2022 Workshops
Workshop Descriptions & Highlights
See below for detailed workshop descriptions.
Participants will receive a certificate for each workshop attended.
Session A
(10:15-11:30am)
A-1 Understanding Trauma and Addictions
Winden S. Rowe, MS, NCC, LPC, Director, The Center KSQ, Co-Chair HEAL PA, Community Advisory Board, UPenn
Participants will learn the fundamentals of trauma and its collaborative role in the perpetuation and continuation of cycles of addiction. We will review a general and basic overview of the nervous system, biopsychosocial and systemic implications in trauma and addiction, and review various healing modalities and community supports available to help people in recovery at all stages.
A-2 Lessons learned from a Pandemic
Jennifer Williams, MS, Division Director, Adult Services, SPIN
This workshop will discuss one organization’s lessons, moving from surviving to thriving in a pandemic. Discussion will include how people in service and their teams responded to the global event to achieve balance and predictability in our lives and services during uncertain times.
A-3 Navigating the Margins
Sierra Cribb, LSW, MPH, Mental Health Therapist, The Wedge Recovery Centers
Join us for an exploration of creative strategies to engage and support LGBTQIA+ youth coping with individual, communal, and societal challenges through the lens of Kimberlé Crenshaw’s framework of Intersectionality. We will discuss clinical approaches that can be used to create supportive and affirming therapeutic spaces that promote identity creation, inclusion and wellness.
Session B
(11:45-1:00pm)
B-1 Advocacy Through Trauma Awareness
Andrea October, MSS, DBHIDS
After reviewing basic trauma concepts, the impact of trauma on individuals, and how stigma negatively impacts recovery, the presenter will then identify three ways service professionals can advocate for individuals within communities and organizations.
B-2 Proactive Planning to Enhance Community-Based Services
Michele Felix, CESP, Assisting Director Employment Services, Christina Kreckmann, Lead Assisting Director Community Participation Supports, Paula Urmson, Lead Assisting Director Community Participation Supports. SPIN
As Community Participation Supports move into the community with limited funds and the evolving role of Direct Support Professionals, it has become apparent that successful services require proactive and continuous planning to build personal networks that support employment outcomes and create full and meaningful days. To focus on individualized goals and balance desired outcomes of all services, it is essential that providers focus not only on the day to day but also consider the full scope of each person’s goals. With the use of technology, visual resumes, social stories, interview preparation, staff planning meetings, and community mapping, SPIN has been able to use a proactive planning approach to support people in Community Participation Supports and Employment Services to consistently plan meaningful activities and find right fit employment opportunities. Presenters will discuss the proactive strategies that providers can add to their “toolbox” that can take services to the next level. Let’s take a step back and brainstorm how proactive planning can transform community-based services!
B-3 The 3 Rs of Transformation in Working with Children
Julie Lennon, MSW, LSW, Sevita
This workshop highlights the need to change from a traditional, neuro-typical approach to understanding children to one rooted in a trauma-sensitive mindset. The session will present 3 concepts to help transform our understanding of trauma and its impact on children: reframing, relabeling, and reinforcing. We will explore some ideas for more effective, healing interactions that will look at the thoughts and words that inform service delivery.
Session C
(2:45-4:00pm)
C-1 ZUMBA
Emily Wiggins, Resources for Human Development
Zumba is an aerobic fitness program featuring movements inspired by various styles of Latin and American dance and performed primarily to Latin American dance music. The goal is to enjoy yourself and dance as if no one is looking.
C-2 Panel Discussion with Direct Service Professionals
Michael Donovan, Associate Director, The Alliance of Community Service Providers, DSP Representatives
Alliance member agencies serve a wide range of different populations with varying needs, including children and adults with behavioral health challenges, addiction to drugs and/or alcohol, and intellectual disability and/or autism. All of these services require a qualified, dedicated workforce, responsible for implementing individualized plans in the most compassionate manner. Due to low pay rates and a workload that is often not realistic, there is a significant shortage of these highly skilled professionals.
Join us as The Alliance’s Associate Director, Michael Donovan- a former DSP himself- facilitates a panel of DSPs to discuss what keeps them going and why the work is important enough to for them to stay despite the many challenges.