State Peer-to-Peer Learning Session:

Behavioral Health

Urgent Care Centers and

Peer Respite Services

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is holding a series of interactive state peer-to-peer learning sessions to facilitate the adoption and use of evidence-based and promising practices for behavioral health crisis services in the community. 

Behavioral health urgent care centers (BHUCs) and peer respite programs provide voluntary and alternative services for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. BHUCs offer diversion from emergency departments and community-based crisis services. Peer respite programs offer a supportive, non-clinical environment where individuals can receive assistance from peers with lived experience while navigating a crisis. This learning session will explore how three states have implemented and sustained BHUCs and peer respite services to better support individuals with serious mental health conditions. Participants will gain insights into program design, partnerships, and funding strategies that strengthen the behavioral health crisis continuum.

During this session, participants will:

• Learn how BHUCs collaborate and coordinate with first responders (e.g., emergency medical services, mobile crisis teams) and other providers within the crisis continuum.

• Explore how states have implemented peer-run respite programs that provide community-based, recovery-oriented support in home-like environments.

• Examine the funding strategies states are using to establish, sustain, and expand BHUCs and peer respite programs.

The session will feature presentations from the states of Nebraska, Oregon, and Vermont. Justin Volpe, Senior Peer Support Coordinator at the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, will provide a brief introduction.

Recordings of previous State Peer-to-Peer Learning Sessions may be found on SAMHSA’s State TA Resources page.

September

17

3:00–4:30PM ET

Presented via Zoom

PRESENTING STATES:

This newsletter shares SAMHSA State TA events, highlights, and resources.

Check out the SAMHSA State TA Brochure to learn more about the project, how to request TA, and the types and common topics of TA offered.

This newsletter shares SAMHSA State TA events, highlights, and resources.

Check out the SAMHSA State TA Brochure to learn more about the project, how to request TA, and the types and common topics of TA offered.

State Approaches to Increase Coordination in Addressing Unsheltered Homelessness and Serious Mental Illness

States across the country are working to strengthen coordination among behavioral health, housing, criminal justice, and health care systems to better serve adults with serious mental illness (SMI) who are homeless. These individuals often cycle repeatedly through emergency departments, jails, and crisis stabilization units without a consistent connection to treatment or long-term housing. Fragmented funding streams, workforce shortages, and inconsistent data sharing across systems make it difficult to sustain coordinated care, particularly in rural and frontier areas.

This webinar will explore state approaches to increasing coordination across systems serving adults with SMI who are homeless. State presenters will share key issues in cross-system coordination, describe ongoing case challenges, and highlight lessons learned. A panel of subject matter experts and state representatives will discuss opportunities and barriers to improving coordination. Attendees are encouraged to submit their own questions and participate during a moderated discussion. The webinar is open to State Mental Health Agencies and relevant partners; registration is required.

presenterS & PANELISTS

Ashley Arganbright — Housing & Recovery Project Coordinator, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services

Ashley leads statewide initiatives at KDADS connecting behavioral health, Medicaid, and homelessness response, helping align all 105 Kansas counties around data-driven strategies. She oversees the Boundary Spanner initiative, supporting individuals with SMI transitioning from institutional settings into community housing.

Pete Caldwell — Program Administrator, Office of Substance Use and Mental Health in the Utah Department of Health and Human Services

Pete has worked in homelessness and behavioral health since 2012, with experience spanning street outreach, youth advocacy, and state-level program administration. He is passionate about integrating physical and mental health services to create a more seamless support system.

Liz Frye, MD, MPH — Chair, Board of Directors, Street Medicine Institute

Liz is an internationally recognized expert in street psychiatry with more than 15 years of experience advancing street-based psychiatric care. She previously founded and directed Atlanta’s first street medicine program and worked to integrate behavioral health into the AHN Center for Inclusion Health’s services in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Jessica Hales — Coordinator of Adult Mental Illness Services, Alabama Department of Mental Health

Jessica has over 30 years of experience in the mental health field, spanning residential, day programs, school-based services, and outpatient therapy. She supports statewide planning and monitoring of community-based services for adults with serious and persistent mental illness.

Marcella Maguire, PhD — Director of Health Systems Integration, Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)

Marcella is a clinical psychologist by training who works nationally on financing, policy, and implementation strategies at the intersection of homelessness, housing, and behavioral health. She previously spent more than 15 years with the City of Philadelphia leading behavioral health planning and street outreach services.

Sai’Queenau Reese — Program Manager II, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health Substance Abuse Services

Sai’Queenau leads a team of discharge managers embedded within Oklahoma’s prison system, spanning both the punitive and diversion sides of the justice system. She ensures justice-involved individuals with SMI are connected to treatment, housing, and community-based supports prior to release.

Tara Schultz — Assistant Director of Forensic Services, Ohio Department of Behavioral Health

Tara has over 25 years of experience in community mental health, including co-founding a comprehensive community mental health agency. She applies expertise in forensic treatment and risk management to support the continuum of services in Ohio’s forensic mental health system.

PANEL MODERATOR

Jen Elder — Principal, Jen Elder Consulting

Jen brings more than 18 years of experience supporting policy, strategy, and implementation across federal, state, and local systems. She previously served as National Director of SAMHSA’s Homeless and Housing Resource Center and has delivered more than 75 national presentations in partnership with SAMHSA, the VA, HUD, and DOL.

Questions may be directed to [email protected]

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact the SAMHSA State TA Team at [email protected]

within 10 business days of the event to ensure timely assistive services are provided.

OMB #0930-0393 (Issued: 5/17/23, Expires: 4/30/29)

WEDNESDAY

September

23

2:00–4:00PM ET

Presented via Zoom

State Approaches to Increase Coordination in Addressing Unsheltered Homelessness and Serious Mental Illness

States across the country are working to strengthen coordination among behavioral health, housing, criminal justice, and health care systems to better serve adults with serious mental illness (SMI) who are homeless. These individuals often cycle repeatedly through emergency departments, jails, and crisis stabilization units without a consistent connection to treatment or long-term housing. Fragmented funding streams, workforce shortages, and inconsistent data sharing across systems make it difficult to sustain coordinated care, particularly in rural and frontier areas.

This webinar will explore state approaches to increasing coordination across systems serving adults with SMI who are homeless. State presenters will share key issues in cross-system coordination, describe ongoing case challenges, and highlight lessons learned. A panel of subject matter experts and state representatives will discuss opportunities and barriers to improving coordination. Attendees are encouraged to submit their own questions and participate during a moderated discussion. The webinar is open to State Mental Health Agencies and relevant partners; registration is required.

presenterS & PANELISTS

Ashley Arganbright — Housing & Recovery Project Coordinator, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services

Ashley leads statewide initiatives at KDADS connecting behavioral health, Medicaid, and homelessness response, helping align all 105 Kansas counties around data-driven strategies. She oversees the Boundary Spanner initiative, supporting individuals with SMI transitioning from institutional settings into community housing.

Pete Caldwell — Program Administrator, Office of Substance Use and Mental Health in the Utah Department of Health and Human Services

Pete has worked in homelessness and behavioral health since 2012, with experience spanning street outreach, youth advocacy, and state-level program administration. He is passionate about integrating physical and mental health services to create a more seamless support system.

Liz Frye, MD, MPH — Chair, Board of Directors, Street Medicine Institute

Liz is an internationally recognized expert in street psychiatry with more than 15 years of experience advancing street-based psychiatric care. She previously founded and directed Atlanta’s first street medicine program and worked to integrate behavioral health into the AHN Center for Inclusion Health’s services in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Jessica Hales — Coordinator of Adult Mental Illness Services, Alabama Department of Mental Health

Jessica has over 30 years of experience in the mental health field, spanning residential, day programs, school-based services, and outpatient therapy. She supports statewide planning and monitoring of community-based services for adults with serious and persistent mental illness.

Marcella Maguire, PhD — Director of Health Systems Integration, Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)

Marcella is a clinical psychologist by training who works nationally on financing, policy, and implementation strategies at the intersection of homelessness, housing, and behavioral health. She previously spent more than 15 years with the City of Philadelphia leading behavioral health planning and street outreach services.

Sai’Queenau Reese — Program Manager II, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health Substance Abuse Services

Sai’Queenau leads a team of discharge managers embedded within Oklahoma’s prison system, spanning both the punitive and diversion sides of the justice system. She ensures justice-involved individuals with SMI are connected to treatment, housing, and community-based supports prior to release.

Tara Schultz — Assistant Director of Forensic Services, Ohio Department of Behavioral Health

Tara has over 25 years of experience in community mental health, including co-founding a comprehensive community mental health agency. She applies expertise in forensic treatment and risk management to support the continuum of services in Ohio’s forensic mental health system.

PANEL MODERATOR

Jen Elder — Principal, Jen Elder Consulting

Jen brings more than 18 years of experience supporting policy, strategy, and implementation across federal, state, and local systems. She previously served as National Director of SAMHSA’s Homeless and Housing Resource Center and has delivered more than 75 national presentations in partnership with SAMHSA, the VA, HUD, and DOL.

Questions may be directed to [email protected]

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact the SAMHSA State TA Team at [email protected]

within 10 business days of the event to ensure timely assistive services are provided.

OMB #0930-0393 (Issued: 5/17/23, Expires: 4/30/29)

WEDNESDAY

September

23

2:00–4:00PM ET

Presented via Zoom