LOS ANGELES, Sept. 9, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nearly 1,000 behavioral health professionals from throughout the Americas will be coming to Los Angeles for the Latino Behavioral Health Institute 14th annual conference, Sept. 15 - 18 at the Los Angeles 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.
Plenary speakers include Westley Clark, MD, JD, MPH, CAS, national director, Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Also, Stephen Mayberg, PhD, director, California Department of Mental Health and Marvin J. Southard, DSW, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, will join Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, MD, in a panel discussion on opportunities in behavioral health for the nation's Latino population.
The conference offers 50 workshops on various aspects on mental illness treatment, substance abuse services and related issues. Four pre-conference intensive workshops offer instruction in successful grant writing and working with Latino families.
Cultural elements will include music, poetry, art book signings and a play by Chusma. Internationally known Luis Valdez, founder of "Teatro Campesino" and "Zoot Suit" will be honored for his artistic contributions to Hispanic/Latino theatre.
Pricing - How to Register
Pricing for the conference is $200 for all three days; pre-conference workshops are $75. Combined packages are discounted at $225 for the main conference and pre-conference sessions. Single-day packages are also available. Licensed behavioral health professionals may earn continuing education (CE) credits for some of the sessions, and may be requested via the registration process. To register or for further information, call (818) 831-3395 or visit www.lbhi.org.
About LBHI
Latino Behavioral Health Institute is a non-profit corporation founded by Ambrose Rodriguez, MPA 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. Contact Ambrose Rodriguez at (818) 665-6735 or arod@lbhi.org for details.