July 8, 1 to 3:30 pm PT
Welcome Remarks
Jessica Cruz. NAMI California CEO
Keynote Address
“Why We Should Bring Conversations about Race and Racism to the Table” with Dr. Jei Africa, PsyD, Practicing Clinician, Director at Behavioral Health and Recovery Services at County of Marin, Department of Health and Human Services; NAMI California Board Secretary
Q&A With Keynote Speaker
Facilitator: Brianna Vargas, MS, Director of Community Engagement, NAMI CA
Workshop
Smudging for Healing, Mirna Xiuhyolotl Juarez, Owner of Fireheart Botanicals; Member of StockSolid and InnerG
Closing Remarks
Ragini Lal, Community Engagement Manager, NAMI CA
July 9, 1 to 3:30 pm PT
Welcome Remarks
Steven Kite, Chief Operating Officer, NAMI California
Keynote Address
“Behavioral Health and Law Enforcement: Developing an Understanding” with Tiffany Ross, LCSW, Behavioral Health Services Supervisor; Community Behavioral Health Assessment Team – CBAT Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Program Coordinator; Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health
Q&A with Keynote Speaker
Facilitator: Ragini Lal, Community Engagement Manager, NAMI CA
Breakout Session 1 – Call to Action: Building
Initiatives to Reduce Mental Health Disparities Among Diverse Communities in the Criminal Justice System
Facilitators: Dr. Ania Townsell, Psy.D., Psychology Postdoctoral Resident, Kaiser Permanente & Ragini Lal
Breakout Session 2 – Call to Action: Creating
Innovative Strategies to Mitigate the Mental Health Crisis Among Immigrant Populations (Including Refugees, Asylum Seekers)
Facilitators: Maria Alaniz, MPH, Project Manager, UCD Center for Reducing Health Disparities & Brianna Vargas, MS
Closing Remarks
Ragini Lal, Community Engagement Manager, NAMI CA
July 10, 1 to 3:30 pm PT
Welcome Remarks
Angela Brand, VP of Strategic Development, NAMI CA
Panel: Collaborative Community-Based Innovations
Plenary:
- Luther Richert
Chief Services Officer of L.A.’s South County for Mental Health America of Los Angeles - NamQuyên (Q) Lê & JR Kuo
National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA) - Dr. Rhonda Brinkley-Kennedy, PsyD
CEO & Founder of South Central Training Consortium, Inc.
Q&A with Panel
Facilitator: Tory Martinez, Community Engagement Manager, NAMI CA
Activity: Self-Care- Building Daily Habits
JR Kuo, CEO of CoffeeWithJR, Program Director at NAAPIMHA
Closing Remarks
Brianna Vargas, MS, Director of Community Engagement, NAMI CA
Previous Multicultural Symposiums
Recap of our October 2019 Multicultural Symposium
Read reports from our previous Multicultural Symposiums
Participants
Jei Africa
Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Marin County and NAMI California Board Secretary
Jei Africa, PsyD, MSCP, CATC-V, Director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) at the County of Marin, is an innovative thought-leader and clinician who is passionate about integrating effective culturally responsive practices into the core functioning of County health services. Dr. Africa has 2 decades of counseling, teaching, consulting, and private practice expertise in the areas of behavioral health, trauma, health equity and diversity. His prior roles include: Director of the Office of Diversity and Equity with the San Mateo County Health System, Clinical Director at Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse, and Manager of Youth Treatment Services at Asian American Recovery Services.
JR Kuo
Owner of CoffeeWithJRJ
R Kuo is the CEO of CoffeeWithJR, a mental health training services organization, and a professional speaker, trainer, and coach. He is also the Program Director of NAAPIMHA. He is specialized in mental health, diversity and inclusion, and business development. JR has over 10 years of experience in public speaker, and has trained students, faculties, and staff at over 40 universities and conferences across the United States, including Harvard University, Stanford University, and Vanderbilt University. He has been an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado Boulder and Denver, teaching leadership, cultural competency, and mental health. He is also a Mental Health First Aid instructor. In additional to professional speaker, JR has 10 years of experience managing and running nonprofit organizations and small businesses. He also provides corporate training that focuses on leadership development, diversity and inclusion, and mental health in the workplace.
More coming soon!