PRESENTATION

Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health: Promising Opportunities to Advance Mission and Vision

Wednesday, December 3 | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

As part of an informative and engaging keynote, Dr. Blau will explore critical updates in federal and state behavioral health policy and budgetary actions that impact mental health systems and services for children, youth, and families. He will focus on a recently released report from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) on "Appropriate Access to Residential Treatment for Behavioral Health Needs for Children in Medicaid." He will delve into the vital role of integrating pediatric primary care and behavioral health to enhance access and achieve better health outcomes. He will address the evolving landscape shaped by social media and artificial intelligence, highlighting both challenges and opportunities. He will also highlight the principles of adaptive leadership and will outline strategies for affecting systems change. Finally, he will underscore opportunities to advance our collective mission and vision to improve the mental health and well-being of children, youth, and families.

Learning Objectives: 

• Understand Key Policy Updates: Participants will be able to identify and explain recent federal and state behavioral health policy updates and budgetary actions that impact mental health systems and services for children, youth, and families.
• Increase Knowledge about Integrating Care: Participants will be able to articulate the importance of integrating pediatric primary care with behavioral health services and discuss how this integration can enhance access to care and lead to improved health outcomes for children and families. 

• Develop Strategies for Systems Change: Participants will be equipped with principles of adaptive leadership and actionable strategies to effect systemic change in mental health services, while also recognizing the impact of emerging trends such as social media and artificial intelligence on behavioral health.

About the Presenter

Gary M. Blau, PhD, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 35 years of leadership in child, youth, and family mental health. He currently serves as Executive Director Emeritus of The Hackett Center for Mental Health and Senior Fellow for Children’s Mental Health at the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, and is also the founder of “Gary M. Blau, Ph.D. & Associates.” Dr. Blau previously served as Senior Advisor for Children, Youth and Families and as Chief of the Child, Adolescent and Family Branch at SAMHSA, where he led national efforts to develop “systems of care.” His earlier roles include Executive Director of The Hackett Center, Bureau Chief for Quality Management and Director of Mental Health at the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, and Director of Clinical Services at the Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut. He is recognized as the founder of Youth M.O.V.E. and the National Building Bridges Initiative, both of which have made a national impact. Dr. Blau has received numerous awards, including the HHS Secretary’s Award for Meritorious Service and the Youth M.O.V.E. Rock Star Award, now named in his honor. He has authored over 70 publications, edited nine books, and held faculty appointments at Yale, Baylor, and currently the University of Texas Health. Dr. Blau earned his B.A. from the University of South Florida and PhD from Auburn University, and is a proud husband, father, and grandfather.