Morning Plenary

6/21/2017 9:15 AM - 10:45 AM

Presenter: Dr. Samuel Roberts

Samuel Kelton Roberts, Jr., PhD, is the Director of Columbia University’s Institute for Research in African American Studies (IRAAS), Associate Professor of History (School of Arts & Sciences), and an Associate Professor of Sociomedical Sciences (Mailman School of Public Health). He writes, teaches, and lectures widely on African-American history, medical and public health history, urban history, issues of policing and criminal justice, and the history of social movements. His book, Infectious Fear: Politics, Disease, and the Health Effects of Segregation (UNC Press, 2009), demonstrates the historical and continuing links between legal and de facto segregation and poor health outcomes. In 2013-14, Dr. Roberts served as the Policy Director of Columbia University’s Justice Initiative, where he coordinated the efforts of several partners to bring attention to the issue of aging and the growing incarcerated elderly population. This work led to the publication of the widely-read landmark report, Aging in Prison Reducing Elder Incarceration and Promoting Public Safety (New York: Columbia University Center for Justice. November 2015. http://centerforjustice.columbia.edu/policy/aging-in-prison/). Dr. Roberts, currently, is researching a book project on the history of drug addiction policy and politics from the 1950s to the present, a period which encompasses the various heroin epidemics between the 1950s and the 1980s, therapeutic communities, radical recovery movements, methadone maintenance treatment, and harm reduction approaches.

01. The Addicted Professional : The Intersectionality of Ethics and Employee Assistance Practice through Drug Use, Relapse and Recovery

6/21/2017 11:15 AM - 1:15 PM

Presenter: Myrla Parrish, LCSW and Acanthus Fairley, LMSW

As Employee Assistance practitioners, the presenters of this workshop will lead attendees in an exploration of the potential ethical dilemmas of helping licensed professionals obtain and maintain their sobriety. Various case studies will be the backdrop for group discussion around leveraging the workplace for compliance, while simultaneously maintaining boundaries of safety and confidentiality. Some of the issues examined will be: As gatekeepers how do various members of the system respond to professionals in recovery through a Race, Diversity and Intersectionality lens? What role does unconscious bias play in assessing compliance? With relapse as part of the disease of addiction, what does that mean to the working licensed professional and the social workers responsible for their care? How does organizational hierarchy impact treatment? How does professional use of self-impact treatment and self-care?

03. Challenges of the Opioid Crisis: Advances in Practice and Policy

6/21/2017 11:15 AM - 1:15 PM

Presenter: Linda White- Ryan, Ph.D, LCSW, RN and Janna Heyman, PhD, LMSW

The current public health epidemic of opioid addiction is unprecedented. The opioid crisis presents an enormous challenge for both practitioners and policy makers. Medical prescribing of opioid drugs for pain over the past 15 years has soared. Both prescribed and recreational abuse of opioids has resulted in numerous overdoses and deaths. The need for evidence-based treatments and policies that address the dangerous consequences of opioid addiction have not been met. Social workers are uniquely positioned to address both practice and policy issues that meet the challenges of prevention as well as treatment. These include harm reduction approaches and the coordination of working with federal and state agencies to decrease the number of deaths from this very serious illness. 

05. Engaging Clients Across Race, Gender and Sexual Identity

6/21/2017 11:15 AM - 1:15 PM

Presenter: Eve Blatt, MA, LCSW-R

This workshop will discuss ways of engaging diverse client populations in an outpatient substance abuse treatment program that uses a Harm Reduction model of psychotherapy. Specifically, this workshop will address the importance of guided emotional risk-taking amongst group members so as to reduce shame and isolation, and foster an environment of acceptance across race, gender, sexuality and mental health. Participants will review various case studies and engage in a simulated group experience.

07. Increasing Clinical Skills with Older Persons who Substance Misuse

6/21/2017 11:15 AM - 1:15 PM

Presenter: Maxine Lynn, LCSW

This workshop will explore clinical interventions to promote coping, adaptation, and self-esteem which can alleviate feelings of loss, changes in image, and chronic pain due to health issues, and can often lead to substance misuse. The content will focus on age specific supportive groups, cognitive behavioral techniques, rebuilding social networks, pace and will be content appropriate for older persons, and linkages with needed services. Attendees will review case studies and participate in role plays and group discussion.

09. Psychodrama takes on Addictions: Countering Denial and Isolation

6/21/2017 11:15 AM - 1:15 PM

Presenter: Jacob Gershoni, LCSW, CGP,TEP

This experiential workshop will demonstrate how psychodrama and sociometry are utilized in dealing with obstacles that hinder access to treatment and prevent successful recovery. Such problems are omnipresent and are especially acute when illegal substances (e.g. cocaine) or behaviors fraught with shame (e.g. sex addiction) are involved. Participants will address underlying issues that perpetuate addictions, and the impact of the addict’s social network and counselors.

11. Treating LGBTQ Adults with Co- occuring Disorders

6/21/2017 11:15 AM - 1:15 PM

Presenter: Eileen Klien, Phd, LCSW, ACSW

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer individuals are often faced with societal challenges and trauma that can lead to co-occurring mental health and substance abuse issues. The dual stigma of co-occurring disorders and their sexual minority status often leads to their being shunned by both mainstream agencies and the LGBTQ community. They are often misunderstood and mistreated by social workers because of a lack of training in affirming and culturally competent care.

13. When Adolescents Won’t Change: Engaging Families in the Planned Intervention Process

6/21/2017 11:15 AM - 1:15 PM

Presenter: Andrea Fallick, LCSW-R, ACSW, CASAC, Ellen Morehouse, LCSW, CASAC, CPP and Deacon Steven DeMartino

The Planned Intervention process assists families who are overwhelmed by their adolescent’s substance abuse and frustrated by their attempts to get the adolescent to change. Participants working in schools, health centers, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and other practice settings will learn strategies to validate the family’s pain, empower them to participate in accessing appropriate care, and prepare for a face to face meeting with the family, the adolescent’s significant others, and the adolescent. 

Afternoon Plenary/ Panel Discussion

6/21/2017 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Presenter: Dr. Edmund Griffin

Afternoon  Keynote Address

 

Edmund A. Griffin, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University and an Attending Psychiatrist at NY Presbyterian Hospital. He received his BA in Biochemistry from Columbia University, his MD from Harvard Medical School, and PhD in Neurobiology from Harvard Medical School. During his Residency in Psychiatry at the Columbia-New York Presbyterian Medical Center, he was honored with the NIMH Outstanding Resident Award. Following residency training, Dr. Griffin completed a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in the laboratory of Nobel Laureate Dr. Eric Kandel.

 

Dr. Griffin’s research and clinical interests focus on substance abuse disorders. His studies investigate the specific molecular changes in the reward circuitry of the brain during the development and maintenance of addiction, with the goal of developing novel and more effective therapeutic interventions.

 

Dr. Griffin’s research has been funded by a Leon Levy Investigator Award and a K08 Mentored Clinical Scientist Award from the National Institute of Drug Addiction.

 

Panel Discussion/ Questions & Answers

 

Moderator

 

Candida Brooks-Harrison, LCSW, NASW-NYC President

 

Panelists

 

Barry Donovan, PhD, is a Research Scientist and Prevention Specialist at OASAS. Dr. Donovan leads the prevention research, planning and policy improvement efforts at the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). He helped guide the development of the state’s first integrated prevention planning and performance reporting system used by providers, counties and state managers and has also developed an evidence of effectiveness review panel process with New York prevention researchers to guide state policy. This led to the implementation of a state registry of effective programs and strategies to support evidence-based policy making and assist substance abuse prevention service providers in selecting interventions. Dr. Donovan co-chaired the Mental Health Promotion and Substance Abuse Prevention priority workgroup for the multi-agency NYS Prevention Agenda 2013-18. He looks forward to continued collaboration with prevention researchers, policy makers and service providers to advance the integration of evidence-based prevention science within health care reform. He is a graduate of Albany School of Social Work, earning both a MSW and PhD in Social Work. 

 

 

Mary Pender Greene, LCSW-R, CGP is a Psychotherapist, relationship expert, clinical supervisor, career executive coach, trainer and consultant with a private practice in Midtown Manhattan. She is a thought leader in the social services industry, recognized by her peers for her wisdom, contributions, and novel ideas on coaching, mentoring, and sharing knowledge. She has more than 20 years of experience helping individuals, couples, companies and non-profit organizations. Ms. Greene has been instrumental in coaching and supervising many therapists in starting and building their practices. She successfully shares her unique insight and understanding of the business world to help corporate leaders navigate its complex terrain. She helps executives from diverse business sectors thrive within the corporate environment by guiding them in making the tough choices and bold decisions necessary to reach their true potential.

 

Ms. Greene’s background also includes executive management roles at America’s largest non-profit organization, The Jewish Board of Family Services in NYC. She blogs on mental health, relationships and careers and is a sought-after, dynamic speaker. She has given many inspiring keynotes and has been honored numerous times for her professional contributions. She is frequently quoted in the press on a variety of mental health and business topics.

 

 

Roy Kearse, LCSW, CASAC is Vice President of Recovery Services and Community Partnership at Samaritan Daytop Village, where he is leading the agency’s efforts to create a recovery-oriented system of care and assist in broader outreach efforts. He has more than 30 years of experience in the field of human services, helping develop effective treatment in both substance abuse and mental health settings.

 

Mr. Kearse is a staunch advocate of services for recovering individuals, often highlighting his own recovery as proof of the merits of the recovery process. He has worked extensively over the past ten years to advance services for veterans.

 

Currently, he serves as 2nd Vice President of the NYC Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, Board Chair of Faith Mission Crisis Center, Chair of the New York State ASAP Veterans Committee, and Vice President of the NYS Certification Board, which certifies recovery coaches and peer advocates. A trained recovery coach himself, he is active with Long Island Prison Ministries. Mr. Kearse obtained a B.S. from York College and a Masters in Social Work from Fordham University.

 

 

Maurice Lacey, LMSW has over twenty-five years of direct care experience with vulnerable populations and nearly two decades of supervisory or managerial experience. He is currently the Director of Housing and Clinical Services at Medcore/Stepping Stones where he provides supportive housing, oversees psychiatric services, and case management and crisis intervention for adults suffering from mental illness and other complications.

Mr. Lacey has taught Human Rights & Social Justice and Social Policy 1 courses at Fordham University School of Social Services, Introduction to Human Services at Guttmann Community College, and Field I, II at Hunter College Siberman School of Social Work. He is a Core Trainer for the People’s Institute for Survival & Beyond headquartered in New Orleans, LA. He travels around the country conducting Undoing Racism and Community Organizing Workshops.

 

Mr. Lacey is a highly respected community leader and social justice activist that is grounded in anti-oppressive practice methods and ideology. He received NASW’s Social Work Image Award in 2008 and the Exemplary Mid-Career Leader Award in 2014. He also received Field Instructor of the Year Award from Adelphi University in 2007. He received his Master’s in Social Work from Hunter College School of Social Work. He also holds a Master in Science from St. John’s University. He graduated with Honors from both schools.

 

 

Carol Morrison, LCSW, CASAC. For two decades, Ms. Morrison has been a social work leader and innovator in the field of child welfare, criminal justice, mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence. With a distinguished reputation as a committed advocate for effective and compassionate treatment of our most vulnerable families, her focus as an educator, clinician, and agency administrator is on helping traumatized young people and their families so they begin to heal and reconnect to intimacy, family, and their community. The goal of supporting and empowering youth—who are often voiceless and invisible to those responsible to protect them—is at the heart of Ms. Morrison’s work. Currently, she is the Agency Director of New Directions Outpatient Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Treatment Program in Brooklyn which specializes in treating the entire family.