Seventh Annual Regional Summit: Substance Use Disorders and Pregnancy

When: This full-day event is Tuesday, October 15, 2025 from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm at The Carlisle Inn and Conference Center - 3727 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, FL 34232

Objectives: To engage behavioral health and domestic violence agencies, Healthy Start Coalitions, Medic*tion-Assisted Treatment Centers and Substance Abuse Drug Free Prevention Coalitions to address what is being done now for pregnant mothers with a substance abuse disorder and their newborn.

Audience: Mental/behavioral health professionals, health care professionals, community health professionals, care coordinators, social workers, mental health workers, peer counselors, providers/employees of all the Medic*tion-Assisted Treatment (MAT) centers, clinic employees, nurses, midwives and others engaged in providing excellence in maternal-newborn health care.

Need: To improve care for our pregnant mothers with a substance use disorder, we need to know what services are available now and how best to use them for both mothers and professionals. What are the next steps to improve the care and support of mothers with substance use disorder in the region.

Hotel Accommodations

If you wish to book a room, please contact the hotel directly at 844-369-2275.

7:30 am-Registration and Check-in During Breakfast

8:15 am-Welcome and Introductions

Washington Hill, M.D., OB-GYN, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Sarasota Memorial Hospital and CenterPlace Health

Shon Ewens, Executive Director, Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County

Phillip J. “P.J.” Brooks, MA, LMHC, Chief Operating Of-ficer, Community Assisted and Supported Living, Inc.

Board Chair, Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County

8:30 am-Update on Improving Outcomes for Families Af-fected by Substance Use From Pregnancy to Childhood-Washington Hill, M.D., OB-GYN, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Sarasota Memorial Hospital and CenterPlace Health. Na-than Scott, BA, CCPP

Child & Family Well-Being System Coordinator

Florida Department of Health, Family Safety Alliance

9:15 am-The Relationship Between Peripartum Depression and Substance Use Disorder. Dana Gau

10:00 am-Questions & Answers

Group Discussion

Faculty Panel and You

10:30 am-Break and Please Mingle, Network and Visit the Exhibits

10:45 am-Use of Digital Technology and Apps for Behav-ioral Health Support. Philip “P.J.” Brooks, MA, LMHC,

Chief Operating Officer, Community Assisted and Sup-ported Living, Inc.

11:30 pm-Involved Fathers/Partners Make A Difference On Their Children

Curtis Hayes, Team Dad Coach, Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County

Coleen O’Neil Thayer, MA, APR,CPRC, CEO, Ignite Fa-therhood & REACH Programs, NAMI Sarasota and Mana-tee Counties

Aaron Bellamy, Fatherhood Program Coordinator, Safe Children Coalition

Gina Sauer, Services Improving Parenting Skills, Jewish Family & Children's Service of the Suncoast

12:15 pm-Questions & Answers

Group Discussion

Faculty Panel and You

12:45 pm-Lunch Break (Provided at no additional cost)

Please Visit With Agencies Getting Dads/Partners In-volved

1:45 pm-“My Substance Use Story” – Recovering preg-nant and postpartum mothers share their story-Karina Clarke, Vice President of Operations, Lightshare Behav-ioral Wellness & Recovery, and Amber Bartush, Director of Residential Services, Lightshare Behavioral Wellness & Recovery

2:30 pm-The Use Of Medications For Behavioral Health Disorders-Amberlea Sullivan, PharmD, Clinical Pharma-cist, Sarasota Memorial Hospital

3:15 pm-Human Trafficking Involves Community AND Law Enforcement. Chief Rex Troche and Misty LaPerriere, Law Enforcement Liaison & Trainer

4:00 pm-Questions & Answers

Group Discussion

Faculty Panel and You

4:45 pm-Closing Remarks-Hill, Brooks and Ewens

5:00 pm-Adjournment Until Eighth Annual Regional Sum-mit Next Year Tuesday, October 14, 2026

Host or Publisher Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, Inc.