The Catalyst Center

06/20/2026

Please join us in welcoming Meagan Youngblood, our new Project Manager for Open Doors!

Meagan brings more than a decade of experience in direct service, youth and family support, and program leadership, including two years as a full-time AmeriCorps volunteer in West Oakland. A first-generation college graduate with a Master of Social Work, she is committed to systemic change and believes that human and environmental well-being are inseparable.

She also believes curiosity is a superpower -- and we could not agree more.

Outside of work, Meagan enjoys 35mm photography, fiction, and Zelda. Her household includes two dogs (on purpose), two cats (by happy accident), and her longtime partner.

We asked Meagan what advice she would give someone entering the field of social work. Her answer felt right at home here: "If you can find ways to marry your personal interests with your work, do it! Your unique approach will be an asset to the clients, teams, and systems around you."

Welcome to the team, Meagan -- we are so glad you are here!

06/18/2026

How you use Stronger Together 2026 depends on who you are and what you need.

For the first time, all 80 sessions are organized into five learning tracks, each built around a specific role and set of goals. Business Operations. Executive Leadership. Clinical and Behavioral Health. Equity, Culture, and Community. Policy and Advocacy.

The idea is simple. With 80 sessions on the program, we wanted every attendee to be able to find their content quickly, build a schedule that makes sense for their role, and get the most out of the conference.

August 31 - September 3, Anaheim Marriott.

Register now. https://web.cvent.com/event/72a12e0b-7996-4626-8764-cef9024f2c3a/websitePage:74e87f82-6fde-4189-8ea8-544140eba0a2

06/18/2026

We're excited to share that Sharon Nilsson, Director of our Apprenticeship Program, has advanced to the public voting round for the 10th Annual Wellness Together Conference!

Her proposed session explores how our apprenticeship program can help address behavioral health workforce shortages by creating pathways into the field for individuals with lived experience and non-traditional educational backgrounds.

If you'd like to see this important conversation featured at the conference, please take a moment to watch the video and click "LIKE." Each like counts as a vote through June 30.

🎥 Watch and vote here: https://youtu.be/u-kGWagM3_Q?si=WrQkDKmKfZfFpZf9

WTC10 Breakout Proposal: California Behavioral Health Apprenticeshi...

06/15/2026

See you in Anaheim. Register now for Stronger Together 2026.
https://web.cvent.com/event/72a12e0b-7996-4626-8764-cef9024f2c3a/websitePage:74e87f82-6fde-4189-8ea8-544140eba0a2

06/12/2026

We need your vote! Breakout session voting is open for the 10th Annual Wellness Together Conference (WTC10), and our apprenticeship team has submitted a session we know will bring real value to educators, administrators, mental health professionals, and school leaders.

Our session focuses on expanding the behavioral health workforce through Registered Apprenticeship, an earn-and-learn model that opens doors for people with lived experience and for those on nontraditional educational pathways. Stronger workforce pipelines mean more support for the children, youth, and families who need it most.

Take a moment to watch our video, andlike it to cast your vote to help shape this year's conversation in San Diego.

WTC10 Breakout Proposal: California Behavioral Health Apprenticeshi...

06/11/2026

The CA Alliance team is at the 2026 Partnerships for Well-Being Institute, hosted by UC Davis, alongside colleagues from our The Catalyst Center and Open Doors Training .

We are especially proud to see member agencies including Stars Behavioral Health Group , Stanford Sierra Youth & Families , Olive Crest - USA , Victor , and Koinonia Family Services leading sessions that showcase the work happening every day on behalf of California's children and families.

06/10/2026

Don't just take our word for it. Register today for Stronger Together 2026 in Anaheim.
https://web.cvent.com/event/72a12e0b-7996-4626-8764-cef9024f2c3a/websitePage:74e87f82-6fde-4189-8ea8-544140eba0a2

06/09/2026

The sessions, the CE credits, the community -- three reasons California's child and family professionals keep coming back to Stronger Together. Join 800+ colleagues in Anaheim this August 31 through September 3.

https://web.cvent.com/event/72a12e0b-7996-4626-8764-cef9024f2c3a/websitePage:74e87f82-6fde-4189-8ea8-544140eba0a2