Center for Behavioral Health and Justice

10/09/2026

Wayne State University School of Social Work MSW students are encouraged to apply for this incredible opportunity!

GLOBAL SOCIAL WORK & PUBLIC HEALTH STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITY! 🚨

In partnership with the WSU College of Nursing, this SSW-led study abroad trip will take students to Cusco, Peru, the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent. Students will learn about and visit local healthcare and community clinics, exploring public health and community health work in Peru. Students will also visit local public schools and work alongside community outreach workers on youth welfare initiatives. The program also includes a trip to Machu Picchu, guided tours of local neighborhoods and social institutions, as well as lectures & visits with practicing public health workers and social workers.

The deadline to apply is October 15, 2026!
For more information and to apply visit: https://bit.ly/3TMA1RI

10/08/2026

Not able to join us for last month’s Michigan Mental Health Diversion Council summit? The full recording and event materials are now available.

Hosted by MHDC and CBHJ, “A Decade of Progress: Advancing Diversion and Crisis Response in Michigan Counties” brought together behavioral health, law enforcement, judicial, and community partners from across the state to share strategies and lessons for strengthening diversion and deflection across the Sequential Intercept Model.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4j5vZOB

10/05/2026

This week! Join the Wayne State University School of Social Work and Wayne State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology for the 2026 James and Janice Prochaska Annual Lecture featuring John C. Norcross, an internationally recognized expert on behavior change and psychotherapy. Two free social work CE's are available.

The Wayne State University School of Social Work and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology are proud to host the 2026 James and Janice Prochaska Annual Lecture featuring keynote speaker John C. Norcross, Ph.D., ABPP. An internationally recognized expert on behavior change and psychotherapy.

Calling on his 35 years of clinical psychology practice, 400+ scholarly publications and 23 co-written or edited books, including acclaimed self-help books "Changeology" and "Changing for Good", Norcross will present 'Personalizing Psychotherapy: Stages of Change, Patient Preferences, and Beyond'.

Two free social work CE's are available.

📅 October 8
⏰3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
📍WSU Student Center, Ballroom C

Register: https://bit.ly/4z0I2lx

10/01/2026

In case you missed it: Staff members Nikayla Williams, Algeria Wilson, Edita Milanovic-Kuck, Adria Clark, and Larry West were all smiles as they represented the CBHJ at the Safe & Just Michigan 2026 Signature Event: Five Years of Fresh Starts last month.

The evening featured Sheena Meade, CEO of the Clean Slate Initiative, and celebrated advocates and champions of justice as well as the presentation of the William G. Milliken Award to Representative Kara Hope, a Justice Warrior Award to Humanity for Prisoners, and a Lifetime of Service Award to Ronnie Waters, a former juvenile lifer and current community engagement specialist for Safe & Just Michigan.

09/30/2026

Our September newsletter is here!

This month, we:
✔️ Celebrated recent juvenile justice reforms with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and youth justice advocates at Wayne State
✔️ Joined the Michigan Mental Health Diversion Council for its 10th anniversary summit, highlighting progress in behavioral health diversion and crisis response
✔️ Welcomed three new student associates to the Well Wayne Stations Initiative
✔️ Highlighted partnerships supporting behavioral health crisis response

Read the latest from CBHJ and see what’s ahead: https://bit.ly/46QP9Au

09/28/2026

The CBHJ has welcomed three new students associates to support the Well Wayne Stations Initiative. LaTonya Burkette, Ella Werkmeister and Moryah Young are graduates of the Wayne State University School of Social Work's bachelor's program and are currently pursuing their master's degrees.

The students will gain hands-on experience by stocking and collecting data on supplies in public health vending machines and newsstands throughout Wayne County, Michigan — helping expand access to essential, life-saving resources like naloxone and fentanyl and xylazine test strips, while applying what they’re learning in the classroom.

09/23/2026

Brothers in Social Work, is a Wayne State University School of Social Work initiative focused on advancing the representation of Men of Color within the social work profession and fostering connection, community, and support. The group will host several events this fall that are open to students and working professionals in and outside of the Wayne State community. Check them out below!

Upcoming Opportunities from Brothers in Social Work

NASW-Michigan is excited to share several upcoming opportunities from Brothers in Social Work, a Wayne State University School of Social Work initiative focused on advancing the representation of Men of Color within the social work profession and fostering connection, community, and support.

Mark your calendars for their Fall 2026 events:

💻 September Online Meet & Greet
📅 Thursday, September 24 | 4:00–5:00 p.m.

🎉 4-Year Anniversary Celebration Dinner
📅 Wednesday, October 21 | 5:30–7:00 p.m.

☕ November Breakfast & Check-In
📅 Saturday, November 14 | 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
RSVP information coming soon.

🎮 End of Semester Celebration
📅 Friday, December 18
📍 BIG Best In Games Adventure Park

We’re glad to share opportunities that help strengthen connection, representation, and community within Michigan’s social work profession. 💙

🔗 Learn more about Brothers in Social Work and get connected: https://socialwork.wayne.edu/bisw

09/16/2026

On Friday, September 25 at 11 am, join the AOT Community of Practice to hear from a panel of CMH and hospital professionals on how they use deferral conferences to help patients and clients with AOT.

Register today: https://bit.ly/3QCakkD

09/14/2026

The Wayne State University School of Social Work and the Department of Psychology at the Wayne State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will host the 2026 James and Janice Prochaska Annual Lecture featuring keynote speaker John C. Norcross, Ph.D., ABPP on Thursday, Oct. 8.

Norcross, an internationally recognized expert on behavior change and psychotherapy, will present 'Personalizing Psychotherapy: Stages of Change, Patient Preferences, and Beyond'.

Two free social work CE's are available.

Register: https://bit.ly/4z0I2lx

09/09/2026

Join the Michigan Mental Health Diversion Council and the CBHJ for A Decade of Progress: Advancing Diversion and Crisis Response in Michigan Counties on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon.

This virtual summit will highlight diversion and crisis response initiatives from across Michigan’s Sequential Intercept Model and feature key findings from a 10-year report examining the evolution of the SIM as a framework for systems change.

Learn more and register: behaviorhealthjustice.wayne.edu/mhdc-summit-2026