agenda

7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.: Breakfast - Sponsored by Cantata Health

8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.: Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: General Session: Leading with Impact: Bridging the Gap Through Culture, Connection, and Courageous Conversations
In today's rapidly evolving human services, behavioral health, and healthcare environments, leaders are increasingly called upon to foster cultures that inspire trust, strengthen collaboration, and navigate complex challenges with authenticity and purpose. Leading with Impact: Bridging the Gap Through Culture, Connection, and Courageous Conversations explores how leaders can create meaningful change by intentionally aligning organizational values with everyday actions. Grounded in the core principles of Governance, Equity, Transparency, Collaboration, and Accountability, this interactive presentation examines the critical role of culture in driving engagement, improving outcomes, and building resilient organizations. Participants will explore how authentic connection strengthens teams, how courageous conversations foster trust and innovation, and how values-based leadership can bridge gaps between intention and action. Through practical examples, reflective exercises, and real-world applications, attendees will gain strategies for navigating difficult conversations, promoting inclusive decision-making, strengthening stakeholder engagement, and creating environments where individuals feel heard, valued, and empowered to contribute. Emphasis will be placed on translating organizational principles into daily leadership practices that enhance performance, improve communication, and advance mission-driven impact. Designed for leaders, supervisors, clinicians, administrators, board members, and emerging professionals, this session offers actionable tools for cultivating cultures of accountability, belonging, and continuous improvement while strengthening the ability to lead through change with confidence and purpose.
Presented by: InUnity Alliance’s The Committee

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. : Break with Exhibitors

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. : Resource & Wellness Room Operations
The Resource & Wellness Room provides a quiet, supportive environment where attendees can step away from conference activities to recharge, decompress, reflect, or connect with wellness resources. This space is intended to promote attendee well-being and support a positive conference experience.

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. : 100 Breakout Series

Breakout 101: PSYCKES Enhancements to Support HR1 for Behavioral Health Providers
This session will share new release and existing features in PSYCKES to support behavioral health providers and their clients with new Medicaid recertification requirements. In addition, we will share planned enhancements and get feedback and input from session participants on what new PSYCKES features (alerts, links, reports, etc.) would be most helpful for them.
Presentation by: New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH)

Breakout 102: Peer Support as the Front Door: Expanding Access, Trust, & Recovery Outcomes
This session will focus on how peer support professionals improve access to mental health and substance use services in today’s changing landscape. Many individuals disengage before they ever reach intake due to stigma, distrust, fear, trauma history, and practical barriers such as transportation and technology. Peer support helps bridge these gaps by offering connection, credibility, and guidance grounded in lived experience. This presentation explores how peer services function as a front door in a variety of mental health and substance use disorder settings. Participants will learn how peers strengthen engagement through relationship building, warm handoffs, navigation support, and engagement strategies that reduce drop-off between referral and service connection.
Presented by: Katrina Marshall, CRPA/CARC/RCP-F, Owner & Operator, AnchorWell

Breakout 103: Dismantling Intersectional Stigmatization Through Organizational Transparency, Accountability, & Leadership
The stigmatization of people who experience mental illness and substance use disorders has been identified as a barrier for both seeking and remaining in treatment. Those same individuals often face additional forms of discrimination related to gender, racialized identity, sexual orientation, and other drivers of health inequity. This presentation reviews the current best practices for dismantling these forms of discrimination at an organizational level.
Presented by: Gretchen Grappone, LICSW, Gretchen Grappone Consulting

Breakout 104: Reintroducing the Justice Center: A Presentation and Conversation on the Justice Center’s New Strategic Priorities and Prevention Efforts
During this presentation, audience members will learn about the Justice Center’s current initiatives and priorities planned for the next five years, including an overview of abuse prevention efforts and tools available to providers that highlight best practices to promote the health, safety, and dignity of people receiving services. Participants will also actively engage in a conversation about how the Justice Center can better collaborate with service providers.
Presented by:
Jessica Pidgeon, NYS Justice Center Chief of Staff
Nikki O’Meara, NYS Justice Center Director of Quality and Process Improvement
Michael Wilmot, NYS Justice Center Director of Strategic Initiatives
Kimberly Affinati, NYS Justice Center Director of Prevention and Quality Improvement
Tracey Sosa, NYS Justice Center Assistant Director of Prevention and Quality Improvement

Breakout 105: Wholistic Care in Action: Leveraging Innovation, Integration, and Outreach to Reconnect & Rebuild Trust with Underserved Communities
VIP Community Services will present a replicable, person-centered integrated care model that improves engagement and outcomes among individuals with substance use and co-occurring behavioral health conditions in underserved communities. The session will highlight how Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) screening is embedded across primary care and behavioral health workflows to drive care coordination and referrals. Presenters will share workforce strategies, including Community Health Workers and peer advocates, and demonstrate how digital tools support care management. Attendees will learn how outreach and transition strategies reduced 30-day readmissions by 50% and how to scale these approaches.
Presented by: Barbara Salcedo, MPH, Director of Quality Improvement and Informatics, VIP Community Services

Breakout 106: Social Care Navigation: A Year in Review & From Compliance to Community: Aligning Medicaid Work Requirements with SCNs, Health Homes, & IPAs
The New York State Department of Health, Public Health Solutions, and Hudson Valley Care Coalition will share updates from the first year of Social Care Networks under New York's 1115 Medicaid waiver. Participants will leave with practical strategies for partnering with SCNs, Health Homes, and IPAs, and ensuring New Yorkers stay connected to care with Medicaid policy changes.
Presented by:
Emily Engel, Director of the Bureau of Social Care and Community Supports, New York State Department of Health
Amie Parikh, MA, Chief Executive Officer, Hudson Valley Care Coalition
Arhima Jacobs, Senior Director, Network Development & Sustainability, Public Health Solutions;
Moderated by: Ronald Colavito, President & CEO, Access: Supports for Living

Breakout 107: Marijuana Rescheduling: Understanding the Impacts on Public Health, Prevention and Treatment
This presentation examines the public health, prevention, and treatment implications of federal marijuana rescheduling. Participants will hear what New York and other states have learned, including emerging data.
Presented by: Sue Thau, MCRP, Public Policy Consultant, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)

Breakout 108: Strengthening the Continuum: Lessons from the NY Downstate Residential Women & Children Workgroup
This facilitated panel highlights the Downstate Residential Women & Children Workgroup and its efforts to strengthen coordination across residential SUD programs serving mothers and their children. Panelists will discuss strategies to improve access, streamline priority transfers, enhance child welfare collaboration, and standardize best practices across providers. The session will examine how regional partnership reduces system fragmentation, advances equity, and improves retention and family stability outcomes in residential treatment.
Presented by:
Katie Seward, MSW, Addictions Program Specialist 2, NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS)
Luis Laboy, LMSW, SIFI, MPA, Master CASAC-G, CRPA, Senior Administrator for OASAS Residential Services, Acacia Network
Shernet Neufville-Gray, Director, ACS Addiction Policy, Planning & Support Services Unit
Tiana Davis, LMHC, CASAC-T, Clinical Manager - Postpartum, Odyssey House
Sarah March, LMHC-D, LMSW, Master CASAC – Samaritan Daytop Village
Adrienne Elliot, Master CASAC, Director of Morning Star Community, SCO Family of Services
Moderated by: Gene Heskin, LMSW, Master CASAC, MBA, Director of Admissions for Odyssey House

Breakout 109: OASAS Meet & Greet
Connect with OASAS leadership to learn about current updates and initiatives affecting people living with substance use disorders and mental illness. Department representatives will provide a brief overview of priorities and recent developments, followed by an open question-and-answer session. This is an informal opportunity to engage with state agency partners, ask questions, and share your experiences.
Presented by:
Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., Commissioner
Tracey L. Collins, Executive Deputy Commissioner
Patricia Lincourt, Deputy Commissioner of Programs.
Moderated by:
Jonnel C. Doris, MPPA, MDIV, Chief Executive Officer, StartCare

11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.: Voices of Women: A Luncheon Celebrating Leadership, Legacy & Impact
Sponsored by Cantata Health Solutions
This 90-minute interactive Women's Luncheon explores the leadership, resilience, and advocacy demonstrated by influential women throughout history and today. Through facilitated discussion, networking activities, reflective exercises, and action planning, participants will examine strategies for personal growth, professional leadership, mentorship, and community engagement. Attendees will leave with practical tools and an individualized commitment to support and empower others within their organizations and communities.  Also, some good food, not just for thought!

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. : General Session: Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., Commissioner of the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports and Dr. Ann Marie T. Sullivan, M.D., Commissioner of the NYS Office of Mental Health
Moderated by: Debbian Fletcher-Blake, APRN, FNP, President & Chief Executive Officer, VIP Community Services

3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. : Break with Exhibitors

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. : 200 Breakout Series

Breakout 201: Using Data to Improve Public Health for People with Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Conditions
Participants will hear from the NYS Department of Health about the 2025-2030 Prevention Agenda, AIDS/HIV/Hepatitis C initiatives, alcohol use surveillance, and efforts to preserve population-level data in the midst of federal changes.
Presented by:
Deepa Rajulu, MS, Deputy Director, Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Outbreak Response
Haven Battles, PhD, Assistant Director, Bureau of Chronic Disease Evaluation and Research
Stephanie Mack, NYS Population Health Data Manager, Public Health Information Group
Carmelita Cruz, Director, JD, Office of Health Equity and Policy Initiatives

Breakout 202: Building an Intervention Continuum for Critical Transitions
ACMH will explore how it has historically supported critical time interventions for individuals experiencing hospitalization, homelessness or leaving incarceration by developing relationships with hospital, carceral and homeless services providers and by accessing and developing an array of residential and other ancillary supports. The workshop will feature ACMH’s recent experience developing Safe Options Support (SOS) teams targeting both individuals outreached in the public transit system in Manhattan and homeless young adults in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx as well as a Critical Time Intervention (CTI) team working in partnership with hospital systems in Manhattan and how collaboration within ACMH’s array of services has contributed to successful interventions. OMH will highlight initiatives to facilitate access to care.
Presented by:
Joshua Ayala, MA, Senior Director, Safe Options Supports, ACMH
Melissa A. Beall, MA, Unit Director, Care Coordination, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Treatment and Care Coordination, New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH)
Mark Graham, LCSW, Senior Vice President, Community Care, ACMH
Carlos A. Garcia, MA, Chief Operating Officer, ACMH
Sarah Koch, LMSW, Mental Health Program Specialist II, Bureau of Housing Development and Support; Homeless Support Unit, New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH)

Breakout 203: Breaking the Cycle: Jail Diversion as a Catalyst for Recovery
This workshop will examine how a continuum of diversion strategies, from pre-arrest interventions to pre-trial programs, can transform outcomes for individuals with mental health and substance use conditions while reducing costs and recidivism. Participants will explore how early, upstream approaches prevent deeper system involvement and create effective pathways to care. The session will highlight strategic, financial, and community benefits across key intercept points. A panel of providers will share real-world insights, challenges, and measurable successes along with the importance of cross-system collaboration.
Presented by:
Amanda Henderson, MS, CPRP Member and Senior Psychiatric Rehabilitation Specialist, InUnity Alliance
Carrie Ann V. Wong, LMSW, Director, Mental Health Criminal Justice Collaboration Unit, New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH)
Jennie Huling, LEAD Program Director, (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion), Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region
Commander Norah Riviello, Albany Police Department
Joseph Meany, Chief Assistant District Attorney, Office of the Albany County District Attorney

Breakout 204: Training is Not Enough: What Works—and How to Make it Work in Addiction Treatment
This session highlights the most effective evidence-based practices for the treatment of substance use disorders while addressing a critical gap in implementation: training alone is not enough to change practice or sustain outcomes. Participants will explore why traditional training models often fall short and what is needed to translate knowledge into consistent, high-quality care. The presentation introduces practical, low-burden strategies for promoting fidelity such as group supervision, peer learning, in-session coaching, and structured reflection that support ongoing skill development without overwhelming staff.
Presented by: Liliane Drago, MA, CASAC Master Counselor, MAC, Outreach Development Corporation

Breakout 205: History of Harm Reduction in NYS and Integration into Treatment
This presentation will provide an overview of the history of harm reduction interventions in New York State, highlight ways treatment providers have integrated harm reduction into clinical practice in recent years, and facilitate discussion with attendees about their experiences.
Presented by:
Emma Fabian, MSW, New York State Harm Reduction Association
Allan Clear, Director, Office of Drug User Health, AIDS Institute, New York State Department of Health
Adam Viera, PhD, Associate Commissioner of Harm Reduction, New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)

Breakout 206: Making the Case for Substance Use Prevention in Challenging Times
With tighter budget environments at local, state, and federal levels, it is getting harder to convince elected officials and policymakers to invest in substance use prevention. This session will describe how, when, and to whom to make the case for adequately funding substance use prevention to stop and delay youth initiation.
Presented by: Sue Thau, MCRP, Public Policy Consultant, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)

Breakout 207: From Portals to Partnership: Rethinking Consumer Collaboration in Behavioral Health
Patient portals are everywhere, but engagement remains low. This session explores why access doesn't equal engagement and what it takes to move from transactional digital tools to true consumer collaboration that supports recovery across the entire care journey between visits and beyond treatment.
Presented by: Niya Branham, Product Manager, Cantata Health Solutions

Breakout 208: Advancing SUD Inpatient and Residential Services: System Updates and Complex Care Planning
This presentation will provide an update on inpatient and residential services. Presenters will describe how key system changes will enhance care coordination and level of care decision making for individuals with complex co-occurring conditions. The session will include a case-based discussion where participants will examine a complex patient scenario, identify clinical and system challenges, and develop a coordinated, person-centered care plan. As a result of this presentation, attendees will be able to 1) describe key system changes and levels of care within inpatient and residential substance use disorder services, and 2) develop a multidisciplinary, person-centered care plan aligned with current regulatory expectations.
Presented by:
Brigette Hartman-DeCenzo, LCSW, Division of Addiction Treatment and Recovery (ATAR), New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)
Steve Rozycki, LMSW, CASAC-M, Division of Addiction Treatment and Recovery (ATAR), New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)
Sam Kawola, LMSW, Division of Addiction Treatment and Recovery (ATAR), New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)

Breakout 209: OMH Meet & Greet
Connect with OMH leadership to learn about current updates and initiatives affecting people living with substance use disorders and mental illness. Department representatives will provide a brief overview of priorities and recent developments, followed by an open question-and-answer session. This is an informal opportunity to engage with state agency partners, ask questions, and share your experiences.
Presented by:
Dr. Ann Marie T. Sullivan, MD, Commissioner
Ben Rosen, Executive Deputy Commissioner
Dr. Miriam Tepper, Chief Medical Officer
Joe Katagiri, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Fiscal Officer, Office of Financial Management
Chris Smith, Associate Commissioner, Division of Adult Community Care Group
Erica Van De Wal, Director, Office of Planning
Moderated by: Ann-Marie Foster, MPA, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Phoenix Houses of NY/LI

4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.: Reception with Exhibitors