PCB 11th Annual Conference 2010
"The Future by Design - Embracing the Possibilities"

TRAININGS

Monday, April 19
 

Keynote Address – Clifton Crosby, former NFL Super Bowl Winner, Alcohol, Drug and Violence Prevention Speaker, sponsored by Caron Treatment Centers, Wernersville, PA
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Clifton “Cliff” Crosby, the charismatic, inspirational, and yet sincerely modest former NFL Player and Super Bowl Champion, has a fascinating behind the scenes story of how hard choices and gut-wrenching honesty helped him avoid the pitfalls of growing up in family circumstances that would defeat most children.

Born in Erie, PA, Cliff was an all state star basketball, track and football athlete in high school.   He was recruited by the University of Maryland on a full football scholarship and received a degree in Family Studies.  Cliff sat out most games during his junior year of college due to an injury. As a result, he was not drafted by the NFL as he had hoped, but Cliff did succeed in signing on as a free agent with the St. Louis Rams.  During his first year on the team, they won the Super Bowl! 

Cliff also played for 5 years with the Indianapolis Colts and reluctantly concluded his football career with the Kansas City Chiefs a few years ago after he obtained a permanent injury.  With the many accolades of life as a professional football player behind him, Cliff has become a tireless champion for youth as he talks to teens about the life skills and choices that will protect them from risky behaviors.  Highly regarded in the Washington, DC/Baltimore area for his commitment to child advocacy, Cliff is in great demand as a motivational speaker because he has such an insightful and valuable message to share with all of us. 

 

Morning Trainings
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Coffee Break and Viewing Exhibits at 10:45 a.m.

Communication Matters in Working with Older Substance Abuse Clients
Elizabeth Serkin, Ph.D., CAC

Problems of misuse, abuse of, and dependency on alcohol, prescription drugs, and OTC’s are more prevalent among older adults than in the general population; an estimated 17% of people 65 and older have an alcohol or other drug problem, mostly with prescription medications, alcohol alone or in combination with prescription or OTC medications.  Yet this population remains largely misunderstood, under-identified, and under-served.  This training incorporates recognized screening instruments, prepared interactive scripts, improvisation, and discussion to familiarize participants with both established and innovative approaches to identifying substance abuse problems in the lives of older adult clients.  Emphasis will be on effective communications between counselors and clients, among intra- and inter-agency providers of professional services, and between counselors and family members/caregivers.

Effective Aftercare Planning for Substance Abusing Juvenile Justice Clients
Richard Jones, MA, CAC, CCS, CCDP

Effective aftercare planning is essential to the well-being of any client completing inpatient drug and alcohol treatment.  Aftercare can also be more challenging than anticipated as barriers to follow through are ever present.  These barriers include limited access due to insurance eligibility, waiting lists at the outpatient level of care, transportation concerns, and lack of willingness on the part of the client to engage in aftercare services.  These barriers are certainly present for the juvenile justice client.  This training will focus on working effectively across systems to ensure the best possible aftercare for the substance abusing juvenile justice client as he/she transitions from inpatient treatment.  Involvement with probation will be framed as an advantage which provides opportunities for increased support in the community.  Specific strategies will be discussed that assist in developing productive working relationships with juvenile probation officers.  Common situations and potential barriers will be used as case studies and participants will become involved in discussion focused on problem-solving in the best interest of the client.  Exploration of ways to address client motivation and increase willingness to follow through on aftercare recommendations will also be discussed.

Engaging the Pre-contemplative/Contemplative Woman in Treatment
Sheryl Laffey, BSEd., CAC & Tamara Fleat, M.Ed.

The early Stages of Change will be explored via discussion and role play during this training.  Through lecture and discussion, we will identify sources of “coercion” to treatment.  We will explore honoring the clients’ current point of view and developing a therapeutic alliance that may aid the client in shifting to a more productive point of view.  Focus will be on “being with” clients in their current Stage of Change and utilizing the human condition, purposeful questioning, and reflective listening, so that the clients’ ultimate choice can be honored while maintaining an effective therapeutic relationship.  Attention will be paid to responding to clients in a trauma-informed manner.

Integrating Assessment, Treatment, and Referral into a Primary Mental Health Care Setting
Suzanne Robison, Psy.D., LPC, CCDP

This workshop concentrates on the challenges and solutions to true integration of screening, assessment, treatment and referral of individuals with co-occurring disorders (CODs) into a primary mental health setting.  In our efforts to make all services, providers, and agencies integrated, we need creative solutions and thoughtful planning. This training facilitates this process by identifying barriers to true integration, and helping participants create a plan for addressing key elements of care such as screening, assessment, and treatment. Furthermore, participants will explore the entire continuum of care by sharing strategies for making outcomes, referral, and quality improvement “COD friendly.” 

The Brain as an Obstacle for Recovery
Christopher Davis, DO, CAC Diplomate

This training will review the neurobiology of addiction in a way that will be clinically relevant.  The role of the “reward pathway” in the development and maintenance of addiction will be presented.  Brain alterations as a result of chronic drug and alcohol use and its impact on treatment and the recovery process will be addressed.  Denial and techniques to work through it will be discussed.  Participants will also gain a better understanding of neurological treatment.  Screening for cognitive impairment using the mini-mental status exam and how to work with the cognitively impaired client will also be presented.

 Awards Luncheon
12:30-1:30 p.m. 

The awards luncheon will honor the recipients of the 2010 PCB Certified Professional of the Year Award and the Presidents Award. 

For more information, contact PCB at 717.540.4455 or info@pacertboard.org.