2026 Mental Health Multicultural Conference – Day 1 Schedule

• 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Registration, Breakfast, and Entertainment
  • Music by Project Knucklehead
• 8:40 a.m. to 8:55 a.m. Welcome, Opening Remarks, Land Acknowledgment
  • Rimmi Hundal, M.A., LACDMH Chief Deputy Director
• 8:55 a.m. to 9 a.m. Introduction and Acknowledgments of the Director
  • James Coomes, LCSW, LACDMH Program Manager III
• 9 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. Morning Keynote: “Healing in Uncertain Times: Cultivating Trauma-Informed, Culturally Responsive, and Antiracist Organizations” (1.5 CE/CEU)
  • Keynote Speaker: Dr. Wendy Ashley, Psy.D., LCSW
• 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Morning Workshops
  • Coming to Terms with Historical Trauma: Practical Strategies for Building Resilience Through Culturally Responsive Mental Health Practices (1 CE/CEU)
  • Building Resilience and Community Wellbeing:  A Model for Supportive Projects of Creative Expression and Engagement
  • Unstoppable: The Power of Healing & Growth – A Disability-Inclusive, Culturally Affirming Framework for Mental Wellness (1 CE/CEU)
  • Listening Beyond the Crisis: Culturally Responsive De-Escalation and Violence-Prevention Strategies for the Latino Community (1 CE/CEU)
  • Creative Wellbeing: Healing Centered Ars Practices for Building Communities of Wellness
  • Hidden Spaces, Visible Outcomes: Queer Youth and Substance Use in Schools
  • Cultivating Calm, Creativity & Connection: Expressive Arts for Multicultural Healing
  • “Si te Ríes, Gozas: Community Theater for Multicultural Healing,” a one-hour performance in Spanish-language
• 11:40 a.m. to 12:55 p.m. Lunch, Networking and Entertainment
  • Music by DJ, Give a Beat
• 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Afternoon Workshops
  • Rewriting the Narrative: Men’s Mental Health, Identity, and Fatherhood (1 CE/CEU)
  • Reframing Deafness: Silent Struggles, Strong Signs (1 CE/CEU)
  • Thriving Between Two Worlds: Healing Identity, Stress, and Stigma Through Improv, Movement, and Culturally Rooted Storytelling
  • Complex Trauma within the Armenian Community (1 CE/CEU)
  • From Stigma to Stability: Housing, Reentry and Mental Health Navigation
  • TAY Wellness Film Partnership
  • Neurodivergent Voices: A look into serving communities at the intersection of LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent identities
• 2:05 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. Break/Networking/Arts & Culture Movement
  • Movement Activity by Versa Style Dance
• 2:25 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Introductory Remarks for Afternoon Plenary Speaker
  • James Coomes, LCSW
• 2:30 p.m. to 3:35 p.m. Afternoon Keynote: “A Portrait of Los Angeles County 2026”
  • Keynote Speaker: Kristen Lewis, Measure of America
• 3:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. Closing Remarks
  • James Coomes, LCSW

Presented by Dr. Wendy Ashley, Psy.D., LCSW in the Wilshire Ballroom (1.5 CE/CEU)

This keynote provides an integrative overview of the current socio-political landscape and examines how prolonged uncertainty, collective trauma, and systemic inequities impact both mental health providers and the clients they serve. The facilitator will explore core principles of trauma-informed care and the ethical necessity of cultural humility, antiracist practice, restorative self-care, and radical healing. The session emphasizes practical application across clinical, supervisory, and organizational contexts. Dr. Ashley is the author of multiple publications; speaks at conferences nationwide and internationally; maintains a trauma informed, anti-oppressive private practice and provides antiracist training and consultation for multiple community agencies. She specializes in deconstructing intersectional oppression, privilege and racialized trauma to promote healing.

Her pedagogical acumen centers on conducting and facilitating antiracist, culturally relevant research and practice with marginalized individuals and communities. Dr. Ashley’s research interests emphasize the promotion of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in clinical practice, education and organizational culture. She is passionate about social justice advocacy, and infuses an intersectionality lens in her teaching, practice, training and research.

The following Day 1 Morning workshop takes place in the Silver Lake Room.

Coming to Terms with Historical Trauma: Practical Strategies for Building Resilience Through Culturally Responsive Mental Health Practices (1 CE/CEU)
(Translation provided in Khmer / Korean) Presented by Sara Pol-Lim, Ed.D., St. Mary Medical Foundation Center

Drawing from my memoir, “Coming to Terms with Historical Trauma,” I will share pivotal moments from my life and offer practical strategies for building resilience. My presentation will blend personal anecdotes, interactive discussions, and evidence-based approaches to healing. Attendees will explore how education, cross-generational support, and community engagement can strengthen individuals and families facing adversity.

The following Day 1 Morning workshop takes place in Hollywood Room.

Building Resilience and Community Wellbeing: A Model for Supportive Projects of Creative Expression and Engagement
Presented by Karen S. Gunn, Ph.D., Gunn Consulting Group, Julie Rusk, B.A., Civic Wellbeing Partners, Lizeth Antonio, B.S., Community Wellbeing Program

Present a description and explanation of the SMBA-HRC Community Wellbeing Microgrant Model; “Funding People, Purpose & Possibility.” The importance and value of these grants to personal growth, individual agency, inner harmony, and sense of empowerment will be discussed. These community-based projects provide opportunities that promote well-being and foster self-care through creative expression. As an innovative Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) approach, the projects have purposely been awarded to and centered the voices, experiences, and strengths of BIPOC and marginalized people.

Microgrant recipients channel their aspirations and creativity through various forms of arts and crafts, self-care strategies, skill-building, civic and community engagement. Post-project evaluation data indicates positive changes for the grantees. Workshop participants will learn about the programs’ design, implementation, 1st person accounts, and outcomes. Participant sociodemographic characteristics, (i.e., multicultural, multilingual, multi-generational) will be described. The challenges and implications will be shared.

The following Day 1 Morning workshop takes place in the Echo Park Room.

Unstoppable: The Power of Healing & Growth – A Disability-Inclusive, Culturally Affirming Framework for Mental Wellness (1 CE/CEU)
(Translation provided in ASL / CART) Presented by Leon Maultsby, D.B.H., Erica Robinson, B.A.-CIS, Health Matters Clinic

Unstoppable is a trauma-informed, experiential workshop designed to strengthen resilience, mental health literacy, and community connection among multicultural communities—particularly Black individuals and families impacted by disability. The program integrates accessible movement, somatic grounding, culturally rooted healing practices, and elective exercises to support emotional wellbeing and reduce stigma. Participants learn practical tools that can be applied with clients, families, and community groups.

The following Day 1 Morning workshop takes place in the Hancock Park Room.

Listening Beyond the Crisis: Culturally Responsive De-Escalation and Violence-Prevention Strategies for the Latino Community (1 CE/CEU)
(Translation provided in Spanish) Presented by Luis Orozco, D.S.W., LCSW, Whitter Counseling Center

This dynamic 60-minute workshop introduces participants to the STAMP Model, a practical framework for crisis de-escalation, and elevates it through a culturally rooted adaptation specifically designed for Latino communities in Los Angeles County. While STAMP was originally developed for the general population, this session reframes each component through key cultural values such as respeto, personalismo, familismo, and face-saving that profoundly shape communication, emotional expression, and escalation patterns among Latino individuals and families.

Participants will explore how immigration experiences, multigenerational dynamics, racialized stress, and systemic inequities intersect with neurophysiological responses to intensify crises. Using real-world scenarios, role-play demonstrations, and applied skill practice, the workshop provides concrete tools for building trust, preventing violence, and strengthening safety for clients and providers.

The following Day 1 Morning workshop takes place in the Boyle Heights Room.

Creative Wellbeing: Healing Centered Arts Practices for Building Communities of Wellness 
Presented by Elisabeth Nails (She/Her), L.A. County Department of Arts and Culture

This session will feature an introduction to Creative Wellbeing, including experiential arts activities and a panel and discussion where teaching artists, youth, County and Community partners will share stories and examples of how this adaptable approach is being implemented. Panelists will reflect on how partnerships rooted in cultural equity and healing centered practices offer a new way of working together to build communities of wellness, leading to positive outcomes for youth and the adults who serve them.

Facilitators will share strategies and resources to nurture cultures of belonging, connection, and wellbeing for youth and adults through culturally relevant healing-centered arts practices. Creative Wellbeing can also customize additional activities and engagements to infuse the Summit with Healing-Centered Arts engagement.

The following Day 1 Morning workshop takes place in the Ladera Heights Room.

Hidden Spaces, Visible Outcomes: Queer Youth and Substance Use in Schools 
Presented by Jess Esquivel, M.P.A., California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network

Across school campuses, students often seek moments of safety in “unseen spaces” such as locker rooms, bathrooms, and empty hallways. For queer and trans youth, these areas can serve as both refuge and risk. They offer temporary relief from harassment and hyper-visibility, yet they are also places where students face gender policing, social pressure, and increased exposure to substances like tobacco and vaping. These overlapping dynamics highlight the deep connection between physical environments, identity safety, and behavioral health.

This presentation will explore how tobacco use in these pseudo-private spaces is a behavioral health response shaped by minority stress, social exclusion, and the desire to belong. Traditional discipline-focused approaches frequently overlook these underlying factors. Instead, we will introduce a queer care framework that centers wellness, agency, and cultural belonging. Participants will be able to think critically about where harm and support occur on school campuses, learn practical strategies for transforming campus cultures, and gain culturally responsive insight about the relationship between physical spaces and behavioral health outcomes.

The following Day 1 Morning workshop takes place in the K-Town Room.

Cultivating Calm, Creativity & Connection: Expressive Arts for Multicultural Healing 
(Translation provided in Armenian) Presented by Carla Lavelle, LCSW, PPCS, Full Bloom Group

Participants will explore how expressive activities help individuals process complex emotions, honor cultural identity, and build shared spaces of safety and belonging. By the end of the workshop, attendees will leave not only with strategies they can use in their own settings, but also with the felt experience of calm, creativity, and connection. This session is ideal for practitioners who want to integrate low-barrier arts-based tools and inclusive circle approaches that uplift cultural wisdom and foster healing across diverse identities.

The following Day 1 Morning workshop takes place in the Roosevelt Room.

“Si te Ríes, Gozas: Community Theater for Multicultural Healing,” a one-hour performance in Spanish-language
Presented by Patricia Veliz, B.A., PCC, Generaciones en Acción

Si te Ríes, Gozas is a one-hour Spanish-language community theater performance that explores the emotional realities of immigrant life through humor, vulnerability, and cultural storytelling. The play addresses sensitive topics such as abuse, masculinity, LGBTQ+ identity, grief, family conflict, the fear of not fitting in, and the silent emotional pressures experienced by many immigrant families. Performed by immigrant adults and elders, the presentation reflects authentic cultural perspectives and highlights intergenerational wisdom as a mental health resource. Following the performance, a facilitated forum invites participants to engage in open dialogue about the themes presented and their relevance to behavioral health.

The discussion emphasizes how laughter, storytelling, and culturally rooted practices can reduce stigma, foster emotional expression, and strengthen resilience across communities. This session aligns with the conference’s focus on multicultural wellness by offering a non-traditional, arts-based approach to mental health education. Bringing Si te Ríes, Gozas to ARISE 2026 would be a valuable opportunity to uplift diverse voices and illustrate a community-centered model of healing and emotional connection.

The following Day 1 Afternoon workshop takes place in the Hancock Park Room.

Rewriting the Narrative: Men’s Mental Health, Identity, and Fatherhood (1 CE/CEU)
Presented by Dr. Lance Lenford, Emmanuel Torres, LCSW, Edward Armstrong, Psy.D., LACDMH

Explores the intersection of masculinity, fatherhood, stigma, and healing, with a focus on supporting men, particularly fathers of color in accessing and sustaining mental health care. Inspired by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s Fatherhood Well-Being Initiative, the presentation highlights the systemic barriers that have historically hindered father involvement and showcases the innovative, culturally responsive strategies designed to overcome them. Participants will examine how traditional masculine norms, stigma, and cultural expectations create barriers to treatment, and how trauma-informed, father-inclusive approaches can promote healing, emotional literacy, and healthier family relationships. The session will also showcase the role of Fatherhood Champions, specialized training, and father-centered programming in expanding access across all eight Service Areas within Los Angeles County. Through case examples, evidence-based practices, and real-world implementation strategies, attendees will learn how integrating father engagement into mental health systems enhances outcomes for men, children, and communities. Ultimately, this workshop positions father engagement as an essential component of mental health practice and a foundation for community wellbeing.

The following Day 1 Afternoon workshop takes place in the Echo Park Room.

Reframing Deafness: Silent Struggles, Strong Signs (1 CE/CEU)
Presented by Andrea Grimes, LCSW, LACDMH

This presentation explores the unique mental health challenges and strengths within the Deaf and hard of hearing community (DHH) while also considering how broader social and global issues contribute to today’s mental health crisis. While deafness is often viewed as a disability, it also represents a rich cultural and linguistic identity. Deaf and hard of hearing individuals frequently face communication barriers, a shortage of licensed ASL-fluent clinicians, and systemic stigma shaped by gaps across healthcare, education, immigration, and economic systems. The session highlights common misconceptions about deafness and examines strategies for fostering inclusive and culturally sensitive support. It also addresses how intersectional identities such as race, gender, immigration status, and socioeconomic background can intensify these challenges. Attendees will gain insight into empowering Deaf and hard of hearing individuals to actively participate in their care and consider ways to reimagine systems that not only accommodate difference but celebrate the full spectrum of Deaf identities within our interconnected world.

The following Day 1 Afternoon workshop takes place in the Silver Lake Room.

Thriving Between Two Worlds: Healing Identity, Stress, and Stigma Through Improv, Movement, and Culturally Rooted Storytelling
Presented by JR Kuo, M.A., CoffeeWithJR

Introduces an innovative, culturally grounded approach that uses improv, physical movement, and embodied storytelling to help participants understand and transform how stress, identity conflict, and stigma show up in the mind and body. Led by a nationally recognized expert in Asian American mental health, trauma-informed practice, and arts-based healing, this session draws on real community case studies from Los Angeles County and 15+ years of frontline experience. Participants will examine how acculturation pressures, filial expectations, masculinity norms, and intergenerational trauma uniquely affect Asian and immigrant families, as well as those living at the intersection of multiple cultural identities.

Through accessible activities rooted in theater, mindful movement, and narrative healing, attendees will learn tools to reduce shame, foster psychological safety, and increase engagement among communities traditionally underserved by mainstream mental health systems. This workshop equips clinicians, community leaders, and program staff with high-impact, culturally attuned strategies to support resilience and belonging across diverse immigrant populations.

The following Day 1 Afternoon workshop takes place in the K-Town Room.

Complex Trauma within the Armenian Community (1 CE/CEU)
(Translation provided in Armenian) Presented by Anna Yaralyan, Psy.D., LACDMH

This presentation provides information about history of oppression of the Armenian people and ways in which many years of massacres, the Armenian Genocide, Communism, poverty, living amongst dominant groups as a minority, immigration & migration, the 1988 Earthquake in Gyumri, and 1st & 2nd Wars for Nagorno Karabagh Wars collectively impacted the Armenian Community. This presentation will discuss how there has been a direct rejection to the Armenian identity on ongoing, systemic level due to facing continuous atrocities and its mental health effects. It will also discuss the adaptation & survival, resilience, coping strategies which have been present on individual and collective level across generations within the Armenian Community, and how these skills & abilities helped Armenians to not only survive but also thrive. Scientifically based mental health interventions & treatment tips when working with the Armenian Community members will be provided to help heal from historical trauma.

The following Day 1 Afternoon workshop takes place in the Ladera Heights Room.

From Stigma to Stability: Housing, Reentry and Mental Health Navigation
Presented by Gerald Garth, M.B.A. , Lanelle P. Laws, LMFT, AMAAD Institute

A hands-on guide and scenario-rich workshop built from AMAAD’s housing and reentry practice. Participants simulate warm handoffs across clinics, courts, shelters, and workforce partners; craft strengths-based care plans; and rehearse brief DBT-informed skills for distress tolerance. Using stigma-interrupt scripts and microaggression response tools, attendees practice advocacy in hostile systems while safeguarding dignity. Techniques include motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and safety planning for transgender clients and people living with HIV. Tools feature a Reentry Care Map, appointment-ready documentation templates, and a one-page crisis escalation flow.

The session closes with a 30/60/90-day implementation introduction so teams return home ready to launch or strengthen integrated housing-reentry-mental health navigation. Includes consent protocols and confidentiality safeguards throughout training.

The following Day 1 Afternoon workshop takes place in the Boyle Heights Room.

TAY Wellness Film Partnership
Moderated by Natalie Hanna, Ph.D.
Panelists: Erica Reynoso, Ph.D., LCSW; Joseph Roa; London Jones; & Natalie Arbid

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) has made efforts to bring person centered solutions to young people of all backgrounds with the launch of the Office of Transition Age Youth (TAY), which focuses solely on the mental health and well-being of young people ages 16 to 25. This is best exemplified by a short film developed in partnership with Kids in the Spotlight (KITS), an organization that assists foster youth’s healing and growth from trauma through the power of storytelling and filmmaking, and UCLA’s Prevention Center of Excellence. The film amplifies the voices of youth and explores the realities of coping with mental health and substance
use challenges.This panel will discuss the path the Office of TAY, UCLA, and KITS took to create the film. The panel will highlight lessons learned from this multiagency collaboration with an emphasis on how to sustain youth leaders in policy and programming. Youth leaders with lived experience will discuss the ways they can engage with the office to make powerful change.

The following Day 1 Afternoon workshop takes place in the Roosevelt Room.

Neurodivergent Voices: A look into serving communities at the intersection of LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent identities
Rex Wilde, (They/Them) Educator/ Speaker, Rex Wilde Consulting

This interactive workshop explores the Neurodivergent Voices Album (NDVA), a first-of-its-kind music project centering LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and artists with disabilities. Designed as both an artistic incubator and wellness initiative, NDVA created culturally responsive structures for creative expression, peer connection, and mental health support. Through case study insights and participant storytelling, this session will highlight the inclusive strategies that shaped the program, ranging from trauma-informed artist advocacy to adaptive performance planning and accessible recording practices. Attendees will engage in reflection and discussion on how to apply these methods within mental health programs, community spaces, and creative initiatives. This session is ideal for behavioral health professionals, community-based organizations, and cultural workers looking to better serve LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and people with disabilities in mental health settings. Participants will walk away with tools and frameworks adaptable to a wide range of clinical and community environments.

Presented by Kristen Lewis, Measure of America, in the Wilshire Ballroom

This presentation will focus on the key findings of Measure of America’s newly released report, A Portrait of Los Angeles County 2026, which is an update to the 2017 edition. The report serves as a detailed portrait of wellbeing, need, and access to opportunity in Los Angeles County. This report was supported by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, and it tracks change over time, community by community as well as for different demographic groups, and creates a shared frame of reference for setting goals and tackling important health, education, standard of living, and equity challenges. The report also included a community-based participatory research process in which residents of several Los Angeles geographic and demographic communities participated in a series of “data walks,” and were able to share their insights on the report’s findings. Included in the presentation will be a demo of a local voices portal in which you can hear Angelenos describe well-being challenges in their own words.