Innovative practices to address workforce shortages and enhance access to community mental health services.

We invite all mental health providers, professionals, clinicians, behavioral health graduates, public health researchers, and community-based organizations to join us this May 17 to meet our interdisciplinary team from El Futuro to discuss creative strategies to increase patient access to mental health care. From direct practice, community engagement, and integrated behavioral health perspectives, the panelists will share examples of successes from the past three years and highlight ongoing areas for growth.

This interactive learning opportunity may be of interest to: 

  • Mental Health Clinicians 
  • Practice Managers/Administrators 
  • Triage and Evaluation Specialists 
  • Clinical and Administrative Supervisors 
  • Leaders in non-profit or other community-based organizations 
  • Leaders of Community Health Outreach Workers, Peer Support Specialist and Case Management Programs 
  • Behavioral Health graduate school program advisors and educational placement coordinators 
  • Quality Control/Quality Assurance professionals 
  • Behavioral Health/Public Health Researchers 

For questions about this event, email Alison Ieno, Clinical Project Manager, at: aieno@elfuturo-nc.org 

Mary Jones - Manager of Client Care and Engagement, El Futuro

Mary Jones is from Urireo in Salvatierra, Guanajuato and moved to the United States in 2005. The first time she left her small hometown was to attend university, where she graduated with a degree in computer systems engineering. After arriving in the U.S., Mary decided she wanted to do everything she could to help the immigrant community here. Mary worked as a Latino parent’s playgroup facilitator at a church, then as an ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance) Coordinator for Head Start. Mary focused for 11 years on being in touch with families, working with community agencies, coordinating referrals and making sure the program met all performance standards. At El Futuro, Mary manages programs centered around client care and community engagement.

Heather Ladov - LCSW, Clinical Services Manager, El Futuro

Heather joined the El Futuro team in August 2021 as the new Clinic Services Manager. At El Futuro, Heather supervises clinicians and has piloted several clinical programs and care models. Heather relocated from Oakland, CA where she worked as an intern, clinician and supervisor for 17 years at La Clinica de la Raza Mental Health Services. Heather’s focus is on access to health resources for Latinx folks. Heather is an avid reader, and when not working spends her time following her three kids around to their various activities.

Neftalí Serrano PsyD- Chief Executive Officer of the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association

Dr. Serrano is the Chief Executive Officer of the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting integrated care as the standard of care for all. He has devoted the entirety of his 21-year career to working with healthcare entities to develop integrated care services through his consultation work, trainings and site leadership. Dr. Serrano’s clinical and research interests center around leveraging integrated care to create access and equity for underserved populations. One of Dr. Serrano’s most outstanding contributions to the field of psychology has been his passion to teach and train the future Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) workforce. In 21 years of practice he has trained hundreds of students and professionals in the practice of behavioral health consultation in primary care.

“Regardless of what services clients come in for, we want them to walk out feeling confident and connected with a few tools to support them in their process, even after one session.”

Heather Ladov

“At El Futuro, we know there aren’t enough Bilingual Mental Health Counselors for everyone who needs help. But we’re always finding new ways to make sure everyone in our community can get the support they deserve”

Mary Jones

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