Welcome to the Virtual Learning Institute! The Virtual Learning Institute (VLI) is a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funded online learning collaborative developed to support behavioral health treatment facilities in their efforts to prevent the use of coercive practices and to develop alternatives to the use of seclusion and restraint.

This Learning Institute will provide a forum for individuals and organizations to:  share lessons learned; develop peer mentoring relationships; and establish a learning collaborative to sustain positive environmental changes.  Notable progress has been achieved over the past few years in reducing the use of seclusion and restraints, particularly in inpatient mental health settings.  This Institute can provide an opportunity for facilities to share effective strategies to develop safe, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed systems of care that maximize consumer choice and minimize coercion. This innovative forum provides the added benefit of preventing “leadership fatigue” by offering a venue through which leaders can encourage and support one another in their on-going work in this critical area.

VLI is an exploration of cutting edge technologies available to public health systems across the country. The goal of the Institute is to match the best technology with specific learning goals that promote healing and recovery.  Joan Gillece, PhD of the National Association of State Mental Health Directors is the VLI Project Director and Raul Almazar, RN, MA is the Project Coordinator.

The Virtual Learning Institute has 2 main components: (click on blue links below to see the schedule)

• Web-based presentations (every 2nd Thursday of the month) on key topic areas

• A live discussion (OPEN FORUM) (every 4th Thursday of the month) for applicants to the SAMHSA Alternatives to Seclusion and Restraint Recognition Program and the SAMHSA Seclusion and Restraint State Incentive grantees

Register for upcoming webinars or the open forums.

Access past power points and past live recordings

We hope you find the VLI useful in providing you the support you need in the important work you are engaged in.  Developing alternatives to seclusion and restraints, non-coercive treatment environments, and trauma-informed systems are the focus and commitment of VLI.  Your input is shaping the development and evolution of this project.  We want to hear from you. To contact the VLI leadership, please e-mail us at:  VLI@nasmhpd.org