The 2026 OPEN MINDS Health & Human Services Workforce Best Practices Summit

Recently, behavioral health organizations have been acknowledging the effects of working with, feeling empathy for, and having responsibility for trauma survivors. Whether this effect is referred to as vicarious trauma (VT) or secondary traumatic stress, there is no doubt that the work can influence a provider’s worldview, their sense of safety, their own relationships, their sense of hope, and their energy and enthusiasm for their work.

This presentation will challenge some of the myths of vicarious trauma, such as that work is entirely depleting and that home life is entirely fulfilling, and that there is such a thing as work-life balance. Presenters will discuss specific techniques employers can use to help sustain their top employees by growing their hope and energy in the workplace, thereby reducing turnover. Case studies will share strategies for developing skills to enhance employees’ work lives, to help employees thrive through intensity, to develop radical compassion, and to recover from crisis.

During the session, attendees will:

• Identify three myths about vicarious trauma and their alternative truths.
• List eight skills to sustain top employees and discover organizational plans to teach and support these skills.
• Identify agency structures to support providers in recovering from crisis, reducing fatigue and burnout.

Behavioral health organizations are operating in a period of constant change—from new payment models and regulatory shifts to workforce shortages and evolving care delivery expectations. For today’s executives, the ability to lead organizations through change is no longer optional; it’s a core leadership competency.

This session will explore practical change management strategies tailored to behavioral health organizations. Leaders will learn how to align teams around a clear vision, communicate effectively during periods of transition, and build cultures that are resilient and adaptable. Speakers will share lessons learned from implementing major organizational changes—from restructuring services to adopting new technologies—and discuss how leaders can engage staff, reduce resistance, and sustain momentum in a rapidly evolving environment.

Artificial Intelligence and predictive analytics are creating new opportunities to anticipate workforce needs, improve scheduling, and reduce burnout while maintaining high quality care. This session will examine how behavioral health organizations are beginning to leverage data-driven tools to optimize staffing models and plan for future workforce demands. Speakers will discuss emerging applications of AI—from predictive turnover risk to forecasting service demand—and explore how these insights can help leaders recruit more strategically, deploy staff more effectively, and support workforce sustainability.

Attendees will gain a practical understanding of AI-enabled workforce planning today, the opportunities it presents, and the considerations executives should weigh as they adopt these technologies within their organizations.