Empowering safety net health organizations to harness AI for better patient outcomes, improved care provider experience, and operational excellence

“AI in Action: Practical Applications for Safety Net Providers” is a monthly Zoom series, co-hosted by the Center for Care Innovations, Health AI Partnership, and Alliance Chicago that is dedicated to exploring research and implementation of AI-based solutions that address the unique challenges and opportunities within Federally Qualified Health Centers and safety net healthcare organizations, promoting equitable access and improved patient outcomes.

Date and Time

June 17 at 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the link to join the meeting.

Topic

Implementing AI Documentation in Behavioral Health: Consent, Risk, and Adoption

Session Description

Behavioral health clinicians often manage documentation while trying to stay present with patients, creating ongoing tension between clinical presence and administrative demands. In this session, leaders from Hawse Health share their experience implementing AI‑assisted documentation across their behavioral health team, with a focus on trust, consent, and real‑world use.

Hawse Health will walk through what motivated their approach, how they introduced AI without mandating adoption, and how use spread over time. They will also discuss how they managed informed consent in behavioral health settings, including how much information to share, how patient opt‑outs were handled, and how rapport was prioritized.

This AI in Action session is designed for clinical, operational, and digital health leaders looking for a candid, practice‑based view of AI implementation, including what worked, what required adjustment, and where limits remain.

Speakers

​John Lyon, MSW, LICSW

​John Lyon is the Assistant Director of Behavioral Health Services at E. A. Hawse Health Center, a federally qualified health center (FQHC) serving rural West Virginia. A practicing clinician since 2017, he supports behavioral health operations, clinician supervision, and integrated care initiatives across a multi-site system serving thousands of patients annually.

​John has been closely involved in the implementation of ambient AI documentation tools in behavioral health, with a focus on clinician adoption, workflow sustainability, patient trust, and ethical use of emerging technology. His work has centered on helping clinicians integrate AI tools in ways that reduce administrative burden while preserving the therapeutic relationship and maintaining strong clinical oversight.

​He has participated in discussions on AI implementation and behavioral health innovation through organizations and events, including Becker’s Healthcare, BHB Invest, and the 2025 National Association of Social Workers WV Conference. His professional interests include ethical AI implementation, clinician adoption and workflow design, behavioral health governance considerations, and the impact of ambient AI on workforce sustainability and patient engagement. John holds a Master of Social Work and a Graduate Certificate in Integrated Mental & Behavioral Health from West Virginia University.

Ken Powers, MSW, LICSW

Ken Powers is a highly experienced Clinical Social Worker licensed across multiple states, with a distinguished career that began in 1993. Currently serving as the Director of Behavioral Health Services since January 2010, Ken has played a pivotal role in the growth and development of mental health services at Hawse Health Center, where he was the first full-time therapist. Under his leadership, the center has expanded from a modest team to include 13 dedicated full-time therapists.

Ken has significantly contributed to the establishment and expansion of School-Based Behavioral Health Centers, growing from 2 to an impressive 14 centers across a three-county area. His commitment to providing comprehensive mental health services is further recognized through his certification as a Board-Certified Diplomate by the American Board of Clinical Social Work, as well as his specialization in Practice with Children and Their Families. Additionally, he holds certifications as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Clinician, Clinical Child & Adolescent Anxiety Treatment Professional, and ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider.

With extensive experience providing therapeutic services in various settings—including residential facilities, in-home situations, school-based environments, outpatient programs, and hospice care—Ken has developed a versatile practice. He works with children, teenagers, adults, and parents, facilitating the discovery of individual strengths to overcome challenges and improve mental health.

past AI in action events