The Eastern New Mexico Behavioral Health Leadership Council is hosting a free mini Behavioral Health Symposium for the region on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. This event is provided through grant funding from the New Mexico Sentencing Commission and will feature Justin Volpe. Justin is an international consultant, advocate, and peer specialist based in Miami, FL. He has presented and trained mental health facilities and other organizations on trauma-informed practices. In addition, he used his life experiences to discuss workforce issues and connect community providers to serve needy individuals better. His lived experience is a remarkable example of the importance of a collaborative community response for those experiencing behavioral/mental health and substance use disorders.
The symposium will be held on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, with two time/location options (sessions are identical - only necessary to attend one). The first session is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Eastern New Mexico University – Becky Sharpe Auditorium. The second session is slated for 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Clovis Civic Center in the Enchantment Room. Please register in advance if you plan to attend. There is a hyperlink on the flyer to register or visit Behavioral Form | Roosevelt County. After completion, all attendees will receive a certificate with the noted CEUs, as requested. Registrations will be accepted through Tuesday.
The focus of this symposium will highlight the growing demand and need for trained professionals in response to those experiencing behavioral/mental health and substance use disorders and effective crisis intervention. Everyone is invited to this free event, and mental health practitioners, social workers, counselors, peer supports, educators, professors, law enforcement, security and detention officers, first responders, healthcare professionals, foster families, and other disciplines or family members are encouraged to attend. Additional training opportunities will follow this symposium throughout the summer and will be noted after the events.
Leadership team members for the NM Office of Peer Recovery and Engagement will present on the certified peer support program and its essential role in a response focused on recovery and resiliency. This is crucial for successfully establishing a mobile crisis response team and growing workforce development opportunities for peers.
Previously, Justin worked as a Jail Diversion Peer Liaison for the 11th Judicial Criminal Mental Health Project for 14 years. In addition, he has worked as a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist in Florida since 2008. Justin has extensive work experience in the community and has supervised and coordinated thousands of engagements with participants with severe mental health and co-occurring issues in the criminal justice system. Additionally, he has assisted in training over 2,500 Miami-Dade Law Enforcement Officers in Crisis Intervention Team Training. His passion for this work is based on bringing systems together locally and nationally while reducing stigma and advocating for the persons served. He recently received the 2021 Fred Frese Award from CIT International. He has many other awards and achievements, including multiple articles and the film Definition of Insanity (PBS 2020) with his experience with the Jail Diversion Program and a Ken Burns Documentary: “Hiding in Plain Sight” (PBS 2022) on Youth Mental Health.
For more information, see the attached event flyer or contact the Roosevelt County Administrative Offices at 575.356.5307
