The primary purpose of this initiative is to provide training and technical assistance to Behavioral Health Provider Organizations in West Virginia in fully integrating Motivation Interviewing into administration, supervision, and the provision of programs and services. The goals of this capacity-building project are:

• The timely, appropriate and effective engagement of individuals and families in the public behavioral health continuum: prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery services, and supports.

• Increased retention in programs and services indicated by decrease no-show rates and discontinuation rates. 

• Increase in staff competencies in Evidenced-Based Practice of MI, operating in a supportive organizational environment that includes clinical supervision and skill-building. 

• Increase in staff recruitment and retention as indicated by decreased turnover, vacancy rates, and increased job satisfaction.

• Increase in the number of MINT trainers in West Virginia, thereby increasing the MI training capacity of the state.

Motivational Interviewing is a clinical approach that helps people with mental health and substance use disorders and other chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and asthma make positive behavioral changes to support better health. The approach upholds four principles— expressing empathy and avoiding arguing, developing discrepancy, rolling with resistance, and supporting self-efficacy (client’s belief s/he can successfully make a change). Equipping the BH workforce and BH provider organizations with an EBP adaptable and responsive to the changing trends in use and treatment needs is good for those in care as well as those the individual and organizations providing care.

PRESENTERS:

Sky Kershner & Christine Higgins

^{This is an invite-only event.}