Center for Behavioral Health and Justice

10/30/2026

Wayne State University and CBHJ will be closed in observance of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Make you plan to vote! for resources on registration, locating your polling place and more, visit vote.org.

10/29/2026

Interested in advancing behavioral health research and improving access to care? Wayne State University’s new Primary Care Research Fellowship Program is recruiting postdoctoral fellows from behavioral health professions.

The five-year program will train 10 fellows to study how behavioral health care is delivered in primary care and community-based settings, including for people with limited access to services. This is an opportunity to help build evidence that informs practice and improves care for underserved communities.

Congratulations to Dr. Bridget Weller, Wayne State School of Social Work professor, on securing this National Research Service Award to launch the program!

Learn more about the fellowship and how to apply: https://bit.ly/4jM2VMs

Wayne State University School of Social Work Professor, Dr. Bridget Weller, has received a prestigious Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award, funded by the National Institutes of Health and administered by HRSA, to launch The Wayne State University Primary Care Research Fellowship Program.

WSU Social Work is now among the few schools of social work in the country to lead this highly competitive award.

The five-year program will train 10 postdoctoral fellows from behavioral health professions to study how behavioral health is delivered in primary care, community-based settings and for people with limited access to services.

The program is now recruiting. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4jM2VMs



This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number T32HP56081, National Research Service Award in Primary Care Medicine, in the amount of $2,078,182, financed 100 percent with federal funds and 0 percent with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

10/28/2026

October is , a time to recognize progress in juvenile justice reform and the continued work needed to improve outcomes for young people.

This summer, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 4396, sponsored by state Rep. Sarah Lightner, pictured at left with CBHJ Director Sheryl Kubiak and Associate Director of Policy and Outreach Algeria Wilson. The legislation expands access to anonymized juvenile justice data for research, helping inform future policy and strengthen Michigan’s juvenile justice system.

CBHJ is also partnering with Oakland County to evaluate reforms, track progress and identify opportunities for improvement.

Read more about these efforts and other CBHJ updates in our October newsletter: https://i.wayne.edu/view/6ae1139790850

10/24/2026

Today is National Life Without Parole (LWOP) Awareness Day. Swipe through the slides below to examine the penological and human reality of LWOP in the United States.

Extreme sentencing operates under the premise that human beings are incapable of transformation. In practice, it permanently forecloses redemption - requiring people to die in state custody regardless of decades of personal growth, education, and restorative work. Demanding second-look mechanisms does not bypass accountability. True accountability requires rigorous, long-term personal work; extreme sentencing simply ignores that work when it occurs.

10/20/2026

CBHJ’s Parker Tomkinson, manager of our Opioid Treatment Ecosystems initiative, presented at the Addiction Health Sciences Research Conference in Salt Lake City.

Her presentation highlighted the Well Wayne Stations initiative as part of a national discussion on harm reduction vending machine programs. Parker, second from left, joined leaders from across the nation to share implementation strategies and explore public health impacts.

10/15/2026

Join our October AOT Community of Practice on Friday, October 23, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET.

This month, we welcome Nancy Johnson, Supervisor of Crisis Intervention Services at Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority, to discuss the Saginaw County First Responder’s Guide for Behavioral Interventions.

Learn how this collaborative guide was developed, how it supports coordinated responses to behavioral health crises, and its impact in Saginaw County.

We look forward to connecting with AOT practitioners across Michigan to share ideas, discuss challenges, and learn from one another.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/5n6mnbf5

10/13/2026

There’s still time to register for this week's session from the Michigan Mental Health Diversion Council's Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Information Forum series.

These sessions, facilitated by CBHJ, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and Community Mental Health Association of Michigan, offer an opportunity to learn more about AOT and connect with information to support its implementation in Michigan communities.

Each virtual session takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET and costs $35 per person. Review the forum details and register here:https://behaviorhealthjustice.wayne.edu/aot/pdfs/aot-webinar-series-flyer-2026.pdf

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