The Event, Largest of Its Kind, Brings Together More Than 1,000
Behavioral Health Professionals From Throughout the Americas
National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Director
Dennis Cline to Deliver Keynote Address
LOS ANGELES, July 25, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- More than 1,000 behavioral health professionals from throughout the Americas will be coming to Los Angeles for the Latino Behavioral Health Institute 13th annual conference, Oct. 1 - 4 at the Airport Marriott Hotel, 5855 West Century Boulevard. The event will provide opportunities to share best practices in planning, treating and evaluating behavioral health services for the Latino population. Attendees will gain knowledge of evidenced-based practices and practical advice on how to address culture-specific issues in their Latino clients.
This year's theme, "Transformation and Recovery in Latino Behavioral Health," reflects the two most important issues in Latino behavioral health today. The first is the national effort being driven by the President's Commission on Mental Health to transform the system of care to better serve Latino communities and alleviate disparities in services and the workforce. The second issue is the emerging concept of client-led recovery, in which the recipient of services has a voice in developing, carrying out and evaluating his or her services.
"With the Latino community growing, it is important to establish a sound body of knowledge of Latino behavioral health, and be able to share that knowledge with all stakeholders who treat that community," says Ambrose Rodriguez, president, Latino Behavioral Health Institute and assistant director, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (retired). "The conference brings together pioneers of Latino mental health and substance abuse treatment. It is imperative that professionals across the country working with Latinos share their best practices with each other."
More than 45 million Latinos/Hispanics now live in the U.S. and reside in every state of the Union. According to a research report by William Vega PhD, of Princeton University, and Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola MD, PhD, of UC Davis, mental illness and substance abuse disorders among Latinos born and raised in the U.S. occur at the same rate as that of the American mainstream populations. However, instances among immigrant Latinos escalate to the same rate after 13 years of residence in the U.S. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that by 2050 Latinos will constitute 25 percent of the total U.S. population, making advanced knowledge of Latino behavioral health an economic and public health imperative.
Keynote Address, Breakout Sessions
The Conference's keynote address will be delivered by Dennis Cline, Ph.D., director of the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. Appointed to his current post by President George W. Bush, Cline previously served as mental health commissioner for the State of Oklahoma.
The list of presenters for this year's conference includes a roster of nationally distinguished behavioral health leaders:
* H.W. Clark, director, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment; * Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola PhD, MD Professor of Internal Medicine, and Director for Reducing Disparities, UC Davis School of Medicine; * Luis Zayas, PhD, professor, Washington University, St. Louis. Mo.; * MaJose Carasco, director, Cultural Competence, NAMI, Washington, DC; * Juan Ramos, PhD, National Institute of Mental Health (retired); and * Alex Kopelowicz, MD, Medical Director, San Fernando Mental Health Center and President, Society of Hispanic Psychiatry.
More than 50 workshops will be offered. Continuing education units (CEUs) are available for most courses (credits for continuing medical education and psychology continuing education pending). Session highlights include:
* "Latina Teenagers and Gang Membership," presented by Avelardo Valdez, Ph.D.; * "Disparities in Latino Behavioral Health," presented by Gaxiola; * "Teenage Latina Suicide," presented by Zayas, Ph.D. * "AIDS and HIV issues in the Latino Community," by Juan Paz, Ph.D. * "Mexican music and its meaning in Latino Behavioral Health," by Luis Ramirez MD; and * "In Our Own Voice," a workshop exploring the benefits of patients taking an active role in their treatment, presented by Carasco.
Pre-Conference Sessions, Entertainment
Two pre-conference sessions will be offered Oct. 1. A symposium on working with Latino families will be led by Maria Angelica Gonzalez, PhD and Jose Luis Flores of the Phillips Institute; and another, "Using an Interpreter in Behavioral Health," will be presented by Lidia Gamulin, LCSW. In addition, entertainment will be offered, including Mariachi music and an evening comedy program.
Sponsors
Event sponsors include Substance Abuse Mental Health Agency, National Institute of Mental Health, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, CSAT Latino Stakeholders, LA County Department of Mental Health, LA County Department of Health, LA County Department of Children and Family Services, Pacific Clinics, and the National Hispanic Council on Aging.
The 2007 Conference will also feature a vendor fair. Tables for vendors are available. For further information, contact Irma Martinez at (818) 661-8374.
Prices, Registration Information
The cost of the three-day conference is $200; single-day packages are $75. Online registration begins August 1. To register on line, go to www.lbhi.org.
For further information, or to register by phone, contact Latino Behavioral Health Institute at (213) 538-0225 or visit www.lbhi.org.
About LBHI
Latino Behavioral Health Institute is a non-profit corporation founded by CEO Ambrose Rodriguez, MPA, and and Alex Kopelowicz, MD, and incorporated in 1996 (EIN No.: 93-1195514). LBHI's mission is to enhance skills of persons interested or involved in providing behavioral health services to the Latino community. The Institute is dedicated to eliminating discrimination against persons in need of behavioral health services, human services or health care.
LBHI accomplishes its mission by providing training, education (interactive and dyadic) and experiential opportunities to persons involved in human services with the Latino community. The Institute's activities are intended for consumers, family members, professional care providers, administrators, educators, researchers and trainers.
EDITOR: Press passes are available to reporters and camera crews covering the conference. For details, contact Ambrose Rodriguez at (818) 831-3395 or arod@lbhi.org.