Behavioral health experts, researchers, and community-based service providers are invited to submit abstracts for the 2019 American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) National Behavioral Health Conference, taking place May 15-17, 2019 at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, NM.
The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is proud to convene with various stakeholders across Indian Country who are improving behavioral health outcomes in AI/AN communities. NIHB encourages presentations highlighting evidence-based, best, or promising practices developed in and for Tribal communities. The NIHB is particularly interested in presentations that provide tools in addition to information and research, so that gained knowledge can be made actionable. The NIHB is also looking for presentations that address Tribal behavioral health issues from multiple perspectives, paying close attention to the social determinants of health (i.e. socioeconomic status, exposure to trauma, access to education, the physical environment, etc.) which directly influence behavioral health outcomes. This year’s conference focuses on highlighting actions and tools that promote connections with culture, community, and knowing your purpose through the implementation of best practices. Please consider submitting an abstract that emphasizes this theme.
Community-Based Behavioral Health Services – This track will focus on strategies and polices to strengthen the capacity to build community connections and foster social support for future generations while meeting current behavioral health needs. Strategic planning helps Tribal communities assess community needs, establish health improvement plans, evaluate the efficacy of past interventions, and establish goals and priorities moving forward. Abstracts submitted under this track can include, but are not limited to:
· Behavioral health focused community needs assessments
· Strategic planning using the Tribal Behavioral Health Agenda (TBHA)
· Internal capacity and workforce development
· Improving AI/AN provider retention and training
· Innovative approaches to program evaluation
· Behavioral health systems and infrastructure
· Data collection and analysis
· Data sharing systems creation/improvement
· Identifying and addressing the social determinants of health influencing behavioral health services access and/or utilization
Sharing Traditional Best and Promising Practices— This track will explore how reconnecting people, families, and societies to traditional and cultural practices can lead to opportunities for transformational change to enhance community connections. Improving community coordination and linkages reduces the possibility of programs and interventions becoming siloed, while also increasing the availability of stakeholders. Abstracts submitted under this track can include, but are not limited to:
· Innovative community-based participatory research initiatives
· Resource pooling and stakeholder engagement
· Innovative ways to improve Tribal behavioral health workforce
· Community mobilization around behavioral health education and anti-stigma campaigns
· Policies required for fostering resiliency
· Social-ecological solutions for transformational and sustainable health and wellbeing, such as community gardening, housing, fishing, tribal land restoration
· The role of AI/AN behavioral health aides
· Campaigns to openly address trauma including experiences related to domestic and sexual violence
· Tribal governance strategies in implementing resiliency
· Connecting to culture and purpose
· Opioid abuse prevention activities and education for schools, communities, parents or prescribers and their patients
· Traditional foods impact on mental, physical, and spiritual well-being
Behavioral Health Integration- Substance Use Disorders, Mental Health Disorders, Suicide Prevention — This track will explore concerted actions that integrate physical, economic, mental, social, and political systems in ways that create cultures of resiliency. Access to mental and behavioral health services for AI/AN communities continues to be a challenge. Evolving models of care promote integration of behavioral health services within the larger public health and healthcare continuum, which can help streamline access to services. Abstracts submitted under this track can include, but are not limited to:
· Integration of mental and behavioral health services within primary care
· Policy-based models for behavioral health care coordination
· The role of AI/AN behavioral health aides, community health representatives in mental health and resiliency
· Serious Mental Illness interventions, including first episode psychosis response
· Tribal governance structures and processes that support integrated behavioral health
· Contextual frameworks of tribal governance and resiliency
· Integration of resiliency best practices in justice, social, education, and health systems
· The role of first-responders in addressing domestic and sexual violence in youth and adults
· Provider capacity and trainings in mental and behavioral health
· Behavioral health integration in community health clinics
· Collaborative care models
· School-based and pediatric behavioral health integration
· Tribal Behavioral Health Agenda (TBHA)
Behavioral Health Workforce Innovation: AI/AN communities are not only confronted with significant health disparities, but also face barriers in accessing care that is community-based and culturally-responsive. Emerging workforce models that train community members to respond to behavioral health issues not only create a community-centered workforce geared to sustainability, but also increase access to care. The role of community health workers, behavioral health aides, and mental health technicians are vital in improving key social determinants of health among AI/AN communities as they serve as navigators within community-based care settings. Abstracts submitted under this can include, but are not limited to:
· The use of behavioral health aides in Tribal communities
· The role of community health workers in Tribal communities
· Care coordination through the use of behavioral health aides
· The role of behavioral health aides and community health workers in access and retention to care
· Internal capacity and workforce development
· Improving Native provider retention and training
· Integrating traditional practices into behavioral health care workforce models
· Organization approaches to workforce vitality and burnout among mid-level behavioral health providers
· Community-based approaches to behavioral health wellness
· Innovative ways to improve Tribal behavioral health workforce
· Workforce sustainability in behavioral health
· The use of behavioral health aides in rural and remote communities
· The role of AI/AN behavioral health aides, community health representatives in mental health and resiliency
· Innovative community heath approaches and strategies
· Improving community health outcomes through patient training and cultural teachings
· Promotion of cost effective care models and practices
MSPI and DVPI Grantee Track – This track is specifically outlined for the Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative (MSPI) and Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative (DVPI) grantees and federal awardees. Sessions offered in this track will provide opportunities for project staff to learn best and promising practices being used in the field and programmatic specific topics related to MSPI and DVPI requirements. Abstracts submitted under this track should include best or promising practices on:
· Suicide prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies
· Community assessment and strategic planning
· Development of data sharing systems
· Working with Native youth and early intervention strategies
· Substance use prevention and treatment
· Access to traditional suicide intervention and post-vention healing services
· The role of culture in promoting purpose in Native youth
· Native youth development and building capacity
· Domestic violence (DV) prevention and intervention strategies
· Culturally appropriate practices
· Successful project management practices
· Forensic Healthcare Services
· Coordinated Community Response
· How to work with service providers (advocates, legal counsel, law enforcement, behavioral health providers, and medical providers.)
· Building partnerships and collaborations to promote the needs and wellness of the DV victims
· Advocacy and Survivor Perspective
· Supporting LGBTQ on DV and Sexual Assault (SA)
· Health Policy and System Change
· Success stories on organizational practices to improve services for elder abuse and child maltreatment
· Success stories on organizational practices to improve services for DV and SA victims.
Abstracts will be accepted for the following presentation formats:
· Workshops: A workshop is an in-depth, one and a half hour (90-minute) presentation on a topic relevant to one or more of the conference tracks. Workshops are excellent opportunities to explore new or emerging public health issues, present new research, share innovative policy solutions, or share best or promising practices. Workshops should actively engage audience participants and draw upon their skills, knowledge and experiences as professionals. Suggested adult learning techniques may include case studies, role playing, guided teaching, group inquiry, partner activities, demonstrations, jigsaw learning, peer teaching, storytelling, sharing experiences, and individual exercises.
· Roundtables: A roundtable is an hour (60 minutes), informal, participatory session. Participants engage in a discussion on a public health topic relevant to one or more of the conference tracks. The roundtable facilitator facilitates discussion among the session participants. The number of roundtable presenters must be limited to one or two people. Roundtable facilitators may use the first 10-15 minutes of a roundtables to present an overview of the topic and issues, and the remaining time should be spent discussing the issue with participants. This may be an appropriate venue to discuss implications of policies or programming, learn what other Tribes are doing, or create dialogue around concerns or issues.
Abstract Submission Guidance
Group presentations are limited to three presenters, including a single, designated Primary Presenter.
Proposals must include the following information:
· Presenter information (complete contact information for the Primary Presenter, and name, e-mail, and affiliations for all other presenters)
· Format preference (workshop or roundtable)
· Selected conference track (best fit)
· Final Title of Presentation
· Abstract (150 word limit)
· Learning Objectives – required minimum of three learning objectives – note: use ONLY the following measurable action verbs: Explain, Demonstrate, Analyze, Formulate, Discuss, Compare, Differentiate, Describe, Name, Assess, Evaluate, Identify, Design, Define, or List.
· A short bio (should include: presenter credentials, including relevant professional degree and discipline, current professional position, and expertise in program content). NOTE: A bio will be needed for all presenters (primary and co-presenters).