It takes a village to serve a Hmong youth (Livestream)
Kimiko Vang is Deputy Director at Merced County Human Services Agency. She oversees Employment and Training programs, Family Stabilization, Staff Development, All Dads Matter and All Moms Matter programs, and the Hmong Women’s Initiative. Kimiko has over 16 years of experience in social services and clinical practice as both a direct practitioner and an administrator. Kimiko holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
May-Ci Xiong is a Program Manager for Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services with the Children’s System of Care. She has experience working with community-based agencies and county agencies, and serving disadvantaged youth such as foster children. May-Ci is an LCSW and is currently providing both clinical supervision and professional consultation to colleagues in effort to better serve Hmong consumers.
Starting Emotional Wellness Conversations in Punjabi Communities
Dr. Preet Kaur Sabharwal received her PsyD at the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in Alameda. Preet is the founder of the South Asian Mental Health Consortium which puts on an annual conference on the subject. As a mental health clinician and now program coordinator at The Hume Center, Preet oversees clinical services in their South Asian Program for youth, adults and families. Preet works from a cultural lens and provides services in both Punjabi and Hindi. She has facilitated a variety of workshops and presentations at conferences across the United States, and is considered to be one of the frontrunners on promoting advocacy and mental health awareness on behalf of the South Asian population.
Nina Kaur recently completed her Post-Doctoral Fellow at Portal Bell Hume Behavioral Health and Training Center, where she provided psychological services in the South Asian and Outpatient Program. She received her PsyD with an emphasis on Social Justice from the California School of Professional Psychology in San Francisco. Nina has provided therapeutic services to underserved and diverse populations in school-based programs and community mental health settings. Her practicum sites have enabled her to provide services in her native language, Punjabi. Nina’s interests include South Asian mental health, trauma, community resilience, social justice, and reducing mental health stigma. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Wright Institute School-Based Collaboration Program in Berkeley, California, where her dissertation examined domestic violence and alcohol abuse in the Punjabi Sikh community.

November 21 - 22, 2019 • Clovis Veteran's Memorial District, Clovis CA
Frequently Asked Questions
To join the waitlist, please contact Dennis Horn, dhorn@fresnocountyca.gov and state the days
you are interested in attending. We will confirm your status by Monday, November 11, 2019.
Q: What is the purpose of APIMHEC?
A: The purpose of APIMHEC is to increase awareness of mental health concerns and to promote improvement of mental health services for Asian & Pacific Islander (API) communities.
Q: Is there a program outlining the schedule?
A: Yes, the program will be coming soon!
Q: Who can attend APIMHEC?
A: APIMHEC welcomes mental health providers, consumers, family members of consumers, policymakers, community advocates, administrators, and anyone interested in learning more about API mental health.
Q: How do I register for APIMHEC?
A: We are only accepting online registration. Registration will remain open until November 04, 2019 or when the conference's capacity is reached. Questions regarding the registration process can be sent to training@mfpinstitute.com
Q: How much does it cost to attend APIMHEC?
A: Attending the conference is free, thanks primarily to the sponsorship by Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health and Mental Health Services Act funding. The conference is also made possible due to the in-kind contributions, partnerships with community-based organizations, academic institutions, businesses and individual community members committed to supporting APIMHEC's vision and mission. However, registration is required.
Q: Can I reserve a hotel room at a discounted rate?
A: The APIMHEC committee has obtained discount for 30 rooms at the Best Western Clovis Hotel. Discounted rooms are upon availability when reservation is made.
Q: When is APIMHEC?
A: Thursday, November 21 from 8:00am-5:00pm, and Friday, November 22 from 8:00am-1:00pm.
Q: I only want to attend one day of the 2019 APIMHEC. Is that possible?
A: Yes, on the registration form, please indicate which date you intend to join so we can plan accordingly.
Q: Can I come for just the Thursday night reception?
A: Yes, on the registration form, please indicate that you intend to join only the reception.
Q: Where is APIMHEC?
A: APIMHEC 2019 will be held at Clovis Veterans Memorial District.
Q: What programs or resources will APIMHEC feature?
A: APIMHEC will include keynote speakers and a plenary panel, over 8 workshops on diverse topics in API mental health, two lunches featuring API entertainers, a reflection and call to action session, and an evening reception. There will also be resource tables available.
Q: Can my organization promote our services at APIMHEC?
A: If you are interested in tabling, please contact: paul.hoang@mfpinstitute.com.
Q: Can I receive Continuing Education Units at APIMHEC?
A: There will be CEUs offered for 8 of the workshops, for more information, please
contact, dhorn@fresnocountyca.gov. CEUs are contingent upon submitting attendance and evaluation documents.
Q: What if I can no longer attend after I have registered?
A: If you pre-registered but can no longer attend, we would appreciate if you notify us so we can open the space to other attendees so we can allow attendees to join from the waitlist. Please contact, dhorn@fresnocountyca.gov.
Q: I need language interpretation at APIMHEC. How can I set this up?
A: On the registration form, please indicate that you need interpretation and in which language.
Q: I need accommodation for a disability at APIMHEC. How can I set this up?
A: Please contact, dhorn@fresnocountyca.gov if you need an accommodation for a disability.
Q: I would like to volunteer for APIMHEC. How can I help?
A: We need volunteers for logistics on the day of the conference and helping to promote the conference. Please contact, dhorn@fresnocountyca.gov if you are interested in helping in any way.
Q: Who is organizing and sponsoring APIMHEC?
A: APIMHEC 2019 is sponsored by Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health. The conference planning committee consists of representatives from Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health, Moving Forward Psychological Institute, Alliant International University, Valley API Mental Health, Viet-CARE, and other volunteers.