Post-COVID Realities in Mental Health
A Pathway to Behavioral Health Wellness:
Featuring Keynote Speaker: David T. Jones
As we collectively emerge from the pandemic, understanding individual, family, and community strategies that contribute to wellness are essential. Science has demonstrated that wellness is more than the absence of illness, it includes experiencing happiness, joy, and thriving. Moreover, creating pathways that facilitate long-term sustained recovery from mental illness, substance use disorder, or co-occurring disorders is key to managing mental wellness.
Our speaker will address the noted discussion matters, as well as individual wellness in lieu of processes, re-emergence of symptoms of mental illness, and associated negative impact. Recognizing that both mental illness, substance use disorder, and/or addiction are chronic diseases is a critical consideration when planning a comprehensive, fully integrated health system that is capable of meeting the needs of broad and diverse populations and communities.
Through Federal, State, and local resources, mental health practitioners can access information to help ensure more individuals, families, and communities experience behavioral and physical health wellness. Register for MHC2023 to become better informed about prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and the connection with the social determinants of health.
About the Speaker:
David T. Jones, is the Chief Behavioral Health Officer for the State of Illinois,
Office of Governor JB Pritzker David T. Jones serves as the Chief Behavioral Health
Officer focusing on further transforming how Illinois supports mental, emotional,
and overall behavioral health wellness for all Illinoisians. has produced measurable
results to improve the lives of children, adults and families with behavioral health
needs. He possesses a vast in-depth knowledge of state and federal regulations, inclusive
of Medicaid managed care and Mental Health Rehabilitation Standards. David has managed
an urban and suburban public behavioral health system that achieved outcomes inclusive
of increasing access to care and expanding the range of services available to people
with behavioral health care needs.
What to Expect
From social isolation and financial uncertainty to grief, anxiety, and depression, the pandemic has brought about unprecedented challenges and stressors that have significantly impacted people’s mental wellbeing.
At this year’s Mental Health Conference, we will explore various ways in which COVID-19 has affected mental health, share strategies for supporting individuals and communities, and discuss ways to promote mental wellness in a post-pandemic world. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from a keynote presenter and choose from a variety of breakout sessions.
Who Should Attend
Those interested in learning about mental health issues will gain valuable information. Participants who work in healthcare, education, counseling, social services, and emergency services are especially encouraged to attend.
Continuing Education and Professional Development
6.0 CEUs available to Social Workers, Nursing Home Administrators, Registered Nurses, Advanced Practical Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Speech Pathologists through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
6.0 PDs for Teachers through the Illinois State Board of Education.
6.0 PDCs for Human Resources professionals through SHRM.
Registration Information
Early Bird Registration through March 31: $49 ($59 including CEU/PD)
Registration from April 1-30: $59 ($69 including CEU/PD)
Late Registration from May 1-17: $79 ($89 including CEU/PD)
REGISTRATION CLOSES MAY 17, 2023.
For additional information, please email wdceprofessions@prairiestate.edu or call (708) 709-2957.
Breakout Speakers
Coasting on Fumes: Compassion Fatigue in the Post-COVID Landscape
This presentation will aid listeners in defining compassion fatigue and associated terms, in identifying mitigating factors associated with compassion fatigue, in recognizing signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue, in learning about effective strategies to prevent or offset compassion fatigue, and offer self-assessment resources. Special attention will be given to how the COVID-19 pandemic shaped the current experiences of compassion fatigue among clinicians, first responders, and other caregivers. Directions for future research and intervention opportunities will also be discussed.
Presenter Biography
Ashley Kuhl Piwowarski, Psy.D. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Executive Director of Outpatient Services for the Hartgrove Behavioral Health System. Dr. Kuhl Piwowarski joined Hartgrove in 2011 as a post-doctoral fellow and has continued her career there since that time. Clinically, her interests are in assessment and psychotherapy with children, adolescents, and families, and supervision and training of master’s and doctoral level trainees and clinical staff. Dr. Kuhl Piwowarski’s current role focuses on administration, leadership, training, and program development / outcome assessment.
The Trauma of Domestic Violence
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic created an environment that intensified the conditions that often fuel domestic violence. This presentation will discuss Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and its long term effects on victims and their families.
Presenter Biography
Christine Alcorn Catena has 30 years of experience working in government and NPO with children in the care of DCFS, elders, substance abusers and families impacted by domestic violence. Equipped with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Counseling, she serves as the Director of Support Services at the Crisis Center for South Suburbia where she oversees their Partner Abuse Intervention Program, along with medical and legal advocates who assist victims in the hospitals and courts.
Centering Racial Trauma in Mental Health and Ways to Support Healing
For the past several years, there has been a national increase in targeted attacks and acts of hate and violence toward individuals, groups, communities, and organizations based on their identities; whether it be based on race (specifically the BIPOC community), religion, immigrants, or the LGBTQ community.
These acts of hate, fear of such acts, or the daily online harassment and contempt for such people can and has created an increase in mental health stressors and mental health traumas that impact them and their abilities to function in increasingly more profound ways than has been seen previously.
Come and learn in this interactive and meaningful workshop how you can help interrupt the hate while bringing hope to people and communities; all while sharpening your clinical skills and gaining new tools!
Presenter Biography
Krista Woods, M.S.W., LCSW and clinical therapist licensed in IL, IN, TX, and FL (for telehealth). She owns Integrity Clinical Consulting & Training with offices in Homewood, IL and Dallas, TX. Integrity provides clinical therapy services to clients, with a focus on BIPOC clients and those who have experienced trauma. She is an international presenter and trainer since 1994 on diversity, equity and inclusion, mental health, domestic violence, substance use, and child welfare.
She is biracial person of color (POC), and has worked serving BIPOC, LGBTQ and immigrant communities in diverse settings her entire career.
The Promise of Public Education: Why Mental Health Must Be a Priority for Adults and Youth in Schools
This presentation will outline the purpose of public education and the current need for mental health support to achieve this purpose. The presenter will discuss how changing demographics and the residual effects of COVID has impacted mental health in schools. A vision for reframing schools to include intentional support for adults and students mental well-being will be provided to the participants.
Presenter Biography
Dr. Genevra Walters is the Superintendent of Schools for Kankakee School District 111. She has presented at numerous local, state, national and international conferences on issues related to education and issues affecting children, families and community health and wellness.
Dr. Walters began working as an administrator in the Kankakee School District as an Assistant Principal at Kankakee High School and Principal at Mark Twain School. She left the district to serve as Director of Human Resources and then Superintendent at SPEED Special Education School District #802 in Chicago Heights. In May 2014, Dr. Walters returned to Kankakee School District 111 to serve in her current role.
Walters attended Jane Adams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she obtained both bachelor's and master's degrees in school social work. She began her career in education as a school social worker in Kankakee School District 111. After working in the school district with students who struggled in school, she returned to Illinois State University to complete a doctorate in Special Education, with a focus on teacher education and research.
Social Media Impact On Children and Teens Mental Health
Social media has become an integral part of modern life, particularly among children and teenagers. While social media can provide many benefits such as social connection, entertainment, and education, there is growing concern about its impact on children's mental health.
Some studies have shown that excessive use of social media can lead to increased feelings of loneliness, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem in children and teenagers. This may be due to the pressure to present a perfect image online, cyberbullying, and the constant comparison to others.
Parents and caregivers can take steps to promote healthy social media use in children. This can include setting limits on screen time, encouraging physical activity and face-to-face social interaction, monitoring for signs of cyberbullying, and having open conversations with children about their online experiences.
It's also important for parents and caregivers to model healthy social media habits themselves, as children often learn by example. By promoting a balanced approach to social media use, parents and caregivers can help children develop healthy habits and maintain good mental health.
Presenter Biography
The voice of Dr. Ruby E. Powell has been heard as a corporate trainer, motivational/inspirational public speaker, and professional development Empowerment Coach, Counselor, and Consultant, as well as a ministry leader/teacher. Additionally, Dr. Powell is gifted in administration and organization, as a workshop leader, and curriculum developer. She is the author of business and spiritual training curriculum and workshop materials. She uses her gifts of coaching, counseling, and consulting to motivate and encourage life change in people, both naturally and spiritually.
Dr. Powell is the Executive Director of Dr. Ruby E. Powell & Associates, LLC (www.rubyepowell.com) as well as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Oasis Empowerment Zone, Inc. (NFP) (www.oasisempowermentzone.com). Dr. Ruby E. Powell & Associates, LLC is a company that was designed to Empower Leadership in Life and Business through providing Results Driven Coaching, Empowerment Counseling, and Solution-Focused Consulting with individual and group coaching programs, individual counseling and business consulting.
The Oasis Empowerment Zone, Inc. (NFP) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that was started to provide single mothers with encouragement and life empowerment through workshops, low to no cost (income based) life and business coaching, and networking opportunities with other single mothers. The motto of the Oasis Empowerment Zone is, “Where dreams become visions, visions become goals, and goals become reality!” The goal is to help lower income single mothers to achieve self-sufficiency and go from minimum wage to middle class and beyond. A subsidiary of the Oasis Empowerment Zone, Inc. (NFP), the Y.ME.N.T.O.R. program (Young Mother’s Educational Network for Teaching, Outreach, and Resources) assist young mothers between the ages of 12 and 25 receive individual strength-based, outcome-driven mentoring services from trained mentors.
Dr. Powell has dedicated more than 30 years of her life to serving the needs of children and families plagued by abuse, neglect, mental illness, substance abuse, sexual abuse, and domestic violence.
Dr. Powell has dedicated more than 30 years of her life to serving the needs of children and families plagued by abuse, neglect, mental illness, substance abuse, sexual abuse, and domestic violence.
On a personal note, Dr. Powell is married to Tony Powell, a minister, professional singer, actor and vocal coach. Tony and Ruby are the authors of a relationship manual entitled, It’s All His Fault/It’s All Her Fault: The Blame Game...The Right Way! as well as contributing authors in Master of Marriage: an anthology available at www.theblamegame.us and on Amazon. She is the proud mother of four incredibly, amazing children (Adya, 31 (son-in-love, Matt & granddaughter, Melody Rae); Kasiya aka K.J., 18; Nathan, 16, and Jonathan, 14). She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice/Pre-Law from the University of Illinois-Chicago, a Master’s of Science degree in Psychology/Community Counseling and Guidance from Chicago State University, and a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership/Curriculum and Instruction from the School of Advanced Studies at the University of Phoenix. Her hobbies include reading, writing, spending quality time with the family.
Bridging The Gap To Care For Substance Use Patients Within The Hospital Setting
This presentation will discuss the Chemical Dependency team at Advocate Christ Medical Center. It will cover the make-up of the team and the number of patients the team has seen and sent to treatment to provide a warm handoff to the next level of care. It will include several evidence-based tools that are meant to better assess patient needs while in the hospital (SBIRT, CIWA, COWS). Additionally, it will discuss the formation of Advocate Medication Assisted Recovery Clinic for Opioid Use Disorder treatment, and the use of MAT (suboxone, subutex, etc) to help patient gain recovery. Finally, the presentation will finish with one or two accounts from a peer support specialist with lived experience and actively in recovery.
Presenter Biography
Victoria Zappavigna is a Licensed Clinic Social Worker and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with a BSW from Northern Michigan University and MSW from University of Illinois- Chicago. She has been with Advocate Christ Medical Center for 6 years, first serving as an inpatient social worker, then assuming the role of Manager for the Chemical Dependency Team in November of 2021. Since then, the team has expanded to Advocate Trinity Hospital and has opened the Medication Recovery Clinic in Evergreen Park, IL to service Opioid Use Disorder patients six days a week. Victoria is passionate about behavioral health and substance use patients, and ensuring their needs are being advocated for through all areas within the healthcare setting.
Thank you to our Sponsors and Supporting Partners
Welcome to the Prairie State College Conference Center
The Prairie State College Conference Center is a modern meeting venue offering flexible room arrangements, audio-visual equipment, catering, and customized event planning by a team of professionals who will assist with creating and memorable experience for you, and your attendees.
Directions
PSC is less than 30 miles from Chicago's downtown Loop and is accessible by interstate highways and major roads. For those without automobile transportation, the College is located on a bus route operated by PACE, the Chicago suburbs' main bus company.
Directions to Prairie State College Conference Center
202 S. Halsted Street
Chicago Heights, IL 60411
From the north:
Drive south on I-94 to I-80 west exit. Follow I-80 west about two miles to Halsted Street south exit (Route 1). Take Halsted Street south about three miles to the Vollmer Road. Make a right onto Vollmer Road. Drive slightly less than one block, and make a left into PSC, then park in parking lot D.
Proceed to the sidewalk on the west side of parking lot D. Turn left onto the sidewalk and proceed up the hilly walkway to the double doors (on your right) with a small green sign, “M36.” Upon entry, make an immediate right turn into the Conference Center.
From the north/west:
Take the Tri-State Tollway (294) south to I-80/94 east. Follow I-80/94 east about one mile to Halsted Street south exit (Route 1). Take Halsted Street south about three miles to the Vollmer Road. Make a right onto Vollmer Road. Drive slightly less than one block, and make a left into PSC parking lot D. Proceed to the sidewalk on the west side of parking lot D. Turn left onto the sidewalk and proceed up the hilly walkway to the double doors (on your right) with a small green sign, “M36.” Upon entry, make an immediate right turn into the Conference Center.
From the south:
Drive north on I-57 to the Vollmer Road exit. Follow Vollmer Road east about five miles to the PSC campus on your right. Enter the campus via parking lot D. Proceed to the sidewalk on the west side of parking lot D. Turn left onto the sidewalk and proceed up the hilly walkway to the double doors (on your right) with a small green sign, “M36.” Upon entry, make an immediate right turn into the Conference Center.
From the east:
Follow I-80 west to Halsted Street south exit (Route 1). Take Halsted Street south about three miles to Vollmer Road. Make a right onto Vollmer Road. Drive slightly less than one block, and make a left into PSC parking lot D. Proceed to the sidewalk on the west side of parking lot D. Turn left onto the sidewalk and proceed up the hilly walkway to the double doors (on your right) with a small green sign, “M36.” Upon entry, make an immediate right turn into the Conference Center.
Want to customize this training for your organization?
Call (708) 709-2957 for details.
MHC 2023 Conference Sponsors
