Call for Proposals

Correctional Mental Health Seminar
July 13-14, 2008  ·  Las Vegas, Nevada

NCCHC is seeking presentation proposals for the fifth annual Correctional Mental Health seminar. The meeting will highlight important areas of shared concern among practitioners, administrators and others involved in the continuum of mental health care.

We encourage you to share your expertise and help to advance knowledge and practice in this challenging and essential aspect of correctional health. We are seeking presentations that address administrative issues, substance abuse, mental health disorders, women’s issues, segregation and effective reintegration into the community.

Program Intent
The intent of the Correctional Mental Health seminar is to share innovative developments, treatment practices and case studies with attendees. Participants will gather to learn from you, a leader in the field of correctional mental health care.

Educational Tracks
Presentations will be divided into three tracks:

• Administrative issues

• Clinical issues

• Substance abuse

Selection Criteria and Review
The NCCHC Education Committee will review all submissions. Decisions are based on the following criteria:

• Content must be related to mental health care provided in correctional settings.

• The topic must be timely and relevant.

• Content must be based on scientific modalities of diagnosis or therapy (if applicable).

• The presentation must not show preference for one product or service over another unless there is a clear scientific or objective basis to do so, or unless the presentation format allows for a fair presentation of alternatives.

• Corporate support, if any, must be disclosed.

• If applicable, presentations must be consistent with the philosophy and mission of NCCHC, including its standards, position statements and clinical guidelines.

• Presenters’ credentials and experience should be appropriate to present the subject matter.

• The presentation should be sufficiently in-depth to require the full time allotment.

Presentation goals and objectives should correspond with the seminar goals and objectives.

Approved Proposals
Presentations that incorporate hands-on teaching methods, audience participation and lively discussions are preferred. Selected presentations will be scheduled for Sunday and Monday, July 13-14. Typically, 60 minutes is allotted for each presentation.

Presenter Support
Presentation and speaker information will appear in the preliminary and final programs. Each room will be equipped with a podium, microphone, screen, head table and LCD projector. Additional audiovisual equipment may be rented at the speaker’s expense. AV rental forms will be enclosed with letters of acceptance.

Presenter Disclosure Statement
All presenters are required to disclose their intention to discuss in their presentation any commercial products or services in which they have significant financial interest. Additionally, lead presenters are required to disclose any significant relationships with commercial supporters of the conference, as identified on the disclosure form. Speaker disclosure forms will be enclosed with acceptance letters in February.

Proposal Submission Process
Proposals may be submitted online (faxes will not be accepted) and must include the following:

• Name, affiliation, address, phone, fax and e-mail

• A 75-word summary for the conference program

• A 300-word abstract

• Three educational objectives, i.e., what attendees will learn from your session (see “Tips for Writing Learning Objectives”)

• One-page CV for each presenter. CVs can be sent via the online form or by e-mail to deborahross@ncchc.org.

Your proposal should explain precisely what attendees can expect to gain from your presentation. Presentations promoting company products or services will not be accepted.

If you have questions about the submission process, please contact Deborah Ross, director of education and meetings, at (773) 880-1460 or deborahross@ncchc.org.

Proposal Deadline
Proposals received by January 28 will be considered for inclusion in the program. Submission of a proposal implies a commitment to attend the seminar should your proposal be accepted. All speakers will receive a discount on the registration fee.