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Children and Families at the Crossroads: Substance Abuse, Violence, and Treatment
There is often an inextricable and unrecognized connection between substance abuse, violence, and troubled youth. Often the emotional, psychological, and social factors that underpin violence are also true for substance abuse in many instances. While the abuse of substances is more often than not a strategy for coping, it also masks core underlying issues such as shame, devaluation, loss, and relational disconnectedness. To say the least, the relationship between substance abuse, violence, and the behavior of troubled youth is a complex systemic one.
Substances are often the lubricant that makes egregious acts of violence possible, while the dehumanizing effects of perpetrating acts of violence are often anesthetized by the reliance and over-reliance on substances. To make significant inroads in incidences of violence and substance abuse among disconnected youth, treatment and prevention strategies must focus on the critical intersection of the two. This workshop will be devoted to examining the complex intersection that exists between substance abuse and family violence and how they are ravaging the lives of our youth. Specific strategies for prevention and treatment will be provided.
Objectives:
- To provide an overview of the critical overlapping aggravating factors that underpin substance abuse and violence;
- To provide strategies for the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and violence;
- To provide clinicians and other human service providers with strategies for making effective differential diagnoses between anger and rage as it relates to substance abuse and violence.
- To examine critical Self of the Therapist issues that may facilitate and/or impede the effective engagement and treatment of families where substance abuse and violence are indicated.
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Keynote Speaker Biography: Kenneth V. Hardy, Ph.D. In addition to his academic appointment, Dr. Hardy is also Director of the Eikenberg Institute for Relationships in New York, New York where he maintains a private practice specializing in working with at-risk children and families. His work in this area has earned him considerable public acclaim including appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show and Dateline NBC. |
His work has also been featured in USA Today, the LA Times, The Chicago Sun Times, and numerous popular magazines.
Dr. Hardy provides training and consultation to a host of organizations, agencies, and institutions devoted to working with at–risk children and their families. Some of his former clients include the Children’s Defense Fund, the New York State Office of Mental Health, the Washington, D.C. Superior Court, the Syracuse City School District, the Menninger Clinic, Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center, Philadelphia Department of Human Services, the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, and Family and Children’s Services of Washington, D.C., Nashville, Louisville, and Minneapolis. He is also a much sought after and frequent presenter at conferences devoted to understanding the needs of at-risk children and their families.
Dr. Hardy is the recipient of several distinguished awards from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), the International Association for Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC), the American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA), as well as Hofstra, St. John’s, and Syracuse Universities, respectively. He has published a variety of articles and book chapters and is the co-author of a book by Guilford Publications, entitled, “Teens Who Hurt: Clinical Interventions for Breaking the Cycle of Youth Violence.”
Whatever is “right” with you is more important than what is “wrong” with you
Friday March 5th, 2010 Plenary Presentation 8:45 AM – 10:15 AM
Barbara Spencer MSW., RSW and Darryl MacNeil H.B.A., M.A are case managers at the Sister Margaret Smith Center in Thunder Bay. The Sister Margaret Smith Center, Youth Addiction Programs is a client-centered provincial resource providing a variety of services to children, adolescents and their families. One of the resources is a 5 week co-ed residential drug and alcohol treatment program for youth aged 12 up to 18.
The Youth Addiction Programs have been working in partnership with Lakehead University and the Centre of Excellence (Dr. Rawana Ph.D Psych, and graduate students of the Department of Psychology and other faculty members) for the past three years developing their Strength Based Programs. The research and outcome measurements are ongoing. Barbara and Darryl will be sharing some of their challenges, strategies, experiences, and resources in implementing a Strength Based Program.
This fun filled, interactive 90 minute session will explore the different aspects of the program beginning with Intake (youth questionnaires, matching youth to case manager) to Programming (strengths group, art work, collages) including strength based strategies to understanding and managing behaviors that are impacting on the youth’s treatment (graffiti wall; conversation box).
Barbara A. Spencer MSW., RSW.
Barbara has been a social worker in Thunder Bay for the past 25 years. She has worked in a variety of organizations in the capacity of manager and clinical social worker. Barbara received her social work training at Lakehead University. She has also received a certificate in Family & Couple Therapy through the University of Guelph, and her Clinical Traumatology certification through the Traumatology Institute in Toronto. She has been working as a family therapist/addiction counselor with the Sister Margaret Smith Center Youth Addiction Programs for the past 5 years.
Darryl MacNeil
Darryl has worked in the social service field in some capacity for the past 10 years. He originally began as a Youth Worker in Southern Ontario while completing his Masters in Psychology. Once completed, Darryl worked as a school counselor in Toronto before returning to Thunder Bay. He has been working as an addiction counselor with “Youth in Transition” at the Sister Margaret Smith Center Youth Addiction Programs for the past 2 years. He is also a part time musician, writing and producing hip hop music.
Healthy Lifestyles:
The Evolution of an Addictions Treatment Program with Individuals with Acquired Brain Injury
This session will demonstrate the evolution of Brain Injury Services of Northern Ontario’s (BISNO) Addictions Group from pilot project through to its current state as a fully operational Addictions Treatment Program. The presentation will focus on three main subjects: the history and development of the pilot program, the evolution of the program since the formation of the treatment team in 2007, and a more detailed explanation of the treatment provided, with emphasis on the Belief System Model and practical experiences of frontline staff and individuals in service.
Peter Gravelle; BSW, MSW
Peter Gravelle is the Program Director at BISNO and brings 28 years of clinical experience to the team. He developed the Lakehead Sex-Offenders Treatment Program and revised and oversaw the Youth and Adult Addictions Programs at the Sister Margaret Smith Centre. Peter’s clinical work is varied and includes work in child and adult mental health, child welfare, organization health as well as extensive work overseeing group therapy.
Heather LeBlanc, B.A. H.B.S.W.
Heather is a Team Leader with Brain Injury Services of Northern Ontario Community Services and a group facilitator in the Healthy Lifestyles Group (Addictions Group). She has worked with survivors of acquired brain injury and their families for the past 18 years. This experience includes Thunder Bay and the districts of Kenora and Rainy River.
The Development of the Thunder Bay Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force
In April 2009, 20 Thunder Bay service providers came together to sign a Memorandum of Agreement. The focus was on collaboration and increasing our community’s capacities to respond to youth suicide. The first goal was the acute response protocol for use in the school systems. The focus of work has shifted to prevention. Partner agencies are committed to the ongoing development of a collaborative approach in the prevention of youth suicide in our community.
Learning objectives
1. To appreciate how a community successfully mobilized to respond to a youth suicide and the development of community prevention strategies:
2. To understand how an agency can assume a leadership role in the development of community mobilization project and work effectively with community service providers:
Angela Hill MSW.
Angela is the coordinator of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. She has worked in children’s mental health for the past 30 years. She has worked as a child and youth worker, clinical social worker and manager.
Sioux Lookout’s Community Counselling and Addictions Service: A Promising Practice
CCAS primarily serves people with serious mental illness, addictions challenges, those at risk of committing suicide, and the homeless. Services include counseling, a needle exchange program, community outreach, assessment, treatment referral, case management and follow-up. With a small staff of twelve, including eight clinicians, two support staff, a clinical supervisor, a director, and an annual budget of $1.5 million, CCAS uses innovative strategies to increase the reach and effectiveness of its work. The CCAS bases its work on three key principles:
1. Offer services in the community
2. Build collaborative partnerships and pool resources
3. Provide culturally appropriate services
In collaboration with some of the First Nations staff at CCAS and elders from different First Nations communities, the CCAS has worked hard to create culturally appropriate services.
Bruce Siciliano
Bruce is the Director with Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Community Counselling & Addictions Services. He has had previous role with the Kenora/Rainy River Community Care Access Centre and serves on the Board of Directors of the Dryden Association for Community Living. He was a Program Consultant with the Ministry of Community and Social Services. He also coaches his son's hockey team.
Ontario Works Addiction Services Initiative in Partnership with Thunder Bay Counselling Centre: Establishment of Community Outreach Intensive Case Management Team
Ontario Works is mandated to provide a voluntary addiction treatment initiative to participants who identify addiction as a barrier to employment. The initiative aims to provide appropriate treatment options and supports to assist participants with their unique path of recovery.
Collaboration between Ontario Works delivery agents and addiction treatment providers in order to maximize capacity in their communities, develop creative service delivery options and support innovation, resulted in the creation of a Community Addiction Outreach Team with intensive case management of Ontario Works participants to support them to economic self-sufficiency.
Cathy Gordon
As a supervisor with Ontario Works – District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board since 1986. Cathy has worked in the social services field for 24 years.She has been managing the ongoing operation of the initiative since its implementation in 2002. She is a graduate of Lakehead University HBSW Program.
Deanna Robinson
Ontario Works Addiction Counsellor with the Addiction Services Initiative program since 2003. Previously worked at the North Bay Recovery Home in different capacities. Sat on different committees for local North Bay agencies and Canadore College for the Drug and Alcohol Counsellor program. Has worked in the area of substance use for over 15 years.
Abi Sprakes
As the Manager of Programs and Services with the Thunder Bay Counselling Centre, Abi has worked in the area of substance use, mental health and psychosocial issues for the past 10 years. She was involved with implementation of ASI in 2002 and its ongoing evaluation to ensure it is a viable and effective service delivery model.
Cynthia Olsen
Concurrent Disorders Counsellor providing outreach and case management to Ontario Works participants with ASI since 2006. Graduated from Carleton University with a BA Psychology. Also, as a graduate of Child & Youth Work in 2000, has a history with children’s mental health.
Assessment & Treatment Planning for Concurrent Disorders utilizing a Strength Based Approach
The utilization of an integrated Strength-Based Approach in the screening, assessment and treatment planning for individuals living with a concurrent disorder is a relatively new phenomenon. This approach understands individuals based on their strengths, resources, survival skills, abilities and knowledge. Through this lens both internal and external strengths are focused on for growth and change.
Still today, when individuals with both substance use and mental health concerns seek assistance from an addiction or mental health provider they are often identified as having one “problem” and are subsequently treated for that singular issue. An integrated strength-based approach allows us to utilize a holistic approach to the individual and their care through stage-specific and symptom/diagnosis-specific intervention.
Participants in this workshop will develop and understand how to utilize a strength-based approach in screening, assessment and treatment planning when with individuals who have a concurrent disorder. This workshop will provide skills and strategies through discussion and group exercises that focus on identifying the individuals’ personal and environmental strengths, goals and uniqueness.
Melissa Pudas
Melissa is a counsellor with Substance Use & Mental Health Programs at the Thunder Bay Counselling Centre. She has 10 years experience providing Assessment, Treatment recommendations, facilitating referrals and community treatment counselling. Currently, Melissa is a Youth In Transition Case Manager (Youth between 18-24 who are living with Substance Use and Mental Health concerns). She practices from a strength-based, client centered perspective. Special are of interest includes stages of Change and Motivational Interviewing, where she has been invited to provide numerous training and workshops to a wide variety of agencies. Melissa also provides and facilitates Work and Wellness Workshops exploring the internal process of change.
Kirsten Sacino
Kristen is also a counsellor with Substance Use & Mental Health Programs at Thunder Bay Counselling Centre. She has 10 plus experience counselling and case management in the area of Concurrent Disorders. Currently, she provides Assessments, Treatment recommendations, facilitates referrals and community treatment counselling. Kirsten also is a Forensics Case Manager (18-99, where individuals are living with Substance Use, Mental Health and experience ongoing conflict with the criminal justice system). With other community partners, she participated in the development and currently co-facilitates the Concurrent Disorders Treatment Community Base Treatment Group.
N'Pindjigossan (My Medicine Bag) Strength Based Perspective
This session is of cross-cultural benefit and the content may be used for working with children, teens and adults, in a traditional and/or contemporary setting. We will discuss the various parts of a medicine bag and how does it provides strength to individuals.
The seminar’s purpose is to discuss the creation, contents, implementation and importance of a medicine bag. The connection between the medicine bag and its connection to strength-based healing will be examined. This seminar will be delivered in a sharing circle format with allotted time for reflection, questions and/or discussion. The presenter’s personal experiences will be shared with the participants. This is a valuable tool for individuals to reconnect/connect with one’s personal values & life.
Presenter
Mushkiki-Gizhibausens-Kwaa, Bear Clan
Ron Kanutski
Lake Helen 1st Nation (Red Rock Band)
Ron, who best describes himself as a cultural teacher and facilitator, has been working in the human services field for 20 years. He has worked extensively throughout northern Ontario, Manitoba, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois. As a consultant, group facilitator and counsellor, Ron delivers a wide variety of mental health, addictions, and culturally sensitive seminars, workshops and services to Aboriginal children, youth and adults residing in urban, rural and remote communities. Ron’s gift is his natural ability to blend traditional Ojibway healing methods and ceremonies shared by the elders with mainstream healing modalities to provide unique learning experiences and opportunities for all participants who attend.
Ron currently works at the New Experiences Program as the Native Cultural Coordinator/Counsellor in Thunder Bay, Ontario at the Children’s Centre Thunder Bay.
Viewing of Cottonland and Panel Discussion:
When the last of Cape Breton's coalmines shut down in the late 1990s, the community of Glace Bay fell into economic despair, followed by social depression. Celebrated photographer and filmmaker Nance Ackerman describes the human cost and the lure of opiates that followed.
Cottonland reveals how easy it is for a social dependency on the state to carry over into a personal dependence on a potent little pill. If a combination of social and economic factors
Update on Drug Strategy
Thunder Bay has embarked on a very exciting journey of creating a community-developed strategy to more cohesively address the issue of substance misuse. The Steering Committee, chaired by Rebecca Johnson has recently concluded the community focus groups and will be utilizing the results to begin planning how best to move forward. The Drug Strategy Coordinator will share the results of the community focus groups and provide an update on the progress of the Strategy Development.
