Summer Institute 2007

The Center for Applied Behavioral Health Policy (CABHP) hosted its 8th Annual Summer Institute July 16-20 in Sedona. The annual conference drew more than 350 participants from the behavioral health community, including practitioners and supervisors from agencies and health providers across Arizona.

Titled “The Balancing Act: Innovation, Fidelity and Accountability in an Era of Evidence-Based Implementations,” Summer Institute 2007 focused on giving behavioral health care providers the best science-based approaches to treating mental health and substance use disorders, a key goal of CABHP. “We are working to turn sound science into action by bringing proven, effective tools to the professionals who treat addictions and mental health problems throughout Arizona,” said CABHP Director Michael Shafer. “This year, Summer Institute brought together some of the best minds in the field to inform and energize the behavioral health community.”

Tawara Goode, director of the National Center for Cultural Competence, conducts a breakout session, “Viewing Evidence-Based Practices Through the Lens of Cultural and Linguistic Competence,” July 19 at the CABHP Summer Institute in Sedona. Ms. Goode was also a keynote speaker at the annual event, which drew more than 350 participants from the Arizona behavioral health community. SEE MORE SI07 PHOTOS

The weeklong event featured some of the top minds in behavioral health nationally, including keynote speakers Dean Fixsen of the University of South Florida and Lisa Najavits of Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Fixsen presented “Practitioner, Organizational and Systems Challenges for Implementing Evidence-Based Programs” and Dr. Najavits discussed “Numbing the Pain: PTSD and Substance Abuse.”

Attendees participated in 39 breakout sessions, with presentations and panel discussions on a broad array of behavioral health care topics, including: methamphetamine addiction; adolescents and alcoholism; gender and cultural competence; post traumatic stress disorder; mental health in public schools; gambling addiction; offender re-entry programs to reduce recidivism; and child welfare.

Father Gregory Boyle, founder and director of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, offered encouragement to close out a week densely packed with presentations on evidence-based practical approaches. Personal stories of his outreach to the gang community in L.A. focused on the “big picture,” reminding the audience of their role in a greater mission of healing and self discovery.

Stacia Ortega, a clinical advisor at Arizona Department of Health Services, Division of Behavioral Health Services, introduced Father Boyle at the final plenary session on Friday. Like many, she found inspiration in Father Boyle’s words.

“My personal favorite presentation was Father Gregory Boyle,” Ms. Ortega said. “I truly hope the message of building relationships, reaching out and giving hope has been heard by all that attended. This is the kind of ‘outreach and engagement’ that takes heart and commitment.”

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