In this episode we talked with the Project ECHO team based in Alaska, out of the Center for Human Development at the University of Alaska - Anchorage. An ECHO is Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes, and this ECHO is focused on mental health and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Faith Kelly is the Coordinator for this ECHO project, and we also talked to several clinicians that have been involved in the project and working in clinical roles for many years. 
Transcript
Links:
Project ECHO AK 
What is an ECHO?
Center for Human Developement
BIOS:
Marti Romero, Psy.D., LPC-S
Dr. Romero is a licensed psychologist and the Clinical Director at Assets, Incorporated – a non-profit organization in Anchorage, Alaska that provides treatment and supports to individuals who experience intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DDs) and/or severe and chronic mental illness. She has dedicated her 30 year career to serving this underserved population. Dr. Romero received her B.S. in Sociology from San Diego State University, and her Masters and Doctorate degrees from Alaska Pacific University. She became interested in working with this population while studying for her undergraduate degree as she worked in an institutional setting for individuals who experienced I/DDs and severe behavioral challenges. She started her career doing direct supports and in so doing has developed a passion, and staunch advocacy for the work she does and the people with whom she works.
In 2014/15 Dr. Romero seized the opportunity while completing her doctoral dissertation, to research the training provided to masters level clinicians (or lack thereof), to provide behavioral health services to individuals with I/DDs. In addition to this research, and from her experiences working with and supervising many clinicians over the years, she knew the training was sparse – especially in Alaska. As part of her dissertation, she developed an in depth training curriculum for clinicians who would be willing, and interested in serving this population. She has since utilized this training to assist clinicians, through a variety of venues, gain the skills needed to effectively provide behavioral health services to individuals who experience I/DDs.
Dr. Romero is a life-long Alaskan, who enjoys spending time with family and friends; fishing, camping, hiking, playing softball – generally most things in the great outdoors.
Laronsia ‘Ronnie’ Reynolds
Ronnie was born in Florida and relocated to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1982. She attended Alaska Pacific University and completed her undergraduate degree and obtained a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology.
 
Ronnie has worked the past 25 years in the non-profit sector performing various roles in Anchorage community health agencies. She has extensive experience working with children and adults who experience varying abilities, diagnosis, and challenging behaviors. She has worked successfully with those experiencing symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, transitions, Dementia, serious mental illness, severe emotional disturbances, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Adapting therapeutic treatment strategies and approaches has been key in her work.
 
When not working, Ronnie enjoys spending her time with family and friends. She particularly enjoys being in the outdoors during the Summer and Fall seasons. She also enjoys playing sports and all types of word and board games. She believes there is nothing like doing work you are passionate about…….it makes it fun and not just a job.
 
BreeAnn Davis was born and raised in Alaska. Professionally she has worked for a tribal social service agency for the past 7 years. Personally she is the parent of 4 children, two who experience a co-diagnosis of both a developmental disability and a mental health diagnosis. She has an AAS in Disability Services and a Children’s Behavioral Health endorsement through the University of Alaska. She also has an ACRE certificate