Behavioral health care summit to target women, minority leaders

The UNC Charlotte School of Social Work will host a daylong summit on Tuesday, May 12, on the business and sustainability needs of behavioral health care executives, focusing specifically on women and minority health care leaders.

The program will include health care providers, agency executives, faculty, staff and students currently practicing or planning to practice in North Carolina.

The summit is expected to attract providers from a variety of ethnicities, genders and cultural groups. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in workshops, group discussions and a networking lunch—events all designed to encourage peer interaction.

Sonyia Richardson is a lecturer in the School of Social Work, housed in the University’s College of Health and Human Services, and one of the event developers; she said the summit will address timely issues.

“With the changing landscape of behavioral health care in North Carolina and the need for providers to build sustainable and quality practices, this summit brings together diverse executives from across the state into one room with the sole purpose of sustainability.

“This event will become a think tank for executives and provides a safe atmosphere for diverse providers to talk openly about challenges and solutions for their practices,” Richardson added.

David Lloyd, a foremost expert on behavioral health care with more than 45 years of experience in the industry, is the keynote speaker. He will outline the leadership skills necessary for behavioral health care leaders in an era of reform.

SCORE Charlotte will provide an afternoon workshop on business management principles, which will feature practical strategies for business planning, development and sustainability.

The summit aligns with recommendations from the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 report on Ethnic Minority and Women Owned Businesses. The study recommended greater support for minority and women businesses, maintaining that these groups can benefit from training, technical assistance and educational programs to help them better understand the business environment.

Register is online for the May 12 summit, which will be from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at UNC Charlotte Center City. The registration fee is $25 and includes parking, lunch and five continuing education credits. Space is limited for this event