Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center

The Behavioral Health Conference: Building Healthier Communities will take place June 16th and 17th from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center. The conference, featuring two full days of breakout sessions and speakers, will provide a forum where participants can learn, inform, network and discuss issues related to research, policy and practice; expand professional knowledge; provide quality continuing education to behavioral health professionals; and promote community awareness of behavioral health and substance abuse prevention. The Honorable Patrick J. Kennedy, former US Representative, Co-Founder of One Mind for Research, Founder of Kennedy Forum, and a pioneer in mental health policy and advocacy, will provide the Keynote Address on June 17th at 9:00 a.m. A high level panel discussion on the “State of Mental Health and Substance Abuse” in Broward County, highlighting successes, current endeavors underway, and issues that need to be addressed both locally and nationally, will take place during a luncheon on June 17th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Patrick J. Kennedy will open the luncheon with a national perspective on the state of mental health and substance abuse in the country. Panelists presenting the local viewpoint during “State of Mental Health and Substance Abuse”: Where Is Broward County & Where are We Going” include: • Scott Israel, Broward County Sheriff • Robert W. Runcie, Superintendent Broward County Public Schools • Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren, Broward County Mental Health Court • Broward County Mayor Tim Ryan • Silvia Quintana, CEO/Broward Behavioral Health Coalition • Doug Lyons, Senior Editorial Writer and Columnist with Sun Sentinel • Kathleen Cannon, President & CEO, United Way of Broward County John O'Connor, NPR-WLRN State Impact Florida and education reporter, will serve as the moderator of the panel discussion. The cost to attend the conference is $35.00 per person and includes all breakout sessions. To register, for The Behavioral Health Conference: Building Healthier Communities and to learn more about the Conference’s daily schedule and breakout sessions, please visit DrugFreeBroward.org or contact [email protected]