This Equitas Project virtual summit series is focused on rural and frontier diversion efforts and the unique roles and challenges of rural and frontier leaders in disentangling mental health and criminal justice. Presenters will share brief overviews of their diversion work, with time for questions and discussion involving all participants. We’ll hear from law enforcement, judicial, behavioral health, and partners about innovative work being done to promote better health and safety outcomes and reduce incarceration and criminalization in communities with smaller populations, sometimes limited resources, and sometimes vast geographical territories.

*The Equitas Project is Mental Health Colorado’s national initiative to disentangle mental health and criminal justice. 

WHO / WHEN

  • ◊ Friday | May 20 | 4:00pm – 5:30pmET ◊

    Carey Deacon
    Program Director of Center for Restorative Programs
    San Luis Valley, Colorado 

    Heather Brooks
    City Manager
    Alamosa, Colorado

    Dr. James Ely Walker
    Emergency & Addiction Medicine Physician
    Del Norte, Colorado

    Chief Dale Meeks
    Chief of Police
    City of Center, Colorado

    Kenna Gonzales
    Probation Officer
    12th Judicial District Office of Probation, Colorado

    Gail Garcia-Kuhns
    Intensive Specialized Case Manager for Center for Restorative Programs
    San Luis Valley, Colorado

    Video Recording

    Presentation Materials

    National Rural Summit – Session 1 PowerPoint

  • ◊ Friday | May 27 | 4:00pm – 5:30pmET ◊

    Bill Thompson
    Prosecuting Attorney
    Latah County, Idaho 

    Sr. Deputy Ashley Jennings
    Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
    Latah County, Idaho

    Lana Schuerman
    Addiction Counselor/Medical Provider, State North Hospital
    Latah County, Idaho

    Mark Vargo
    State’s Attorney
    Pennington County, South Dakota

    Allison Morrisette
    Adult Diversion Program, State’s Attorney Office
    Pennington County, South Dakota

    Chris White Eagle
    Wambli Ska Society, Oyate Court Founder
    Pennington County, South Dakota

    Tara White Eagle
    Wambli Ska Society, Oyate Court Founder
    Pennington County, South Dakota

    Video Recording


  • ◊ Friday | June 3 | 4:00pm – 5:30pmET ◊

    Veronica Dietz
    Director of Crisis Services
    Carroll County Health Department
    Carroll County, Maryland 

    Judge Jonathan Shamis
    Lake County Court
    Lake County, Colorado 

    Video Recording

    Presentation Materials

    National Rural Summit – Session 3 PowerPoint

WHERE

Virtual
Zoom link will be sent to registrants.

REGISTER DONATE

With much appreciation for generous support from: