The collaborative aims to elevate professional development standards, disseminate critical leadership resources, and build resilient systems of care for children, adults, and families worldwide
University of Connecticut School of Social Work's Innovations Institute (Innovations), the College for Behavioral Health Leadership (CBHL), and Global Leadership Exchange (GLE) have formed a strategic collaboration that expands leadership development and continuing education for behavioral health professionals across the U.S.
CBHL anchors this collaborative framework as a domestic partner of GLE's international network to align cross-sector leadership around mental health, disability, and substance use challenges. As the academic partner of this collaborative, Innovations provides continuing education administration, academic expertise, and operational support for professional learning opportunities offered through CBHL and GLE. The collaboration is designed to strengthen leadership capacity, encourage cross-sector collaboration, and equip professionals to spread innovation and best practice in the behavioral health field.
"This partnership reflects our shared commitment to developing leaders who can address today's most complex behavioral health challenges," said Laura Curran, dean and professor at the UConn School of Social Work. "By serving as the academic anchor for both CBHL and GLE, Innovations connects academic excellence with practical leadership development, helping professionals translate research into meaningful improvements for children, adults, and their families.
The agreement arrives at a pivotal moment of expansion for all three entities. GLE recently gathered over 600 global delegates for its high-profile, bi-annual Leadership Exchange 2026 in Canada, while CBHL continues to expand its cross-sector network and leadership initiatives across the United States. Simultaneously, Innovations continues to scale its national footprint, expanding its specialized research, evaluation, and workforce development in support of systems of care across the U.S.
"True transformation in behavioral health requires cultivating leadership across sectors and borders," said Stephen J. Appleton, president and chief executive of GLE. "Partnering with Innovations and CBHL provides our global network with the expertise and infrastructure to turn emerging leadership concepts into sustainable, evidence-informed action."
CBHL was founded on the belief that meaningful change happens when leaders from different disciplines come together to learn from one another and work toward shared solutions," said Marcellina Melvin, CBHL board president. "This partnership expands opportunities for our members to access high-quality continuing education, connect with international thought leaders, and strengthen the leadership capacity needed to address the evolving behavioral health needs of our communities."
By combining UConn's academic resources with CBHL's national leadership network and GLE's international reach, the collaborative aims to elevate professional development standards, disseminate critical leadership resources, and build resilient systems of care for children, adults, and families worldwide.
About Innovations Institute, UConn SSW Innovations Institute is a multidisciplinary center within the University of Connecticut School of Social Work dedicated to improving outcomes for children, youth, young adults, and their families. Innovations Institute partners with state, local, and national entities to provide research, technical assistance, training, and workforce development to advance equitable and effective systems of care.
About the College for Behavioral Health Leadership (CBHL) The College for Behavioral Health Leadership is a national non-profit organization where cross-sector leaders collaborate to grow, connect, and transform communities. CBHL defines leadership by the desire to effect change, convening diverse public and private leaders to share expertise, develop actionable skills, and build equity-grounded systems of wellbeing across the lifespan.
About Global Leadership Exchange (GLE) Global Leadership Exchange is an international network that connects mental health, substance use, and disability leaders around the world. GLE facilitates the rapid exchange of knowledge, innovation, operational expertise, and problem-solving strategies through its international network, regular online collaborative groups, and global biennial matches to accelerate international system and leadership improvement.
