Children’s Behavioral Health Summit

October 26, 2023 | 8:30 am - 3:00 pm

October 26, 2023 | 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

THIS EVENT HAS CONCLUDED

$199   Member Rate
$299   Non-Member Rate

See agenda below

Goals of this Summit

  • Reconvene healthcare leaders and policymakers to share and assess progress and areas for improvement in pediatric behavioral health care. Answer the question: what has changed since last year’s Summit?
  • Foster continued collaboration to support a coordinated and comprehensive system of behavioral health care for children
  • Highlight strategies to implement, sustain, and scale behavioral health care delivery models to create an accessible system of care for children prior to crisis

Join us for discussions and action-oriented conversations on topics ranging from the Behavioral Health Roadmap, Youth and Family Perspectives, Strategies for Promotion and Prevention, Expanding the Behavioral Health Workforce and more!

“Promoting new, equitable models of pediatric behavioral healthcare with a focus on innovation and prevention”

8:30 a.m. Registration, Networking, and Continental Breakfast

9:00 a.m. Opening Address

Gary Bailey, MSW, Professor of Practice and MSW Program Director, Simmons University


9:10 a.m. Welcome Address

Kevin Churchwell, MD, president & CEO, Boston Children’s Hospital

9:15 a.m. KEYNOTE: Priorities for Children’s Behavioral Health

9:30 a.m. Behavioral Health Roadmap: Implementation and Utilization

Moderator: Leigh Simons, senior director, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association

Panelists:

  • Emily Bailey, LICSW, Chief of Behavioral Health at MassHealth, Executive Office of Health and Human Services
  • Brooke Doyle, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health


10:10 a.m. Break

10:20 a.m. Expanding the Behavioral Health Workforce

Moderator: Suzanne Curry, director of policy & government relations, Health Care For All

Panelists:

  • Gemima St. Louis, Ph.D., Vice President for Workforce Initiatives and Specialty Training, William James College
  • Stacy Drury, MD, Psychiatrist-in-Chief, Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Amy Smalarz, PhD, MHA, Director of Healthcare Education and Professional Development, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association

11:00 a.m. Youth and Family Perspectives

Moderator: Kailey Sultaire, BSW, Government Relations Specialist, Boston Children’s Hospital

Panelists:

  • Avery Toole, Youth Advocate
  • Bianca Rameau, BA in Criminology, Patient Advocate in the Disability Sector/Autism Spectrum Disorder,
  • Pam Sager, Executive Director, Parent Professional Advocacy League

11:40 a.m. Strategies for Promotion and Prevention

Moderator: Danna Mauch, President and CEO, Massachusetts Association for Mental Health

Panelists:

  • Anat Weisenfreund, MS, IMH-E, Director, Head Start and Early Learning Programs, Community Action Pioneer Valley
  • Paul Hyry-Dermith, Director, Bridge for Resilient Youth in Transition, Brookline Center for Community Mental Health
  • Kevin Anthony Barton, LICSW, Executive Director, YouthConnect

12:15 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. Caring for Children with Specialized Needs

Moderator: Nancy Allen-Scannell, Executive Director, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

Panelists:

  • Leslee Uhrich, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist/Clinical Coordinator – Eating Disorders Clinic, Baystate Medical Center
  • Tammy Mello, President & CEO, Key Program

1:30 p.m. Partnering for Excellence

Moderator: Steve Walsh, President & CEO, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association

Panelists:

  • Kevin Churchwell, MD, President & CEO, Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Joseph Mitchell, MD, President, Franciscan Children’s

2:00 p.m. Q&A on Health Equity and Behavioral Health

Moderator: Amara Anosike, Director, Behavioral Health Policy & Advocacy, Boston Children’s Hospital

Panelists:

  • Andrea Joy Campbell Esq., Attorney General of Massachusetts
  • Kevin Simon, MD, MPH, Chief Behavioral Health Officer, City of Boston

2:30 p.m. Break

2:40 p.m. Legislative Update from Behavioral Health Champions

Panelists:

  • Representative Adrian Madaro, Esq., House Chair, Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use & Recovery, Massachusetts House of Representatives
  • Senator John Velis, Esq; Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use & Recovery, Massachusetts State Senate

2:55 p.m. Closing Address

Announced soon!

Cancellation Policy (for in-person events only):Full refunds will be recognized when cancellations occur at least 5 business days prior to an in-person event. Any cancellation notices received after this time will result in $50 administrative fee. To avoid this penalty, you may send someone in your place by forwarding their full name, title and email address to the Director of Healthcare Education, Amy Smalarz at asmalarz@mhalink.org. No shows will be responsible for payment in full.