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FROM SUPPORT TO COMMUNITY
Responding to the Culture of Tennessee’s Communities
Tennessee Statewide Crisis Services Annual Conference
June 27, 2018
Embassy Suites Hotel by Hilton Nashville South/Cool Springs | 820 Crescent Centre Drive | Franklin, TN 37067
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SCROLL DOWN FOR CONFERENCE DETAILS, ACCESS TO HANDOUTS, REGISTRATION INFORMATION,AND MUCH MORE
CLICK HERE to download the Save the Date flyer
CLICK HERE for a print version (PDF) of the conference agenda, program descriptions and speaker biographical details.
CLICK HERE to download a copy of the Request for Documentation of Continuning Education Hours Earned. COMING SOON
REGISTRATION
Registration is available online via EVENTBRITE. CLICK HERE for a direct link to the registration site or copy and paste this URL into you internet browser https://fromsupporttocommunity.eventbrite.com
This event has been designed specifically for crisis response personnel who are affiliated with the TDMHSAS Statewide Crisis Service Response system.
Staff of TDMHSAS and State Contracting Agencies for the provision of crisis response services receive priority access to seating at this event.
Individuals who are interested in attending this event and are not affiliated with TDMHSAS or contracting agencies should contact the TAMHO office and request to be placed on the stand-by list for event access.
AGENDA & ACCESS TO HANDOUTS
AGENDA IS CURRENTLY BEING FINALIZED AND IS SUBJECT TO ADJUSTMENTS
8:00am – 8:30am
Registration, Networking BINGO, and Refreshments
8:30am – 10:00am
OPENING GENERAL SESSION | HOW THE TENNESSEE DEVELOPMENTAL AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY SYSTEM WORKS | Understanding the Crisis Needs for Tennessee’s IDD Community
CLICK HERE FOR SESSION HANDOUT
CLICK HERE to complete the Online Session Evaluation Form
10:00am – 10:15am
Networking BINGO and Refreshments
10:15am – 11:15am
The Opioid Crisis
CLICK HERE FOR SESSION HANDOUT
CLICK HERE to complete the Online Session Evaluation Form
11:15am – 12:15pm
Casual Networking Luncheon & Networking BINGO
12:15pm – 1:15pm
The Priority of Self-Care
CLICK HERE FOR SESSION HANDOUT
CLICK HERE to complete the Online Session Evaluation Form
1:15pm – 1:30pm
Networking BINGO and Refreshments
1:30pm – 2:30pm
Sudden Violence: Surviving an Encounter
CLICK HERE FOR SESSION HANDOUT
CLICK HERE to complete the Online Session Evaluation Form
2:30pm – 2:45pm
Networking BINGO and Beverages
2:45pm – 4:15pm
A Conversation with Tennessee’s Autism Community - What Crisis Responders Need to Know
CLICK HERE FOR SESSION PowerPoint HANDOUT
CLICK HERE for Handout 1 - White Paper - Defining crisis in families of individuals with Autism_Weiss et al, 2014
CLICK HERE for Handout 2 - White Paper - The Experience of Crisis in Families of Individuals with Autism Across the Lifespan_ White, et al_2011
CLICK HERE to complete the Online Session Evaluation Form
4:15pm – 4:30pm
CLOSING REMARKS & NETWORKING BINGO PRIZES
CLICK HERE to complete the Online Overall Conference Evaluation Form
SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
OPENING GENERAL SESSION | HOW THE TENNESSEE DEVELOPMENTAL AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY SYSTEM WORKS | Understanding the Crisis Needs for Tennessee’s IDD Community
Opening Remarks:
Ellyn Wilbur, Executive Director, Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations (TAMHO), Nashville, Tennessee
Welcome Remarks:
Morenike Murphy, LPC-MHSP, Director, Office of Crisis Services and Suicide Prevention, Division of Mental Health Services, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Nashville, Tennessee
Marie Williams, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Nashville, Tennessee
Matt Yancey, Deputy Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Nashville, Tennessee
Moderator:
Bruce Davis, PhD, BCBA-D, SrLPE, LPC, Director of Behavioral and Psychological Services, Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (TDIDD), Office of Health Services, Nashville, Tennessee
Panelists:
Kris Roberts, MA, LSPE, BCBA, Intensive Consultation Team Director, East Regional Office, Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Greeneville, Tennessee
Zachary Stevens, MS, LBA, BCBA, Clinical Director, Practical Behavior Analysis, Madison, Tennessee
Luke Crabtree, JD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Project Transition, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Michelle Palmer, LMSW, Systems of Support Operations Manager, Project Transition, Knoxville, Tennessee
Persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and other co-occurring mental health disorders experience significant challenges when they interface with the mental health system. Systemic goals are to minimize crises and prevent unnecessary psychiatric hospitalizations, while ensuring that appropriate services are available when needed. The current system has components in place to prevent crises from occurring, and to respond appropriately when they occur. Nonetheless, gaps in the service system remain and need to be filled to promote effective crisis prevention and intervention.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Describe challenges experienced by persons with IDD when they need mental health services;
- Describe systemic components in place for the crisis prevention and intervention; and,
- Identify gaps in the current service system and strategies for making the system more effective.
The Opioid Crisis
Facilitator:
Monty Burks, PhD, Director of Faith Based Initiatives, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Nashville, Tennessee
Speaker:
Terry Holmes, MD, MPH & TM, Chief Medical Officer, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Nashville, Tennessee
In this presentation, Dr. Terry Holmes will lead participants on a review of the history of opium and opioids. Dr. Holmes will provide guidance on most overdose episodes feature more than one drug. Participants will learn the causes of today’s opioid epidemic and understand the role of prescribers and patients.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will
- Be familiar with the history of opium and opioids;
- Understand most overdose episodes feature more than one drug;
- Be able to identify causes of today’s opioid epidemic; and,
- Understand the role of prescribers and patients.
THE PRIORITY OF SELF CARE
Facilitator:
Maria Bush, LPC-MHSP, MPA, Assistant Director, Office of Crisis Services and Suicide Prevention, Division of Mental Health Services, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Nashville, Tennessee
Speaker:
Susan Gillpatrick, LPC, CTS, CEAP, Resilience Center Coordinator, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
Self-care is the mindset, activities, practices and habits we bring to bear against stress, unhappiness, illness, depression and many more negative emotions. Yet, many of us (including the helping professionals) do not make self-care a priority. But, you can start now! Being the best “you” allows you to bring the best to those you serve.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Describe six self-care strategies for life balance;
- Understand “compassion satisfaction” and three ways you can have it; and,
- Create a personal self-care “cabinet.
SUDDEN VIOLENCE: SURVIVING AN ENCOUNTER
Facilitator:
Laura B. Martin, Mental Health Specialist III, Office of Crisis Services and Suicide Prevention, Division of Mental Health Services, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Nashville, Tennessee
Speaker:
James Cotter, Special Agent, Cyber and Special Programs, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Nashville, Tennessee
This presentation will examine trends in sudden violence and personal protective measures. Many people think of violence in terms of a physical attack. However, workplace violence can occur in a much broader scope. It can include direct and implied threats, harassment, intimidation, physical assaults, and even murder. Workplace violence may start as a small incident involving inappropriate remarks and behavior, and then escalate to physical or psychological violence. It is important to understand and recognize signs and behaviors in order to take appropriate action.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Understand a broader scope of the occurrence of workplace violence;
- Identify the potential for escalation of physical or psychological violence; and,
- Recognize signs and behaviors to more readily respond to potential threats.
CLOSING GENERAL SESSION | A Conversation with Tennessee’s Autism Community – What Crisis Responders Need to Know
Moderator:
Morenike Murphy, LPC-MHSP, Director, Office of Crisis Services and Suicide Prevention, Division of Mental Health Services, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Nashville, Tennessee
Panelists:
Juli C. Liske, Consulting Coordinator & Nonprofit Consultant, Autism Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee
Babs Tierno, Executive Director, Autism Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee
Tony Dillard, Officer, City of Clarksville, Police Department, Clarksville, Tennessee
Ben Liske, Student, Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut
Closing Remarks:
Morenike Murphy, LPC-MHSP, Director, Office of Crisis Services and Suicide Prevention, Division of Mental Health Services, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Nashville, Tennessee
This interactive and eye-opening session will include two local professionals in the field of Autism (who are both also parents of children with ASD), as well as three engaging panelists of varying ages, backgrounds, and diagnostic/intervention timelines—who also happen to have Autism.
In April 2018, the Centers for Disease control updated the prevalence rate of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to 1 in 59. Crisis Centers are increasingly being called upon to respond to the unique crisis needs of this growing population of individuals, as well as their families. While extensive research has been conducted to describe some of the experiences of crisis among families of individuals with ASD (White et al, 2012), much work still remains to identify common variables unique to these families in order to inform and construct preventative and meaningful crisis-driven interventions (Strickland, 2005). This session is appropriate for all levels and types of professionals, even newcomers to the field, as well as parents and family members.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Accurately define “Autism Spectrum Disorders”
- Describe at least three unique contributing factors to potential crises that are specific to families of individuals with ASD
- Identify at least five common communication characteristics of individuals with ASD
- Name at least three myths associated with ASD
- Describe at least two strategies to facilitate your understanding and provision of meaningful support of the crisis at hand
- List at least two local preventative and/or crisis resources for families impacted by ASD
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
A certificate of continuing professional development for up to 6.00 contact hours will be made available by TAMHO to all participants upon request for documentation of contact hours earned during this conference.
TAMHO has applied to the National Association of Social Workers,Tennessee Chapter for consideration of approval of formal hours for this event and is awaiting notification of their consideration.
Formal hours for Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists, and Clinical Pastoral Therapists are contingent upon approval of NASW Tennessee Chapter considerations. As stated within the rules and regulations of the State of Tennessee Board for Professional Counselors (0450-01-.12-(5)-(a)-1-vi and vii), Marital and Family Therapists (0450-02-.12-(5)-(a)-1-vi and vii ), and Clinical Pastoral Therapists (0450-03-.12-(5)-(a)-1-vi and vii), the hours approved for this conference by APA and/or NASW are considered pre-approved hours acceptable for submission of documentation for continuing professional development for individuals licensed by this Board.
Please check back for confirmation of formal hour considerations.
SPEAKER / PANELIST BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
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BUSH
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COTTER
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CRABTREE
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DAVIS
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DILLARD
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GILLPATRICK
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HOLMES
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B. LISKE
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J. LISKE
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MURPHY
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PALMER
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ROBERTS
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STEVENS
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TIERN
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WILBUR
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WILLIAMS
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YANCEY
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Maria Bush, LPC-MHSP, MPA, Assistant Director, Office of Crisis Services, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Nashville, Tennessee
Maria Bush currently serves as Assistant Director for the Office of Crisis Services and Suicide Prevention, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. In this role, she assists in providing oversight of the statewide crisis services continuum and ensure effective management of all SAMHSA funded projects to ensure ongoing quality of services are rendered. While managing the day-to-day operations of the office, Maria provides clinical oversight to the Mandatory Prescreening Agent (MPA) program. Maria has over 12 years of experience in the mental health field which includes providing Emergency Psychiatric Services, Substance Abuse Services, Suicide Prevention and Intervention, and specialized treatment for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. She holds a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling. She is a well experienced, Licensed Professional Counselor, Mental Health Service Provider. Maria states “the greatest gift in life is the ability to serve and positively impact individuals and their families.”
James Cotter, Special Agent, Cyber and Special Programs, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Nashville, Tennessee
James Cotter has over 20 years of law enforcement experience and has been with the Department of Safety for the last 10. In 2000, he became a Certified Criminal Intelligence Analyst and one of Tennessee’s first Terrorism Liaison Officers. He worked with the ATF as a Task Force Officer in the areas of explosives and extremist groups, and became a regular guest instructor on the subject of post blast investigation at the National Center for Explosive Testing and Research at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL. In 2008, James joined the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security as an Agent. He was promoted in 2012 to Supervisory Intelligence Officer and Co-Director of the Tennessee Fusion Center. In May 2016, he became the Special Agent Program Manager for Cyber Operations. He is also the state explosive ordinance disposal liaison for all of the state’s bomb squads and the outreach liaison agent for the many Muslim and African communities across the state. James is a graduate of the Naval Post Graduate School Fusion Center Leaders Program, the South East Command and Leadership Academy, and LEAD Tennessee. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps with numerous deployments to theaters of operation in the Middle East, Africa, South and Central America.
Luke Crabtree, JD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Project Transition, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
As CEO, Luke Crabtree, JD-MBA maintains continuous oversight of Project Transition with the primary objective of ensuring competent and devoted staff are in place to serve the well-being of our members. Luke's leadership promotes and sustains an environment that encourages a positive and forward-thinking culture. His leadership reflects the company's commitment to its core values and mission as a recovery-driven residential treatment program.
Bruce Davis, PhD, BCBA-D, SrLPE, LPC, Director of Behavioral and Psychological Services, Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (TDIDD), Office of Health Services, Nashville, Tennessee
Bruce E. Davis, Ph.D. is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Senior Psychological Examiner, and Licensed Behavior Analyst in Tennessee. He currently works as the Director of Behavioral and Psychological Services for the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Davis is a member of the Board of Directors of NADD-An Organization for Persons with Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Needs. He has over 30 years of clinical experience working with people who have co-occurring intellectual disabilities and mental health disorders. He also teaches a course in professional ethics at Lipscomb University. Dr. Davis is an accomplished trainer and has presented papers at numerous conferences over his career.
Tony Dillard, Officer, City of Clarksville, Police Department, Clarksville, Tennessee
Tony Dillard studied communications at Austin Peay State University and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Media, followed by a Master’s Degree in Corporate Communications. Today, Tony serves as a police officer for the City of Clarksville. His responsibilities include serving as a Field Training Officer, Peer Counselor, Volunteer Chaplain as well as an advisor for the Boy Scouts’ Explorer Program. The program serves to educate and equip high school students with the tools necessary for success as a Law Enforcement Officer or within the Armed Forces. Tony also serves as Worship Director, Audio/Visual Director, and Youth Counselor for his church.
This past year, at the age of 40, Tony was diagnosed with Autism. In Tony’s words, “The diagnosis has been positively life-changing. For most of my life, I picked up on clues that I was different than most. I could tell that there were cognitive, emotional and social disconnects. For me, the diagnosis has been like finally finding the missing piece to a puzzle that I have been working all my life to complete”. Tony and his wife, Kimberly, reside in Clarksville, TN, have been married for 16 years, and, have a 15 year-old daughter together.
Susan Gillpatrick, LPC, CTS, CEAP, Resilience Coordinator, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
Susan Gillpatrick is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board-Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress, with 20 years’ experience in Behavioral Health, and specializes in leading a variety of comprehensive crisis prevention and response programs, as well as personal and professional growth training programs. She holds a Masters of Education in Human Development Counseling, from Vanderbilt University.
Terry Holmes, MD, MPH & TM, Chief Medical Officer, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Nashville, Tennessee
Dr.Homes has more than twenty years of psychiatric experiences. He currently works as the Dpartment of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Servcies Chief Medical Officer. He has worked the last fifteen years as Clinical Director at MOccasin Bend Mental Health Institute. Prior to joining the department, Dr. Holmes spent 23 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1994 with the rank of Colonel. In addition to his Medical Degree fro mBaylor University, Dr. Homes holds a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine from Tulane University. His distinguished Air Force medical career includes Aerospace Medicine, Occupational Medicine, and Psychiatry. During his tenure at ANdrews Air Force Base, Dr. Holmes was Officer in Charge of gthe Alcohol Recovery Center and was promoted to chairman of the department several years later. Following retirement from the Air Force, he engaged in the private practice of psychiatry for several years and became involved in part-time forensic work, testifying as an expert witness in a number of high profile cases. His personal interests revolve around the interface between pshychiatric disorders and substance use disorders. This interest was intensified by his four year experience as psychiatric consultant to the Council for Alchohol and Drug Abuse Services in Chattanooga. Additionally, Dr. Holmes was hnored to participate in a task force effort with TDMHSAS and the Tennessee Hospital Association to decrease Emergency Department boarding times for psychiatric patients. That initiative is now demonstrating that early administration of a standard protocol is sagely and effectively treating patients in psychiatric crisis.
Ben Liske, Student, Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut
Ben Liske recently turned 18 years-old this past May, and is a rising college junior majoring in Pure Mathematics at Trinity College in Hartford, CT. At the age of 23 months, Ben was functionally nonverbal, prone to physical aggression, unresponsive to his family, and lacking eye contact--Ben was diagnosed with “severe Autism and probable cognitive deficits” at the University of Kentucky. Ben began intensive early intervention at the tender age of 26 months. Today, Ben aptly describes himself as follows: “I'm a young college kid...living in a new world. I have long been engaged in the world of music and my aim is for a degree in mathematics. I primarily outlet my emotions through my arts and I have much to give. My background is a humble one, but through association I have come to be someone respected simply for my willingness to learn. My favorite topics include mathematics, design, architecture, music, and patterns. I am a very visual person, though my auditory senses are also rather strong. This might be related to my autism spectrum disorder, but nevertheless it is a crucial part of my essence.”
Juli C. Liske, BS, Nonprofit Consultant, Autism Tennessee, Nashville Tennessee
Juli Liske works with Autism Tennessee as a consultant and is also the president of Red Door Nonprofit Consulting, LLC. From 2008-2017, Juli was the Founder and Executive Director of The Brown Center for Autism here in Nashville. The mission of The Brown Center was to provide comprehensive early intervention to young children with Autism, as well as intensive parent training and support, and community education. Juli has worked in the field of Autism for over 18 years in multiple capacities, including program development, consultation, advocacy, community education/training, research, grant-writing, and administration; and is also the author of In the Eye of the Hurricane: Finding Peace in the Storm of Autism, Spiritbuilding Publishing, 2006. Additionally, Juli is an Authorized Facilitator for Stewards of Children: Child Sexual Abuse Prevention. Juli resides in Brentwood, TN with her husband, and has two exceptional sons ages 28 and 17, both of whom are on the Autism Spectrum, and one amazing daughter, age 27.
Morenike Murphy, LPC-MHSP, Director, Office of Crisis Services and Suicide Prevention, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Nashville, Tennessee
Morenike Murphy currently serves as Director of the Office of Crisis Services and Suicide Prevention for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS). In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the organization and operation of Tennessee’s Crisis Services continuum and an array of suicide prevention programs and supports across Tennessee. In collaboration with community stakeholders across multiple systems, Morenike works to develop and implement statewide strategy, financial sustainability, and ensure the delivery of quality care to individuals seeking care within Tennessee’s crisis services continuum. She was appointed as Director in November 2016 after serving as the department’s Project Coordinator, and later appointed as Project Director, for two federal suicide prevention grants awarded to the State of Tennessee. She has 18 years of experience in the field of social services including: serving as a Mental Health/Criminal Justice Liaison, Crisis Counselor and as a Conservator for individuals with mental health and/or intellectual disabilities.
Prior to joining TDMHSAS, Morenike provided direct services for 15 years to individuals in need of mental health services and persons in a behavioral health crisis; including providing advocacy and making informed decisions on behalf of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She also has been an active advocate for her son who was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder 11 years ago. In her spare time, Morenike has volunteered within various communities, as an advocate for collaboration among mental health providers for several years. The culmination of professional and personal experience with Tennessee’s mental health system provides the background for her current life’s work. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling as well as a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. She is the co-author of a publication on the collaboration among community organizations and community criminal justice programs/drug courts. Morenike is a Nashville native and continues to reside in the city with her two sons, Anthony and Donovan.
Michelle Palmer, LMSW, Systems of Support Operations Manager, Project Transition, Knoxville, Tennessee
Michelle Palmer, LMSW obtained her Bachelors degree in Sociology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Michelle took a few years off to gain experience in the field prior to returning to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville to gain here Masters in Social Work with a concentration in Evidence-Based Interpersonal Practice. Michelle then obtained her LMSW after graduation and is currently working to obtain her LAPSW. Michelle has worked in the field for about 10 years and is currently the Systems of Support Operations Manager for Project Transition. Michelle has been working with Project Transition since August 2016 and in that time, has taken part in trainings with NADD as well as training involving Person-Centered Practices. Michelle has been very involved with the ongoing education and awareness of mental health and intellectual and developmental disabilities in the east region.
Kris Roberts, MA, LSPE, BCBA, Intensive Consultation Team Director, East Regional Office, Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Greeneville, Tennessee
Kris Roberts is originally from Wisconsin but has lived in the south for the majority of her life. She is a graduate of Western Carolina University with a master’s degree in clinical psychology and completed post-graduate work in behavior analysis at East TN State University. Her career began more than 30 years ago facilitating support group sessions for eating disorder patients but relatively quickly began to focus, both personally and professionally, on improving the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is currently the Intensive Consultation Team Director for the East Regional Office of the TN Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and the proud sister-in-law of Parks Roberts for the past 29 years. Professionally, Mrs. Roberts is an instructor in Professional Crisis Management, Mental Health First Aid, and most recently Building Strong Brains TN. She is an active member of Regions 1, 2, and 3 Community Provider Partnership meetings; Current Secretary of the TN Chapter of the National Association for Dual Diagnosis; facilitator for the Mental Health Coalition TN 10th Judicial District; Vice Chair of the Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Advisory Council, Disability Rights TN ; a Consultant to the Vulnerable Adult Protective Investigative Team, Sullivan County TN, and Secretary of TDMHSAS Region 2 Planning and Policy Council. The most important role she will ever have; however, has been as a wife and mother of 4 children.
Zachary Stevens, MS, LBA, BCBA, Clinical Director, Practical Behavior Analysis, Madison, Tennessee
Zachary Stevens is the Clinical Director of Practical Behavior Analysis, a recently-founded provider of applied behavior analysis services to children and adults with varying disabilities across the state of Tennessee. Zachary is a Licensed and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, who has worked in this field for nearly 10 years. Over the last 4 years, Zachary has worked as a DIDD Behavior Service Provider, providing both direct services to supported individuals, as well as clinical supervision to 10 other DIDD Behavior Service Providers. Throughout this time, Zachary has consulted with residential agencies, crisis management agencies, mental health professionals, and DIDD personnel in order to improve outcomes for clients whose behavioral challenges require the use of crisis management strategies.
Babs Tierno, MEd, Executive Director, Autism Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee
Babs Tierno is the Executive Director of Autism Tennessee. She has Bachelor degrees in Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Interdisciplinary Legal Studies from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville and her Master’s degree in Education from Middle Tennessee State University. Babs has 10 years of non-profit experience. Previously, she worked for the Tennessee Justice Center, a non-profit that advocates for Tennessee families to get needed healthcare. Prior to this, she was the Program Director for Williamson County CASA which advocates for abused and neglected children. Babs experience with autism is personal. Her oldest son, now 8, was diagnosed at the age of two, and her youngest son was also recently diagnosed. Babs lives in Gallatin with her husband and children.
Ellyn Wilbur, Executive Director, Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations (TAMHO), Nashville, Tennessee
Ellyn Wilbur received her BA and MPA degrees from the University of Memphis. She has worked in the field of community behavioral health and social services for more than 30 years. She is currently the Executive Director of the Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations (TAMHO), a trade association that represents the community behavioral health providers in Tennessee. In this role, she helps to promote TAMHO’s mission: to serve its members; to promote the advancement of effective behavioral health services; and advocates for people in need of care.Her previous experiences include serving as the founding Executive Director of Case Management, Inc. in Memphis, Tennessee, Director of Policy for United Ways of Tennessee and Vice-President for Children’s Services for Magellan Health in Nashville Tennessee.
Marie Williams, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Nashville, Tennessee
Marie Williams, LCSW, was appointed Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) by Governor Bill Haslam, effective October 22, 2016.
As Commissioner, Ms. Williams oversees and leads the Department in its role as the State’s public mental health and substance abuse authority with an annual budget of $371 Million. Provides management and oversight of 1,846 full-time positions that assist individuals to secure treatment and recovery services for serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbances, and substance abuse addiction. This also includes system planning; monitoring, licensing, evaluation, and setting policy and quality standards; collaboration with other state and community agencies; and work to educate the community about mental health and substance abuse services. Oversight includes community mental health and substance abuse programs and the operation of four regional mental health institutes. Community behavioral health services are provided through contracted relationships with more than 260 not-for-profit and faith-based organizations with over 750 ongoing contractual agreements. The Department also operates four regional mental health institutes which serve in excess of 9,000 individuals on an annual basis. The Department serves approximately 350,000 Tennesseans annually who are struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues.
In her past position as Deputy, Ms. Williams served as top advisor to the Commissioner and managed the departmental budget of over $337 million. Ms. Williams successfully assisted in the Department’s transformation initiative and the closure of Lakeshore Mental Health Institute through strong partnership and collaboration with community providers to move patients into the community and reinvesting $20.5 million into the community. Her leadership secured the support of three East Tennessee private psychiatric in-patient hospital partners to provide services to those patients previously served by Lakeshore.
As Deputy, Ms. Williams worked with former Commissioner E. Douglas Varney regarding the prescription drug abuse epidemic facing our state and participated in the creation of the Prescription for Success initiative, a multi-faceted strategy to address the prescription drug problem in Tennessee. Deputy Williams also made a concerted effort to oversee the implementation of more “low-cost, high-impact” programs in the community.
Ms. Williams also served as the Assistant Commissioner of Mental Health Services where she worked collaboratively to expand consumer-based recovery services. Her division oversaw the statewide planning process as well as the successful implementation of the behavioral health safety net program, which provides services for persons who were disenrolled from TennCare. Her initiative, the Creating Homes Initiative (CHI), since its creation has leveraged $6 Million and developed 18,000 supportive housing options along a continuum that allows for persons diagnosed with mental illness and co-occurring disorders to live in their communities in the least-restrictive settings.
Williams has also served as a Community Builder Fellow with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), director of homeless services for Catholic Charities of Memphis, and led the Homeless Services at the Midtown Mental Health Center in Memphis. She is the mother of Nicole Williams.
Matt Yancey, Deputy Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Nashville, Tennessee
Matt Yancey serves as the Deputy Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS). In this role, he provides leadership for the Department's community behavioral health programs, including the Division of Mental Health Services, the Division of Substance Abuse Services, and the Office of Research. As Deputy Commissioner, Matt directly supports the Department's Commissioner in providing, planning for, and promoting a comprehensive array of quality prevention, early intervention, treatment, habilitation, and recovery support services for Tennesseans with mental illness and substance abuse issues. Matt provides oversight of 750+ contracts with vendors to provide community-based programs and services across the state of Tennessee with an annual budget of approximately $200 million and a team of 100+ staff. Prior to being appointed Deputy Commissioner, Matt served as the TDMHSAS Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Mental Health Services. Before coming to TDMHSAS, Matt was the Director for the Office of Children, Young Adults, and Families with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Matt previously served as the Director for the Office of Adolescent and School Health with the Georgia Department of Public Health and as Project Director for a SAMHSA Safe Schools/Healthy Students federal grant awarded to the Cobb County School District (Marietta, Georgia). Matt also has extensive experience in child welfare, having previously served the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services. Matt is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from Berry College, a Master of Social Work from The University of Georgia, and a Master of Public Administration from Kennesaw State University.