Call for Presentations
AZPHA 2026 Conference
From Crisis to Care: Improving Outcomes in Arizona’s Behavioral Health System
Friday, May 1, 2026
Desert Willow Conference Center | Phoenix, Arizona
Conference Tracks & Topic Areas
The Arizona Public Health Association invites proposals for presentations at our 2026 Annual Conference, focused on improving care and treatment for people with mental and behavioral health needs in Arizona.
Many sessions will be grounded in Arizona’s Medicaid behavioral health system and its intersection with public health, housing, courts, and community-based care.
Track A: Policy, Advocacy, and Systems Change
Track B: Population-Specific Needs – Serious Mental Illness
Track C: Integrated Care and Community Well-Being
Track D: Crisis System, Court-Ordered Evaluation & Treatment
Track E: Maternal Mental Health & Perinatal Care
What We’re Looking For
We welcome proposals from public-health professionals, clinicians, policymakers, researchers, advocates, people with lived experience, and system leaders.
Priority will be given to sessions that are evidence-based, practice-focused, and relevant to Arizona.
Emphasis on practical, replicable approaches is encouraged.
- Sessions exploring how public policy, financing, informatics including the applications of artificial intelligence, and system design can improve and shape access to behavioral health care in Arizona.
- Presentations focused on care models and supports for people with serious mental illness, including permanent supportive housing, assertive community treatment, peer & family support, and transitions from institutional to community-based care.
- Sessions highlighting models that integrate behavioral health into primary care and community settings, including crisis-prevention strategies that reduce reliance on emergency departments and law enforcement.
- Presentations addressing Arizona’s crisis response and civil commitment systems, including emergency response, stabilization, court-ordered evaluation and treatment, legal considerations, system bottlenecks, and opportunities for improved coordination.
- Sessions focused on maternal mental health during pregnancy and the postpartum period, including screening, treatment, continuity of care, and Medicaid’s role in improving access and reducing disparities for birthing people and families.
Presentation proposals are due by Monday, February 9, 2026
- One presenter per accepted session will receive free conference registration.
- One additional presenter on the same session will be eligible for the discounted student registration rate.
Submit Your Proposal Here!