CMHACY's 43nd Annual Conference

Committing to Mobilizing Hope and Advocacy for Communities and Youth

Elevating Voices, Influencing Progress

Wednesday, May 10 - Friday, May 12, 2023

Award Winners

Each year California Mental Health Advocates for Children and Youth (CMHACY) highlights the efforts of stakeholders who have made a significant contribution in advancing mental wellness for California’s children and youth. These brief moments of celebration serve to remind us that ongoing efforts to improving the lives of children, youth and families/caregivers do not go unnoticed. The awards shine a light on recipients while they are among their peers and colleagues. Three separate achievement awards will be presented at the conference in May 2023.

INNOVATIVE PROGRAM AWARD

Presented to Ebony Chambers McClinton

One of the primary goals of the CMHACY conference has been peer-to-peer dissemination of promising practices, culturally specific programs, youth/family-focused in nature, with measurable results that can be replicated in other locations throughout the State. Nominations in this category can include new programs or programs that adapt state or national models to specific communities, broaden service populations, or improve outcomes with the addition of new partners. The scope is very wide.

POLICY/LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP AWARD

Presented to Assemblymember Isaac Bryan
Improvements in public child/family mental health at the local and state levels does not happen without the efforts of a champion or leader. This category seeks to identify a colleague(s) who has seized upon opportunities to build something bigger, something better – either as a pilot program or through legislation or regulatory changes – and who is undaunted by competing priorities and/or funding and authority conflicts.

THE JIM PREIS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Presented to Camille Schraeder

In October of 2018, CMHACY lost Jim Preis to cancer. A former CMHACY Board member, Friend, frequent workshop presenter and moderator of our Friday Policy Panels, Jim was legendary In the children’s mental health movement in California and across the nation. Through his big battles, little skirmishes, productive collaborations, and persistent refusals to accept injustices, we witnessed decades of Jim’s undaunting and collegial efforts to improve the lives of Californians.

In honor of his many contributions, the CMHACY Board has dedicated the Advocate of the Year award to Jim. By renaming the award in his honor, it will serve as an annual reminder of the extraordinary deeds that we can accomplish working together, and the incredible individual work he took on across his decades of service. CMHACY will honor his memory by recognizing an individual who demonstrates an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children, youth and families and who shares the values and commitment to service that Jim stood for and for which he fought.