Download the full program here.
Day One (Tuesday, February 27, 2018)
7:30 AM – 4:00 PM Conference Registration Open
7:30 AM – 9:00 AM Continental Breakfast
7:30 AM – 4:00 PM Exhibitors Open
7:30 AM – 5:00 PM Comfort Suite Area Open
9:00 AM – 10:10 AM Opening Session Day 1
- Moderator – Vicky Coffee
- Welcome – Shannon Jones
- Moment of Silence and Prayer – Rev. H. Ed Calahan, Agape B.C.
- Pledge of Allegiance – Vicky Coffee
- “Lift Every Voice and Sing” – Brother James McCreary, Sweet Home B.C.
- Motivational Speaker: Pastor A.J. Quinton, Diakonos A House of Servants
10:10 AM – 10:30 AM Break
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Morning Workshop Sessions
Meeting Room 1
“Man Up”- Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Men of Faith – CEU
Dr . Calvin Kelly
The pressures of day-to-day life as an African American man in today’s society can weigh heavily on the mind and heart of even the most spiritual of men. Living, working and breathing in an environment that places negative connotations on one group of individuals can be almost unbearable. The emotional stressors of being a black man continues to be a taboo subject in most places of worship. This session will provide participants a safe space to learn, share and participate in an open dialogue about mental health and men of faith.
Meeting Room 2
Healing from Self Hate in the Black Community – NON-CEU
Charlotte Caples
Can’t we all just get along? Black self-hate has done a number on our psyche and mental well-being. This session will give a historical account of black hate, as well as examine the impact of self-hate on our lives and on our relationships. Participants will look at why we love to hate ourselves and how to restore relationships with ourselves and each other. There will be space to discuss the impact of our self-destructive behaviors and practice skills to change negative self-views.
Meeting Room 3
Live Better Live Well: A story of growing support – CEU
Dr. Ratonia Runnels
Depression and anxiety among HIV+ women can negatively impact and impair quality of life, medication adherence, and ultimately affect clinical outcomes. This session will discuss the mental health status of over 200 HIV+ women who participated in a study designed to improve mental health outcomes among HIV+ women in Texas.
Meeting Room 4
Employment Works! The Wonderful World of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) – CEU
Dominique Simmons and LaToya Kindred-Ray
IPS is a model of supported employment for people with mental illness. This session will cover the evidence-based, effective ways IPS is helping people achieve their employment and educational goals. IPS focuses on building employer relationships, rapid job search, competitive employment, and integration into a mental health team.
Meeting Room 5
What Transition-Age Youth Want You to Know – CEU
Camille Clark
Transition-age youth are unique in that they typically do not fit into services designed for children nor do they fit into services designed for adults. Some might say they are hard to engage, but that can be remedied through understanding their perspectives, wants, and needs. Joining us to share their expertise on the subject will be the LifeWorks Panel of Transition-Age Youth. This presentation will be interactive and will elevate the voice of youth, as we strive to improve the quality of services available to them.
View the presentation here.
Exhibit Hall 2
Addiction and Mental Health Treatment to Recovery: Establishing Whole Health Recovery Models in Communities of Color – NON-CEU
Joe Powell and Annie Powell
Adverse childhood experiences, social determinants of health, stigma and intergenerational toxic shame are consistent barriers to achieving long-term addiction and/or mental health recovery. In communities of color, more than 90% are not receiving treatment or any help for addiction. This confirms the need for an innovative, peer-to-peer, culturally competent recovery approach to health. This session will address the addiction and co-occurring treatment model, medication assisted treatment (MAT), medication assisted recovery (MAR) and the journey of re-engaging the community through a Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC). Participants will gain invaluable knowledge and resources to utilize in their communities.
12:00 PM – 12:15 PM Break
12:15 PM – 1:45 PM King Davis & Richard Hopkins Legacy Luncheon
- Moment of Silence and Prayer- Assistant Pastor Granyon Perry-Wooden, Imani Community Church
- Entertainment – Smooth and EZ Dance Troop
- Scholarships:
- Austin Area Mental Health Consumers Lodging Scholarship: Annie and Joe Powell
- RR Coleman-Calahan Lodging Scholarship: Tracy Green
- The Michele Bibby – Person in Recovery Educational and Lodging Scholarship: Tracey Moore
- The Wood Group Educational Scholarship: Dominique Jones and Karen Causey
12:40 PM – 1:30 PM Keynote: Dr. Ryan Sutton
Individuals face traumatic situations and experiences during the course of their lives. Sometimes these experiences are so chronic that they have become the status quo for that individual. Their symptoms and reactions to these experiences are often explained away by “that’s just the way they are!” Dr. Sutton explores how through our consistent presence we can counter the status quo for individuals and help create a new narrative that liberates. Sometimes people just need to know you truly care.
1:30 PM – 1:45 PM Q & A
1:45 PM – 2:00 PM Break
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Afternoon Workshop Sessions I
Meeting Room 1
Go Tell It on the Mountain: Faith-based Communities Promoting Mental Health – CEU
Dr. Pamela Martin, Sonya Hosey, and Sherrye Willis
As the most recognized, trusted, and stable social institution in African American communities, churches have significantly enhanced our psychological, educational and cultural well-being. This session will highlight challenges and lessons learned as well as share data collected from a unique African American faith-based mental health education and awareness initiative in Texas. Panelists will present different strategies and resources African American churches have utilized to engage congregants and community members, in increasing awareness and perceptions of mental health, recovery and wellness.
Meeting Room 3
Know your Providers Panel – NON-CEU
Dr. William Lawson, Dr. Nakia Scott, Dr. Timothy George, and Dr. Gloria Oyeniyi
This session will highlight African American providers of various mental health services in our community. The panel will be an eclectic group from multiple settings – psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and a neurosurgeon. This session will increase the awareness of the breadth of opportunities available through African American providers.
Meeting Room 4
Trauma to treasure: In the Eye of an Emotional Storm – CEU
Flora Releford
This will be an interactive discussion promoting positive well-being despite emotional crises. Anger, anxiety and depression have detrimental effects and can become problematic to one’s mental and physical health. This session will provide realistic, useful tools for responding to problematic obstacles. Topics of discussion will include how to keep a positive mind and live a life of gratitude and how spirituality, effective communication, forgiveness and acceptance play roles in the art of healing.
Meeting Room 5
The Mental Health and Criminal Justice Conveyor Belt – CEU
Latasha Taylor and Dr. Chelsi West Ohueri
This session will highlight the disproportionate number of African Americans with mental health issues who are impacted by the criminal justice system. The “conveyor belt” refers to the endless cycle of arrest, detainment, release, and re-arrest of a failed system that criminalizes those with mental health issues.
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM Break
3:45 PM – 5:15 PM Afternoon Workshop Sessions II
Meeting Room 1
Community Organizing for Equity – NON-CEU
Moderator: Austin Black Caucus. Panelists: Assistant Chief Troy Gay, Andy Hofmeister, Louise Lynch and Tom Dodds
In service driven systems, organizing for equitable outcomes for people of color is a must. This strategic panel with Austin-area service providers will discuss a working plan for equity, to lift up voices of those impacted by systems.
Meeting Room 2
Connecting the Dots: Building Continuity of Care for Veterans – NON-CEU
Dr. Ulysses Moore and Kimberly Holiday
This session will be an interactive discussion about connecting the dots – building continuity of care for veterans and families within our communities. There will be discussion of military exit, family relocation, and how veterans and families are impacted. Participants will be able to improve access to community resources for veterans and their families by identifying those in need, making proper referrals and understanding how to build a support team.
Meeting Room 3
How to be an Effective Advocate for your Child – CEU
Dr. Sandy Magaña and Felicia Mason-Edwards
This session will guide attendees through important aspects of advocating for their child to obtain community and school services. Participants will learn tips for effective advocacy and review important terms for advocating in the schools. In particular, parents of children with disabilities will get empowered and prepared to be champions for their children’s rights.
View the presentation here.
Meeting Room 4
Employment Works! The Wonderful World of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) – CEU
Dominique Simmons and LaToya Kindred-Ray
IPS is a model of supported employment for people with mental illness. This session will cover the evidence-based, effective ways IPS is helping people achieve their employment and educational goals. IPS focuses on building employer relationships, rapid job search, competitive employment, and integration into a mental health team.
5:30 – 7:00 PM RECEPTION
Hosted by the Austin Area African-American Behavioral Health Network
Zax’s – 312 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704 . 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm.
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
7:30 AM – 12:00 PM Conference Registration Open
7:30 AM – 9:00 AM Continental Breakfast
7:30 AM – 12:00 PM Exhibitors Open
7:30 AM – 2:30 PM Comfort Suite Area Open
9:00 AM – 9:20 AM Opening Session Day 2
- Moderator – Vicky Coffee
- Welcome – Council Member Ora Houston
- Motivational Speaker: Nicole Conway
9:20 AM – 10:30 AM Community Engagement with Our Public Servants
Moderator: Kenneth Thompson. Panelists: Chief Brian Manley APD and Chief Allen Banks, Round Rock Police Dept.
Police chiefs from Austin, Round Rock and Pflugerville will talk about their mental health strategies, which impact the community, including people of color. Presenters will share data about race relations within each city and discuss building community relations. Upcoming opportunities for police and communities to engage, exchange concerns, and build relationships will be discussed.
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM Break
10:45 AM – 12:15 PM Morning Workshop Sessions
Meeting Room 1
From Trauma To Triumph And From Triumph To Glory – NON-CEU
Rev. Dr. Dennis Young and Rev. Preston Allen
The African American community has endured a long and tortured past, suffering through crisis and tragedy. While resilient, there are times when we all experience personal and world events that can take a toll on our spiritual, emotional and physical well-being. Our journey of discovery will take us through various methods to succeed, utilizing faith as a tool to maintain and regain emotional wellness during time of storm.
View the presentation here (view part 2 here).
Meeting Room 2
Race and Criminalization of the Mentally Ill – CEU
Dr. Terrence Allen, Dr. Napoleon Higgins, Dr. William Lawson, Joe Powell, Reggie Smith and Dr. Ryan Sutton
In Texas the correctional system serves more mentally ill individuals than specialized mental health services. A disproportionate number of those incarcerated are African American. This session will address perceived dangerousness of the mentally ill. It will delve into the how and why of police encounters. Participants will gain a better understanding of the relationship between violence and mental illness as well as interventions that reduce correctional involvement with the mentally ill.
View Reggie Smith’s presentation here.
View Terrence Allen’s presentation here.
Meeting Room 3
Can We Talk about “IT”? – NON-CEU
Rochelle Guillory
“Illegal touching” has been hidden and its impact misunderstood. This session will identify types of illegal touching, discuss treatment of offenders and victims and illustrate the effects of illegal touching on African American families. A collection of family and community advocates will educate and encourage the audience to tell their stories, know their resources, and begin their journeys.
Meeting Room 4
Mental Wellness: Blacks in Education – NON-CEU
Moderators: Alexander Williams, Charlotte Caples. Panelists: Tanjour Bowman, Shannon Carr, Alexia Taylor, Davion Hill, Cydnei Mathis, Micah Moore, and Andrew Urdy
This panel of students, parents and caregivers will speak to traumatizing experiences with the education system that spark their passion for advocacy, equity and mental well-being.
Meeting Room 5
Encountering, Facing and Overcoming Tragedy – CEU
Dr. Brittany Hall-Clark and LCDR Allah-Fard Sharrieff
Overcoming tragedy is a frequent challenge for community members, veterans and clinicians. This session will discuss trauma and its impact on our bodies, emotional processing of trauma and practical strategies for managing emotions. Cultural considerations for the African American community and military populations will be emphasized. Participants will learn about evidence-based treatment for PTSD, DIY techniques for stress and emotional management and when to seek help.
View the presentation here.
12:15 PM – 2:00 PM Garnet F. Coleman Awards Luncheon
- Welcome: David Evans, Executive Director, Integral Care
- Moment of Silence and Prayer- Pastor Noah Diggs, Mt. Olive B.C. Kerrville, TX
- Entertainment – A Touch of Class
- Awards:
- Richard E. Hopkins “Torch” Consumer: Reginald Smith
- Richard E. Hopkins “Torch” Community Leader: Gladdie Fowler
- Richard E. Hopkins “Torch” Professional: Jill Fiorillo
- Legislative Update: Honorable Garnett Coleman, Texas State Representative, Houston House District 147
- Garnett F. Coleman Eternal Flame Award Presentation
- Judge Nancy Hohengarten
1:10 PM – 1:50 PM Keynote: Trina “TiTi” LaDette
Ms. Ladette will share her powerful story of a traumatic past which, coupled with addiction and mental illness, led her on the road to destruction. She will share candidly discoveries about mental health that ultimately led her to redemption. She will present the practical applications she uses to successfully manage her life with a diagnosis of bipolar 1–schizoaffective disorder.
1:50 PM – 2:00 PM Q & A
2:00 PM – 2:10 PM Break
2:10 PM – 3:30 PM Afternoon Workshop Session
Meeting Room 1
Redefining Your Life with Mental Illness
Nicole Conway
Ms. Conway will share her journey with mental illness: trials, tribulations, defeats and victories. This session will open up discussion of ways of coping and living a fulfilling life with mental illness. Successful coping comes through building each other up and opening up to share within our communities & family.
3:30 PM – 3:40 PM Raffle and Closing Remarks
3:40 PM – 4:15 PM Book Signings
If you have any questions, please email info@ctaafs.org.