Who's Who in Children's Mental Health to Speak at Annual Conference
From White House consultants to senior advisors at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to internationally recognized experts, the who's who among those shaping the field of children’s mental health nationally will be part of this years' 25th Annual Children's Mental Health Research & Policy Conference March 4 - 7 in Tampa.
Hosted by the University of South Florida's Department of Child & Family Studies, the annual conference brings together more than 500 researchers, evaluators, policy-makers, administrators, parents, and advocates to share dialogue about important issues such as health, education and welfare, share new knowledge, and identify challenges that remain for the field.
This years' keynote and plenary speakers have made great contributions toward improving services for children, youth and families. They will share their national perspectives and expertise on a range of topics including national healthcare reform, early childhood services, the impact of data on improving practice and outcomes, challenges for young people with mental health conditions as they navigate the transition to adulthood, and current issues and trends in addressing the behavioral health needs of children, youth and families.
An inaugural presentation of a new International Lecture Series sponsored by RTI International will feature Sharon Lynn Kagan, recognized nationally and internationally for her work related to the care and education of young children and their families. Dr. Kagan is a frequent consultant to the White House, Congress, the National Governors’ Association, the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, numerous states, foundations, corporations, and professional associations. She is currently working around the globe with UNICEF to establish early learning standards in Armenia, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Ghana, Jordan, Mongolia, Paraguay, Turkmenistan, and Viet Nam. Dr. Kagan's presentation will illustrate how the delivery of services to meet children’s comprehensive well-being has been compromised by not only a lack of public commitment, but by the lack of a cogent, integrated approach to research, planning, and policy.
Plenary speakers include:
- John O'Brien, Senior Advisor to the Administrator on Health Care Reform, SAMHSA, Rockville, MD
- Daniel Dawes, Healthcare Attorney and Federal Affairs and Grassroots Manager, Premier, Inc., Washington, DC
- Jim Wotring, Director of the National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health, Assistant Professor, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
- Sharon Lynn Kagan, PhD, Virginia and Leonard Marx Professor of Early Childhood and Family Policy and Co-Director of the National Center for Children and Families at Teachers College, Columbia University, and Professor Adjunct at Yale University's Child Study Center
- Kay Hodges, PhD, Institute for the Study of Children, Families, and Communities, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
- Daniel Chaney, Wayne County Department of Children and Family Services, Detroit, MI
- R. Sam Larson, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Denver, CO
- Patricia Nellius, Brevard Family Partnership, Melbourne, FL
- Maryann Davis, PhD, Director, Learning and Working During the Transition to Adulthood Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (Transitions RTC), Center for Mental Health Services Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School
- Janet Walker, PhD, Co-Director, Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health, Portland, OR
- Joan Mikula, Assistant Commissioner, Child and Adolescent Services at Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Boston, MA
- Gwen White, MSW, Georgetown University, National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health, Washington, DC
- Larke Huang, PhD, Director, Office of Behavioral Health Equity, SAMHSA, Rockville, MD
- Gary M. Blau, PhD, Branch Chief, Child, Adolescent and Family Branch, SAMHSA, Rockville, MD
In addition to the plenary sessions, the agenda includes full days of symposia, papers and poster sessions. Intensive workshops are also offered the day before the conference for an additional fee.
Vist the conference website for the complete overview of plenary and keynote sessions.