General Conference Information

The gaps between research, practice and policy, in all configurations, significantly impair the rapidity of progress for improving health care quality. Given the tremendous disease burdens associated with drug abuse, problem alcohol and mental health conditions, and the impact of these conditions on other medical disorders, greater research focus is needed to align

• consumer preferences and values in care,
• improved care coordination across providers and service sectors,
• implementation strategies and workforce development to accelerate the adoption of evidence-based practices, and
• approaches highlighting how purchasers and employers might encourage delivery of high-quality behavioral healthcare.

This scientific conference will encourage linkages between these often separate areas of behavioral services research into a more integrative behavioral health services research (BHSR) platform.

The 2010 scientific conference, the second in a three-year series, continues the effort to 1) develop a collaborative and strategic research agenda to improve the quality of behavioral healthcare to people (across the life span) who suffer from drug abuse, problematic alcohol use, and mental health problems, and, 2) engage and partner researchers and other key stakeholders such as afflicted individuals, families, providers, policymakers, and communities to contribute to and implement a quality improvement agenda. A 'virtual collaboratory' will also be used to connect conference participants and to encourage and support the development of new research teams.

Currently there is no one place for addictions, mental health and alcohol services researchers to meet exclusively and at one time on shared priority topics germane to behavioral health services research (BHSR). No professional group or association for BHSR exists. Common problems abound and often work does not cross the disciplines, so this 2010 scientific conference will highlight innovative strategies to improve the quality of behavioral healthcare focusing on research examining

• issues of access to care and care coordination,
• the implementation of evidence-based practices,
• improvements in the measurement of quality outcomes, and,
• financing methods and systems change focused on improving care quality.

Funding for this conference was made possible by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (1 R13 DA 22908-01) with additional support provided by NIMH and NIAAA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention by trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute on Drug Abuse or the National Institutes of Health.

Advisory Committees<More Information>

Our Scientific Conference Planning Committee members have been chosen to represent a broad array of behavioral health services research disciplines. Led by conference chair Margarita Alegria, PhD, the group provides scientific guidance for the conference theme and agenda.

The Scientific Advisory Committee is comprised of leaders in mental health and substance abuse research. Members provide overall strategy and higher level planning of not only the conference, but the creation of partnerships, and directions for a more integrative behavioral health services research agenda.

Call for Abstracts<More Information>

The conference will be held on Clearwater Beach (FL) on April 13-14, 2010, with preconference methods workshops taking place on the afternoon of April 12th. Individual paper, poster, 'think tank' and symposia abstracts are being solicited and must be received online by 5PM EST on December 4, 2009. Click the link above to get complete instructions on how to submit an abstract.

Consistent with 2010 conference focus on improving the Quality of Behavioral Healthcare, topical areas of interest for abstract submission include research endeavors focusing on:

• Implementation of Evidence-based Care
• Adaptations of Interventions for Cultural Groups
• Quality Measurement: Methods, Measures and Validation
• Treatment Access and Engagement
• Care Coordination with Primary Healthcare
• Efforts to Address Service Disparities
• Care Coordination Across Systems
• Implementation of Patient-Centered Services
• Infrastructure Development to Monitor Quality of Care
• Implementation of Processes to Improve Care
• Economic Incentives to Improve Quality of Care
• Role of MH/Addictions in Healthcare Reform

Primary authors will be notified of acceptance on or around January 11, 2011. All presenter/authors whose work is accepted for presentation and who plan to attend will be expected to pay the conference registration fee, but may do so at a discounted rate.

Student Travel Awards: If you are the primary author of a submitted abstract and would like it to be considered for a student travel award, please check the associated box when submitting your information. You will be required to provide information regarding your current student status (undergraduate / graduate or medical student / intern) when your application is submitted. We anticipate that a limited number of travel awards, which should offset some of the expenses associated with traveling to the conference, will be funded by NIDA. The student travel awards will be announced with the abstract acceptance notification. Awardees may also be invited to share a brief research concept paper with federal representatives at the meeting.

Hotel/Travel Information<More Information>

"Sandpearl is a comfortably elegant beachfront retreat that enriches the spirit and inspires the soul."

Adorning 700 feet of Clearwater's pristine beachfront, Sandpearl Resort offers the highest caliber of guest experience, quality of appointments and meeting and conference facilities on the Gulf Coast. The first new resort to be built on Clearwater Beach in 25 years, the Sandpearl Resort has been recognized as one of the top hotels in the world. Sandpearl seamlessly blends refined amenities and nature's splendor to create moments that enrich the spirit well beyond your stay.

Sandpearl Resort features 253 guest rooms and suites, a full-service spa and fitness center, upscale and casual dining, state-of-the-art meeting & event space, and enrichment programs. Sandpearl is also designed with environmental stewardship in mind. It is a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program and is on track to earn its LEED^® certification.

The resort is located on the north end of Clearwater Beach approximately 21 miles west of Tampa International Airport (TPA) and 12 miles northwest of St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE).

Registration

Registration for the conference is currently open and must be completed online here. Take advantage of our early registration rate and save yourself $105 by registering by Friday, February 4, 2011.

Continuing Education

The University of South Florida, College of Behavioral & Community Sciences (BCS) is approved by the American Psychological Association, the Florida Board of Nursing, the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, and the Certification Board for Addictions Professionals to sponsor continuing education. BCS maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This program will offer approximately 14 CEs over the course of the 3 day conference. No CMEs will be offered at this meeting.

Conference Agenda<More Information>

The Scientific Planning Committee is busy putting together a very productive conference.

Pre-Conference Methods Workshops: - April 12, 2010

• Nothing But Net(works): Basic Methods for Behavioral Health Services Research
  John Skvoretz, PhD, Professor, Department of Sociology, University of South Florida
  2-5pm
• Designing the Next Stage of Effectiveness and Implementation Research to Meet the Needs of Communities and Institutions
  Hendricks Brown, Professor, PhD, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
  Peter Toyinbo, PhD, MSPH, Statistical Data Analyst, Department of Aging & Mental Health Disparities, College of Behavioral & Community Sciences, University of South Florida
  2-5pm
• Strategies for Getting NIH Funding: Writing Effective Concept Papers and Grants
  Dennis McCarty, Ph.D., Roberto Lewis-Fernandez, MD, Junius Gonzales, MD, MBA
  5-7pm

Plenary Presenters:

• Carolyn M. Clancy, MD, Director, AHRQ, DHHS
• Pamela Y. Collins, MD, MPH, Director, Office for Special Populations & Global Mental Health, NIMH
• Wilson Compton, MD, MPE, Director, DESPR, NIDA
• Dionne Jones, PhD, Deputy Branch Chief, Services Research Branch, Division of Epidemiology, Services & Prevention Research, National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Cherry Lowman, PhD, Program Director, Health Services Research, Division of Treatment and Recovery Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
• Beverly Pringle, PhD, Chief, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services Research Program, Division of Services & Intervention Research, National Institute of Mental Health

The final conference agenda is currently available by clicking the link above.