flagstaff for the last two and a half years, and is committed to bringing behavioral and mental health solutions to the community.
Pictures
Available following the workshop.
Sponsors