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Welcome to the latest CMHIS Community Connect newsletter, your bimonthly source for tools, insights, and opportunities to strengthen mental health practices.
In this issue, we highlight Navigating the Now and national events focused on our 8 Core Topics, an introduction to our new CMHIS Learning Lab, and a Hub spotlight on an upcoming Navigating the Now series, “Systems Change for Organizational Wellness.”
This edition also includes information about our new measurement-based care (MBC) resource, webinar from one of our sister training and technical assistance centers, and conference updates.
Each issue brings practical examples and timely resources to support your work. As always, CMHIS is here to support a connected community advancing accessible, effective mental health care.
| | Navigating the Now & National Core Topics | |
Dear Colleagues,
CMHIS is launching new national learning opportunities: Navigating the Now and events focused on our 8 Core Topics of implementation science.
Navigating the Now features five national events led by our bi-regional Hubs that explore pressing challenges in mental health through the lens of implementation science. Each session will examine real-world pain points and current themes shaping the field today.
CMHIS is also introducing national events focused on our 8 Core Topics of implementation science, designed to make these foundational concepts more accessible to a broad audience. Through the spring and summer, each Hub will host national events highlighting one of the Core Topics and its role in strengthening evidence-based mental health practices across the country.
These opportunities are open nationally, and we hope you will join us as we continue working together to improve the implementation and impact of effective mental health services and programs.
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Upcoming Navigating the Now Event:
April 14, 2026: Systems Change for Organizational Wellness: A Three-Part Series
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Upcoming National Core Topic Event:
March 26, 2026: Design with a Purpose: Creating Marketing Materials That Drive Impact
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CMHIS Convenes National Experts to Advance Measurement-Based Care
Measurement-based care (MBC) is a clinical approach that uses regularly collected patient-reported outcome measures to monitor progress and inform treatment decisions. By generating real-time data, MBC helps clinicians and clients discuss their experience in treatment and determine when care should be adjusted to improve outcomes. It can also help identify when treatment is working and guide decisions to reduce the intensity of care or conclude a treatment episode. Although research shows that MBC improves clinical outcomes, it remains underutilized in community mental health care.
Recently, CMHIS convened a panel of national experts in MBC to compile a list of standardized patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). These measures are now available in a downloadable repository that includes an overview of each tool and links to access measures for both adults and youth.
This resource can help you:
- Select validated outcome measures
- Track patient progress
- Guide treatment decisions
- Evaluate programs
- Improve care quality and mental health systems
The CMHIS site also offers learning sessions and implementation tools to help organizations begin adopting measurement-based care.
| | At CMHIS, all of our learning opportunities and resources are free. | | Introducing the CMHIS Learning Lab | | |
We’re excited to launch the CMHIS Learning Lab, a new online learning platform offering self-paced courses, such as the NIATx Change Leader Academy, and recorded learning sessions developed by CMHIS and our five bi-regional Hubs. The Learning Lab supports the full process of preparing for, implementing, and sustaining effective mental health services.
Users can easily find courses based on topic, activity type, duration, target audience and experience level.
All courses, events, and resources are free, including certificates and continuing education credits. To receive a certificate or credit, simply:
- Complete an online course or participate in a live activity.
- Complete a brief (5-10 minute) anonymous feedback survey.
- Follow the instructions provided after the survey to claim your certificate or continuing education credits.
More features are coming soon, including discussion boards that will allow participants to connect with peers and course faculty.
| | Northeast Atlantic & Caribbean Hub: Upcoming Navigating the Now Three-Part Learning Series | | |
Series starts April 14
10–11:30 a.m. PT, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. MT, noon–1:30 p.m. CT, 1–2:30 p.m. ET
The Northeast Atlantic & Caribbean Hub is hosting “Systems Change for Organizational Wellness,” a three-part learning series designed to help organizations build healthier, more sustainable workplace cultures.
Led by Ashley E. Stewart, PhD, LSW, MSSW, director of strategic transformation at C4 Innovations and assistant professor at Temple University College of Public Health, the series introduces a practical framework for strengthening organizational wellness across structural, relational, and intrapersonal dimensions.
Drawing on Dr. Stewart’s adaptation of the Waters of Systems Change framework, the sessions will explore how intentional changes in systems, relationships, and workplace climate can support organizational well-being. Participants will gain both conceptual grounding and practical tools they can apply in leadership, supervision, and day-to-day team dynamics.
The series will take place April 14, April 21, and April 28, 1–2:30 p.m. ET, and is open to participants from all states and territories. Attending all three sessions is encouraged, as the content builds across the series.
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Come See Us at NatCon 2026
CMHIS will be at NatCon 2026, April 27–29 in Denver. Hosted by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, NatCon is the largest conference in the U.S. focused on mental health and substance use care, bringing together thousands of clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and system leaders to share ideas and advance solutions in behavioral health.
On Monday, April 27, at 12:30 p.m. MT, Ann Murphy and Christina Clayton, directors of the Northeast Atlantic & Caribbean and Pacific West Hubs, will present a digital poster on practical strategies and resources to prepare for, implement, and sustain effective practices to promote the best client outcomes. If you’re attending, we’d love to connect. Stop by our session or reach out to say hello.
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Strengthening Post-Crisis Partnerships Between First Responders and Community Providers
From the SAMHSA-funded Crisis Systems Response Training & Technical Assistance Center (CSR-TTAC)
Reduce repeat crises and build long-term resilience.
When first responders are called to a crisis, the needs of individuals and communities often extend beyond the initial intervention. This webinar explores strategies for building collaborative post-crisis support systems that ensure continuity of care and strengthen partnerships between law enforcement and community providers. Participants will learn how cross-sector collaboration can close gaps between emergency response and ongoing services, reduce repeat crises, and support long-term community resilience.
Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
Time: 2–3:30 p.m. ET
Speakers:
Emily Anderson, MSW, LCSW, manager, Co-Responder Services, Colorado Behavioral Health Administration
Sgt. Amil Alwin, community service team lead, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety
| | Implementation Science Corner | Leadership Moment: Why Intention is a Crucial Ingredient in Implementation | |
In implementation work, technical expertise and innovative solutions are often front and center. But without a clear intention guiding the work, even well-designed initiatives can struggle to achieve meaningful and sustainable change. This reflection from Mordecai Dixon, an Implementation Specialist at the Southwestern Plains Hub, illustrates how intention and thoughtful preparation can be the foundation of lasting, meaningful change in implementation efforts.
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We’d love to hear from you! Is there something you want us to cover in an upcoming CMHIS newsletter? Send us your thoughts, stories, or feedback.
What to Expect Next Month
In April, you’ll receive the newsletter from your local Hub, with updates and highlights from your bi-region.
We’ll be back in May with more CMHIS news, stories, and insights. In the meantime, feel free to visit our website, send us an email, or follow us on LinkedIn.
Request Support
The Center for Mental Health Implementation Support (CMHIS) and our bi-regional Hubs offer assistance to grantees funded by SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services and any organizations that oversee or directly provide mental health services. We can help your organization or system improve the delivery of mental health care by supporting you in preparing for, implementing, and sustaining effective prevention, treatment, and recovery programs and services.
Please review our guidelines and submit a request.
| | This project is supported by Grant Number SM090078 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of SAMHSA/HHS or the U.S. Government. | | | | |
