Statewide Summit on Behavioral Health: An Opportunity for Collaborative Change: Full Schedule

STATEWIDE SUMMIT ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH:
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLABORATIVE CHANGE

11:00am EDT

Transforming Early Responses: A Panel Discussion on Intercepts 0-1 in Behavioral Health Crisis Responses

Wednesday May 21, 2025 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

This panel discussion will explore innovative crisis response and stabilization strategies, focusing on frequent utilizers of services. In addition to insights from our moderator Dr. Margie Balfour, panelists from Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City (including insights related to consent decree), Prince George’s County, Mid Shore to include the following counties (Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne and Talbot) and Washington County will share their experiences and best practices in handling crisis situations. The conversation will also address how local jurisdictions collaborate to divert individuals from unnecessary emergency room visits. GOCPP will highlight the crisis intervention team (CIT) centers of excellence showcasing successful models and resources. Participants will gain valuable insights into effective systems for managing and stabilizing crises, particularly for those who frequently engage with these services.

Moderators

Margie Balfour, MD, PhD

Chief of Quality & Clinical Innovation, Connections Health Solutions

Dr. Margie Balfour is a psychiatrist and national leader in quality improvement and behavioral health crisis services. She is the Chief of Quality and Clinical Innovation at Connections Health Solutions, which provides 24/7 access to mental health and substance use care throughout... Read More →

Speakers

Imani N. Booker-Lewis, MSW

LBHA Manager, Prince George’s County Health Department, Local Behavioral Health Authority

Jennifer Corbin, LCSW-C

Crisis Response System Director, Anne Arundel County Police

Jennifer Corbin, LCSW-C is Director of the Anne Arundel County Crisis Response System which is under the direction of the A.A. County Mental Health Agency. Much of her work is in collaborating with outside agencies to work with the crisis system such as A. A. County Police and Fire... Read More →

Lieutenant Steve Thomas

Crisis Intervention Team, Anne Arundel County Police

Steven Thomas, CCISM a Lieutenant with the Anne Arundel County Police has a BA from UMBC (Political Science and Sociology) and a MA from the University of Baltimore (Legal and Ethical Studies). He started as a patrolman with the Anne Arundel County Police in 1996 where he remained... Read More →

Timothy Jansen, LMSW

Chief Executive Officer, Community Crisis Services, Inc.

LMSW, is the Chief Executive Officer of Community Crisis Services, Inc (CCSI) “Home of the Prince George’s County Hotline” where he began his social work career as a hotline volunteer in 1996. Tim received his Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland School... Read More →

James H. Rhoden

Assistant Director, Centers of Excellence Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy

James Rhoden is a seasoned executive with over 33 years of experience in law enforcement, behavioral health, and program management. As Assistant Director of the Center of Excellence within the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP), he leads initiatives to reduce... Read More →

Rachel Ames

Mental Health Coordinator, Centers of Excellence Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy

Rachel Ames initiated her work in the behavioral health continuum of care in 2005, providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive counseling services to individuals, couples, and families in several school and clinic settings in San Antonio, TX. Her prior experience as a research... Read More →

Randolph (Randy) Dupont, PhD

Behavioral Health Lead Member, Baltimore and Cleveland Federal Courts Police Consent Decree Monitoring Teams

Dr. Dupont works with behavioral health systems and crisis intervention strategies. He is the Behavioral Health Lead Member for the Baltimore and Cleveland Federal Courts Police Consent Decree Monitoring Teams. He is a professor and clinical psychologist at the University of Memphis... Read More →

Kathyrn (Katie) Dilley, LCSW-C

Chief Executive Officer, Mid Shore Behavioral Health

Kathryn Dilley, LCSW-C, serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc., Core Service Agency serving as a local authority of the Behavioral Health Administration, Maryland Department of Health, representing Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and... Read More →

Casey Crowley, LCSW-C

Program Director, Mobile Crisis Services, Sheppard Pratt

Casey Crowley LCSW-C is the Program Director for Washington County Mobile Crisis Services through Sheppard Pratt. She also serves as the local CIT Coordinator for Washington County. In this capacity, Casey has been able to collaborate and build on partnerships within the county in... Read More →

Wednesday May 21, 2025 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Turf Valley-Grand Ballroom

Panel Discussion

2:45pm EDT

Panel Discussion: Innovative Approaches in Maryland and Beyond at Intercepts 2-3

Wednesday May 21, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT

Turf Valley-Grand Ballroom

This session will showcase innovative practices and collaborations in behavioral health and criminal justice, with a focus on Anne Arundel, Caroline, Carroll, Montgomery, and St. Mary’s counties. These jurisdictions will highlight their work in criminogenic screening and risk assessments, sharing insights into how these tools are used to improve outcomes and inform interventions. Additionally, the session will spotlight evidence-based practices at both the local and national level, drawing attention to successful diversion models and approaches being implemented across the country. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of emerging strategies and best practices that can be applied in their own communities.

Moderators

Richard Schwermer

Utah State Court Administrator (Ret.), The Leifman Group

Richard Schwermer has been involved in all aspects of court administration for over 35 years. First as a state level trial court administrator, then as a legislative liaison and Assistant State Court Administrator, he retired as the Utah State Court Administrator in 2019.Since that... Read More →

Speakers

Jennifer Alexander

Judge, District Court of Maryland for Anne Arundel

Judge Jennifer Alexander is an Associate Judge for the District Court of Maryland in Anne Arundel County since 2023. Judge Alexander is the Presiding Judge of the Anne Arundel County Mental Health Court. She is also a Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Public Education and Community... Read More →

Cara Lewis

Associate Judge, District Court of Maryland for Carroll County

Cara Y. Lewis, Associate Judge, District Court of Maryland, District 10, Carroll County, since November 4, 2021.Attended North Carroll High School, Hampstead, Maryland; University of Maryland, College Park, B.A. (English), 2007; Francis King Carey School of Law, University of Maryland... Read More →

Veronica Dietz, LCSW-C

Director of Crisis Services, Carroll County Health Department Bureau of Prevention, Wellness & Recovery

Veronica Dietz, LCSW-C is the director of crisis services at the Carroll County Health Department's Local Behavioral Health Authority. Ms. Dietz has been a licensed certified social worker - clinical for more than 20 years and has worked with individuals, groups and families across... Read More →

Ben Stevenson, M.Ed, MDE

Director, Montgomery County Government | Department of Correction and Rehabilitation

Ben Stevenson serves as the Director for the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (DOCR). He has over 29 years of experience working with the corrections profession. He currently oversees the operation of four divisions: Detention Services, Community Corrections, Medical and... Read More →

Heather L. Price

Administrative Judge, Circuit Court for Caroline County

Governor Larry Hogan appointed Heather Lynne Price as Caroline County District Court judge on January 13, 2021, and she was elevated to the County Administrative Judge, Caroline County Circuit Court, 2nd Judicial Circuit on January 21, 2022. Member, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council... Read More →

Kristie Ardire

Pre-Trial Service Case Manager, St. Mary's County Detention Center

Wednesday May 21, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Turf Valley-Grand Ballroom

Panel Discussion

11:15am EDT

Panel Discussion: Addressing Re-Entry and Community-Based Solutions: Intercepts 4-5

Thursday May 22, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT

Turf Valley-Grand Ballroom

This session will offer a multi-faceted view of re-entry efforts, showcasing effective strategies and resources to support the successful reintegration of justice-involved individuals with behavioral health issues into society.

The session will begin with an exploration of the unique needs and considerations for incarcerated individuals with behavioral health issues, particularly regarding discharge and re-entry planning. A focus will be placed on findings from a comprehensive landscape analysis, highlighting ongoing technical assistance efforts and available funding to support behavioral health and re-entry initiatives for justice-impacted individuals. Attention will also be given to a county-level re-entry program that successfully links incarcerated individuals with behavioral health treatment, coordinates appointments, arranges medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and facilitates state care coordination and housing or residential treatment referrals upon release.

Additionally, the session will cover a comprehensive treatment center model that offers a full spectrum of care under one roof, ensuring individuals have access to the treatment and support they need as they transition back into society.

Speakers

Mary Ann Thompson

Warden, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office/St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center

Mary Ann Thompson is a native of Southern Maryland and was raised in Leonardtown, MD. 1984, her career began at the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Washington Field Office Division. After five (5) years of commuting from Southern Maryland, in November of 1989, she joined the... Read More →

Patti Tobias

Administrative Director of the Idaho Courts (Ret.), The Leifman Group

Patti Tobias is a passionate and experienced Behavioral Health and Justice Consultant. Since January 1, 2025, Ms. Tobias has been a consultant with The Leifman Group working with states and communities to develop behavioral health and justice solutions. Ms. Tobias retired in 2024... Read More →

Stephanie D. Brehm, LMSW

Re Entry Coordinator, Allegany County Sheriff's Office, Detention Center

Stephanie Brehm is a Reentry Coordinator and Licensed Masters’ Social Worker with 9+ years of experience in working with individuals, facilitating groups and working to ensure successful community reintegration for ex-offenders. Stephanie has been employed at the Allegany County... Read More →

Robin Timme, Psy.D., ABPP (Forensic), CCHP-A

Vice President and Senior Expert, Falcon Correctional and Community Services, Inc.

Robin Timme is a forensic psychologist working at the intersection of public health and public safety. He is licensed as a Psychologist in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, and holds certificates from the Psychological Interjurisdictional Compact Commission (PsyPact) with Authority... Read More →

Renard E. Brooks

Assistant Secretary of Programs, Treatment, and Reentry, Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services

Mr. Renard Brooks is an experienced professional in the field of public safety and corrections. He recently joined the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) as the Assistant Secretary of Programs, Treatment, and Reentry. Prior to this, he held the... Read More →

Brandi Cahn

Assistant Director Justice Reinvestment Criminal Justice Programs, Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy

Brandi serves as the Assistant Director of Justice Reinvestment for the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy. Brandi is responsible for guiding policy development and strategic planning to ensure successful implementation of the Justice Reinvestment Initiative. Brandi's... Read More →

Tammy Loewe, LCSW-C

Behavioral Health Division Director, St. Mary's County Health Department, Behavioral Health Division

Tammy Loewe is the Division Director of Behavioral Health at the St. Mary’s County Health Department. As Director, her responsibilities include providing system management for behavioral health services in our community which refers residents to local behavioral health resources... Read More →

Thursday May 22, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Turf Valley-Grand Ballroom

Panel Discussion

Statewide Summit on Behavioral Health: An Opportunity for Collaborative Change