The 90-minute ethics webinar will equip behavioral health professionals with an understanding of ethical principles for application in their professional roles. Emphasizing the significance of ethical values in human service practice, this presentation will explore topics relevant to professionals in addiction, gambling, mental health, case management, social work, vocational rehabilitation, and justice fields, particularly serving in rural areas. Discussion of ethical responsibility, recognizing personal core values underpinning ethical practice, examining an ethical decision-making model, and understanding the context of therapy will be addressed. Learning Objectives At the end of the presentation participants will be able to: Describe the meaning and purpose of ethical responsibility Identify core values that are the foundation of ethical practice Discuss strategies to self-evaluate behavioral health ethics Review an ethical decision-making model Webinar presented by Kate Speck, PhD, MAC, LADC

The Take 10! Transforming Care for Women with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and their Families series discusses current issues and challenges confronted by women presenting with substance use, SUDs, and who are in recovery. Women experience SUD in ways that are distinct from men. Studies show that when women begin treatment for SUDs, they frequently arrive with more severe medical, behavioral, psychological, and social struggles compared to men. For these reasons, there is a need for different treatment methods.   Series Learning Objectives This series will address: Best practices for treating women with SUDs in the United States, with a focus on the Midwest The link between trauma, substance use, and other co-morbidities in women Using trauma-informed approaches during treatment when appropriate Effective clinical strategies, interventions, and resources that help improve engagement, retention, and completion of treatment programs   Topic 6 (Overview Session): Considerations for Treating Women with SUDs Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) This 30-minute overview session will introduce participants to considerations for treating women with SUDs who have experienced IPV and/or TBI. When most people hear the terms “concussion” or “traumatic brain injury,” they think of football, military service, or unfortunate accidents. Fewer people are aware that brain injury can be caused by overdoses, head injuries while under the influence of substances, domestic violence (e.g., domestic, sexual), and strangulation or choking. Many clinicians are unaware of the role IPV can play in the lives of their clients, including how substance use and mental health coercion can affect one's overall health, including their needs and ability to participate when receiving behavioral health services. We lack awareness of the significant role TBI and IPV can play in a person’s recovery journey as well as accessing and successfully engaging with supports. We will discuss strategies to incorporate knowledge of IPV and TBI into behavioral health services so clients can continue to live the lives they deserve.    Session Learning Objectives:   Attendees will: Learn at least two tactics of substance use coercion   Identify at least two ways in which unidentified brain injuries can contribute to challenges accessing behavioral health services   Develop at least two strategies to integrate knowledge of IPV brain injury into behavioral health services     CERTIFICATES: Registrants who fully attend this event or training will receive a certificate of attendance via email within two weeks after the event or training.   Trainers: Rachel Ramirez, LISW-S, RASS Cheryl Stahl, LPCC   The Great Lakes ATTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

The Invitation to Change (ITC) support group is a holistic model designed to support families or loved ones impacted by substance use. This group empowers family members with strategies to encourage positive change in their loved ones while also fostering self-care and resilience. This group is open to anyone who serves as a support system for someone struggling with substance use. A family of 5 walking at the sunset Group goals include: Helping family members understand the behaviors associated with substance use Providing strategies that can help your loved one want to change and start to change Supporting the practices of self-awareness and self-compassion needed to sustain yourself on this challenging journey Creating a space of compassion and kindness, where family members can share their feelings and experiences with others who understand 📅 Dates: March 5 – July 2, 2025, for 15 weeks 🕚 Time: Every Wednesday from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM (CST) 📩 For more info about how to get involved, contact Amber Takens at [email protected].

Behavioral health and health care settings offer a spectrum of programs including substance use, mental health, and medical and recovery services. Professionals providing these supports use an array of competencies to empathize and assist persons with substance use and other psychosocial problems. Always focused on helping others, professionals can experience challenges in practicing self-care for themselves. This interactive workshop provides an opportunity for providers to review wellness practices and experience the benefits of intentional, micro-structured, self-care interventions. Trainer: Paul Warren, LMSW This training was approved for two renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and two initial hours (CPP, CPS) through New York State’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS). As an IC & RC member board, OASAS accredited courses were granted reciprocal approval by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee.  Many other states offered reciprocity.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness recognizes that current environmental factors are traumatizing people of color, which as a risk factor can also initiate or increase substance use and potentially developing trauma and stress complications. Provider bias in stigmatic language or other microaggressions affect a client’s capacity to respond to clinical interventions and are often identified in research, as components of poor behavioral health outcomes. Culturally responsive organizations integrate cultural humility in all levels of practice and serve delivery, providing highest levels of patient centered care and building equity with persons of color and other marginalized communities. This interactive virtual training will review how to integrate cultural humility within care, review culturally and linguistically appropriate services for organizational capacity building and opportunities for provider practice, and show how cultural responsiveness can increase patient wellness for racial and ethnic populations. This training was approved for two renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and two initial hours (CPP, CPS) through New York State’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS). As an IC & RC member board, OASAS-accredited courses were granted reciprocal approval by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee. 

  The Take 10! Transforming Care for Women with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and their Families series discusses current issues and challenges confronted by women presenting with substance use, SUDs, and who are in recovery. Women experience SUD in ways that are distinct from men. Studies show that when women begin treatment for SUDs, they frequently arrive with more severe medical, behavioral, psychological, and social struggles compared to men. For these reasons, there is a need for different treatment methods.   Series Learning Objectives This series will address: Best practices for treating women with SUDs in the United States, with a focus on the Midwest The link between trauma, substance use, and other co-morbidities in women Using trauma-informed approaches during treatment when appropriate Effective clinical strategies, interventions, and resources that help improve engagement, retention, and completion of treatment programs   Topic 5 (Training Session): SUDs Treatment for Women with Children This 2-hour training session will introduce participants to the emotional, physical, and socioeconomic factors that uniquely impact women during treatment, and especially how these factors relate to the treatment of SUDs for women with children.   Gabriela Zapata-Alma, LCSW, CADC