Back to top

Reaching Out Across Cultural Lines: Culturally Responsive Community Outreach

This panel discussion will explore the barriers faced by diverse populations seeking treatment for substance use and mental health disorders and how we as treatment providers can remove them. We will explore how effective business development and outreach strategies along with community education can help reduce stigma, remove barriers, and provide a pathway toward wellness for marginalized and underserved communities.

Session Time: 
Thursday, December 9, 2021 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Session Type: 
Workshop
Learning Objectives: 
• Identify barriers or sources of resistance to treatment
• Explore treatment approaches that are culturally specific
• Develop effective outreach and community education strategies to attract patients from underserved populations
Presenter
Presenter Name: 
Beck Gee-Cohen
Job Title: 
Director of LGBTQ+ Programming
Organization Affiliation: 
Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers
Beck Gee-Cohen is a master’s level clinician and director of LGBTQ+ programming at Visions Adolescent Treatment Center in Los Angeles, California. Beck has trained numerous facilities on LGBTQ+ best practices, has presented at many conferences, and has facilitated workshops about LGBTQ+, trauma, adolescents, gender and sexuality. Beck has worked in the mental health & substance use field for over 13 years in various capacities. Alongside the already dynamic team at Visions, he helps young LGBTQ+ people and their families find a space that serves their specific needs in regards to healing and thriving.
Co-Presenter
Co Presenter: 
Melanie Heu
Job Title: 
Clinical Manager
Organization Affiliation: 
Great Lakes Psychological Services
Melanie Heu is the Executive Director for Asha, A Division of Great Lakes Psychological Services in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has over 12 years of experience developing mental health and addiction treatment programs that serve marginalized communities. As a diversity, equity and inclusivity advocate, Heu has trained and supervised many BIPOC, bicultural, and bilingual emerging behavioral health professionals. She also provides consultation and training to organizations that strive to provide culturally responsive services in all program areas. Heu is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Alcohol Drug Counselor. Melanie is an Adjunct Professor at St. Catherine’s University.
Co-Presenter
Co Presenter: 
Danielle Jackman
Job Title: 
Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Organization Affiliation: 
Aurora Mental Health Center
Credentials: 
PhD
Danielle Jackman is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Aurora Mental Health Center (AuMHC). For the past 16 years, Dr. Jackman has been devoted to increasing DEI both nationally and internationally. Currently, Dr. Jackman is involved in providing coaching, consulting, and training both staff within AuMHC as well as across several Executive Boards. Dr. Jackman is focused on building racial equity, social justice, and belongingness, where all folks can thrive.
Moderator
Moderators: 
Rick Hubbard
Job Title: 
Executive Vice President
Organization Affiliation: 
Origins Behavioral HealthCare
Rick Hubbard began working in the addiction treatment industry in 2002 and has significant experience in multiple aspects of treatment administration including admissions, utilization review, marketing, referent relations and business development. Rick is a trained intervention specialist with over 14 years of sobriety. Rick brings a strong background in finance and real estate, which includes many years ‎as an executive in commercial banking and real estate lending for one of the largest independent bank holding companies in Texas.
Year: 
2021