In this issue, you'll find an invitation to the newly released featured resources, new learning opportunities, the Midwest Hub staff spotlight, and additional content supporting our core topics and the intensive technical assistance we can provide for your organization. Read on to learn more! | | National Events & Workshops | NOTE: These national events are open to all states and territories. | | Advancing Access to Mental Health Services through Single Session Interventions (Workshop) | | |
Date: June 18 @ 7:00 am - 8:00 am CDT
Trainer: Dr. Jessica L. Schleider
| | |
This applied workshop is designed for participants who want to move from conceptual interest to concrete action. Building on content from Sessions 1 and 2, this session will guide participants through a structured implementation planning process, helping them assess readiness, clarify goals, and identify next steps for launching or strengthening single-session interventions within their organizations. The session will include a mix of brief didactic content and interactive planning exercises. A subset of participants may receive targeted, hands-on feedback on their implementation plans, while other attendees observe and learn from real-time implementation support.
| | Learn more about the event or series by visiting the event page. | | |
Date: June 22 and 29 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am CDT
Trainer: Mark Ehrhart, PhD; Marisa Sklar, PhD; and Greg Aarons, PhD
| | |
Implementation of mental health practices and programs occurs within complex, multilevel systems with many factors that can impede or enhance implementation efforts. For example, clinical providers who deliver the mental health practice often face direct costs, time demands, and limited expertise that hinders implementation. Organizational factors such as resource allocation, staffing, and performance monitoring and feedback can also impact implementation. Join the Pacific West Hub for a two-part learning series led by international implementation science experts Mark Ehrhart, PhD, Marisa Sklar, PhD, and Greg Aarons, PhD. This series will help leaders in behavioral health organizations and systems understand how effective and aligned leadership at multiple organizational levels and an organizational climate that emphasizes implementation directly influence successful and sustained implementation efforts.
| | Learn more about the event or series by visiting the event page. | | Evaluations that Matter: Turning Program Evaluation into Insight and Action | Date: June 30 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm CDT | |
Evaluations that Matter is a no-cost, one-part national learning session designed to introduce practical, beginner-level strategies for building and using program evaluations within community and behavioral health settings. This session is open to all states and territories.
| Learn more about the event or series by visiting the event page. | Featured Midwest Hub Events | | Sustainability Academy: Beyond the Grant – Planning and Data Storytelling for Funding Diversification | | |
Dates: June 16, 30, July 14, 28, August 11, 25, September 8, 1-hr individual coaching scheduled directly with the presenters.
Times: 1:00 PM–2:00 PM CT
Trainers: Cindy Rivera, MSW, MS and Mylonne Sullivan, MSW, LICDC, LISW, PhD ODL Candidate
| | |
The Sustainability Academy helps program staff plan beyond time-limited federal funding and build a clear strategy for long-term program sustainment. Serving up to 30 participants, the academy integrates CMHIS Sustainability tools and provides individualized coaching to develop actionable approaches for funding diversification, partnership and policy alignment, and data-driven storytelling. Visit the event page to learn more!
| |
Access the CMHIS resource library for free, evidence-based resources to support your organization's implementation goals!
| | We invite you to peruse the many resources available in CMHIS's resource library, including the featured items linked below! | | | | |
NIATx Change Leader Academy Self-paced eLearning Series
The NIATx Change Model is a simple process improvement that gets teams engaged and delivers results quickly. The NIATx Change Leader Academy Online Course is a free, 90-minute, self-paced course designed for beginners and change leaders alike. The course includes an introductory module plus 11 short learning modules that walk learners step by step through the NIATx Change Model.
Ready to improve your organization’s processes and lead effective change? The NIATx Change Leader Academy (CLA) has helped thousands of behavioral health professionals learn to lead change using the NIATx model.
[read more]
| | | Get To Know The Midwest Hub Team | | The Midwest Hub is excited to share our passion for effective and sustainable mental health implementation with everyone we serve! We'll be highlighting one of our team members' bios in each of our upcoming bimonthly newsletters, and we look forward to learning about and working with the mental health service providers of HHS Regions 5 and 7. | | | |
Alfredo Cerrato Lanza
Internal Consultant, Midwest Hub
As Senior Workforce Development Officer at the Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies (CHESS), Alfredo leads national training and systems improvement efforts focused on strengthening behavioral health services through practical, people-centered strategies. His current work supports organizations across the U.S. in translating proven models into everyday practice—especially in communities facing complex barriers to care. Earlier in his career, he led international initiatives focused on conflict resolution and public health, gaining firsthand experience adapting programs across a wide range of settings. With decades of experience in workforce development, implementation, and systems change, he brings a clear, grounded approach to helping teams connect strategy, community engagement, and measurable results. His leadership extends to applied research partnerships and evaluation efforts that drive continuous improvement, as well as guiding innovation in complex environments where systems must adapt without losing focus on the people they serve.
| | |
We’d love to hear from you! Is there something you want us to cover in an upcoming newsletter? Send us your thoughts, stories, or feedback.
What to Expect Next Month
We’ll be back in August 2026 with more Midwest Hub news, stories, and insights. In the meantime, feel free to visit our website, send us an email, or follow us on LinkedIn.
Request Support
As part of the Center for Mental Health Implementation Support (CMHIS), the Midwest Hub offers assistance to grantees funded by SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services and mental health service providers in HHS Regions 5 and 7 (IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, and WI). We can help you strengthen your mental health programs through community engagement, implementation planning, data use, outcome evaluation, and more. Please review our guidelines and submit a request.
| | | | |
