Once a month we present a snapshot of the travel, presentations, and honors received by the talented and dedicated staff of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health from the previous month.
The Hogg Foundation conducted a meeting with its National Advisory Council on September 9 and 10. The National Advisory Council (NAC) provides guidance and expertise to foundation staff on matters related to strategic planning, major grant initiatives and other priorities. The foundation also welcomed its three newest NAC members, Tracy Black-Fall, Dr. Stephen Cooper, and Dr. Jennifer Maedgen.
Vicky Coffee, director of programs, took part in an in-person convening of the AESOP’s Leadership Network on September 19. AESOP’S network of leaders conveyed to continue learning with other colleagues working to improve mental and wellness in under resourced communities and to prioritize self-care. Kelli King-Jackson, consultant, offered a training on the abundance vs scarcity framework.
Vicky participated in a leadership gathering of the Alliance for Greater Works Resilient Church Collective. She co-facilitated a panel with representatives of the Calvin Institute and Texas Methodist Foundation, along with Que English of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center on Faith and Philanthropy. The session focused on sustainability and faith-based initiatives.
Vicky took part in the grant partner meeting of the Communities of Care initiative. The event was held at The Garden in Houston, TX on September 18.
Tammy Heinz and Rick Ybarra, senior program officers, took part in the Texas Rural Funders membership meeting in Amarillo. Texas Rural Funders is a leading membership organization for philanthropy dedicated to supporting rural Texas communities.
Dr. Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., executive director, took part in the inaugural Fireside Chat hosted by the Steve Hicks School of Social Work (SHS). The event featured a conversation between Dr. Martinez and SHS Dean Allan Cole. The conversation covered a number of important topics related to mental health and social work, such as the importance of peer recovery approaches, the importance of prevention and early intervention, and the critical role of community engagement in mental health social work.
Dr. Martinez received the Marion Langer Award from the Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice. The Langer Award was established to recognize distinction in social advocacy and the pursuit of human rights. He was chosen 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.
Alison Mohr Boleware presented “Behavioral Health Provider Shortage in Texas: History, Current Landscape, and How to Take Action” at the Network of Behavioral Health Providers Symposium in Houston, Texas on September 12.
Alison was on a Mental Health Policy panel at the Texas State of Enrollment conference on September 24th.
Alison was on a panel ,“The Place for Policy in Mental Health” at The Texas Lyceum’s The State of Mental Health in Texas event in Abilene, Texas on September 27.
The Hogg Foundation Policy Team gave testimony at the Texas Legislature:
- Maddie Garza, policy fellow, testified at the Texas Education Agency Legislative Budget Board hearing on September 25th.
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Shannon Hoffman, policy program officer, testified at the House Youth Health and Safety hearing on September 18th.
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Shannon testified at the Health and Human Services Commission Legislative Budget Board hearing on September 30th.
- Alison Mohr Boleware testified at the Senate Health and Human Services hearing on September 19th.
- Alison testified at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Legislative Budget Board hearing on September 25th.