Learning Collaborative: Building a Stronger Bridge Between Faith Communities and Behavioral Health Crisis Care Agencies

Next Up in Series: COVID-19 and Natural Disaster Impacts on Mental Health Crisis Care Needs and Assets
Friday, October 15, 10:00-11:30 a.m. PT

Overview:

The Crisis and Recovery Enhancement Center invites you to our Learning Collaborative series on Building a Stronger Bridge Between Faith Communities and Behavioral Health Crisis Care Agencies. In a crisis, House of Worship and Faith Leaders are often “first responders” for many people. Join Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard as she walks us through engaging presentations and discussion activities about how to build on this asset as well as bridge communication and resources for community empowerment.

This series will build progressive implementation knowledge and action, bringing together faith communities and behavioral health county departments in response to behavioral health crisis care needs (e.g., suicide, overdose, domestic violence, psychiatric crisis). Success is measured by equitable, cost-saving, and life-saving outcomes.

Complete Series Topics

• COVID-19 and Natural Disaster Impacts on Mental Health Crisis Care Needs and Assets
  October 15, 2021, 10:00 -11:30am PT
• Resource Sharing and Integrated Supports for Crisis Care Among Faith Leaders, Lay Ministers, and County Behavioral Health Departments
  January 13, 2022, 10:00 -11:30am PT
• Community-based Suicide and Overdose Prevention: Avoiding Unnecessary Hospitalization and Incarceration
  April 14, 2022, 10:00 -11:30am PT
• Faith Communities and Behavioral Health Departments: Collaboration in Program Development and Funding Opportunities
  June 16, 2022, 10:00 -11:30am PT

Meet the Presenter

Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard is Founding Pastor of Word of Encouragement Church and Program Director of the Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement at USC. She is a frequent speaker and panelist for conferences related to civic engagement, the black church, the impact of community gun violence, women’s empowerment, and sexual violence awareness. In addition to ministry and civic engagement work, Dr. Najuma is a certified coach; her program Wake Up and Win, focuses on Self-Awareness and Personal Mastery. She is a lover of social media, music, dancing, movies, fitness, and travel. She is mother to Dorian, Zuri, and Daniel (her Angel child). The best advice Rev Najuma ever received came from her mother who told her “You can do anything you set your mind to!” IG: @revjuju