2025 Latine Behavioral Health Equity Conference

Join us as we hear from state and national leaders about ways in which we can better engage the Latine community in behavioral health service delivery and workforce development. We will be joined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Office of Behavioral Health Equity, as well as three powerful presenters. Breakfast and lunch is included. This is a great opportunity for professionals to come together, network, and discuss strategies for addressing an ongoing need in communities across the country.

Keynote Profiles:

• Dr. Haner Hernandez, PhD, CPS, CADCII, LADCI ​​is Puerto Rican, bilingual and has worked for over 37 years in the health and human service field developing, implementing, and evaluating culturally and linguistically intelligent youth and adult health prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support programs. He is a master trainer and facilitator and provides individualized technical assistance and support to organizations that provide Substance Use Disorder, Mental Health, and Gambling services. Also, Dr. Hernández has decades of experience delivering mental health services, addiction counseling, and clinical supervision to professionals in the field. Dr. Hernandez is committed to eliminating health disparities by participating in processes to build equity. He has served as a consultant to a number of national, state, and local organizations and institutions. He also consults with and teaches a number of courses at the New England Addiction Technology Transfer Center at Brown University, the National Hispanic and Latino Center of Excellence funded by SAMHSA, and the New England School of Addiction and Prevention Studies. He also serves as President of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Board for Voluntary Certification of Drug and Alcohol Counselors.
  
• Maxine Henry, MSW, MBA is a Project Director in the Collaborative to Advance Health Services at the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s School of Nursing and Health Studies. Under funding from the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), she is the Principal Investigator/Director of the Addiction Technology Transfer Center (TTC) Network Coordinating Office; the Site Principal Investigator for several sub-awards to include the Provider’s Clinical Support System – Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder (PCSS MAUD) and the Provider’s Clinical Support System – Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (PCSS MOUD); the Hispanic Latino Behavioral Health Center of Excellence; the Center for Addiction Recovery Supports (CARS); and the Behavioral Health Excellence TA Center (BHE-TAC): the lead on a partnership with the Addiction Policy Forum’s Helping End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative project; and was the Site PI of two sub-awards for the Mental Health TTC Network Coordinating Office - before they ended. Mrs. Henry serves as the Chair on the Steering Committee for the Hispanic Latino Behavioral Health CoE. Mrs. Henry is an expert on the delivery of culturally and linguistically responsive services to Latine-led and Latine-serving providers, individuals, and communities across the country. An emphasis on workforce development grounded in approaches that integrate the CLAS Standards in a meaningful way has led to several invitations to speak at national conferences, presentations for the workforce across the behavioral health spectrum, and several other projects. Much of her career has also been dedicated to developing, improving, and providing peer-run services to those living with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, focusing on community defined needs and solutions. Mrs. Henry is known for providing high- quality, innovative, robust, and sustainable peer-driven services for those who are in great need. She continues to provide organizational wellness and capacity building consultation to several organizations nationwide. is
  
• FJ Perfas is a prevention professional with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where he leads community-based youth substance misuse prevention initiatives for the Department of Public Health. He believes that fostering well-being is one of the most powerful ways to create conditions that support holistic health. Committed to restorative and strength-based practices, FJ values building meaningful, supportive relationships as key to helping individuals and communities thrive. An avid outdoors enthusiast, he enjoys exploring the mountains and oceans in his free time, which are just a few of the many reasons he loves calling New England home.

Event Venue

White's of Westport, 66 State Road, Westport, United States