Join Us Aug. 14th to Gain Vital Insights

and Tools to Best Support Vulnerable

Youth and Young Adults!

Additional Program Details


Welcome Remarks - Debra L. Wentz, PhD, Chair, New Jersey Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma; President and CEO, New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies; Executive Director, New Jersey Mental Health Institute


Opening Remarks - Renee Burawski, LCSW, Assistant Commissioner, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services


Panel Discussion, Using Cultural Humility to Support Youth and their Mental Health

  • Moderator Joel Austin, Founder, Daddy University, Inc.
  • Askar Mirza, Member, New Jersey Department of Children and Families Youth Council
  • Wendy Sefcik, Chair, New Jersey Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council
  • Kalisha Smith, LCSW, Associate Clinical Director, Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide


Panel Discussion, Ensuring Cultural Competence in Serving Youth, LGBTQ+ and other Vulnerable Populations

  • Moderator June DePonte Sernak, EdD, Statewide Diversity Consultant, Center for Family Services
  • Damon L. McDade, Associate Director Culture Connections, Family Connections
  • JP Pedoto, LSW, Pride+ Program Coordinator and Clinician, Family Connections
Register to Attend

If you encounter any difficulties with registering, please contact Tara Shiffert at tshiffert@njamhaa.org or Steve Hirsch at shirsch@njamhaa.org.