agenda

7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. : Breakfast

8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. : General Session: The Road Ahead: Strategy, Leadership, and Opportunity
This general session will take a forward-looking approach to the decisions and strategies that can help organizations remain strong, responsive, and sustainable while staying grounded in their mission.
Presented by:
Robert A. Kent, JD, President, Kent Strategic Advisors, LLC
Josh Rubin, MPP, Vice President, Client Solutions, Health Management Associates

10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. : 300 Breakout Series

Breakout 301: Sustainable Care: Integrating Neuroscience, Mindfulness, and the Strategic Prevention Framework to Address Burnout
This session introduces an integrative approach to burnout prevention for professionals in mental health and substance use fields, combining insights from Polyvagal Theory, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and the Strategic Prevention Framework. With the assistance of Mildred, a Certified Therapy Pet, participants will explore how nervous system regulation, mindfulness practices, and upstream prevention strategies can work together to support sustainable practice. The session includes practical tools for individual resilience as well as strategies for fostering healthier organizational environments.
Presented by: Nova Yanoch, MSW Candidate, MPA, E-RYT, Reiki Level II Practitioner, Roots Yoga and Wellness Sanctuary

Breakout 302: Creative Paths: Integrating Art Therapy, DBT, & Harm Reduction for Individuals Living with Co-Occurring Disorders
This interactive session explores the integration of Art Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy(DBT), and Harm Reduction when supporting individuals with co-occurring disorders, with an emphasis on mindfulness as a core DBT practice. Grounded in a compassionate, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented approach, participants will learn practical ways to incorporate mindfulness-based art directives alongside DBT skills and harm reduction strategies. Case examples will bring these concepts into action, along with considerations for implementation within existing services. Attendees will leave with accessible, creative tools to support insight, coping, and meaningful pathways toward recovery.
Presented by: Melissa Diaz, MPS, LCAT, CLAT, ATR-BC, Senior Training and Implementation Specialist, New York State Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and Board-Certified Art Therapist, InUnity Alliance

Breakout 303: Gambling and Justice: Exploring Social Determinants & Systemic Racism
This training is designed to help professionals and community leaders gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between gambling, social determinants of health, and systemic racism. Participants will gain a better understanding of the ways socioeconomic inequalities, racial discrimination, and lack of access to gambling education criminal justice or public health sectors.
Presented by: Venus Moore, MPA, CASAC Candidate, Team Leader, Bronx Problem Gambling Resource Center

Breakout 304: Bridging the Gap: OASAS & OMH Prevention Working Together in Schools
This workshop explores how the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and the Office of Mental Health (OMH) work together to strengthen prevention, early intervention, and support services within school settings. As student needs become increasingly complex, a coordinated approach is essential to address both substance use and mental health challenges in a comprehensive, effective way. As a result of this session, attendees will gain an understanding of each system’s role, identify areas of overlap, and examine opportunities for cross-collaboration that reduce duplication and improve outcomes for youth. The session will highlight strategies for integrating evidence-based prevention programs, enhancing communication between providers and schools, and building a more unified support network for students and families.
Presented by:
Jennifer Haggerty, LCSW, Bureau Director Division of Prevention, New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)
Kristen Stanton, MS, Suicide Prevention Center of New York, New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH)

Breakout 305: Revenue Within Reach: A leadership roadmap to Medicare billing
Nearly 4 million older adults and people living with disabilities in New York rely on Medicare face limited access to mental health and substance use services. While accepting Medicare can strengthen revenue and long-term sustainability, the billing process often feels complex for behavioral health providers and community-based nonprofits. In this session, we’ll demystify Medicare billing and walk through how to bill “Incident To” for psychotherapeutic services, peer services, and social health interventions. You’ll gain clear guidance on billing strategies and documentation requirements to expand Medicare-reimbursable services. We’ll also share tips to help billing and compliance teams stay confident, compliant, and audit-ready.
Presented by: Geordana Weber, LCSW, Chief Program Officer, Service Program for Older People (SPOP)

Breakout 306: From Triggered to Tuned-In: Understanding Trauma, Behavior & Care to Reframe Organizational Culture
This workshop introduces a trauma-informed training and implementation model is designed to support organizational culture change across clinical, administrative, and front-line roles. Grounded in evolutionary theory and multidisciplinary assessment, it explores how trauma manifests behaviorally and why seemingly unpredictable reactions often reflect stress dysregulation. Participants examine the evolution of trauma theory, core principles of trauma-informed care, and research linking trauma, substance use, attachment, and neurobiology. Using real workplace scenarios, participants leave with a practical, transferable model they can apply to promote safer environments, compassionate responses, and sustainable practices for staff and clients.
Presented by:
Robert Anderson, LCSW-R Master CASAC, CARC, CRPA, Executive Director, The Educational Alliance, Center for Recovery and Wellness
Monette Sachs, PhD, Therapist & Consultant; (former-retired) Director of SUD Policy and Planning, NYC Administration for Children’s Services

Breakout 307: Residential Treatment and Overdose Prevention: A Gold Standard Approach
This session showcases data demonstrating the powerful effectiveness of residential treatment, particularly for high-risk populations, in providing a structured environment that improves mental health, supports social reintegration, and reduces relapse. The session examines how leading programs are enhancing their model through integrating Medications for Opioid Use Disorder to deliver even stronger outcomes in sustained recovery and overdose prevention.
Presented by:
Luke J. Nasta, MPA, CASAC, President and CEO, Camelot Counseling of Staten Island
Carl Feren, MBA, Chief Operating Officer, Camelot Counseling of Staten Island

Breakout 308: Systemic Fusion Across the Continuum
This workshop presents a replicable model for integrating residential treatment, comprehensive outpatient programs, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) services, and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) primary care into a seamless system one client, one team, one plan. With 80% of Americans needing SUD treatment not receiving it and fragmented care driving relapse, dropout, and overdose, the need for integration is urgent. Samaritan Daytop Village and Samaritan Daytop Health demonstrate how this approach achieves outcomes 20+ percentage points above national benchmarks while sustaining financial viability. Participants will explore Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) continuity protocols, embedded Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) within CCBHC, a phased implementation roadmap, multi-regulatory compliance agencies, and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities accreditation preparation.
Presented by: Carolann Slattery, EdD, MSW, LCSW-R. Chief Clinical Officer at Samaritan Daytop Village

Breakout 309: From Data to Practice: Quality Initiatives in Mental Health
This session will provide the findings from recent quality initiatives, including Building Capacity for Best Practices for Opioid Use Disorders and the Engaging Clinics Quality Improvement Collaborative, along with early data from new quality improvement initiatives in progress, including the Improving Access Quality Improvement Collaborative and School-Based Satellite Quality Improvement Collaborative. Participants will learn about how OMH is applying the findings and share ways to engage. 
Presented by: New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH)

11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. : Break with Exhibitors

11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. : 400 Breakout Series

Breakout 401: Strengthening Family-Centered Care in SUD Programs: Building Resiliency and Support Within Family Systems
This session explores practical strategies for implementing family-centered care within outpatient OASAS-certified substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs. Participants will learn how to engage and treat loved ones as clients, while developing meaningful support services that educate families about substance use disorders and promote resiliency within family systems. Attendees will leave with actionable tools and implementation strategies to strengthen family-focused programming, improve engagement, and foster healthier outcomes for individuals and their loved ones.
Presented by:
Monika Taylor, MBA, LCSW, CASAC, Director of Addiction Treatment Services, Crouse Health
Nadia Bey-Wright, LMSW, CASAC, Family Therapist, Crouse Health

Breakout 402: A Model for Effective Clinical Onboarding in Community Behavioral Healthcare
This presentation highlights an effective counselor onboarding model developed for a community behavioral healthcare agency facing high demand and rapid clinical pace. Designed to balance quality care with staff development, the model uses a structured, phased approach that includes cohort-based training, real-time coaching with attending counselors, and integrated supervision. Attendees will explore practical training components, lessons learned, and staff feedback, gaining actionable strategies to improve counselor readiness, confidence, and retention within community-based behavioral health settings.
Presented by:
Jennifer Cervi, LCSW, CASAC, Clinical Director of Integrated Services, Horizon Health Services
Katie Burbee, LMHC, Corporate Director of Clinical Services, Horizon Health Services

Breakout 403: Presentation by New York State Department of Health (DOH)

Breakout 404: Bridging Recovery: Integrating Certified Peer Specialists and Certified Recovery Peer Advocates in NYS Integrated Systems of Care
This session will start with an overview from the Office of Mental Health of the Certified Peer Specialist role, followed by with an overview from the Office of Mental Health of the Certified Peer Specialist role and a similar overview from the Office of Addiction Services and Supports of the Certified Recovery Peer Advocate. This overview will also examine how these roles vary across the occupational settings and contexts in which peers work. The session will conclude with an interactive discussion of the shared values across the substance use and mental health systems, the core components and key differences in peer integration across settings, and the common challenges related to integration along with the resources available to support successful integration. As a result of this session, attendees will be able to 1) define the roles of Certified Peer Specialists (OMH) and Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (OASAS), 2) explore where OASAS and OMH peers are in alignment; and 3) explore challenges and resources for integration of peers across settings, including Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs), Crisis Stabilization Centers, and Intensive Outpatient Services.
Presented by: Brenda Harris-Collins, Director of Bureau of Recovery, New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)

Breakout 405: Leading Across Generations: Creating Healthy Workplaces Amid the Opioid and Stimulant Crisis
Today's workforce is more diverse than ever, with five generations working side-by-side—each bringing unique strengths, communication styles, expectations, and values. At the same time, organizations are navigating unprecedented workforce challenges, including burnout, compassion fatigue, staffing shortages, mental health concerns, and the growing impact of opioid and stimulant use disorders on employees, families, and workplace culture. These challenges affect recruitment, retention, productivity, psychological safety, absenteeism, presenteeism, and overall organizational resilience. Rather than allowing generational differences and workplace stressors to create division, this dynamic and interactive workshop explores how organizations can transform these challenges into opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and stronger leadership. Participants will examine the "why" behind generational perspectives, learn practical strategies for improving communication across age groups, and discover how stigma, substance use, and workplace wellness intersect to influence employee engagement and performance. Whether you're a tech-savvy Gen Z professional, a purpose-driven Millennial, a pragmatic Gen Xer, a values-focused Boomer, or a member of the Silent Generation, this session will help you leverage the strengths of every generation while building healthier workplaces and higher-performing teams. Participants will leave with practical tools to enhance communication, improve collaboration, strengthen employee well-being, and create workplaces where every generation can thrive together.
Presented by: Kym Laube, Executive Director, HUGS, Inc.

Breakout 406: Coordinated Care in Action: Onondaga County’s Adult System of Care for Individuals with Co-Occurring Disorders
This presentation provides an overview of Onondaga County’s Adult Mental Health System of Care and how key programs ”Outreach & Navigation, Single Point of Access, Dual Recovery Coordination, Forensic Services, and Court Navigation & Crisis Services” oversight work collaboratively to support individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Participants will gain insight into how these teams coordinate across systems to improve access, engagement, and continuity of care for high-need individuals. The session will highlight real-world workflows, cross-system partnerships, and strategies used to address complex clinical and social needs. Emphasis is placed on reducing system fragmentation and promoting integrated, person-centered responses.
Presented by:
Andrea Morgia, MS, Director of Adult Mental Health and Crisis Services, Onondaga County (CCSI)
Michael Morgese, LMSW Director of Forensics and Crisis Services (CCSI)
Jessica Hopps,Sr. Director, Operations, Program Management (CCSI)

Breakout 407: Your Culture Isn't Broken. It's Suffocating. — Three Movements for Restoring Organizational Health
Behavioral health organizations are losing people, and resilience training isn't fixing it because the problem is structural, not personal. This session introduces three movements “Breath, Pulse, and Tide” that every healthy organizational culture requires, and whose disruption makes exhaustion and turnover inevitable. Participants will learn to identify where these patterns are breaking down, understand why conventional culture change efforts fail, and leave with practical tools for restoring organizational health. Two decades of research, immediately applicable.
Presented by: Matthew Dunn, PhD, Founder, Living Groups, Team Leader of Leadership Development, Helio Heath, Author, The Rhythm of Us

Breakout 408: Trans Affirming Care in the Behavioral Health Setting & Innovative Approach to Youth Suicide Prevention in Vulnerable Populations
Presented by:
Deirdre DeLeo, MA, LCSW, Director of Behavioral Health & Assessment Programs
Monroe Shim, MSW Candidate, Training Institute Specialist, LGBTQ Liaisons Chair, Core Values Committee Member, Helio Health

Breakout 409: Justice Center Meet & Greet
Connect with Justice Center leadership to learn about current updates and initiatives affecting people living with substance use disorders and mental illness. Panelists 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:
Maria Lisi-Murray, Acting Executive Director
Lisa Cole, Deputy Director, Office of Incident Management ‍ ‍
Jody Signoracci, Deputy Director, Office of Outreach, Prevention, & Support
Carol Casale, Regional Assistant Chief, Office of Investigations
Michelle McCrum, Deputy Director, Office of Data and Analytics

12:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. : Executive Leadership Luncheon:
The Human Side of AI: Leading Change, Inspiring Creativity, & Transforming Care
This interactive workshop will explore the human side of AI adoption, with a focus on change leadership, workforce engagement, and the uniquely human capabilities that become even more important in an AI-enabled healthcare environment. Participants will explore practical approaches to moving beyond resistance and uncertainty, involving employees in identifying and shaping AI opportunities, and fostering a culture of curiosity, creativity, experimentation, and continuous learning.

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. : General Session: Medicaid Changes: What's happening, what it means for our field, and how we can respond
This plenary conversation looks at Medicaid changes and what it means for the people and communities we serve. Featuring diverse associations, the conversation will unpack the challenges ahead and explore practical ways to respond, collaborate across the field, and proactively advocate.
Presented by:
Lara Kassel, Coalition Coordinator, Medicaid Matters, NY
Rose Duhan, President & CEO, Community Health Care Association of NYS (CHCANYS)
Michael Orth, Commissioner, Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health, Chair, NYS Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors, Inc.
John Liddle, Executive Director, New York Public Welfare Association, Inc.,

3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. : Break with Exhibitors

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. : 500 Breakout Series

Breakout 501: Diverse and Integrated Peer Advocate Programming for Prevention, Treatment & Recovery Services
This presentation will provide an overview of the evolution of peer services as they were and are implemented in a prevention, treatment and recovery supports program. Peers come with a wide variety of life experience and skills and maximizing their strengths and interests benefits all aspects of a program's services.
Presented by:
Laura Combs, LCSW-R, Advanced CASAC-G, CPP Chief Executive Officer
Ricky Adorno, Clinic Manager and Participant Liaison
Mikel Butler, Certified Recovery Peer Advocate and Residential Coordinator
Sonia Morales, Certified Recovery Peer Advocate
Xavier McDaniel, Certified Recovery Peer Advocate

Breakout 502: Harnessing Data to Drive Quality & Equity
This session explores how behavioral health organizations can move beyond compliance-driven reporting to use data to improve outcomes, access, and equity. Participants will learn how to embed data into daily operations - from frontline documentation to real-time dashboards - to better track hospitalizations, engagement, and social needs. The presentation highlights practical ways to identify disparities across populations and use that insight to drive targeted action. Attendees will also examine how aligning data with strategy, workforce engagement, and technology can reduce burden and strengthen care, while building a culture that connects people to services faster and improves outcomes.
Presented by: Ronald Colavito, MBA, President and CEO, Access: Supports for Living and Access: Network

Breakout 503: Children's Mental Health Settlement Agreement: Implementation and System Impacts
The Children's Mental Health Settlement Agreement is forming how intensive services for children and youth are structured and delivered in NYS. This workshop provides an overview of the settlement's requirements, examines implementation timelines and operational impacts on your programs, and discusses how to prepare your organization for these system changes.
Presented by: New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH)

Breakout 504: Excessive Alcohol Use Prevention Services in New York State
As a result of this session, participants will better understand prevention services for excessive alcohol use supported by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). Participants will be provided with an overview of alcohol consumption trends and the evidence-based prevention program practice and strategies implemented in New York State. This presentation will include a national and state-level prevention timeline. Prevention provider locations and examples of program and strategy implementation will be reviewed providing a comprehensive summary of services and supports to prevent the early initiation and excessive use of alcohol.
Presented by:
Weihui Zhang, Research Scientist, New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)
Barbara Bennett, Director of Prevention Research, Evaluation, and Data, Division of Prevention Services, New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)
Lauren Cestone, Research Scientist, New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)
Huimin Song, Research Scientist, Behavioral Health Data Management, Analysis and Reporting, New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)
Sarah Wagner, Research Scientist, New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)

Breakout 505: Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) as Alternative-to-Incarceration (ATI) in New York City
This presentation will introduce the adaptation of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) for individuals with Alternative-To-Incarceration (ATI) mandate as developed and implemented by CASES. ACT ATI clients meet ACT eligibility criteria and are facing significant amount of prison time for felony charges. ACT ATI has additional staff members, including Criminal Justice Specialist, Housing Specialist, and Peer Specialists with lived experiences in the criminal legal system. Key partnerships are developed with CLS system stakeholders. This innovative approach combines the ACT model and ATI supervision to prevent recidivism and prolonged incarceration in addition to the foundational treatment focus of reducing psychiatric hospitalizations.
Presented by:
Yee Shun (Erica) Kwan, LMHC-D, Senior Director, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), CASES
Megan Kirk, LCSW, Director, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Services

Breakout 506:Presentation on Opioid Settlement Funds
Presented by: Debra Pantin, MSW, MS

Breakout 507: Presentation by One-Group

Breakout 508: Delivering Intensive Community-Based Mental Health Services Through Managed Care Partnerships: The Parachute Model
The speakers will discuss VNS Health’s Parachute program, a unique value-based partnership with Managed Care plans that delivers intensive home-and-community-based treatment, medication management, crisis intervention, and care management to adults with complex behavioral health and medical needs who are frequent users of ED and inpatient services. This multidisciplinary team has served over 175 individuals across four boroughs of NYC, demonstrating measurable outcomes including reduced ED visits, decreased inpatient admissions, improved medication adherence, and increased community stability. The speakers will highlight case examples, engagement strategies for working with high-needs, hard-to-reach populations, and program outcomes.
Presented by:
Jessica Fear, LMFT, Senior Vice President for Behavioral Health, VNS Health
Natalie Kovacs, LCSW, Program Manager, Parachute

Breakout 509: Department of Health Meet & Greet
Connect with New York State Department of Health 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.