ASU center to honor behavioral health advocates
Arizona State University’s Center for Applied Behavioral Health Policy (CABHP) will honor behavioral health care professionals and advocates at the 4th Annual Arizona Behavioral Health Awards Gala, July 17 at the Hilton Sedona Resort in Sedona.<br /><br />Selected from among more than 40 nominations, award winners will be recognized for their public service and invaluable contributions to the behavioral health field in Arizona.<br /><br />“The Center is committed to a mission of improving programs and policies for people with behavioral health disabilities and their families,” said Michael S. Shafer, director of the Center for Applied Behavioral Health Policy. “Each of the honorees this year has made significant contributions that have benefitted the behavioral health programs not only in our state, but also across the country. The dedication of these honorees to the cause of behavioral health and the eradication of the gap in behavioral health services is an inspiration to us all.”<br /><br />This year’s honorees include:<br /><br />· Legacy: Nelba Chavez has devoted more than 30 years to advocacy for those impacted by mental health and substance use disorders, and was the first administrator of the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Dr. Chavez understands the importance of ensuring those who are affected the most by government policies have a voice in their creation.<br /><br />· Legislative Leadership: Arizona Senator Tom O’Halleran (R-1), a member of the Legislature since 2001, sits on the Health, Education K-12, and Appropriations committees and is chairman of the Higher Education Committee. Sen. O’Halleran has been a consistent and courageous champion of healthcare and behavioral health services.<br /><br />· Leadership in Advocacy: Timothy Schmaltz is the coordinator of the Protecting Arizona’s Family Coalition (PAFCO), a historic and diverse alliance of social and health agencies, faith-based groups, and community organizations dedicated to protecting and increasing health and human services funding and setting an agenda of tax reform.<br /><br />· Leadership in Services: Timothy Dunst has led Touchstone Behavioral Health since 1983. His vision for the organization is to be the premier provider of positive outcome behavioral health services to youth and their families in the Southwest. A leader in implementing science-based approaches, Mr. Dunst has led Touchstone to apply evidence-based practices to programs including Functional Family Therapy, Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care, and Brief Strategic Family Therapy.<br /><br />· Cultural Heritage Award: TERROS Behavioral Health Services is a non-profit community-based organization which has been addressing behavioral health needs since 1969 by providing prevention, education and treatment services. TERROS has grown from the Phoenix area’s first substance abuse treatment program to a comprehensive behavioral health organization of more than 300 professionals who serve more than 25,000 people and families each year. The CABHP is a research and training center within ASU’s College of Human Services. The college combines forward-reaching education with world-class faculty members who work with public and private sectors to encourage positive change in social settings locally, nationally and internationally. Human Services faculty members focus on expanding research and influence in criminal justice and violence prevention, mental-health and substance-abuse treatment, lifelong learning, gerontology, community development, quality-of-life issues, and advocacy and leadership effectiveness.<br /><br />For more information, visit <a href="http://www.cabhp.asu.edu/">www.cabhp.asu.edu</a> or call Matthew Roy (602) 942-2247 ext. 114. <p> </p>