CT4A Policy Institute
CT4A EXCLUSIVE WORKSHOP ADD-ON
Explore the world of policy as you develop your skills in this half-day event with an interactive panel discussion followed by a skill-based workshop.
- Network with policy experts from diverse backgrounds
- Learn from each other
- Gain an understanding of various policy approaches to advocacy
- Experience drafting policy products
| Policy Institute | Aug. 31 or earlier | Sept. 1 or later |
|---|---|---|
| Workshop Ticket Only | $150 | $175 |
| Workshop Ticket with Symposium Registration | $75 | $100 |
Invited Panel: Toward Mental Wellness: The Role of Policy
Silicia is the Director of Health Policy at Waxman Strategies, where she works with organizations on health equity-based policies. She is also a board member of the Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice and of the Mental Health Section of the American Public Health Association. In her roles, she works on projects to increase access to mental health services, improve reproductive health in the U.S., and policies to make health care more affordable. Silicia previously worked for the CDC Foundation and is the former executive director of United Against Inequities in Disease, a nonprofit organization where she helped to develop sustainable community projects with university chapters around the nation to reduce health disparities voiced by the impacted communities. Through her advocacy work, she has educated communities and policymakers on the need for increased use of harm-reduction strategies for people with substance use disorders, improving our health care system to be inclusive of mental health, and addressing maternal mortality for Black women.
Kevin is a founding partner at firm HeflerLichtenberg in Chicago and concentrates his practice on guardianship and probate, elder law, mental health and risk management, and child welfare and adoptions. He is regularly appointed as Guardian ad litem (“GAL”) and counsel for respondents in guardianship proceedings before the probate court. He is also a member of DCFS’ Statewide Adoption Attorney panel.
Kevin is an active member of the legal community, volunteering his time to multiple legal service agencies that assist individuals of low-income.
He served as Chair for the Chicago Bar Association’s Committee on Elder and Disability Law last year. He participates in the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services CVLS) pro bono program and serves on the Illinois State Bar Association Standing Committee on Judicial Evaluations for Cook County. He previously served on the Misericordia Emerging Leaders Board.
Panelist
Octavio Martinez, Jr., MD, MPH
Executive Director, Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, University of Texas at Austin
Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., MD, MPH, MBA, DFAPA is executive director of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health at the University of Texas at Austin. Martinez is also the associate chair for Faculty Development for the Dell Medical School Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, a professor Psychiatry at DMS, clinical provessor at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, faculty affiliate of the Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice in the School of Law, and adjunct professor of Psychiatry at the Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio. Internationally, Martinez is a member of the Global Leadership Exchange. Nationally, he is a member of the Advisory Committee to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a member of the American Psychiatric Association’s Structural Racism Accountability Committee and the APA’s Psychiatric Services Journal editorial board.
Dr. Martinez was recognized by Global Alliance with the 2024 Marion Langer Award for his vision in promoting community-based strategies for improving mental well-being and for his commitment to rights-based approaches to reducing health disparities.
Panelist
Alisha Warren
Assistant Commissioner of Mental Health, Chicago Department of Public Health
Alisha Warren is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the Assistant Commissioner of Mental Health with Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). Alisha has over 15 years of experience as a practicing social worker, both in Chicago and internationally as Peace Corps volunteer. At Chicago Department of Public Health, Alisha has worked with others to understand behavioral health data in the City of Chicago and develop responsive programming to address unmet needs. She creates sustainable, holistic programs that promote physical health, mental wellness, joy, and community, valuing collaboration for optimal wellness.
Coming Together For Action (CT4A) is an interdisciplinary symposium on behavioral health, social justice, and healthier communities.
With a theme of Toward Mental Wellness, our 2024 symposium furthers our call to action in addressing individuals, families, and communities in local, national, and global contexts through an interdisciplinary lens.
CT4A brings together individuals with backgrounds in psychology, psychiatry, social work, nursing, law, planning, education, international community development, political science, technology, economics, and more. Our attendees include early and mid-career professionals, teens, college students, retirees, and people of all kinds with valuable lived experience at the intersections of health, justice, and communities.