Presenter: Derrik Anderson, MSSA, MNO

This interactive session will provide social workers with a understanding for how policies and practices are causing disproportionality and disparities for individuals and families of color across all systems. Using the NASW Code of Ethics as guide to intentionally address and advocate for Racial Equity and Social Justice this presentation aims to provide tips for having a healthy dialogue regarding race and institutional racism, show the importance of developing a common language and examining data, and share a historical perspective regarding social and economic policies. 

Presenter: Tasha Alston, PhD, LCSW and Latrice Rollins, PhD

Fathers play an important role in the lives of their children, and in strengthening families. Researchers, educators,

administrators, and policy makers have a limited understanding of fathers involvement and how to effectively engage fathers. This workshop will inform participants of the importance of engaging fathers in practice, evaluation, and policy.

Presenter: Victor Armstrong, MSW

There is a "code of silence " in the African American community regarding mental illness. The truth, is that

mental illness exists in all communities and the unwillingness to address it has contributed to an increased suicide among

African Americans. In this presentation, Victor Armstrong will share the data regarding African American suicides, explore the reasons behind myth of suicide's non-existence in the African American Community, and the stigma attached to mental health.

Presenter: Carmen Jimenez, LCSW, LISW-CP, RPTS

This training is designed for the social workers in an agency, private practice, and school settings who are interested in learning more about play therapy interventions and techniques. We will cover the basic rationale, philosophy, history, and theoretical concepts specific to both directive and non-directive play therapy. Participants will be introduced to the toys and materials needed to set up a culturally sensitive play therapy room or assemble a portable play therapy kit.

Presenter: Ralph Murphy, MDIV, MSSW, ACSW, LCSW

Climate Change will affect the morbidity and mortality of the human species more that any other phenomenon in history. We should educate each other professionally on the science of climate change. Our profession should advocate for Environmental Justice for consumer populations that do not have the resources to cope with climate change.  We should advocate for climate change abatement measures.

Presenter: Kathryn Falbo-Woodson, MSW, LCSW

Self-compassion is a spirit of kindness and generosity to oneself; the antidote to compassion fatigue, burnout, and vicarious trauma. In this interactive workshop, you will learn the foundation of self-compassion and incorporate it as a readily available tool in your ever-expanding social work toolbox. Self-compassion adds a gentleness to your interactions with self and others paving the way for enhanced interactions and sustainability in the field of social work.

Presenter: Barbara McLaughlin, MDiv, MSW, LCSW

Disturbance in a client's belief system or how they experience life are major reasons for seeking counseling or therapy. As social workers our focus is mental health and/or substance use. Understanding the client's spirituality and/or religious beliefs is critical to helping them get to the core of their suffering and pain.

Presenter: Louise Beale Vincent MPH Virgil Hayes MSW Jesse Bennet MSW; Lucas Vrbsky, MSW; Lisa de Saxe Zerden,M

This presentation will include the perspectives of research, policy, and practice. The presentation will highlight how policy and practice impacts harm reduction approaches to working with people and within communities impacted by substance use and associated risky behaviors. This presentation will review the systemic inequities of drug war policies.

Presenter: Amy Murphy-Nugen, MSW, PhD and Kortney Powell

 The 2020 Census is approaching and facing challenges associated with technological innovations and ongoing concerns involving a citizenship question. Census data is used to allocate $675 billion in federal funds and apportion 435 congressional representatives. Social workers should become engaged to ensure that all people are counted. 

Presenter: Dan Elliot, BA Psych

This presentation addresses personal safety risks and challenges in social work practice. It provides strategies to reduce risk when encountering challenging or potentially threatening situations. Topics covered include reading clients’

behavior and how they read ours, deescalation of emotional states, and environmental safety awareness.

Presenter: Brandy Klingman, LCSW-BACS

Recent research has indicated that adolescent substance users show abnormalities on measures of brain functioning, which is linked to changes in neurocognition over time. These specific neurological changes can impact the already difficulty to navigate cognitive and emotional functioning of the average adolescent and young adult. This presentation will review briefly these neurological and development changes, the impact of the changes on daily functioning, and practical interventions on managing the young substance user in current society norms.

Presenter: Brandy Klingman, LCSW-BACS

Many clinicians experience the resistance or non-compliant patient either in private practice or in an agency

setting. This can be a very challenging experience for both the therapist and the patient and can often results in an unnecessary termination of the relationship or treatment. The goal of this session is to create awareness and

interventions for the resistant or non-compliant patient and to explore the root causes and differences between the two types of patients.

Presenter: Debra Farrington

Presenter: Tanya Stiers, LCSW

This ethics presentation will focus on how our ethical principles provide a sense of structure and guidance to maintain our core social work values in our daily work. Topics will include:  how to envision a new way forward, the role of courage, stress hardiness, and how to form the building blocks of resiliency.  The talk will include discussions about a new vision of power and open heartedness. 

The Men's Practice Area Network (PAN) supports male social workers and allows for networking among male

social workers, develops a concentrated focus on recruiting more men into the social work profession, recruits more

men as members of NASW, discusses the issues and concerns that are unique to men in a female dominated

profession, and develops programs that meet the eds of male social workers.