Mid-America ATTC

Curious about the Invitation to Change (ITC) model? This session is designed to introduce you to this holistic approach for supporting families affected by substance use. Learn how ITC empowers support systems—family, friends, and caregivers—with effective tools to help their loved ones. Who Should Attend? This session is perfect for anyone who is part of a support system for someone struggling with substance use. Whether you’re a family member, friend, or caregiver, ITC offers valuable insights and practical tools to foster positive change and compassionate support. Join us to discover how ITC can make a difference! Location: Kansas City Public Library: Lucile H. Bluford Branch 3050 Prospect Avenue Kansas City, MO 64128

Mid-America ATTC is proud to present a four-part series on Trauma-Informed Care for Faith Communities. This educational training is designed to support faith communities of all types by deepening participants’ understanding of trauma's prevalence, the impact of chronic stress, and practical strategies that can be implemented to support the well-being of all. Secondary Trauma and Self-Care for Faith Leaders will take place in person at the Oasis Church International: 11500 E 53 St, Raytown, MO 64133. About the Presenters: Pastor Michael Brooks is a proud native of Kansas City, Mo. He currently serves as the Senior Pastor of The Oasis Church International (formerly) Zion Grove Baptist Church in Kansas City since July 2000. He has over 37 years of experience as a Senior Pastor and Minister. He is also a certified Substance Use Counselor and has worked in inpatient, outpatient, and detox units around the country in many different settings. He works as a Community Health Worker with the Jackson County Health Department. Pastor Brooks is heavily involved in the community. The President of the Concerned Clergy Coalition, Formerly Co-Chair of the Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equality (MORE2), and a founding member of the Violence Free KC Committee with the Kansas City Health Department. He is also the founder of (H.O.P.E.) Ministries, Helping Our People Evolve, & was Co-Founder of HOPE Academy Charter School for high school dropouts. He is a Kansas City coach, mentor, advocate, and consultant. Kreasha Williams is currently serving as a Senior Behavioral Health Consultant with the Center for Trauma Informed Innovation, at University Health-Behavioral Health in Kansas City, Missouri. Employment at University Health for the past 24 years has contributed to a myriad of personal and professional growth opportunities. With a background in mental health, substance use education, and Christian counseling, Mrs. Williams is proficient at leading strategic learning, facilitating community education, and organizational development initiatives with a foundation in trauma informed care and resilience. Kreasha Williams is also the founder and sole proprietor of Vision Speaks, a faith-based establishment where the mission is to inspire, influence, and activate personal growth in others; encouraging individuals to always aspire for greater. Mrs. Williams actively serves communities as a licensed minister, certified executive coach, certified professional coach, mentor, motivational and inspirational speaker, trainer and facilitator. Please download the training flyer for more information.

Mid-America ATTC is proud to present a four-part series on Trauma-Informed Care for Faith Communities. This educational training is designed to support faith communities of all types by deepening participants’ understanding of trauma's prevalence, the impact of chronic stress, and practical strategies that can be implemented to support the well-being of all. Adverse Church Experiences will take place in person at the Oasis Church International: 11500 E 53 St, Raytown, MO 64133. About the Presenters: Pastor Michael Brooks is a proud native of Kansas City, Mo. He currently serves as the Senior Pastor of The Oasis Church International (formerly) Zion Grove Baptist Church in Kansas City since July 2000. He has over 37 years of experience as a Senior Pastor and Minister. He is also a certified Substance Use Counselor and has worked in inpatient, outpatient, and detox units around the country in many different settings. He works as a Community Health Worker with the Jackson County Health Department. Pastor Brooks is heavily involved in the community. The President of the Concerned Clergy Coalition, Formerly Co-Chair of the Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equality (MORE2), and a founding member of the Violence Free KC Committee with the Kansas City Health Department. He is also the founder of (H.O.P.E.) Ministries, Helping Our People Evolve, & was Co-Founder of HOPE Academy Charter School for high school dropouts. He is a Kansas City coach, mentor, advocate, and consultant. Kreasha Williams is currently serving as a Senior Behavioral Health Consultant with the Center for Trauma Informed Innovation, at University Health-Behavioral Health in Kansas City, Missouri. Employment at University Health for the past 24 years has contributed to a myriad of personal and professional growth opportunities. With a background in mental health, substance use education, and Christian counseling, Mrs. Williams is proficient at leading strategic learning, facilitating community education, and organizational development initiatives with a foundation in trauma informed care and resilience. Kreasha Williams is also the founder and sole proprietor of Vision Speaks, a faith-based establishment where the mission is to inspire, influence, and activate personal growth in others; encouraging individuals to always aspire for greater. Mrs. Williams actively serves communities as a licensed minister, certified executive coach, certified professional coach, mentor, motivational and inspirational speaker, trainer and facilitator. Please download the training flyer for more information.

This edition of the Mid-America ATTC newsletter highlights resources and events to support the behavioral health workforce, including Trauma-Informed Care requests, CLAS training opportunities, and harm reduction efforts in the Kansas City metro area. It also features holiday support toolkits, professional development resources, and a message of gratitude for those working in the field.

Explore the slides and video from the Workplace Well-Being: A Guidebook for Cultivating a Culture of Collective Care launch event held on November 13, 2024. The guidebook provides actionable strategies for building a supportive and compassionate workplace environment. It serves as both a comprehensive resource and a reflective journal, designed to help leaders identify and address the effects of stress and trauma, while nurturing a resilient, trauma-informed culture. During the launch event, participants were introduced to the guidebook's core concepts and learned practical approaches for integrating its tools into their organizations to enhance well-being and foster a stronger, more caring workplace culture.

Download the slides and video for the Ethical Practices for Diverse Communities with Substance Use Disorder on October 21, 2024. View the presentation: https://vimeo.com/1024401301?share=copy#t=0 About the Training: People in the helping profession must always be mindful of the ethical standards of their profession. Standards change from time to time; therefore, it is important to refresh on the commitments they are responsible for upholding as a professional. It is also our responsibility to be culturally compliant in the services we provide. Race, ethnicity, and cultural background may influence a client's identity and life circumstances. Other factors, such as gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, religion, and ability may also play into the context of a given client's mental health, and relational or personal issues. This course blends didactic material with interactive and small group exercises to help understand your ethical responsibility while delivering services to diverse communities. We will review relevant ethical standards, discuss common issues and missteps, and give you opportunities to test your knowledge. Training Objectives: • Define the concept of ethics and how it applies to working with and delivering series to diverse populations, within the helping profession. • Gain an understanding of the need for ethical cultural competency. • Define how drug policies have harmed minority communities and why that is important to understand when treating people with substance use disorder. • Identify steps in a process for ethical decision-making. About the Trainer: Darla Belflower LCSW, CPS Darla has worked in leadership in the substance use disorder and behavioral health fields for over three decades. She is currently the Clinical Director at Healing House. She has a passion for teaching others what she has learned in those years. She is Vice Chair of the KC Recovery Coalition, serves on the board of the MO Coalition of Recovery Support Providers and is a member of The MO Department of Mental Health State Advisory Council. Darla obtained her MSW from the KU, and she has a BS in Psychology and Alcohol and Drug Studies from MO Valley College. Darla is a person in recovery and author of the book, “I Am Not Anonymous.”