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Mental Health First Aid Summit Breakouts B

MHFA9 - Building Stronger Communities Through MHFA Partnerships

Sunday, April 26, 2026
11:10 AM - 12:10 PM MDT
Location: Bluebird 2G
NASW CCB NBCC NADAAC
Presentation Description: Learn how the El Paso community is strengthened by the partnerships built through MHFA. Canutillo ISD, Emergence Health Network, and Big Brothers Big Sisters lead trainings across schools, JPD teens, military, law enforcement, churches, and healthcare, expanding MHFA throughout the greater border community.

Learning Objectives:

  • Examine how MHFA trainings (Adult, Youth, and Teen) are implemented in partnership with schools and community organizations, and explain why this multi-level approach is critical for strengthening mental health supports.
  • Describe how MHFA is adapted across schools, UTEP’s required student curriculum, JPD, military, law enforcement, churches, healthcare, and evaluate the benefits of this multi-system approach for the EP border community.
  • Identify at least two practices from the El Paso partnership model (Canutillo ISD, Emergence Health Network, UTEP and BBBS) that attendees can apply to expand MHFA access in their regions.
Disclosure(s):
Leelah Rivera, AMHFA, YMHFA and Teen MHFA instructor since 2022: No financial relationships to disclose
Bianca Saucedo, BA: No financial relationships to disclose
Leah K. Lopez, LMSW: No financial relationships to disclose
Rosario E. olivera: No financial relationships to disclose
Bobbi Jo Jo Ortiz, LCSW: No financial relationships to disclose
Ursula M. Davis, LPC: No financial relationships to disclose

    Presenter - MHFA Summit(s)

  • Leelah Rivera, AMHFA, YMHFA and Teen MHFA instructor since 2022

    Mental Health First Aid Specialist / Partnership Specialist
    Big Brothers Big Sisters El Paso
    El Paso, Texas

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

    Slides
  • BS

    Bianca Saucedo, BA

    Mental Health First Aid Outreach Worker/ Coordinator
    Emergence Health Network
    el paso, Texas

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

  • Ro

    Rosario E. olivera

    Clinical Intructor
    University of Texas at El Paso
    El Paso, Texas

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

  • Bobbi Jo Ortiz, LCSW

    CEO
    Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso Inc
    El Paso, Texas

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

    • Moderator - MHFA Summit(s)

  • Ursula M. Davis, LPC

    Associate Project Director
    Georgia State University, Georgia Health Policy Center, Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health and Wellbeing
    Atlanta, Georgia

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose