Guest Speaker Videos
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Tacoma HOPE Program
Guest Speaker Cassie Hallstone, MA, MHP, CMHS, LMFT In 2023, the City of Tacoma Fire Department established a team intended to respond to behavioral health crisis and effectively engage with people impacted by mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders. HOPE stands for Holistic Outreach Promoting Engagement. Our program will support community members during behavioral health crisis scenarios, and the first responders, courts, jails, community providers, and hospitals supporting those same community members. The HOPE program is part of the City of Tacoma's broader alternative response initiative. Download PDF version of slides here. |
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Autistic Inclusion - Nothing About Us Without Us
Guest Speaker Peter Jung, Autistic Self-Advocate Peter has been working in the mental health field for over 10 years, as a case worker, instructor, and social skills facilitator. |
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Kids Mental Health Pierce County
Guest Speaker Vanessa Adams, Program Coordinator KMHPC Kids’ Mental Health—Pierce County (KMHPC) is a coalition of people and agencies in Pierce County that are joining together to address the growing behavioral health crisis among school age children and youth. KMHPC is dedicated to developing a coordinated, responsive behavioral health system that serves the needs of children, youth and families at the right time, in the best place, with the best outcome for every family. KMHPC coordinates with initiatives focused on young children to create a continuum of behavioral health services starting at birth. |
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Lifespan Respite of Washington
Guest Speaker Barb Koumjian from LRW Lifespan Respite Washington (LRW) began in 2002 as a statewide coalition known as the Respite & Crisis Care Coalition of Washington (RCCCWA). In 2010, RCCCWA received its first federal Lifespan Respite Grant to expand the program and to pursue sustainability. The RCCCWA coalition was renamed in 2012 to Lifespan Respite Washington (LRW). In September 2017, LRW was awarded its fifth grant funding for three years through the U.S. Administration on Aging, Administration for Community Living. |
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Autism Acres
Guest Speaker Sarah Young from Autism Acres Autism Acres is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is dedicated to providing a safe and comfortable environment for people and families who are impacted by special needs. We desire to build a community where we can all share life together. While this is not a religious organization it is run by believers. Therefore, our primary goal is to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We are not here to judge but to love and serve others where they are at, and for who they are. We do not discriminate against age, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Here at Autism Acres, we desire for all people to feel loved, wanted, seen, and heard. Come here to play and stick around to connect. This is a place for special needs families to connect and belong, where your kids can feel safe to be who they are, and you will never have to apologize for who your kids are! |
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Lisa Cook - Global Connections to Employment
Global Connections to Employment (GCE) is a nationwide team providing job opportunities and vocational training for people with disabilities. GCE empowers their team members by matching them with fulfilling careers in diverse fields such as information technology, facilities management, food services and other business sectors. GCE collaborates with a range of partners, including the U.S. military, commercial businesses, community organizations and various levels of government. As one of the largest employers under the AbilityOne® program, GCE plays a crucial role in helping people who have significant disabilities to engage in meaningful employment, thereby fostering inclusivity and economic independence. Through these efforts, GCE not only enhances individual lives but also enriches the broader community. |
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Kids Mental Health Pierce County
Guest speaker Vanessa Adams, KMHPC Kids’ Mental Health—Pierce County (KMHPC) is a coalition of people and agencies in Pierce County that are joining together to address the growing behavioral health crisis among school age children and youth. KMHPC is dedicated to developing a coordinated, responsive behavioral health system that serves the needs of children, youth and families at the right time, in the best place, with the best outcome for every family. KMHPC coordinates with initiatives focused on young children to create a continuum of behavioral health services starting at birth. Download PDF version of slides here. |
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An Introduction to Square Pegs
Guest Speaker Zack Siddeek, The Arc of King County Square Pegs is a grassroots group organized through Meetup which seeks to create community and inclusion for Autistic adults in Western Washington and beyond. 100% Autistic led, facilitators come from all parts of life and backgrounds. 25 groups a month, with a mix of social, support, interest and activity groups. Currently 3.9k membership. Strong focus on intersectionality: 2 Woman/NB groups, 2 LGBTQ groups, plans to add BIPoC group! |
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Kindering & The Washington State Fathers Network
Guest Speaker Matthew Rickmon Matthew Rickmon is with Kindering and is Director of the Washington State Fathers Network. Matthew grew up in California and moved to Washington in 2022. His background is in psychology and storytelling. He loves to use storytelling games to teach and grow skills. During our meeting Matthew filled us in about the programs at Kindering and what he and the folks at WA State Fathers Network are up to in the community. |
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Why Music Therapy?
Guest Speaker Megumi Azekawa, MM, MR-BC Ms. Megumi shares information about music therapy, including how to access it, and recent legislative efforts in Washington State to allow for insurance reimbursement for this important therapy! Music therapy is an evidenced-based practice of using music to reach specific, clinical outcomes. A board-certified music therapist uses elements of music to promote emotional, social, physical, and/or cognitive well-being. Download PDF version of slides here. |
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An Introduction to Augmentative & Alternative Communication
Guest Speaker Samantha Moody MS, CCC-SLP Ms. Samantha Moody is a Speech-Language Pathologist who currently works for the military serving families who have children with special health care needs. Communication differences and challenges are common for autistic children. Ms. Moody will be presented on the topic of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) – what it is, when to consider integrating it into speech therapy, and how to access these services. Ms. Moody is a passionate provider who strongly believes “Communication is a Human Right” and works hard to help individuals find their “voice.” Download PDF version of slides here. |
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The Importance of Gaming in Supporting Autistic Friendships
Guest Speaker Peter Jung, Aspiring Youth & ARC of King County Peter Jung discusses how to rethink social skills groups for autistic youth by scaffolding autistic friendship through advocacy and peer support. Peter has been working in the mental health field for over 10 years, as a case worker, instructor, and social skills facilitator. During that time, he discovered that gaming- whether that be handheld gaming, PC gaming, console gaming, or tabletop gaming, presented a powerful tool to help make bonds with those he works with. Download PDF version of slides here. |
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Preventing Behavioral Crises for Autism & Developmental Disabilities
Guest Speaker Laura O'Rourke, Executive Director, Behavior Bridges In 2022, Behavior Bridges was chosen by Pierce County to support Behavioral Health in the community through a new project, Preventing Behavioral Health Crises for Autism and Developmental Disabilities. This new programming, fully funded through 2023, aims to provide various social groups for all ages and preventative behavior health crisis training for caregivers to further provide access to services for our community. This program is funded by the Pierce County Behavioral Health Tax. Download PDF version of slides here. |
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Introduction to Developmental Differences
Guest Speaker Dr. Amy Prezbindowski, Multicare Behavioral Health Dr. Prezbindowski shares materials from the "Introduction to Developmental Differences" video series which she developed in partnership with Debby Gill, LMFT at Multicare. Download PDF version of slides here. YES - Youth Engagement Services
Guest Speaker Kianna Carter, Behavioral Clinician, Mary Bridge Children's Hospital Kianna Carter, Behavioral Health Clinician at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma, Washington spoke with us about the YES Program (Youth Engagement Services) in Pierce County. Includes Q&A with guests. Download PDF version of slides here. |
