NNED Virtual Roundtable: Creating and Enhancing Pathways to a Racially/Ethnically Diverse Behavioral Health Workforce

August 18, 2021 | 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EDT

2021 Virtual Roundtable Series: Community-Based Organizations Build Pathways to Behavioral Health Equity for Communities of Color

Within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial disparities, community-based organizations (CBOs) have elevated their response to the behavioral health needs of racially/ethnically diverse communities. The 2021 National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health (NNED) Virtual Roundtable three-part series presents the innovative and resilient work of CBOs in a time of healing and recovery.

Part 1 – Adapting to the Behavioral Health Needs of Underserved and Racially/Ethnically Diverse Youth
Part 2 – Partnering to Strengthen the Behavioral Health Infrastructure and Capacity in Communities of Color
Part 3 – Creating and Enhancing Pathways to a Racially/Ethnically Diverse Behavioral Health Workforce

NNED Virtual Roundtable 3 promotional image with people smiling and meeting each other

Part 3 – Creating and Enhancing Pathways to a Racially/Ethnically Diverse Behavioral Health Workforce

Join this NNED Virtual Roundtable to hear about strategies that motivate racially/ethnically diverse individuals to consider behavioral health as a career path. Discover how community-based organizations are working to diversify the behavioral health workforce including recruiting and retaining racially/ethnically diverse staff. Learn from panelists about professional pathways and programs/trainings that support racially/ethnically diverse people in behavioral health careers.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the importance and impact of a racially/ethnically diverse behavioral health workforce.
Examine how community-based organizations can create career development experiences in behavioral health such as internships and trainings for racially/ethnically diverse people.
Identify national and regional programs for professional pathways that support racially/ethnically diverse people in behavioral health careers.
Learn about strategies to promote the behavioral healthcare field to make it more inviting and interesting to racially/ethnically diverse young people.

The event was also shared on Facebook Live at fb.com/nned.net and closed captioning is available.

View Resources and the Recording!

This NNED Virtual Roundtable is hosted by the NNED National Facilitation Center and SAMHSA’s Office of Behavioral Health Equity in partnership with SAMHSA’s Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network Coordinating Office.

Opening Remarks

Thomas Clarke, PhD, MPH | National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory

Director
National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory

Thomas Clarke serves as the Director of the National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory (NMHSUPL) at SAMHSA. In this role, he (1) identifies, coordinates, and facilitates the implementation of policy changes likely to have a significant effect on mental health, recovery supports, and the prevention and treatment of substance use disorder services; (2) collaborates with the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ) to evaluate SAMHSA’s grant programs; and (3) provides leadership on the identification and dissemination of evidence-based practices.

Thomas joined SAMHSA in 2012 in CBHSQ, where he worked on designing evaluations for programs focused on substance abuse prevention and treatment as well as mental health promotion. Subsequently, Thomas served in several capacities in SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention where he provided leadership on program and data activities focused on marijuana, HIV prevention, underage drinking and prescription drug misuse. Prior to joining SAMHSA, Thomas worked at the Governmental Accountability Office where he developed guidance for federal agencies on designing evaluations.

Thomas holds a PhD in the Social Behavioral Sciences from the University of Arizona and a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan.

Panelists

Fred Sandoval, MPA | National Latino Behavioral Health Association

Executive Director
National Latino Behavioral Health Association

Fred Sandoval, MPA is the Executive Director for the National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA) and has over 38 years professional experience in health and human services. Under his leadership NLBHA now operates both the National Hispanic and Latino Addictions and Prevention Transfer Technology Centers as well as a Strategic Prevention Framework Partnerships for Success program; administers the Behavioral Health Interpreter and Promotores de Bienestar Training programs. He was appointed to serve on the New Mexico Medical Board of Examiners Naturopathic Doctor Advisory Council. Fred recently presented as a thought leader to the Satcher Health Leadership Institute Data Consortium and the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute on the Latino mental health crisis. He is the host for Platicas on Latino Wellness during COVID-19 and Tenemos Voz on Peer Recovery. He received the SAMHSA Administrator Award, the Cerro Grande Fire Hero Award, the Con Alma Health Foundation Health Hero Award, and numerous national recognitions for his work in and with Latino communities. He received his Master’s in Public Administration from Northern Arizona University in 1992 and his Bachelors of University Studies from the University of New Mexico in 1980.

Leonissa Johnson, PhD | HBCU C.A.R.E.S.

Director
HBCU C.A.R.E.S.

Leonissa Johnson, PhD, NCC is an Associate Professor at Clark Atlanta University in the Department of Counselor Education. Dr. Johnson also serves as Director of the HBCU Center for Excellence in Behavioral Health. The Center’s key initiative, HBCU C.A.R.E.S. (Career, Awareness, Recruitment, and Engagement Services), aims to increase awareness of careers in behavioral health through undergraduate outreach. Further, the program offers professional development to select graduate and professional students in behavioral health related programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. To date, the Center has reached students at approximately 50 HBCUs.

Dr. Johnson began her career as a school counselor and is passionate about students receiving the supports required for success at all academic levels. Dr. Johnson’s current research examines the experiences of diverse students in behavioral health training programs. Additionally, Dr. Johnson investigates the experiences of school counselors and counselors-in-training as they identify needs, build relationships with, and develop interventions for linguistically diverse students. Dr. Johnson earned a BA in History from Hampton University, a MA in School Counseling from North Carolina Central University, and a PhD in Counseling and Student Services from the University of Georgia.

Michael Awad, PhD | Ethnic Diversity Task Force Scholars Program

Founder/Co-Chair
Ethnic Diversity Task Force Scholars Program

Michael Awad, PhD is a National Institutes of Health research fellow in the Division of Prevention & Community Research at Yale University. He is a trained psychologist and mental health counselor, and his scholarly work focuses on improving access to and engagement with prevention and mental health services for underserved youth in school settings. He was the 2020 recipient of the American Psychological Association’s Loren Frankel Award for Research on Men of Color. Over his career, Dr. Awad has spent years engaging with school districts and administrators to create policies, programs, and spaces that promote youth health and wellbeing. From working as a psychology teacher and guidance counselor in New York City public and private schools to developing and implementing positive youth development programs in New Haven public schools, Dr. Awad is committed to creating pathways for young people that allow them to reach their full potential. Among these endeavors include supporting the next generation of psychologists through the Connecticut Psychological Association’s Ethnic Diversity Task Force (EDTF) Scholars Program, a fellowship program he chairs to create a strategic network of mentors and resources for graduate students of color in Connecticut to thrive during their professional training. Dr. Awad was a policy fellow in the Office of Behavioral Health Equity at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a minority fellow of the American Psychological Association, and earned his PhD in counseling psychology from Columbia University.

Facilitator

Annie Guo VanDan, MBA | NNED National Facilitation Center, Change Matrix

NNED Virtual Roundtable Coordinator
NNED National Facilitation Center

Change Consultant
Change Matrix

Annie Guo VanDan works with diverse communities to provide training and consultation focused on health equity and community engagement. She previously worked at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in the Office of Health Equity and Maternal and Child Health. Her background is in strategic communications, leadership, equity, and inclusion. With an MBA in Health Administration from CU Denver, she formerly managed operations for a nonprofit health clinic in Denver that provides medical and mental health services to refugee and immigrant populations. She enjoys hiking, playing tennis, and spending time with her husband and their two daughters.