The Center for Mental Health Implementation Support (CMHIS) and our 5 bi-regional Hubs provide support for organizations and systems on how to implement effective practices to deliver the best mental health care.

 

Updates From the Pacific West

Dear Colleagues,


Welcome to our June 2026 newsletter! We’re grateful, as always, for the opportunity to share resources, learning opportunities, and ways to stay connected in support of your work.


In this issue you’ll find: 


  • Updates from the Washington Behavioral Healthcare Conference
  • Exciting events hosted by the Pacific West Hub and CMHIS nationally
  • The new CMHIS introduction video
  • Newly posted resources on the CMHIS Learning Lab

Building Connections at the WA Behavioral Healthcare Conference

Last week, the Pacific West Hub team attended the Washington Behavioral Healthcare Conference (WBHC), joining behavioral health leaders, providers, peers, policymakers, and partners from across the state to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of behavioral health care in Washington state.


Besides exhibiting, we also had the pleasure of sharing information about CMHIS's core topics, and our implementation support services, at two workshops led by Implementation Coach Denna Vandersloot and Co-Directors Dr. Lydia Chwastiak and Christina Clayton: The Secret Ingredients of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), and Measurement-Based Care (MBC) Made Practical.


Thank you to everyone who stopped by to connect with us or attend our sessions. We look forward to continuing these conversations and supporting your projects!

Pacific West Hub team tabling at WBHC: Payton Messersmith and Erin Wright (left).
Denna Vandersloot presenting at the WBHC Conference (right).

If you want to talk through your ideas, or explore partnership opportunities, don't hesitate to reach out to us via email or through our website. We’re here, whether by email or a quick video call, to explore how we can support your priorities.


Warm regards,


Co-Directors Christina Clayton & Lydia Chwastiak

 

Upcoming Pacific West Hub Events

National Learning Opportunities You Won't Want to Miss:

You can find upcoming learning opportunities held by each Hub and national events on the CMHIS events calendar. Learn more about new events and register below.

Workshop: Advancing Access to Mental Health Services through Single Session Interventions (SSIs)

Thursday, June 18 ~ 9-10 a.m. PT

How Leaders Can Improve Workplace Climate for Successful Implementation of Mental Health Practices

Monday, June 22 & 29 ~ 12:30-1:30 p.m. PT

What is Adaptation and Why Does It Matter? Guidance for Adapting Mental Health Practices and Programs

Wednesday, June 24, July 8 & 22 
1-2 p.m. PT

Moving From Barriers to Action: Launching or Revitalizing MH Programs

Wednesday, July 29, August 5 & 12
1-2 p.m. PT

3 Free CEs Available!

Pacific West Hub Bi-Regional Events

Eligibility: These events are designed for our bi-region and are open to individuals working in HHS Regions 9 or 10: AZ, CA, HI, NV, AS, MP, FM, GU, MH, PW, AK, ID, OR, or WA.

Cross-Systems Collaboration for Crisis Continuum of Care

Tuesday, June 23 ~ 2-3:30 p.m. PT AND

Thursday, June 25 ~ 2-3 p.m. PT

Grief and Crisis Management 
Learning Community

Thursday, July 16, 23 & 30 ~ 2-3 p.m. PT
3 Free CEs Available!

BHSS Event Image

Developing the Mental Health Workforce Through 
Bachelor’s Programs

Monday, July 27

12-1 p.m. PT

Postvention Event Image

Implementation Support for Postvention Practices 
Learning Community

Fridays, August 7 & 14, September 11
 10-11:30 a.m. PT

 

Reintroducing CMHIS: New Video Now Live!

CMHIS Intro Video

We’re excited to share a new short video reintroducing the Center for Mental Health Implementation Support (CMHIS) and our work with mental health organizations and state agencies nationwide.


Funded by SAMHSA, CMHIS provides nationwide, no-cost support to help your team implement effective mental health care in your community.


In this video, you’ll hear from our team and audience about how we partner with organizations to navigate implementation challenges, build capacity, and create meaningful, real-world change.


Watch the video and learn more about CMHIS on our website.

 

Resources on the CMHIS Learning Lab

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The CMHIS Learning Lab is an online collection of self-paced courses and recorded learning sessions developed by CMHIS and our bi-regional Hubs.


Newly available: If you missed the first two sessions with Dr. Jessica Schleider on Advancing Access to Mental Health Services through Single Session Interventions, the recordings and slides are now on the Learning Lab and available to watch on demand!

 

About Us

The Pacific West Hub is housed within the University of Washington School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in Seattle, WA, and is led by Co-Directors Christina Clayton, LICSW, SUDP, and Lydia Chwastiak, MD, MPH.

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We serve HHS Regions 9 and 10, which include Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. These regions are home to over 430 federally recognized Tribes including the Navajo Nation, the largest Tribe in the U.S.

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