The 21st Annual Research Conference

Tuesday Plenary

On Tuesday, Feb. 26, the discussion intensified as six leading experts delved into the topic of effective care for all children with mental health challenges and their families in accordance with system of care values and principles. For this first time, there was two back-to-back plenary sessions, separated by a 15 minute break. Experts shared their perspectives on what is needed to better serve children with serious mental health challenges and their families. They will answer a number of questions including:

  • What is meant when talking about evidence-based practices?
  • How far along are we in developing evidence-based practices for children with the most serious mental health challenges and their families, and particularly children from diverse backgrounds?
  • How might we create within communities and organizations the conditions that lead to application of effective practice with children and families?
  • What are the implications for researchers and administrators?
  • How does this concept of “organizational context” relate to each of the different levels, e.g., community, system, organization, program, and practice?

"We have chosen the back-to-back plenary sessions because we believe the topic is very important," said Center Director Robert Friedman. "As we strive to provide access to effective care for all children with mental health challenges and their families in accordance with system of care values and principles, it is important to offer a variety of perspectives."

Perspectives provided by
Eric Bruns, PhD: Psychologist and Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington Medical School. As a leading researcher and conceptualizer about wraparound care, he works on developing and evaluating processes for delivering community-based services and supports for families with children with complex mental health needs.
Video High-speed [WMV | QT] Dial-up [WMV]
Handouts [2.6mb pdf]
Barbara BurnsBarbara Burns, PhD: Professor of Medical Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine. She is a distinguished services researcher with a strong background in evidence-based practices and mental health policy. Aside from being a professor, Dr. Burns is also the Director of the Services Effectiveness Research Program and is currently conducting research on the dissemination of effective clinical interventions for youth with severe emotional disorders.
Video High-speed [WMV | QT] Dial-up [WMV]
Handouts [35mb pdf]
Charles GlissonCharles Glisson, PhD: Distinguished University Professor, Director and Founder of the Children’s Mental Health Services Research Center at the University of Tennessee. For 20 years, he has been conducting and publishing nationally recognized research on children at risk and the organizations which serve them. He has written numerous articles in major social work, mental health, and organizational research journals, and has made presentations throughout the country on the organizational context of social and mental health services.
Video High-speed [WMV | QT] Dial-up [WMV]
Handouts [1.5mb pdf]
Darcy GruttadaroDarcy Gruttadaro, J.D: Director of the Child & Adolescent Action Center at the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI). Darcy focuses her study on building effective partnerships and driving the debate in reforming the children’s mental health system. She is also a member and advisor to numerous children's health care task forces and agencies including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Mental Health Task Force and the Treatment of Adolescent Suicide Attempters Study (TASA) at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Video High-speed [WMV | QT] Dial-up [WMV]
Scott W. HenggelerScott W. Henggeler, PhD: Professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of the Family Services Research Center at the Medical University of South Carolina. As a developer of Multi-Systemic Therapy, his social policy interests include the development and validation of innovative methods of mental health services for disadvantaged children and their families, as well as efforts for redistributing mental health resources to services that are clinically effective and cost-effective and preserve family integrity.
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Scott W. HenggelerJanice L. Cooper, PhD: Director, Child Health and Mental Health, National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP), a division of the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. Dr. Janice L. Cooper's research has focused on quality of care for children and youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cultural and linguistic competence and mental health financing.
Video High-speed [WMV | QT] Dial-up [WMV]
Handouts [1.6mb pdf]