United Way Broward Chief Impact Officer Maria Hernandez, Ryan Jenkins, UKG Vice President, Belonging & Impact Heather Geronemus, United Way Broward VP Community Impact Emilia Vilaire-Monchery, United Way Broward President & CEO Kathleen Cannon
The Power of Prevention
Two-Day Conference Highlighted Prevention, Innovation, and Community Collaboration While Promoting Hundreds of Resources
June 11, 2026 – United Way Broward’s Coalition on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention, in partnership with the Broward Behavioral Health Coalition (BBHC) and the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), successfully hosted the 11th Annual South Florida Behavioral Health Conference: The Power of Prevention, held May 27-28, 2026, at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood. The two-day Conference brought together nearly 1,000 clinicians, policymakers, educators, prevention specialists, community leaders, and behavioral health professionals from across Florida and beyond to explore innovative approaches to prevention, treatment, recovery, and mental wellness.
WSFL’s Cameron Dobbs, Kip Hunter Marketing Managing Partner Nick Brucker, United Way Broward VP Community Impact Emilia Vilaire-Monchery, PBS Health Channel Producer Penelope Douglas
Abbey Danneman, Executive Director of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office Department of Community Programs Dave Scharf, DEA Community Outreach Specialist Gretchen Rovira, BSO Captain Andrea Tianga, and BSO Deputy
The Conference featured nationally recognized keynote speakers including Kevin Hines, a globally renowned suicide prevention advocate; Ryan Jenkins, leadership futurist and bestselling author; Allan Kehler, mental health advocate and addictions counselor; and Rick Griffin, neuroscience educator and founder of the Neuro Leadership Academy. Through keynote presentations, workshops, and continuing education sessions, attendees examined critical topics including trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, workforce development, resilience, integrated care models, and behavioral health policies. The Master of Ceremonies was CEO and Founder of Vanessa James Media, Vanessa James.
“The Power of Prevention is more than this year’s theme; it is a reminder that investing in prevention, early intervention, and community support creates healthier outcomes for individuals, families, and communities,” said Kathleen Cannon, President & CEO of United Way Broward. “The incredible turnout and engagement from professionals across the behavioral health field demonstrated our collective commitment to improving access to care and strengthening the behavioral health system throughout South Florida.”
As part of the Conference, several outstanding leaders were recognized for their contributions to behavioral health, prevention, and community wellness initiatives. Heather Geronemus, Vice President, Belonging & Impact at UKG, received the Paul E. Daly Champion for Prevention Award; David Scharf, Executive Director Community Programs for the Broward Sheriff’s Office, was honored with the Community Trailblazer Award; and Silvia Quintana, CEO of Broward Behavioral Health Coalition (BBHC), received the Legacy of Care Award for her lasting impact on behavioral health and community well-being.
The Conference also reinforced the importance of ensuring residents know where to turn for help. Hundreds of free behavioral health, substance use prevention, crisis intervention, and recovery resources are available throughout Broward County and can be accessed by dialing 211 for community-based support services or 988 for immediate mental health crisis assistance.
About United Way Broward’s Coalition on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention
United Way Broward’s Coalition on Behavioral Health and Drug Prevention is a broad-based substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion coalition dedicated to reducing negative consequences on individuals, families, and communities. Today, its primary role is to serve as a coalition-building organization that brokers partnerships between federal, state, and local agencies to foster, develop, and enhance integrated behavioral health efforts throughout Broward County, while searching for innovative and effective ways to address the issue of substance misuse. Coalition on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention is a vital component of United Way Broward’s four impact areas (strengthening local resilience, advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security) focused on the solutions to close gaps in services and create a better life for all. For more information, please visit www.drugfreebroward.org or follow us on social media at facebook.com/uwbcoalition or on Twitter/Instagram @UWBCoalition.
About Broward Behavioral Health Coalition (BBHC)
Established in 2011 by the Broward Department of Children and Families, the Broward Behavioral Health Coalition, Inc. (BBHC) serves as Broward County’s local managing entity, which is responsible for contracting, monitoring, clinical quality oversight and performance improvement of the state-funded behavioral health services. BBHC provides a comprehensive system of care for substance use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders for individuals in Broward County. As a nonprofit organization, BBHC also manages local and national grants to develop evidence-based practices and practice improvement for providers and persons served. To learn more about the BBHC, call (954) 622-8121 or please visit https://bbhcflorida.org.
