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Department of Mental Health Housing Programs

Room: Windgate 62-63

Speaker(s):

Rosie Anderson-Harper, MA

Presentation: The Department of Mental Health houses several programs to assist Missourians with mental health and substance use disorders obtain and maintain safe, decent, and affordable housing that meets their individual and family needs. These programs, which are supported through federal and state funds, are key to helping Missourians in need and their families attain self-determination, self-sufficiency, and integration with the community.

Objectives:

  • Provide an overview of DMH housing programs
  • Highlight the Continuum of Care model for addressing homelessness in Missouri communities
  • Give an overview of the Person-Centered approach to housing

Slides and Handouts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Cannabis Use and the Developing Mind: Effects, Risks, and Mental Health Impact

Room: Paradise B

Speaker(s):

Rebecca Preston, PhD

Presentation: Due to the changing attitude towards cannabis, and the increasing decriminalization of non-medical marijuana, cannabis use is at historically high levels among adolescents and young adults – with daily or near daily use continuing to rise. At the same time, perception of risk associated with cannabis use has decreased. Exposing developing brains to cannabis disrupts brain development and behavior, primes the brain for being more susceptible to developing other forms of addiction later in life, and impacts trajectories leading to psychosis, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other substance use disorders. Of the various mental health disorders, significant attention has focused on the co-occurrence of cannabis use and psychosis.

Objectives:

  • Understand the association between cannabis use during brain development and cognition, emotional functioning, and the risk of developing mental health disorders, particularly psychosis
  • Highlight the developmental, acute, and long-term effects of cannabis use
  • Raise awareness that regular THC use during brain development is not a benign activity and can impact brain, behavior, and mental health trajectories

Slides and Handouts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Blind Spots in Justice: Recognizing and Reducing Cognitive Bias in Forensic Psychology

Room: Windgate 60-61

Speaker(s):

Kritika Chauhan, PsyD

Presentation: Forensic psychology plays a critical role in shaping decisions that impact justice, safety, and individual lives. Yet even the most skilled professionals are vulnerable to cognitive biases that can subtly influence judgement. This introductory level presentation will examine the most common cognitive biases encountered in forensic settings and review the contextual and systematic factors that contribute to these biases. The session will also identify strategies to reduce the impact of cognitive biases. By fostering awareness and offering mitigating approaches, the session aims to enhance fairness, accuracy, and professional integrity in forensic practice and decision-making.

Objectives:

  • Define common cognitive biases observed in forensic psychology settings
  • Explore individual, organizational, and contextual factors that contribute to the development and reinforcement of cognitive biases
  • Identify practical strategies and interventions to reduce the impact of cognitive biases in forensic practice

Slides and Handouts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2025 Spring Training Institute Outstanding Performer Awards

Paradise Ballroom ABC

 

The Department of Mental Health, Division of Behavioral Health, is recognizing three Outstanding Performers for Housing, Supported Employment, and Recovery Support Services.  These awards go to agencies that exemplify the DMH Mission of serving, empowering, and supporting Missourians to live their best lives.

The Department of Mental Health, Division of Behavioral Health, is recognizing three categories of Outstanding Performers this year: Recovery Support Services, Supported Employment, and Housing.  These awards go to agencies that exemplify the DMH Mission of serving, empowering and supporting Missourians to live their best lives. 

 

The 2025 Outstanding Performer Award for Recovery Support Services is Recovery Lighthouse. 

Recovery Lighthouse is a Recovery Support Access Site managing vouchers for the Central Region of the state.  They provide an array of recovery support services, including counseling, support groups, housing, and peer coaching.  They have developed the curriculum for the Family Recovery Program and have generously trained other providers on this model.  They started two new Recovery Community Centers in 2024: Beacon of Hope Recovery Community Center in Sedalia and The Pier Recovery Community Center in Warrensburg.  These new Recovery Community Centers are already a valuable resource in their communities. 

Pictured accepting the award for Recovery Lighthouse is Adriatik Likcani, Executive Director, and his recovery team. 

Six people stand together, smiling at the camera. One man in a suit is holding an award. The group is dressed in business or business casual attire, posing in front of a black curtain backdrop. 

The 2025 Outstanding Performer Awardee for Supported Employment is FCC Behavioral Health. 

FCC Behavioral Health has demonstrated a strong commitment to implementing the evidence-based practice of supported employment known as Individual Placement and Support (IPS).  FCC Behavioral Health has consistently scored in the highest range of fidelity to the IPS model and has one of the highest employment outcomes in the state.  They have initiated innovate practices and shown great ambition in offering IPS services to rural/underserved areas.  FCC has a strong collaborative partnership with Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation. 

 

Pictured accepting the award on behalf of FCC is Aaron Floyd, IPS Supervisor, and the FCC team. 

Five people stand in a row in front of a black curtain; two men on the right shake hands while one holds an award. All are dressed in business casual attire and are smiling at the camera.

Four adults stand together indoors on a blue-patterned carpet. One man holds an award. A black stage with steps and a black curtain is behind them. All are smiling and wearing conference badges.

 The 2025 Outstanding Performer Awardee for Housing is FCC Behavioral Health. 

 

FCC Behavioral Health offers a variety of housing services for persons experiencing homelessness who suffer from mental health or substance use disorders.  FCC Behavioral Health has a variety of innovative housing programs including Permanent Housing Program (PHP), Cape Women and Children’s Program, SEMO Safe Haven, New Beginnings, Housing Liaison, PATH and assist with Shelter Plus Care.  FCC Behavioral Health is an early adopter of best practices and continuously looks for new opportunities to expand services and options. 

 

Pictured accepting the Housing award for FCC Behavioral Health is Noble Shaver and Tammie Bratton. 

Three people stand together smiling in front of a black curtain. The woman in the center holds a glass award, while the man on the left and woman on the right stand beside her. All are wearing name badges. 

 

 

 

 

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NEW BEGINNING SANCTUARY/Simmering Center

New Beginning Sanctuary offers a structured, supportive environment to help individuals achieve long-term recovery from substance and alcohol use. We provide multiple pathways that empower participants to become healthy, self-sufficient, and productive community members.

www.nbsanctuary.org

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St. Louis Forensic Treatment Center

The St. Louis Forensic Treatment Center (FTC) is comprised of two campuses, one a 180 bed site located in the South City, and the other a 75 bed site located in the North City, also known as Forensic Treatment Center South (FTC-S), and Forensic Treatment Center North (FTC-N), respectively. The FTC-N location provides inpatient competency restoration and outpatient forensic evaluation. The FTC-S location provides inpatient services for the NGRI, PIST, and VBG populations. Clients admitted require intensive treatment, a medication regimen, and psychosocial rehabilitation services either to be restored to competence, or to achieve the psychiatric stability and relapse prevention plan necessary for discharge from hospital-based care and for safe and successful reintegration into the community. In addition, those who have been adjudicated as NGRI can only be released by meeting specific legal standards as approved by a judge.

https://dmh.mo.gov/ftc

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Braeburn

Braeburn is dedicated to transforming the management of opioid use disorder (OUD) to help people begin and sustain their recovery. At Braeburn, we challenge the status quo and champion transformation of the management of OUD. We partner with the community to create a world where every person with OUD gets the best possible care and opportunity to reach their full potential. Our product, BRIXADI, is the first and only weekly and monthly subcutaneous injection for moderate to severe OUD and is the only buprenorphine injectable that utilizes FluidCrystal®* Injection Depot Technology. For more information, visit https://braeburnrx.com/wp-content/uploads/brixadi-prescribing-information.pdf

website: https://braeburnrx.com

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Smith, Chrystala, MEd, LPC

Ms. Chrystala Smith, MEd, LPC, is the Assistant Director of Student Health and Counseling Services at Lincoln University of Missouri. She is currently a PhD student with Grand Canyon University. With her colleague, Dr. James Smith, she began researching the relationship between electronic device use/social media, mental health, and relationship wellness to gain research experience for her doctoral studies. Together, Ms. Smith and Dr. Smith have read over 75 peer reviewed research articles exploring these relationships. Ms. Smith’s own doctoral research interest is in the experiences of African American women receiving mentorship in their careers as mental health professionals.

Presentation(s):

Pings of Power: The Relationship Between Electronic Device Use, Mental Health, and Relationship Wellness 

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Copeland, Jennifer, PsyD

Jenny Copeland, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist with Ozark Center where she leads the Reconnect Eating Disorders treatment team. She is an active member of the Missouri Eating Disorders Council. Dr. Copeland has conducted studies on weight stigma among healthcare providers, and developed programming rooted in weight inclusive frameworks to help people pursue balance within and outside themselves to find freedom in their bodies. Her work has earned awards including the Research and Evaluation Fellowship at The School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute and the inaugural NAAFA Health At Every Size Scholar Award.

Presentation(s):

Filtered Realities: Addressing the Impact of Social Media on Body Image and Eating Disorders