We have been taught to believe that living the life we desire for ourselves and our loved ones involves challenge, struggle, effort and an experience of striving in order to be successful. Our growing, collective wisdom is providing us a new map for success that involves a radical and new relationship with ourselves, a life of embodied presence and self-love. 

In this interactive and experience-based session, we will learn and explore some simple and accessible states of awareness. These states contribute to our capacity for love and presence and create opportunities to unlock our innate potential. Through deep personal insights and discovering creative solutions to old problems, we evolve in our capacity to fully accept and embrace ourselves. In learning to accept and love ourselves fully and completely, as we are in this moment, we begin to experience an extraordinary life, a life beyond the limits of our imagination.

Credit Hours: 1.5

Level: All levels of experience

Harry Pepper, PhD, Love and Presence: A Modern-Day Map for Living an Extraordinary Life

"The year 2020 marked a transformational milestone in how mental health practitioners deliver their services. For the past two years, professionals have navigated telehealth and in-person environments to the best of their abilities. By joining this webinar, you will receive critical information from the ethics and risk management point of view, which will equip you with the necessary tools to make the best decision on delivering services for your practice."

Attendees will:

-Recognize the inherent risk management challenges of their practice.
-Realize technology's impact on everyone's practice and the importance of following their profession's Code of Ethics and Technology Standards.
-Complete a risk assessment of their practice, identifying the most convenient method for delivery of services
-Identify how natural disasters such as the pandemic affect their practice and how it is the professional's responsibility to ethically perform their work by following their code of ethics and risk management mitigation tools.

Credit Hours: 3

Ethics Hours: 3

Public Health Priorities Hours: 3

Level: All levels of experience 

Elizabeth "Betsy" Cauble, PhD, LMSW, How to Mitigate Your Risk When Providing In-Person and/or Telehealth Services after COVID-19

Yvonne M. Chase, PhD, LCSW, ACSW, How to Mitigate Your Risk When Providing In-Person and/or Telehealth Services after COVID-19

Dina C. Larsen, CPHRM, How to Mitigate Your Risk When Providing In-Person and/or Telehealth Services after COVID-19

According to the Institute for Women’s Policy, woman of color experience higher rates of sexual assault, intimate partner violence and homicide than non-woman of color. Sexual assault is about manipulation, methodology, cultural and systemic infrastructures. This workshop will explore and identify risk and protective factors for sexual violence. The culture of silence will be discussed in order to fully understand how breaking the silence of sexual violence can help prevent sexual abuse. Participants will discuss the various forms of sexual trauma and the psychosocial and collateral factors related to sexual violence. The presenter is a bicultural, forensic social worker specializing in criminal defense mitigation, dual-diagnosis, crisis intervention, addictions, trauma and working with diverse ethnic groups. This is an interactive workshop where case vignettes will be presented and discussed to further enhance the learning experience.  

• Learn how to coherently and effectively explain risk and safety on the stand, to better advocate for the client and defend their case recommendation
• Further enhance participants abilities to defend their clinical findings and recommendations using various trauma narratives and techniques

Credit Hours: 3

Public Health Priorities Hours:  3

Level: Moderate

Veronica Cruz, LCSW-C, Understanding and Preventing Sexual Violence Among Communities of Color

 Practical workshop for small non-profit on how to conduct strategic planning within their agencies to help increase their organization's sustainability. This workshop is very interactive and participants leave with the skills needed to conduct their own strategic planning session. 

• The participants will learn why strategic planning is essential to growth and sustainability
• The participants will leave with an individualized template, created by them, for their agency/organization
• The participants will learn how to conduct as trategic planning session at their agency

Credit Hours: 3

Level: All levels of experience

Amanda Becker, PhD, Building Sustainability to Make the Mission - Strategic Planning for Nonprofits

Clients living with substance use and addiction often have histories of emotional, physical and/or sexual trauma. The 12 Step groups AA & NA are the most widespread and available peer support groups for substance use disorder recovery; though some language of the 12 Steps may be contraindicated for survivors of trauma. At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: describe the relationship between unhealed trauma and the development of SUDs through an overview of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES); analyze language of the 12 steps through a trauma informed lens, utilizing alternative language options to promote healing empowerment & prevent re-traumatization; and identify resources to refer clients seeking peer support alternatives to 12 steps. Workshop format includes lecture, case study, small group activities, video and large group discussion. **This workshop is not affiliated with AA, NA or any 12-step program or entity.  

• Provides an introduction to broadened definitions of trauma with examples throughout the lifespan and the key principles of Trauma Informed Care by SAMHSA
• Explores the relationship between unhealed trauma and the development of substance use disorders through an overview of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES)
• Analyzes language of the 12 steps through a trauma informed lens, offering alternative language options to promote healing empowerment & prevent re-traumatization
• Provides resources to refer clients seeking peer support alternatives to 12 step

Credit Hours: 3

Public Health Priorities Hours: 3 

Level:  All levels of experience

Eryca Kasse, LICSW, Trauma Informing the 12 Steps: Empowerment in Substance Use & Addiction Recovery

The Social Determinants of Health remain an industry priority. While robust evidence validates the impact of psychosocial circumstances on the health of clients and communities, there is another vital dimension. Mental health incidence and the social determinants are intertwined. Emphasis on trauma is emerging across practice settings. Expanded reimbursement targets health and behavioral health integration. Substance use, especially opioids is a funding urgency. The industry mantra of “the greater the inequality, the greater the risk” spans physical and mental health domains. The time for attention to the Social Determinants of Mental Health (SDoMH) is now. Engage in a comprehensive session to provide the essential knowledge-base for this important dimension of population-health. Learn definitions and demographics, explore the evidence, and review reimbursement, resources and initiatives. Discover innovative new models to interview and assess clients that address read missions and unnecessary hospitalizations, promote work force safety and retention. Master this imperative for the industry.

• Define the SDoMH
• Identify industry evidence across populations
• Apply strategies to address stigma and other ethical constructs
• Identify dedicated trauma-informed interviewing and assessment tools
• Explore funding and reimbursement for programs and resources targeting SDoMH
• Apply content across professional standards of practice and codes

Credit Hours: 3

Ethics Hours:  3 

Level: All levels of experience

Ellen Fink-Samnick, LCSW, ACSW, CCM, CCTP, CMHIMP, CRP, DBH-C, Trauma-informed Leadership: Shift that Culture! and The Social Determinants of Mental Health: Advancing Wholistic Health Equity

Whether in schools or community organizations, the youth of today have struggled a lot over the past two years. We will review the latest brain science to understand how to provide effective support. We will focus on how to utilize resilience principles to infuse them into our work with youth. Resilience is the set of tools that we can give youth to empower their "bounce back". Using principles of trauma-informed care, you will learn tools to support youth with their resilience.

• Participants will be able to describe the impact of stress and trauma on the brain
• Participants will be able to recognize opportunities to support positive behavior change through brain science
• Participants will be able to list the five resilience principles
• Participants will be able to articulate three applications of resilience principles with youth to support their success
• Participants will be able to name three system-based barriers to resilience-building practices

Credit Hours:  3 

Level: Moderate

John Richardson-Lauve, Operationalizing Resilience of Youth through Brain Science

 Increase your cultural competence, knowledge, and awareness of the LGBTQAAI2S + population and your role as a Social Worker. This 3-hour training will be divided into two parts. Both will cover ethics (1 hour and 0.5 hours respectively) while reviewing the most current terms, needs, and risks for this population. Part one is geared towards every social worker and will focus on current terms, what we mean by LGBTQ + as a spectrum, and what your role is and isn't as a professional ally. Part two is geared towards the more advanced provider or for the one who wants more specific techniques and resources for the population. It will heavily focus on non-binary and trans-identifying individuals discussing key aspects in identifying authentically for clients. Regardless if you have no training in this area or if this is a population that you serve regularly, this training is key for ethically competent social workers. 

• Participants will learn key terms, techniques and resources for clients identifying as part of the LGBTQ + population
• Participants will have an increased awareness of how SW Ethics apply to working with the LGBTQ + population and how to best apply them, including the role of allyship
• Participants will be able to appropriately discuss LGBTQ + as a spectrum, rather than a rigid concept or terminology, thus meeting clients with empathy where they are
• Participants will increase knowledge of resources, risks, and best ethical practice when working with LGBTQ + individuals who are interested in transitioning as part of their journey towards authenticity

Credit Hours:  3

Ethics Hours:  1.5 

LGBTQ Hours:  3

Level:  All levels of experience

Rebekah Lowenstein, LCSW, LGBTQ+ and Allyship: As a Spectrum

Julie Wilcox, LCSW, LGBTQ+ and Allyship: As a Spectrum

 This interactive presentation will focus on the potentials for integrating social work values and antiracist theories as a framework for structuring the professional development of social work students and practitioners. Participants will learn about the components of a value-based and antiracist practice models, including the benefits for integrating these approaches, and the impact this can have on promoting equity and inclusion in practice. An examination of the characteristics of, and challenges towards maintaining these types of professional development initiatives will be explored. 

• Participants will learn about the components of value-based and antiracist practice approaches
• Participants will practice applying value-based and antiracist practice approaches during structured roleplay
• Participants will gain insight into the factors that enhance the utility of these practice approaches, as well as those that may inhibit their effectiveness

Credit Hours: 1.5

Ethics Hours: 1.5

Public Health Priorities Hours: 1.5

Level: All levels of experience

Daniel Freedman, PhD, MSW, LISW-CP, Preparing Social Workers to Integrate Professional Values and Antiracist Approaches in Practice

Michelle Hand, PhD, MSW, LSW, Preparing Social Workers to Integrate Professional values and Antiracist Approaches in Practice

Forced and child marriage are serious, yet often overlooked forms of family violence, which also intersect with numerous other forms of gender-based harm and impact individuals of all genders, ages, religions, cultural backgrounds, national origins, and economic status. Unfortunately, individuals facing forced marriage often slip through the cracks of protective systems. The challenges of providing support to forced marriage survivors are exacerbated for children and youth. This workshop will provide an overview of forced and child marriage in Virginia, the dynamics driving this form of abuse, the client-led service model used to address clients’ complex needs, and the services and legal remedies available for survivors and at-risk individuals. It will include best practice guidance and unique tools for responding to these cases, and interactive case scenarios. The workshop will conclude with an overview of recent policy reforms and opportunities for continued advocacy to improve systems to meet survivors’ needs. 

Credit Hours: 1.5

Level: All levels of experience

Alex Goyette, Forced and Child Marriage in Virginia

Hellitz Villegas, Forced and Child Marriage in Virginia

"COUSINS: Connected through slavery, a Black woman and a White woman Discover Their Past--and Each Other". The authors are Betty Kilby Baldwin and Phoebe Kilby.

What happens when a White woman, Phoebe, contacts a Black woman, Betty, saying she suspects they are connected through slavery? A surprise. Betty responds, “Hello cousin.” Open to exploring difficult truths and sharing an admiration for Dr. Martin Luther King, they embark on a path towards reconciliation. Each tells her dramatic story - from Betty’s experience desegregating her county’s only high school to Phoebe’s eventual question to Betty: “How do I begin to repair the harms?” 

Piercingly honest.  Offers examples of reparations on a personal level.

All authors' proceeds from sales of the book are donated to the Kilby Family Scholarship Fund, which offers college scholarships to descendants of the people Phoebe's family enslaved, including Betty's grandchildren.

 Some reviews:  

• U.S. Senator Tim Kaine writes, "I'm very excited about this remarkable book. I hope the experiences of Betty and Phoebe will inspire others to sit down at the table of sisterhood and brotherhood to promote racial healing."
• Edward L. Ayers, Professor of Humanities, President Emeritus, University of Richmond says: “This powerful book weaves together the eloquent stories of two impressive women—stories of survival, determination, and awakening, of honesty, spirituality, and success.  They give us a detective story and a mystery, a reconciliation and a celebration.  A reader will be grateful for all of them.”
•  Danita Rountree Green, trauma healing facilitator and playwright, Richmond, VA: “How marvelous that, in this time of endless separation, two people came together across so many barriers to build new bridges for healing old wounds.  This memoir is a testimony to the power of forgiveness and a tribute to how truth can set us free.”
• Leymah Gbowee, 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Winner: "I highly recommend this amazing story of racial reconciliation."

For more information about the book, "COUSINS: Connected through slavery, a Black woman and a White woman Discover Their Past--and Each Other", please visit  https://walnutstreetbooks.com/titles/cousins

Credit Hours: 1.5 

Public Health Priorities Hours: 1.5 

Level: All levels of experience

Dr. Betty Fisher Baldwin, Cousins: Connected through slavery, a Black woman and a White woman discover their past--and each other

Phoebe Kilby, Cousins: Connected Through Slavery, a Black woman and a White Woman discover their past--and each other