At California Care Recovery, we have always maintained that addiction does not exist in a vacuum. To truly heal, one must address the intricate intersection of substance use, mental health, and physical well-being. It is this commitment to “whole-person” healing that drives our leadership to stay at the forefront of the industry’s most important conversations.
We are proud to announce that the California Care Recovery team will be attending the 17th Annual Statewide Conference—Brighter Together: Integrating Substance Use, Mental Health, and Physical Health Care Services.
Hosted by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH), this pivotal 1.5-day event will take place on April 21–22, 2026, at the Hilton Universal City in Los Angeles. For us, this isn’t just a conference; it is an opportunity to collaborate with the brightest minds in California healthcare to ensure our clients receive the most sophisticated, integrated care available.
Why “Brighter Together” Matters for Modern Recovery
The title of this year’s conference, “Brighter Together,” perfectly encapsulates the future of behavioral health. For too long, the medical community treated physical health, mental health, and addiction as three separate silos. This fragmented approach often left patients falling through the cracks.
The 17th Statewide Conference is designed to tear down those silos. By bringing together healthcare providers, policymakers, researchers, and community stakeholders, the event focuses on holistic, patient-centered care. Key areas of focus for the 2026 conference include:
- Clinical Integration: Strategies for merging substance use disorder (SUD) treatment with primary physical healthcare.
- Dual Diagnosis Advancements: New research-driven methods for treating co-occurring mental health disorders alongside addiction.
- Collaborative Policy: How statewide changes in Los Angeles County and beyond are making integrated care more accessible.
- Patient Outcomes: Utilizing data and community feedback to improve the long-term success rates of those in recovery.
Strategic Partnerships: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice
One of the reasons the Brighter Together conference is so impactful is the caliber of the organizations involved. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health has partnered with heavyweights in the academic and clinical world, including:
- UCLA Division of Addiction Psychiatry: Leaders in integrated substance use and addiction programs.
- Pacific Southwest ATTC (HHS Region 9): A vital resource for technology transfer and training in the addiction field.
- DMH + UCLA Public Mental Health Partnership: A collaboration dedicated to improving the quality of public mental health services through innovation.
For the team at California Care Recovery, engaging with these partners allows us to translate high-level academic research into “on-the-ground” clinical excellence at our facility.
Agenda at a Glance: A Deep Dive into Innovation
The conference is structured to maximize learning and networking over a high-impact 1.5-day schedule.
Day 1: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
The first day is dedicated to setting the stage for integration. After registration and a morning plenary session, attendees will dive into specialized workshops.
- Morning Plenary (9:00 am – 10:30 am): Focusing on the current state of integrated care in California.
- Workshops (11:00 am – 12:30 pm & 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm): These smaller breakout sessions allow our team to focus on specific clinical niche areas, such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) or trauma-informed physical care.
- Afternoon Plenary (1:45 pm – 3:15 pm): Discussing the barriers to integration and how to overcome them at a provider level.
Day 2: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
The final half-day focuses on implementation and the path forward.
- Opening Remarks (8:30 am – 9:00 am): Synthesizing the lessons from Day 1.
- Workshops (10:45 am – 12:15 pm): Actionable strategies for providers to take back to their local communities.
How This Benefits Our Clients at California Care Recovery
You might wonder: How does a CEO or a clinical director attending a conference in Universal City help a client sitting in a therapy session? The answer is simple: Innovation saves lives. When we attend the Brighter Together conference, we aren’t just collecting continuing education units. We are bringing back:
- New Treatment Protocols: Learning the latest ways to manage the physical side effects of withdrawal while simultaneously treating underlying depression or anxiety.
- Resource Connections: Building a network of physical health providers in Los Angeles who understand the specific needs of patients in recovery.
- Holistic Strategies: Implementing new “patient-centered” models that empower our clients to take an active role in their own healing of mind, body, and spirit.
California Care’s Mission: Leading the Integrated Care Movement
Under the leadership of Jason Bouquet, California Care Recovery has always prioritized a hands-on, high-standard approach. We believe that to be a leader in the California recovery landscape, we must be present where the decisions are being made.
Attending the 17th Annual Statewide Conference allows us to contribute our voice to the discussion. We represent the private sector of treatment that is eager to work alongside public health entities like the LACDMH to create a seamless safety net for those in need.
Event Details & Registration
If you are a healthcare professional, advocate, or community member interested in the future of integrated health, we highly encourage you to join us at the Hilton Universal City.
- Venue: Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City
- Address: 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, CA 91608
- Dates: April 21–22, 2026
- Host: Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
Register today to be part of the movement toward a “brighter” and more integrated future for California’s behavioral health system.
Join Us in the Pursuit of Excellence
Recovery is a journey that requires a village. At California Care Recovery, we are proud to be a part of that village. By attending the Brighter Together conference, we are renewing our promise to our clients: to always provide care that is as informed, integrated, and compassionate as possible.
If you or a loved one is seeking a treatment center that prioritizes the latest in integrated healthcare, contact California Care Recovery today. We meet you where you are and help you get to where you want to be.