On the first Tuesday of each month from 4-6 pm Arizona time, except for holiday weekends, ACMI will have featured guests to discuss a relevant behavioral health topic; after the speaker, we will discuss current issues with the behavioral health system attendees. Come learn about the different services in BHRFs and ALTCS programs this month. I have already asked her to explain:
What services are delivered in a BHRF? And which ones are not offered in that setting?
If medical services are not provided in a BHRF, how are they coordinated, and can they be provided in the BHRF home setting?
What type of services does ATTCS provide?
What is the eligibility and screening process for ATTCS?
Our speakers:
Elizabeth Forsyth is a nationally certified counselor (NCC) and a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Arizona and Colorado. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and with honors from the University of Phoenix with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her past work experience includes working at Florence Crittenton and a therapist at St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center, working in the intensive outpatient chemical dependency program and also on the inpatient unit for court-ordered patients, treating primarily members designated as Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI). Elizabeth works for Mercy Care as an Associate Manager in Clinical Health Services, supervising the adult behavioral health residential team, which oversees Behavioral Health Residential Facilities (BHRF), Adult Behavioral Health Therapeutic Homes (ABHTH), Substance Use Disorder Residential (SUDR), and Transitional Living Placements (TLP). She is also an adjunct faculty at Grand Canyon University, instructing master courses in tracks for counseling as well as mental health and wellness. Elizabeth has a strong history in legislative activism, previously serving as a registered lobbyist for the Arizona Counselors Association, during which time she arranged a Day at the Hill for counselors and spoke on multiple occasions to committee hearings at both the Arizona House of Representatives and Senate. In 2013, she played a key leadership role in changing counseling licensure in Arizona and participated in establishing rules for the new licensure statutes as a stakeholder in the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. She is a former president of the Arizona Counselors Association and former chair of the Western Region of the American Counseling Association, which oversees the Philippines and 13 states, including Arizona. Since 2012, Elizabeth has actively volunteered to lobby for the American Counseling Association and has attended Counselor Day at the Hill in Washington, D.C., each year to speak on issues related to counselors in the V.A., school counselors, and Medicare coverage. For the past six years, Elizabeth has served as the Western Region Representative on the Governing Council of the American Counseling Association. She is a national speaker on issues of ethics, cultural diversity, self-care, legislative advocacy, and professional identity.
Daniel Johnson has worked with Mercy Care for 6 years and is a clinical manager within the utilization management department, overseeing a team of utilization management nurses. His team primarily works with our pediatric members and our members admitted on a skilled stay at a skilled nursing facility. Daniel is a registered nurse with 11 years of experience working in hospitals, predominantly emergency rooms, where he received his certified emergency nurse certification.
Cynthia J. Leach has been the Vice President of Long Term Care at Mercy Care since December 2020. She brings over 35 years’ experience in health care administration, financial management, executive leadership and program development to this role. Her responsibilities are to develop, implement, oversee, and evaluate the Mercy Care Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) program while leading a large case management department. Cynthia ensures that appropriate and cost-effective medical and medically-related social and behavioral health services and supports are identified, planned, obtained, and monitored for individuals eligible for ALTCS services, families, and caregivers. In addition, she develops connections and partnerships within workforce development, home and community-based services (HCBS), and institutional programs. Prior to joining Mercy Care, for almost 25 years, Cynthia was the Owner/Chief Operations Officer at Coppersands, Inc., a senior healthcare management company. Cynthia’s responsibilities included overseeing the operations of post and sub-acute care, behavioral health, assisted living, and long-term care facilities. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration from the University
of Arizona and an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from DMCC. She holds several licenses with the State of Arizona, including Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Assisted Living Manager, and Registered Nurse.
Topic: ACMI Stakeholder’s Meeting
Time: May 7th, 2024 Behavioral Health Residential Facilities (BHRF), Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) program by Cynthia J. Leach, Elizabeth Forsyth, and Daniel Johnson
June 4th, 2024: Grace Secure Forensic Residential by Pythian Noah
July 2nd, 2024: Psychiatrist talking about dementia and Schizophrenia by Dr. Gopalajrishna and Kristi Leshinkie
August 6th, 2024: Genetic testing and medications
Every month on the First Tuesday until December 25th, 2025
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