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Kemna, Kelli, MSW

Kelli Kemna is the Housing Director for Missouri Department of Mental Health. Kelli administers Department of Mental Health’s Shelter Plus Care, Show Me Recovery Housing, VA GPD, Rental Assistance Program, PATH, SOAR and Housing Liaison projects throughout Missouri. These duties include providing technical assistance to housing centers to ensure grant compliance, fiscal management, working with coordinated entry systems to obtain referrals, writing policies and procedures for the implementation of the grants, writing policy for various Continuums of Care and advocating for equitable affordable housing options for those experiencing mental health or substance use issues. For the previous decade, Kelli ran the gamut of housing positions from supportive services to administration. The variety of experiences gives her a unique perspective on the homelessness and housing system. Her work is directed by the beliefs that everyone has the right to housing regardless of history or current circumstances and homelessness is a solvable problem through continuous improvement in housing choice. These core beliefs make her a great champion for housing first and finding creative strategies to the barriers faced in addressing homelessness and housing instability.
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Hicks, Dawn, MA, BCBA

Dawn Hicks (she/her) graduated from Arizona State University in 2022 with an MA in Special Education and an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis. Completed her practicum under Nicholas Maio-Aether at Empowered: A Center for Sexuality, and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2023. Prior to that, she worked in ISL homes in various positions ranging from a DSP to a QDDP.

Presentation(s):

Best Practices: Sexuality When Working with ID/DD Youth

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Teresa Cooley-Bennett, LCSW, LSCSW, CCPD-D, TTS

Ms. Terri Cooley- Bennett is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (MO), a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (KS), a Co-occurring Disorders Professional-Diplomate, and a Tobacco Treatment Specialist. She is a doctoral student at the Tulane University School of Social Work (TSSW). Ms. Cooley- Bennett is experienced in homelessness, mental illness, integrated treatment, substance use, sexual exploitation, trauma, and poverty. She currently works at Swope Health in the Behavioral Health Department. Ms. Cooley-Bennett has over 20 years of experience as a presenter, workshop leader, and educator and is a board member the Missouri Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). She is trained with the National NASW Office of Ethics and Professional Review and is an active member of the ethics committee for the Missouri NASW. She is a presenter on ethics training organizations such as the Missouri Coalition for Behavioral Healthcare, the Missouri National Association of Social Workers, the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare Continuing Education Program, the Missouri Credentialing Board, and others. She provides field instruction for social work students, clinical supervision for professionals seeking licensure, and has held Adjunct Professor positions for City Vision University Addictions Counseling Program and the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare.

Presentation(s):

Ethics, Research, and Vulnerable Populations

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Glass, Kayette, LPC, PsyD

Dr. Kayette Glass is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Health Service Provider. She has worked in the mental health field since 1998 in different capacities, e.g., Community Support Worker, Psychosocial Rehabilitation Coordinator, Qualified Developmental Disability Professional, Licensed Psychologist, Director, Military Psychologist, and now Vice President of Clinical Services with The Arc of the Ozarks. The Vice-President of Clinical Services is responsible for planning, initiating, directing, coordinating, and implementing all care and treatment activities for individuals served by The Arc of the Ozarks and individuals served in the community. Currently, she supervises several teams, e.g., Psychological, Behavioral Analysts, Registered Behavior Techs, Behavior Consultants, and students. The design of the clinic is to provide wraparound services to individuals seeking assistance. She provides clinical services, crisis interventions, and has begun her training as a Suicide Prevention Trainer. She continues to provide community trainings and presentations to assist with educating others the importance of seeking mental health services and/or working with those who suffer from mental illness and a co-occurring IDD. Dr. Glass is also specially trained in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition and is a Certified Mandt Instructor. Dr. Glass assists with in-home services for individuals with IDD and dementia.
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Nesbitt, Donna, BA

Donna Nesbitt is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor in the state of Missouri. She currently works at Ozark Center in Joplin as a Mobile Crisis Specialist for the 988-Lifeline. Her experience includes four years as a counselor in substance use and as a case manager. Donna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and in Sociology from Missouri Southern State University while having recently started the Master’s in Social Work program at Liberty University. Donna sits on the Committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Ozark Center. She is an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ and recovery communities as well as being a part of both herself, identifying as a Lesbian woman and celebrating 11 years of sobriety this year. Donna has spoken previously at the Spring Training Institute and provided trainings within her agency as well as to others on various topics related to her competencies.

Presentation(s):

The Rainbow Road to Recovery

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Chaffee, Thomas, MD

I am an academic psychiatrist working in the heart of downtown Kansas City, Missouri. I grew up in Kansas City, went to Kansas State University for my undergraduate degree, the University of Kansas for medical school, and the University of Michigan for residency. I am currently employed as an academic psychiatrist in the heart of downtown Kansas City, MO. I work for University Health, which has an affiliation with the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC). I have a variety of roles within the department – primarily working with patients with serious and persistent mental illness. I see patients in the office, the community (often doing home visits or doing outreach at homeless shelters or camps), and jail. We have been building a relationship with the judges at the Kansas City Municipal Court – helping to provide mental health care for those incarcerated with city charges. I also have an informal relationship with the UMKC athletic department and see many of the athletes with mental health needs. I recently accepted a position as Assistant Residency Director and enjoy teaching both medical students and residents. I find a deep satisfaction helping patients, who because of their mental illness and systemic inequities, struggle to access basic human needs. I enjoy working within a community of providers and staff who share the same passion.

Presentation(s):

The Justice System, Mental Illness, and Mental Health Court

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Sohl, Kristin, MD, FAAP

Kristin Sohl, MD, FAAP is a Professor of Clinical Child Health at the University of Missouri, Founder and Executive Director of ECHO Autism Communities. She is a pediatrician with extensive experience in medical diagnosis, evaluation, and longitudinal support of people on the autism spectrum and with other developmental/behavioral disorders. ECHO Autism Communities is viewed as the leading model in expanding equitable access to best practice screening, evaluation, diagnosis, and longitudinal support for autistic people particularly in underserved and rural populations. ECHO Autism Communities partners with children’s hospitals and autism centers in more than 50 locations in the United States and 30 international locations. These partnerships establish a large consortium of academic and community professionals defining and shaping the landscape of autism and disability services and research. Dr. Sohl is a tireless advocate for children and enjoys engaging other physicians and professionals in being a voice for children’s health. She is the Immediate Past President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Missouri Chapter and the chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Autism Subcommittee within the Council on Children with Disabilities. She also serves as the Medical Director for MU Missouri Telehealth Network and the MU Office of Continuing Education for Health Professions. She completed medical school and pediatric residency at the University of Missouri.

Presentation(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Developing a Deeper Understanding

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Andrews, Crestin, DO

Dr. Crestin Andrews is the current chief resident and incoming academic chief resident at the University of Missouri Columbia Psychiatry Program. She completed dual bachelor’s degrees in Neuroscience and Psychology at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, then graduated medical school from A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. She discovered her passion for mental health during a service trip abroad to Egypt, after which she went on to establish a global service initiative centering around teaching preventative health measures to groups of youth internationally. Endlessly fascinated by the complexities of the mind, the study of nonverbal communication is one avenue on her continual pursuit of understanding the human condition. In her spare time, Crestin enjoys playing guitar, exploring nature, and learning about all things NASA and space travel!

Presentation(s):

Body Talks: The Covert Language of Nonverbal Communication

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Higginbotham, Jennifer, MSW, LCSW

Jennifer received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, and a Master’s in Social Work from Washington University. While at the Brown School of Social Work, Jennifer was first introduced to Independence Center as a practicum student. She was instantly passionate about the Clubhouse Model approach of psychosocial rehabilitation. Jennifer is on the Faculty for Clubhouse Development as well as the Advisory Council for Clubhouse International. She has also been instrumental in mentoring the other Clubhouses in Missouri and initiated the first Clubhouse Coalition in the state. Jennifer received the Mortimer Goodman Mental Health Professional award from NAMI St. Louis. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is currently the Chief Program Officer at Independence Center where she has worked for 36 years.
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Rose, Yvette, DNP

Dr. Rose been a faculty member in the nursing department since 2008, teaching in the areas of Mental Health, Transcultural Nursing, and Leadership. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Governors State University (2015), Master of Science in Nursing (2007) from Governors State University, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (1998) from Olivet Nazarene University. She holds a Parish Nursing Certificate from Olivet Nazarene University (1999). Her professional nursing experience has been in geriatric nursing, acute and long-term care, mental health, and case management.

Dr. Rose have a strong commitment to mental health (Veterans and African American Father/Loss and Grief), education, community service, diversity, inclusion, and equity.

Presentation(s):

Barbershop Talk: Grief and Bereavement in Black Fathers After the Loss of a Spouse/Partner