LA Interfaith Behavioral Health Seminar Strengthens Pathways to Care
Faith leaders are often the first people individuals and families turn to in a crisis. Whether facing a mental health crisis, a substance use concern, or a personal loss, people find comfort in familiar corners. Strengthening the connection between these trusted leaders and behavioral health providers can help more people receive compassionate, culturally responsive care.
That goal drew approximately 120 attendees to the Interfaith Behavioral Health Seminar at Reseda Church of Christ on July 22, 2026. Tarzana Treatment Centers, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Pueblo y Salud, and community partners presented the seminar.
Attendees included representatives from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Muslim and Jewish communities, and churches across the Christian community. Behavioral health practitioners, healthcare professionals, public officials, and community partners also participated.
Faith and Behavioral Health Leaders Share Their Expertise
The seminar opened with remarks from Antonio Bañuelos, LCSW, Service Area 2 Chief of Outpatient Care Services at the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health; Sandy Logan, Program Director at Pueblo y Salud; and Mark Winkler, Program Supervisor at Tarzana Treatment Centers.
Winkler expressed his belief in the event’s significance when he said, “It was important to bring together faith leaders from diverse traditions and behavioral health practitioners to strengthen understanding, reduce stigma, and build stronger pathways of support for the communities we serve.”
Sandy Logan from Pueblo y Salud also emphasized the promise of building connections between these two essential sources of community support, noting, “The Interfaith Behavioral Health Seminar united two vital communities, the faith community and the behavioral health community, creating a stronger partnership to support healthier, more hopeful, and inspired lives throughout our community.”
Additional opening speakers included:
- Rev. Dr. Dewayne Winrow, Senior Pastor of Reseda Church of Christ
- Dr. José Salazar, Director of Program Development and Contract Compliance at Tarzana Treatment Centers
- Angelica Ayala, Senior Health Deputy for Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath
- Stephanie Ramos, Community Relations Representative with event sponsor Anthem Blue Cross
- Allen Moret, Community Engagement and Faith-Based Liaison for Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
The Interfaith Behavioral Health Seminar Keynote Panel
Candice Price of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services served as the event’s host. During the session, the keynote panel examined substance use and mental health treatment in interfaith communities.
Antonio Bañuelos, LCSW, moderated the discussion with:
- Dr. Cassidy Todd, Associate Director of Youth Services at Tarzana Treatment Centers
- Dr. Kevin Burns, Associate Medical Director of Harm Reduction and Prevention for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Bureau
- Dr. Charity Chandler-Cole, Executive Director of LA Voice
- Dr. Edden Agonafer, Founder and Executive Director of AID in Healing
The panel helped participants examine how faith communities and behavioral health providers can collaborate to reduce stigma, respond to emerging challenges, and connect community members to appropriate services.
“It was a pleasure for the Department of Mental Health Service Area 2 to collaborate and partner with Tarzana Treatment Centers and Pueblo y Salud to bring together an outstanding group of subject matter experts from across our community,” Bañuelos said. “Together, during this seminar, we shared a common vision of advancing integrated care through the meaningful intersection of faith and mental health.”
The Value of Interfaith Behavioral Health Breakout Sessions
Four breakout sessions provided attendees with information they could apply in congregations, healthcare settings, and community organizations.
Representatives from Olive View Mental Health Center and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health presented “Navigating Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Challenges.” The session addressed the increasingly common intersection of mental health and substance use challenges.
The session “Recognizing the Signs: Prevention, Awareness and Early Response to Substance Use” featured Emily Guzman, Program Coordinator at Youth Prevention Services at Tarzana Treatment Centers; TTC health educator and outreach staff Diana Camey; and Lizbeth Padilla Medina and Valeria Fiswick of Pueblo y Salud. The emphasis was on the crucial role of early intervention.
Breakout Section on Navigating Treatment Pathways
Representatives from Valley Care Coordination Services and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health led “From Struggle to Stability: Navigating Mental Health Treatment Pathways.” Focusing on specifics, the session demonstrated how coordinated treatment planning can support stability and recovery.
The final breakout session was “Recognize, Respond, Refer: A Faith Leader’s Role in Mental Health Prevention.” It featured Rabbi Jason van Leeuwen of Temple B’nai Hayim and Damian Barajas, an MFT Trainee at Shepherd Church. Yesmine Linda Florines of Tarzana Treatment Centers facilitated the discussion, which focused on genuine interfaith cooperation and support.
Together, these sessions focused on recognizing warning signs, responding without judgment, understanding treatment pathways, and making effective referrals. In addition, they underscored the importance of collaboration among faith communities, clinicians, public agencies, and healthcare providers.
Building Stronger Interfaith Community Connections
The Interfaith Behavioral Health Seminar demonstrated what becomes possible when organizations and faith traditions unite around a shared commitment to community wellness. Such cooperation can produce diverse, proactive solutions that reflect the needs of local communities.
The seminar reflected a broad commitment across Los Angeles County to improving behavioral health through community collaboration. Angelica Ayala, Senior Health Deputy for Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, highlighted the range of partners represented at the event.
“It was inspiring to see the partnerships and shared commitment from community, healthcare, government, and faith community to improve the well-being of our residents,” Ayala said.
Tarzana Treatment Centers gratefully acknowledges Reseda Church of Christ as the host site. Special thanks go to Rev. Dr. Dewayne Winrow for opening the church to attendees. Moreover, he truly supported this day of education, dialogue, and connection.
By strengthening relationships between faith leaders and behavioral health professionals, the seminar opened a key door. It helped establish clearer pathways to prevention, treatment, recovery, and coordinated care across Los Angeles County.
TTC was proud to help bring together the many organizations and individuals who made this day possible. Indeed, it was a prime example of multidimensional community engagement at its best.