Children’s Behavioral Health: Promising Practices in Tribal Communities

Children’s Behavioral Health: 

Promising Practices in Tribal 

Communities

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 

Administration (SAMHSA), and the Indian Health 

Service (IHS), with the Center for Faith-based and 

Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services, are hosting a 2-part

virtual convening focused on the behavioral health of children in Tribal communities.

Day 1 Agenda: Focus on Early Childhood and School-Based Programs

Thursday, May 11, 2023, from 12:00pm (EST) – 2:30pm (EST)

Agenda Item Description Speaker

Welcome Welcoming remarks with traditional opening 

and prayer.

CAPT Karen Hearod, Director, Office 

of Tribal Affairs and Policy, SAMHSA 

Dr. Glorinda Segay, Director, 

Division of Behavioral Health, IHS

Opening 

Remarks

Leadership from across the U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services will provide remarks 

about work to strengthen behavioral health for 

children, youth, and families in tribal 

communities.

Andrea Palm, Deputy Secretary 

January Contreras, Assistant 

Secretary, ACF

CAPT Carmen Clelland, Chief of 

Staff, IHS

Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, 

Assistant Secretary, SAMHSA

Panel: Early 

Childhood 

Behavioral 

Health

Panelists will provide information about 

promising practicesto support the behavioral 

health of young children and their families.

There will be opportunitiesfor questions and 

answers and discussion with participants.

Shamika Dokes-Brown, Program 

Manager, Strong Families Tribal 

Home Visiting Program, Native 

American Health Center

Andrea Littlemoon, parent

Port Gamble S’Kallam Tribe Early

Childhood Program

Break 10-minute break

Panel: 

SchoolBased 

Behavioral 

Health

Panelists will provide information about 

promising practices in school-based behavioral 

health programs. There will be opportunities for 

questions and answers and discussion with 

participants.

Ryan Chee, Leupp Elementary 

School, Navajo Nation

Dr. Misty Boyd, Project I-Launch, 

Chickasaw Nation

Closing 

Remarks

Closing remarks with opportunities to provide 

feedback.

CAPT Karen Hearod, Director, Office 

of Tribal Affairs and Policy, SAMHSA
Children’s Behavioral Health: Promising Practices in Tribal Communities

Day 2 Agenda: Focus on Whole Family and Workforce Programs

Friday, May 12, 2023, from 12:00pm (EST) – 2:30pm (EST)

Agenda Item Description Speaker

Welcome Welcoming remarks with traditional opening 

and prayer.

Lauren Behsudi, Senior Advisor, 

ACF

Dr. Glorinda Segay, Director, 

Division of Behavioral Health, IHS

Opening 

Remarks

Leaders from ACF, SAMHSA, IHS, and BIA will

provide remarks about programs supporting 

the behavioral health of children tribal 

communities.

Hope MacDonald Lone Tree, Deputy 

Commissioner, ANA, ACF

CAPT Karen Hearod, Director, Office 

of Tribal Affairs and Policy, SAMHSA 

Angela Fallon, Deputy Director, 

Office of Clinical and Preventive 

Services, IHS

Hankie P. Ortiz, Associate Deputy 

Director, BIE

Panel: Whole 

Family 

Approaches 

to Behavioral 

Health

Panelists will provide information about 

promising practices in behavioral health that 

support the whole family. There will be 

opportunities for questions and answers and 

discussion with participants.

Raquel Ramos, Prevention Specialist 

for the Whole Child Initiative, 

National Indian Education Association 

Tina Tah, Public Health Nurse 

Consultant, Baby Friendly Hospital 

Initiative, IHS

Rev. Clarance Yarholar, Springfield 

United Methodist Church, Oklahoma 

Indian Missionary Conference

Dr. Jessica White Plume, Three 

Affiliated Tribes, MHA Nation 

South Segment Reviving Horse 

Culture

Break 10-minute break

Panel: 

Workforce

Panelists will provide information about 

promising practices to support the behavioral 

health workforce in tribal communities. There 

will be opportunities for questions and 

answers and discussion with participants.

Bobbi Jo Peltier, Behavioral Health 

Aide Consultant, IHS

Sarah Walters, Deputy Executive 

Director, HOSA-Future Health 

Professionals

Closing 

Remarks

Closing remarks with opportunities to provide 

feedback.

Lauren Behsudi, Senior Advisor, 

ACF