Community Mental Health Summit in Eastern Washington

Thursday, May 21, 2026, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM PT, WSU Spokane - Academic Center (SAC), Spokane, WA


AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (6.00 hours), ANCC Contact Hours (6.00 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (6.00 hours)

The Community Mental Health Summit in Eastern Washington is a full-day, in-person educational conference hosted by the APPROACHES Lab in the Department of Community and Behavioral Health Sciences at Washington State University Spokane.

The summit will bring together behavioral health providers, researchers, students, and community organizations from across Eastern Washington to engage in learning and discussion focused on improving mental health outcomes in the region.

The program will include three session blocks featuring symposium-style presentations from invited speakers, each followed by an audience Q&A discussion, as well as a closing panel discussion featuring Senator Marcus Riccelli and other regional leaders.

Session topics will focus on areas such as early psychosis care, housing and homelessness, and co-occurring substance use.

The event is designed to promote collaboration between healthcare providers, community organizations, academic institutions, and trainees working in behavioral health.

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.

Learn More and Register

1. Identify key social, structural, and community-level factors that influence mental health outcomes in Eastern Washington, including housing instability, social networks, and access to services.
2. Describe evidence-based and community-driven interventions addressing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, including contingency management and family-centered care.
3. Evaluate culturally responsive approaches that improve engagement and outcomes for diverse populations, including immigrant, migrant, and Native communities.
4. Discuss innovative crisis response models and community programs designed to support individuals experiencing mental health crises.
5. Recognize the role of community organizations, healthcare providers, and cross-sector partnerships in expanding access to behavioral health services.
6. Apply strategies for collaboration between healthcare systems, community organizations, and public agencies to improve behavioral health care delivery and support vulnerable populations.

1. Identify key social, structural, and community-level factors that influence mental health outcomes in Eastern Washington, including housing instability, social networks, and access to services.
2. Describe evidence-based and community-driven interventions addressing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, including contingency management and family-centered care.
3. Evaluate culturally responsive approaches that improve engagement and outcomes for diverse populations, including immigrant, migrant, and Native communities.
4. Discuss innovative crisis response models and community programs designed to support individuals experiencing mental health crises.
5. Recognize the role of community organizations, healthcare providers, and cross-sector partnerships in expanding access to behavioral health services.
6. Apply strategies for collaboration between healthcare systems, community organizations, and public agencies to improve behavioral health care delivery and support vulnerable populations.

The Washington State University (WSU) Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 6.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Participants should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Washington State University College of Nursing is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by Montana Nurses Association, an accredited approver with distinction by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This activity is eligible for {CME Hours} contact hours.

Accessibility

WSU College of Medicine Continuing Medical Education (CME) is committed to ensuring that its programs, services, goods and facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities as specified under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008. If you have needs that require accommodation please contact the CME Unit at [email protected]

WSU Notice of Nondiscrimination

Please visit the Office of Compliance and Civil Rights to view Washington State University's policies.

WSU Institutional Neutrality

At Washington State University, we are committed to fostering an environment where diverse ideas and perspectives can flourish. As such, the university will maintain a practice of neutrality and will not take a position on contentious political or social issues, except in rare circumstances. Please visit WSU's Office of the President for more information.

Disclaimer

The material presented in this continuing medical education program is being made available for educational purposes only. This material is not intended to represent the best or only methods or procedures appropriate for the medical situation discussed; rather the material is intended to present an approach, view, statement, or opinion of the authors or presenters, which may be helpful or of interest to other practitioners. This program does not represent or speak on behalf of Washington State University and/ or Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. Participants should carefully consider all available scientific data before acting on knowledge gained through this activity.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies within the past 24 months. This information is listed below. All relevant financial relationships, if applicable, have been mitigated. No others in control of content had any relevant financial relationships. If the topic is non-clinical, financial disclosures are not required.