Spring Conference session descriptions

Explore Jackson County’s approach to building bridges and navigating services and supports for the carceral population with behavioral health needs, both while in custody and when transitioning out of custody. This panel will also focus on Jackson County’s coordinated care and use of community partnership in implementing a successful Deflection program per M110.

Presenters

• Josh Aldrich, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
• Vicky Armstrong, MBS, MA, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
• Leticia Longoria-Navarro, The Pathfinder Network
• Megan Marx, MPA, NCPRSS, Medford Treatment Center
• Brandon Orr, QMHA-R, Reclaiming Lives–Recovery Café
• Rebecca Pietila, City of Medford Police Department
• Patrick Secrest BS, CADC II, Medford Treatment Center
• Ben Spence, CRM II, Addictions Recovery Center

This session will explore the integration of health care services with housing programs to improve health outcomes. Speakers will present models that connect individuals to stable housing while embedding healthcare services such as case management, physical and behavioral health support, and more.

Presenters

• Dan Cano, JD, Opportunities for Housing, Resources and Assistance
• Sam Engel, Rogue Retreat
• Zulma Larios, La Clinica
• Patricia Schein, FNP, La Clinica
• Sommer Wolcott, MS, LPC,CRC, OnTrack Rogue Valley

The objective is to highlight the importance of early screening and intervention and the need for understanding of the system to best help the child. The cross-sector panel will address the local Jackson County System within the context of the multi-tiered systems of support model.

Presenters

• Rene Brandon, Southern Oregon Early Learning Hub
• Erin Cue, Jackson County Mental Health
• Lona Dillard, Southern Oregon Pediatrics
• Elizabeth Jaffee-Stafford, Family Nurturing Center
• Fabiola Reyes, Southern Oregon Head Start – Listo
• Erin Norton, Jackson County Public Health – CaCoon Program
• Heather Oliver, FACT Oregon

Explore Jackson County’s approach to building bridges and navigating services and supports for the carceral population with behavioral health needs, both while in custody and when transitioning out of custody. This panel will also focus on Jackson County’s coordinated care and use of community partnership in implementing a successful Deflection program per M110.

Presenters

• Josh Aldrich, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
• Vicky Armstrong, MBS, MA, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
• Leticia Longoria-Navarro, The Pathfinder Network
• Megan Marx, MPA, NCPRSS, Medford Treatment Center
• Brandon Orr, QMHA-R, Reclaiming Lives–Recovery Café
• Rebecca Pietila, City of Medford Police Department
• Patrick Secrest BS, CADC II, Medford Treatment Center
• Ben Spence, CRM II, Addictions Recovery Center

School-based health centers (SBHCs) play a pivotal role in improving the health and well-being of students and their families, particularly those from underserved communities. This session will explore the integral function of SBHCs as critical access points for health care, offering services such as mental health support, primary care, dental care and preventive screenings. Attendees will learn how SBHCs reduce barriers to care by providing accessible, convenient and culturally competent services within the school setting, meeting the unique needs of vulnerable populations. This session will also highlight challenges, opportunities and strategies for expanding SBHCs to enhance access to care for populations that are often excluded from traditional health care systems. Join us for a comprehensive discussion on how SBHCs are not just health care facilities but transformative community resources that bridge critical gaps in access to care.

Panel Presenters

From Rogue Community Health: 

• Ryan Ebersberger, LCSW
• Kourtni Faber, EPDH
• Ceci Robe
• Michelle McCormick, CHW/YRN 

From La Clinica:

• Saul Cervantes, BHSS
• Angela Parker, RN, BSN
• Ashley Silver, CADC-1, QMHA-1
• Camry Young, MHT

This session will examine the challenges and promises of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) as a strategy for addressing homelessness and improving health outcomes. Speakers will discuss the impact of PSH, the barriers to implementation and expansion, and the role of health care partnerships in sustaining these programs.

Presenters

• Joseph Chick, MBA, MA, ColumbiaCare Services
• Matt Northrop, Maslow Project
• Mike Savara, LCSW, Oregon Housing and Community Services

The power of us: Building connection and choosing joy

Presenters

• Geneva Craig, PhD, RN

A celebration and highlight of the critical work done by some of the Rogue Valley’s key community partners in youth engagement. Youth panelists will share the meaning and significance of this type of engagement and how it can help translate to healthy social development and outcomes for young people.

Presenters

• Ami Dwyer, Rogue Action Center
• Jaerod "Jay" Garcia, Maslow Project
• Sylvia Hernandez, Rogue Valley Mentoring
• Cadhla Rae, Youth Era/Medford Drop
• Lucy Wilson, Project Youth Plus

A celebration and highlight of the critical work done by some of the Rogue Valley’s key community partners in community building. Panelists will share best practices for what has worked for them and engage with audience members who would like to learn more and identify new opportunities for future engagement and collaboration.

Presenters

• Danica Alexander, MLIS, Deaf Activities of Southern Oregon
• Raia Herges, SO Health-E
• Stephanie Miller, Hearts for Seniors
• Rebecca Pearson, Rogue Action Center
• Gaelen Thurow, Compass House

Gender-affirming care is essential for supporting the well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals and cultivating stronger, more inclusive communities. In this session, we will explore how gender-affirming care improves individual lives and enhances community health. Key topics will include the benefits of inclusive health services and the essential strategies for providing culturally competent care. We will delve into areas such as staff training, direct patient services, community outreach and infrastructure building. Join us to discuss how we can create lasting, positive change for individuals and communities.

Presenters

• Danielle Mancuso, MS, La Clinica

Join us for an insightful panel discussion featuring community-based organizations contracted with Jackson Care Connect to provide traditional health worker (THW) services, focusing on how these organizations connect diverse populations to essential health resources. We’ll explore how these organizations connect clients to health services, including physical, mental, and oral health and substance use treatment, while learning about the barriers they face. Finally, we will discuss potential solutions to these barriers and highlight the positive impact THWs have on clients’ overall health.

Presenters

• Tiffany Atkinson, CRM II, The Pathfinder Network
• Kathy Keesee, Unete
• Katie Lechuga, Family Nurturing Center
• Cheyenne Nichols, Maslow Project
• Paul Sequeira, BS, THW, QMHA, Rogue Retreat

This session focuses on behavioral health care supports and services for members that are inclusive of their cultural norms, values, customs and needs. It will highlight services offered and positive outcomes, as well as considerations in providing culturally rooted behavioral health care.

Presenters

• Asucena Aguilera – QMHA-R, La Clinica
• Stephanie Casteneda, PSS, Reclaiming Lives–Recovery Café El Camino Seguro
• Larry Howell, CRM II, PSS, HIV Alliance
• Stephanie Mendenhall, Reclaiming Lives–Recovery Café El Camino Seguro
• Jeremy Molck, MA, LPC, QMHP, Columbia Care Services
• Katie Vander Laan, QMHP, La Clinica
• Whitney Yeust, CADC I, CPS, QMHA II, CGAC-R, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians

This interactive session will explore strategies for deepening collaborations between housing and health care to improve health outcomes. Panelists will share their experiences navigating the challenges and opportunities of cross-sector partnerships, offering insights into best practices, policy considerations and innovative approaches to integrating housing and health care services.

Presenters

• Stacy Brubaker, LCSW, CPH, Jackson County Mental Health
• Melanie Doshier, ACCESS
• Jason Elzy, Housing Authority of Jackson County
• Rachel Smith, MPH, Providence

This session will explore the Health Related Social Needs Benefit, including scope, eligibility, referral pathways, and available resources.

Presenters

• Lauren Schmidt, ATR, LPC, CareOregon
• Sadie Wade, BS, Jackson Care Connect

Join this session for a celebration and highlight of the critical work done by some of the Rogue Valley's key community partners in community building. Panelists will share best practices for what has worked for them and engage with audience members who would like to learn more and identify new opportunities for future engagement and collaboration.

Presenters

• Brenda Aguilera, Project Youth Plus
• Jocksana Corona, Coalición Fortaleza
• Teina Faaeteete, White City Samoan Seventh Day Adventist Pathfinders
• Apaau Fuataga, Samoan Pacific Development Corporation
• Andromeda Safotu, White City Samoan Seventh Day Adventist Pathfinders
• Lili Vargas, Project Youth Plus

This session will highlight innovative approaches to integrating nutrition support into health care systems and community services, developing models that that prioritize food as medicine.

Presenters

• Marcee Champion, ACCESS
• Melissa Isavoran, MS, CPHQ, Foodsmart
• Micayla McNeely, ACCESS
• Anne-Marie Rodriguez, Rogue Food Unites

In the ever-changing landscape of immigration law and enforcement, how can agencies and caring community members show up for the immigrant community with heart and hand.

Presenters

• Laura Lindley-Gutierrez, JD, LLM, Andreeva & Gutierrez Law, LLC

Presenters

• Emma Sandoe, Oregon Health Authority Medicaid Director

This session explores local efforts to build a pipeline between educators and the behavioral health community that retains our workforce and provides continuing educational supports.

Presenters

• Kane Cottle, PSS, CRM, The Pathfinder Network
• Grace Enriquez, La Clinica–The Learning Well
• Stephanie Mendenhall, Reclaiming Lives–Recovery Café
• Stephanie Roland, CFRE, Ashland Community Foundation
• Robin Sansing, MSW, LCSW, Southern Oregon University
• Katrin Yount, OnTrack - On-Pace

Learn about the work of Mercy Flights transforming care through innovative models and community partnerships by redesigning the emergency response and the impact of Mobile Integrated Health and Mobile Crisis Response.

Presenters

• Sabrina Ballew and Sheila Clough, Mercy Flights

In this presentation, we will discuss the PHLOW Program, an integrated psychiatric care initiative within La Clinica’s broader integrated behavioral health model. We’ll explore how the program improves access to psychiatric services, supports primary care teams in managing behavioral health and reduces unnecessary referrals. Additionally, we’ll highlight how the program supports the right level of care, promotes cost savings while upskilling primary care providers to handle mild to moderate behavioral health concerns and informs organization wide policies, programming and care philosophies. We will also address the financial sustainability of the program and the successful partnership between our organization and payors.

Presenters

• Laura Bridges, LCSW, MPH, La Clinica
• Rosa Ruggiero, PMHNP, La Clinica

This session will explore the Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) Benefit, including scope, eligibility, referral pathways and available resources.

Presenters

• Lauren Schmidt, ATR, LPC, CareOregon
• Sadie Wade, BS, Jackson Care Connect