WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021

8:00 AM | PLATFORM OPENS

We ask that you take time on Day 1 to orient yourself to the platform.

• Log-In & explore our digital virtual Asilomar venue
• Take time to get oriented with the platform
• Update your profile and add a picture!
• Explore our Research & Sponsor Room
• Start adding material to “take-home” in your digital “swag bag”

9:00 AM | NETWORKING & RECONNECTING

• Start a conversation & network with other attendees in a chat room
• Meet up with other attendees for video chat sessions in our digital lounges

10:00 AM | WELCOME & OPENING KEYNOTE SESSION [LIVE]

ABOUT THE SESSION

Mr. Bell will reflect on what has happened since we were last together by interrogating what does it mean to be structurally anti-racist and equitable in our service delivery. Is this a policy discussion or will it change how I work? Mr. Bell will also discuss the balance between dosage and tolerance for change and challenge participants to acknowledge where they are and where they might be.

ABOUT JAMES BELL (HE/HIM/HIS)

James Bell is the Founding President of the W. Haywood Burns Institute. The Burns Institute has worked in over 200 counties in 23 states to engage justice stakeholders and communities across the country to build equity in the administration of justice. He has trained and addressed thousands of human services professionals and community members on race, ancestry and inclusion as a necessary and vital component of the delivery of safety for all communities. He is currently working with San Francisco, Los Angeles, St. Paul MN and Toledo OH in reimagining services for families and communities impacted by the justice sector.

James has appeared on numerous national television shows, conducted several radio interviews and written blogs and articles for a variety of platforms. He has authored sections of published anthologies on intersections of justice and education, health and family disruption. He is currently working on a manuscript to be released in 2021.

James has extensive experience in the international justice arena: he assisted the African National Congress in the administration of the youth justice system in South Africa and consulted with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. Most recently he was in Holland and England where he advised on emerging issues of racial, ethnic and religious minorities being over-represented in the justice system. In that context he gave an address at the House of Lords to a wide range of stakeholders responsible for justice. He recently visited Norway and Holland to observe their prisons and justice philosophy.

He attended California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and Hastings College of Law.

1:00 PM | PARENT & CAREGIVER INITIATIVE PANEL

ABOUT THE SESSION

Demanding racial equity requires examining and listening to those impacted by systems that have not historically served communities of color appropriately. Hear from a panel of parents with diverse perspectives on how to tackle the complexities of race and social justice —what it means for them, its impacts, and how we can shape a better future.

ABOUT CHRISTINA CAGLE (SHE/HER/HERS)

Christina Cagle has 16 years of experience of working in the youth and family provider field. In her lived experience as a mother and adult sister/caregiver she has touched the child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems. Her lived experience assisted in training and supporting new resource parents understanding the necessity for biological family’s reunification plans. With her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Masters in Social Work, Christina utilizes her educational background with lived experience on advocating for families in various systems of care. She is an established trainer of over 11 years in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training and American Red Cross.

ABOUT EBONY CHAMBERS (SHE/HER/HERS)

Providing Youth and Family Services for over 17 years, Ebony brings both professional and personal life experiences to her work. As a mother who has worked through and navigated multiple systems with her own child, she brings that experience to her work and provides the oversight of advocacy and support to families in the greater Sacramento, Yolo, El Dorado, Napa and Placer communities. Prior to her role as Chief Officer of Family and Youth Partnership at Stanford Youth Solutions, she worked as an Administrator in Children’s Residential Care. Ebony is also is an instructor for UC Davis Center for Family Focused Practice and a National Speaker with the Building Bridges Initiative, supporting the transformation of residential services and promoting family driven care. Chambers also worked with the National Council of Behavioral Health, on addressing Health Disparities within her local community, with a focus on eliminating barriers and increasing access for the LGBT community. Chambers is the recipient of the 2017 Sacramento Business Journal’s 40 under 40 award for her outstanding professional accomplishments and community involvement. She is actively involved in the community, serving as the Co-Chair of the UC Davis Parent Partner Advisory Committee, and co-chairs the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Steering Committee and other community initiatives.

ABOUT ANGEL MILTON (SHE/HER/HERS)

Angel Milton is from Fresno, California. She is a mother of three children with different needs and has helped them navigate various systems of care. Angel is a strong mother and full-time caretaker for her eldest son who is paraplegic due to community violence. She stands as a pillar of strength for her family and utilizes her resilience to overcome adversities and empower her children to use their voices.

ABOUT RO’MEL SMITH (HE/HIM/HIS) 

Ro’Mel a native of Oakland, CA is a father of 4, with lived experience as a foster-to-adopt parent, as well as a parent with children who have been a part of the mental health system. Ro’Mel has proudly served as an advocate in the community for several years. Ro’Mel strives to continue to fight with and for our youth and their families who are facing life’s various adversities.

ABOUT THOMISHA WALLACE (SHE/HER/HERS)

Thomisha Wallace began her journey as the Youth Advocate Manager at Stanford Sierra Youth and Families in September of 2018. Thomisha’s experience stems from navigating through the mental health system on behalf of herself as well as her family. Driven by a passion to serve youth who have similar experiences as her own, Thomisha pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters in Social Work. She loves being able to support Youth Advocates in empowering youth, and elevating youth and families’ voice and choice within their services and lives.

ABOUT DEBBIE WENDER (SHE/HER/HERS)

Debbie has been providing services to children and families for over ten years as a home study and case manager for foster care and adoption families, a post-adoption social worker, and a Coach in the Wonder mentoring program. Prior to these ten years, she worked for the State of CA for twenty-three years. The last sixteen years she worked in child welfare policy with the California Department of Social Services including permanency policy development. She is an adoptive parent who adopted transracially.  Her son is African-American adopted from Foster Care and her daughter is from Ethiopia. She has almost thirty years of experience navigating parenting Black children as a white parent.

THIS SESSION IS SPONSORED BY:

2:30 PM | WORKSHOP SESSION A 

ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS

• Choose between 7 live workshops
• Workshops range between 60 & 90 minutes in length
• Earn 1 hour of CEU credit 
• Feeling tired or need an extra break? Attendees can watch sessions for up to 30 days after the conference. Watch all 21 workshops if you want to!

4:15 PM | “FIRESIDE CHAT” KEYNOTE SESSION [LIVE]

ABOUT THE SESSION

This conversation will be co-created by the dialogue of the participants and Calvin.

Via simple and profound questions from Calvin with regards to the various dimensions of race, participants will be engaged in thoughtful dialogue. A strong emphasis on how the concepts explored are related to education and mental health will be reiterated throughout this organic discussion. This session will conclude with meaningful ways anyone of any identity can be part of the healing historical racial trauma.

ABOUT CALVIN TERRELL (HE/HIM/HIS)

Calvin is an educator/healer at his core who truly discovered his passion for education when he was a Social Studies teacher for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. He employs techniques that are engaging, relevant to all populations, multidisciplinary, and integrate modern advances of technology or research partnered with ancient arts of storytelling and visualization.

Calvin challenges the privileged to abandon fragile pedestals of inconsiderate obliviousness, while he encourages the oppressed to remember their power developed from surviving historical unfairness. He invites all to abandon identity superstitions and materialistic traditions so humanity can meet and ecocentrically collaborate on a healing field of justice waiting for cultivation. His greatest achievements are marriage, fatherhood, and a relationship with the Infinite Power that fashioned the stars.

Calvin is not a democrat, nor a republican, a libertarian or anarchist; he is soul experiencing black membership of the human race. He doesn’t care what you think or feel about him, but he loves you! As calvin, the Drapetomaniac, he’s discovered that volunteering is an event, giving is a “season,” but service is lifelong culture of joy, tests, and victories. He invites you to serve with him to heal humanity and be better with All Relations.

He attended California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and Hastings College of Law.

“Remember, if hurt people hurt people, open hearts open hearts so we help each other help each other.”

– Calvin Terrell, the Drapetomaniac

5:15 PM | CMHACY’S SUNSET BEACH CONCERT, LIVE FROM ASILOMAR! 

ABOUT MICHAEL MARTINEZ (HE/HIM/HIS)

“The music was so tender, it was completely not what I expected. It was power and strength under control. It was really focused, and it really spoke to me” says David Nevue, founder of Whisperings Solo Piano Radio, as he introduces Michael Martinez as the 2019 album of the year nominee to a full crowd at the Cultural Arts Center in Roswell, Georgia. It is no surprise that Michael’s new album Asilomar got nominated out of 150 albums.

Michael Martinez has a talent that began blossoming at a young age. He started playing piano at age 11, and soon thereafter began composing captivating melodies. Michael’s astonishing command of melody and emotion was beginning to be noticed and attracted acclaimed New Age pianist Jonathon Lee, and at age 13, Michael subsequently became his protegé. In 2004, Michael took over Lee’s position as The Grand Piano Man for the Big Sur International Marathon. He has played annually for thousands of runners on the nine foot concert grand piano at the famous Bixby Bridge turnout ever since.

“Each of us seeks that magical place where we feel serenity and relaxation. I always try to be vulnerable enough so people can literally feel who I am when I play” says Michael. Listeners can attest to that because they feel the authenticity in Michael’s playing. Michael’s style is a blend between New Age and Classical, and has been described as heartfelt, cinematic and reflective.

6:00PM | END OF DAY 1

THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021

8:00 AM | PLATFORM OPENS FOR NETWORKING

9:00 AM | DAY 2 OPENING KEYNOTE SESSION [LIVE]

ABOUT THE SESSION

This presentation will explain why and how the modern idea of race was born, the ways in which racialized societies have been sustained, and glimmerings of racial unity or decolonization that have, as well as continue to occur. This course will equip participants with historical facts about racial legislation, industrial/institutional roles in white supremacy, anti-indigeneity, anti-blackness, xenophobic othering, and intentional weaponization of arts, religion, and sciences to reinforce racial caste systems. An emphasis on the power of educators and mental health professionals to either sustain these historical traumas or interrupt them by courageous action will be threaded throughout this keynote.

ABOUT CALVIN TERRELL (HE/HIM/HIS)

Calvin is an educator/healer at his core who truly discovered his passion for education when he was a Social Studies teacher for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. He employs techniques that are engaging, relevant to all populations, multidisciplinary, and integrate modern advances of technology or research partnered with ancient arts of storytelling and visualization.

Calvin challenges the privileged to abandon fragile pedestals of inconsiderate obliviousness, while he encourages the oppressed to remember their power developed from surviving historical unfairness. He invites all to abandon identity superstitions and materialistic traditions so humanity can meet and ecocentrically collaborate on a healing field of justice waiting for cultivation. His greatest achievements are marriage, fatherhood, and a relationship with the Infinite Power that fashioned the stars.

Calvin is not a democrat, nor a republican, a libertarian or anarchist; he is soul experiencing black membership of the human race. He doesn’t care what you think or feel about him, but he loves you! As calvin, the Drapetomaniac, he’s discovered that volunteering is an event, giving is a “season,” but service is lifelong culture of joy, tests, and victories. He invites you to serve with him to heal humanity and be better with All Relations.

He attended California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and Hastings College of Law.

“Remember, if hurt people hurt people, open hearts open hearts so we help each other help each other.”

– Calvin Terrell, the Drapetomaniac

2021 INNOVATIVE PROGRAM AWARD WINNER

The Sacramento Native American Health Center (SNAHC) is a federally qualified health center and is a major part of the safety net in the region, providing behavioral, medical, dental, specialty, and enabling services broadly within the local community as well as culturally-based prevention programming specific to American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people.

11:00 AM | THE VOICE OF YOUTH PANEL

ABOUT THE SESSION

The CMHACY Youth Panel will provide the opportunity to hear the lived experiences navigating through the mental health system as a transitional aged youth (TAY). This brings the real issues and struggles forward from those across the state of California. These TAYs are ready to share what needs to change for the betterment of the future of the mental health system.

ABOUT SRIYA CHILLA (SHE/HER/HERS)

“I was born and raised in San Diego, CA with my brother. I grew up in a good community with loving parents, unaware that I lived in a bubble. As I grew older, I started to realize that my little bubble was not representative of the rest of the world; not everyone was as privileged as me. I set my mind to using my time and resources to serve my community. From teaching children music to organizing food drives in my school district, I committed myself to ensuring that everyone in my community succeeds in achieving their goals for the future. Knowing that I might have an impact on someone’s life or bring a smile to their face keeps me motivated and working hard. Now, I’m a part of CCY’s Youth Advisory Board, using my voice to push bills that change lives across California.”

ABOUT NGHIA DO (HE/HIM/HIS)

“I transferred to Anaheim for my freshman year of high school. I acquired depression due to the novel environment and feeling of hopelessness. Fortunately, I found a passionate counselor who I can come to everyday to hangout and have fun. This was the first time I had a place where I felt truly safe. She recommended a dual enrollment class for psychology, and this experience forever changed my life. Next, I started to become very interested in psychology and mental health. I would spend hours reading self-help books, taking notes, then applying them into my life. Eventually, I started to see self-improvements in all aspects of my life, where I would apply to academics, athletics, and in my personal life. Now I advocate for youth mental health by running a youth-led mental health organization.”

ABOUT ALEXIS TARLETON (SHE/HER/HERS)

“Hello, My name is Alexis Tarleton. I am a African American woman who is a student at Sacramento City College. I want to become a physical therapist and my major is Kinesiology. I also work for Sacramento City College. I’m a Peer Mentor for the Umoja program.Umoja is a club that supports African American student success in the academic world. They provide a safe environment for African American students to learn and grow. My job consists of helping African American students navigate this new online learning and point them to resources that are available. My other job title is a Distance Education Student Advisor. What that entails is attending faculty meetings and giving my students opinion on various topics, researching statistics on the declining rates of enrollment in the black community during this online experience. Both of my jobs are based on race relations. Personally I love my jobs because I really make a difference in the black community. Later on down the line, when I get my doctorate I will continue to make a change and prevent chronical illnesses to prosper in not only the black community but for all people of color.”

ABOUT CHEZIA (CHEZ) TARLETON (SHE/HER/HERS)

Chezia (Chez) Tarleton was born in Sacramento California and has spent ten years relocated on the East Coast. She graduated from the University of Colorado Denver in 2020 with a B.A in Sociology and is pursuing both a LMFT and LPCC. She is a Peer advocate for CalVoices within the Sacramento area, Youth Board Member for CMHACY,public speaker for mental health and youth representation, NAMI presenter, and volunteers for the Sacramento LGBT Center. She enjoys outdoor activities, watching horror movies, and crafting when she is not researching more into the field of mental health. She has dove into the field of mental health to empower and encourage other POC while fighting against stigma. She looks forward to the continued spread of mental health education and awareness.

1:00 PM | WORKSHOP SESSION B

ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS

• Choose between 7 live workshops
• Workshops will be 60 minutes in length
• Earn 1 hour of CEU credit

2:30 PM | WORKSHOP SESSION C

ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS

• Choose between 7 live workshops
• Workshops will be 60 & 90 minutes in length
• Earn 1 hour of CEU credit

4:15 PM | CLOSING SESSION [LIVE]

ABOUT THE CLOSING KEYNOTE SESSION

Data has consistently revealed to us that our systems of care, likely well-intentioned, has created harm to many of the families we sought to help, and the harm inflicted on families of color is being uncovered more and more each day. Families of color are disproportionately represented in the foster care system, as well as poor outcomes relating to education, criminal justice involvement and mental health indicators.

This Keynote will discuss history, data and policy, as well as, a discussion of the evolutionary change that we have all experienced within our system, yet the absence of revolutionary change. Participants will be invited to envision a new system and articulate their role in addressing racial equity in a revolutionary way. Courageous leadership will be introduced as an initiator of revolutionary change within the system, but also the necessity of cultivating leadership fortitude. How professionals within our systems can collaborate with vulnerable families to enhance their capacity to protect their own children will also be highlighted.

Family engagement is a key strategy for identifying and cultivating resilience so we will also explore power and privilege. Building relationships with families who come into our system takes a level of self and cultural awareness, understanding and trust. Dr. Pryce will provide considerations for professionals as they engage in their work to prevent the net from widening on vulnerable families of color. Dr. Pryce will end with a discussion of how our mindset has impacted our work and outcomes for families and how we can work to make an individual, collective, and systemic shift.

ABOUT DR. JESSICA PRYCE (SHE/HER/HERS)

Dr. Pryce is an Assistant Professor at Florida State University and currently the Executive Director of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. For the past 10 years, she has been involved at multiple angles of child welfare (direct practice, teaching + training & policy and research). She has published on child welfare related topics, such as, training and education, racial disparity and anti-poverty practices.

She has presented at 40+ virtual and in-person conferences both nationally and internationally. She is the author is several op-eds focused on racial disparity and effective strategies to impact racial disproportionality within child welfare. Her TED Talk on Implicit Racial Bias in Decision Making has since been viewed over 1.3 million times. Dr. Pryce has worked on the frontlines of child welfare, conducted primary research, been a policy advisor to Florida’s legislature and taught graduate level courses in child welfare.

Previously holding the positions of Child Protective Caseworker with the Department of Children and Families, and the Deputy Director of the University at Albany’s New York State Education Consortium. In 2019, she received a 5-year appointment to the Advisory Board of the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute, where she consults and advises on leadership and workforce interventions around the country. She currently sits on the Florida Dependency Court Improvement Panel, alongside judges and advocates who are working towards a more trauma informed approach within the judicial system. 

She has maintained and cultivated a commitment to the wellbeing of vulnerable children and families, the sustainability of the child welfare workforce, and effectively addressing inequity. Her paramount goal includes re-building and leading a child welfare system that focuses on strengthening families instead of pulling them apart. 

ABOUT ASSEMBLYMEMBER JAMES C. RAMOS (HE/HIM/HIS)

Assemblymember James C. Ramos is a lifelong resident of the San Manuel Indian Reservation in San Bernardino County. He was elected to represent the residents of the 40th District in the California State Assembly on November 6, 2018. His district includes the cities of Highland, Loma Linda, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, and San Bernardino.

Ramos, as a member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe, is the first California Indian to be elected to the California State Assembly. As a child, Ramos lived with his family in a mobile home in an area that was one of the most poverty-stricken in the country. To help support his family, while attending school, he worked in fast food restaurants and as a janitor in the San Bernardino City Unified School District. He attended local public schools and graduated from San Gorgonio High School. Recognizing the importance of education, he went on to receive an Associate Degree in Business at Victor Valley College, a Bachelor Degree in Accounting at California State University – San Bernardino, and a Master of Business Administration Degree at the University of Redlands.

As a successful small business entrepreneur, Ramos accumulated broad experience in many levels of community and government matters. He has served as the Third District Supervisor for the County of San Bernardino since 2012, including serving as Board Chairman from 2015-2017.

In addition to his elected service, Ramos is a proven civic leader and has served on numerous boards and organizations in the Inland Empire. He is the immediate past Chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, with a deep commitment to the preservation of California Indian culture. Additionally, Ramos is co-founder of the San Manuel Band’s Cultural Awareness Program, and serves as director of the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference held annually at California State University, San Bernardino.

James and his wife, Terri, have been married for 29 years, and are the proud parents of four children and grandparents of three grandchildren.

ABOUT SENATOR SCOTT WIENER (HE/HIM/HIS)

Senator Scott Wiener represents San Francisco and northern San Mateo County in the California State Senate. Elected in 2016, Senator Wiener focuses extensively on housing, transportation, civil rights, criminal justice reform, clean energy, and alleviating poverty. He chairs the Senate Housing Committee and is Vice Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. He is the immediate past Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. Before his election to the Senate, Senator Wiener served as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, representing the district previously represented by Harvey Milk. He also chaired the San Francisco County Transportation Authority. Before taking public office, Senator Wiener practiced law for fifteen years, including nearly a decade as a Deputy City Attorney in the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office. He also served in a number of community leadership roles, including co-chair of the San Francisco LGBT Community Center and on the national Board of Directors of the Human Rights Campaign. Senator Wiener has lived in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood since 1997. He received degrees from Duke University and Harvard Law School and was a Fulbright Scholar in Santiago, Chile.

CONFERENCE CLOSING REMARKS & CALL TO ACTION

Dr. Jei Africa will leave our attendees with some closing remarks and a call to action. CMHACY’s incoming Board President, Tanya McCullom will offer some final closing thoughts and will announce the winner of our $100 visa giftcard.

ABOUT DR. JEI AFRICA (HE/HIM/HIS)

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 experienced clinician who is passionate about integrating effective culturally responsive practices into the core functioning of County health services. An activist and a storyteller at heart, Dr. Africa, believes that love and justice are essential ingredients in transforming people’s lives.

6:00PM | END OF CONFERENCE