October 11th, 2017
State commissioners and leaders from across the country joined together to discuss best practices and initiatives for youth residential and community-based services at the Double Tree by Hilton in Andover, October 4-6, for the Building Bridges Initiative 2017 Fall Training Event.
The nationwide event was held in Massachusetts for the second time in three years, as American Training was again selected as the event host.
Key speakers included Dr. Gary Blau and Kathryn Powers of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a branch of the US Department of Health and Human Services, MA Department of Children and Families Commissioner Linda Spears, MA Department of Mental Health Commissioner Joan Mikula, key figures from the juvenile justice system, and more.
The more than 400 attendees from around the country and Canada discussed topics including the best practices regarding the use of psychotropic medications for youth, serving youth who are LGBTQ and Gender Diverse, and using advocates effectively, among other topics.
American Training’s own President & CEO Tom Connors delivered the welcome address for the sold-out event.
“This crowd is simply amazing,” said Connors. “I’m excited about the size of it. Because the message is clear that you care about the people you are serving.”
American Training Colleagues Lorraine McLarney and Renee Ghembaza, who run American Training’s Youth Residential Services, co-led a group that addressed the best practices in providing services to transitional aged youth.
American Training is a longtime provider of services to youth and families and supports and practices the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). American Training’s services are trauma informed which enables the company to best work with its youth population, providing successful outcomes to those they serve.
“The national Building Bridges Initiative is honored to have American Training, Inc. host our second National Building Bridges Initiative Training Event,” said Beth Caldwell, Director of BBI , in a statement to American Training.
Over 400 leaders and clinical staff from nearly 40 states attended the event representing top leaders in the areas of mental health, child welfare and juvenile justice, residential and community providers, along with families, youth and peer advocates, said Caldwell.
“The Annie E. Casey Foundation is a major sponsor for this event as well as many other sponsors who are interested in improving practice in residential and community programs so that the youth and families served by these programs realize sustained positive outcomes post-residential discharge,” she added.
Learn more about the Building Bridges Initiative, BBI, here and check out photos from the event below.
As the host of this year’s event, we also hosted a Welcome Reception at the Gatsby Mansion at our location in Andover, offering BBI attendees an evening of WOW! Magic! Check it out below!
