From Research to Action: Florida Behavioral Health Workforce Summit
About this Event
The From Research to Action: Florida Behavioral Health Workforce Summit brings together behavioral health leaders, researchers, educators, policymakers, providers and community partners from across Florida to translate evidence into meaningful workforce solutions.
Hosted by the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce at the University of South Florida, this two-day statewide event highlights innovative research, emerging workforce trends and practical strategies that strengthen recruitment, retention and professional development across Florida's behavioral health system.
Attendees will engage with nationally recognized speakers, interactive presentations and collaborative discussions focused on turning research into action through education, practice, programming and policies that promote a strong, available workforce ready to serve Floridians.
Continuing education credits available.
Need-based travel reimbursement opportunities are available.
Highlights:
- Keynote presentations from national behavioral health workforce experts Caren Howard and Brianna Lombardi
- A panel discussion exploring workforce innovation across education, practice, programs and policy
- Concurrent sessions featuring FCBHW-funded research and workforce initiatives
- Interactive workshops on research, evaluation, publication and science communication
- Networking opportunities, including an evening reception
- Luncheon awards program
Presentation topics:
- Addiction training for providers
- Pathway to clinical social work licensure
- Qualified supervisor workforce and training
- The impact of AI on the behavioral health workforce
- Workforce compensation and retention
- Opioid overdose surveillance and EMS response
- Rural behavioral health workforce challenges
- Integrated care workforce development
- Collecting and analyzing evaluation data
- Strategies for creating publishable work
- And more!
Sep 10
🕑: 08:00 AM
Registration
🕑: 09:00 AM
Summit Kick-off
Info: With FCBHW Executive Director Courtney Whitt, PhD
🕑: 09:30 AM
Plenary feature presentation
Host: Khary Rigg, PhD
Info: Why Addiction Training Matters for All Behavioral Health Providers
🕑: 10:05 AM
Panel Discussion with experts on education, practice, programs and policy
🕑: 11:45 AM
Concurrent Sessions I
Education and Training:
Host: Cathy Sowell, MSW, LCSW
Info: The Pathway to Clinical Social Worker Licensure in Florida: Developing Solutions to Improve Examination Pass Rates
Practice and Program Development:
Host: Emilie A. Ellenberg, PhD, LMHC-QS
Info: Evaluating the Qualified Supervisor Workforce & Training
Policy:
Host: Karni Chagal-Feferkorn, PhD
Info: The Impact of AI on Behavioral Health Workforce Development
🕑: 01:00 PM
Lunch w/ Keynote: Brianna Lombardi
Host: Brianna Lombardi, PhD, MSW
Info: Designing the Behavioral Health Workforce Around Community Need: What Data and Policies Will It Take to Get There?
🕑: 02:15 PM
Concurrent Sessions II
Education and Training:
Host: Amy Vargo, PhD
Info: From Research to Practice: Developing Florida's Retention-Focused Supervision Framework for the Behavioral Health Workforce
Practice and Program Development:
Host: Kimberly Menendez, PhD
Info: Improving Nonfatal Opioid Overdose Surveillance & Response: Insights from EMS Data & First Responder Experiences
Policy:
Host: Linda M. Callejas, PhD
Info: Examining Factors Influencing the Entry, Retention and Advancement of the Behavioral Health Workforce Trained to Work in Integrated Care Settings
🕑: 03:30 PM
Concurrent Sessions III
Education and Training:
Host: Vickie A. Lynn, PhD, MSW, MPH
Info: Scope-AI: Simulation for Competency Optimization in Practice & Education
Practice and Program Development:
Host: Kathleen Moore, PhD
Info: Beyond Traditional Roles: A Mixed-Methods Needs Assessment of Tampa Bay’s Behavioral Health Workforce
Policy:
Host: Troy Quast, PhD
Info: Compensation Analysis for Behavioral Health Occupations
🕑: 04:45 PM
On-site Reception
Sep 11
🕑: 08:00 AM
Registration
🕑: 09:00 AM
Future of the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce
Host: Courtney Whitt, PhD
FCBHW Research Core
Host: Oliver “Tom” Massey, PhD
Education and Professional Development Core
Host: Emilie Ellenberg, PhD
🕑: 09:45 AM
Keynote: Caren Howard
Info: Sr. Director of Policy & Advocacy, Mental Health America
🕑: 10:30 AM
Plenary research presentation
Host: Jacob Gray, PhD
Info: The Rural Divide in Florida’s Behavioral Health Growth and Acquisition: Implications for Regional Mental Health
🕑: 10:50 AM
FCBHW Request for Proposals
Host: Oliver “Tom” Massey, PhD
🕑: 11:30 AM
Workshops
Bridging Academia and Practice:
Host: Emilie A. Ellenberg, PhD, LMHC-QS
Info: Strengthening Field Placement Partnerships to Better Prepare Behavioral Health Clinicians for the Workforce
Collecting and Analyzing Evaluation Data
Host: Jacob Gray, PhD
From Practice Innovation & Success to Published:
Host: Kimberly Menendez, PhD
Info: Strategies for Creating Publishable Work
The Science of Storytelling
Host: Kristin Kosyluk, PhD
🕑: 01:00 PM
Lunch Awards Presentation
🕑: 02:15 PM
End of summit
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
