2024 NASW-LA Annual Conference

JOIN US!   2024 NASW Louisiana Annual Conference, "Advancing Health Equity Through Social Work" on March 6-8, 2024 at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center in Baton Rouge, LA. Conference Registration Details Coming Soon!

Registration Rates: 


Cancellations:

Cancellations must be submitted in writing and received at least 5 days prior to the workshop. An administrative fee of $25 will be deducted from reimbursement.

 
When
3/6/2023 - 3/8/2023
Where
Crowne Plaza and Executive Center 4728 Constitution Avenue Baton Rouge 70808

Program

   

Monday, 06 March 2023

 
Opening Session and Keynote Address
Opening Session and Keynote Address - Societal Trauma its Threat to Democracy and the Profession of Social Work - Ethics; Mental-Behavioral Health, Trauma-Informed Care, Diversity, Cultural Competence; Dr. Arabella Perez, DSW, MSW, LCSW.  Trauma is as old as time itself, leaving its fingerprints on almost everything we and our ancestors have and will continue to touch. It is at the very heart of justice, diversity, equity and inclusion. It is steeped in repeated acts of marginalization, oppression and racism that overwhelms our individual and collective ability to cope. It threatens our institutions, our communities, and our ability to govern compassionately. The layers of distracting coping skills and comforting narratives that we have wrapped ourselves in, personally, professionally, and societally continue to harm us and others. It threatens our very democracy and our profession. It requires transformational thinking, resiliency informed strategies, and a rethinking of how diversity, equity and inclusion show up in our profession and in our communities.  Premier 2.  (1.5 CEU)
Time
8:00 AM - 9:45 AM
8:00 AM

Monday Plenary Session
Monday Plenary Session – Responding to Need: Louisiana's New Behavioral Health Crisis Response System - General; Mental-Behavioral Health, Trauma-Informed Care, Public Health; Stephen Phillippi, PhD.  This session will engage attendees to both understand and discuss the new Louisiana Behavioral Health Crisis Response System. Attendees will discover how a voluntary, person-centered, resolution focused approach is adding to the crisis response service array options of our state. The panel will explore ideas to strengthen local networks to increase the success of the system's implementation.    Premier 2.   (1.5 CEU)
Time
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
10:00 AM

Monday Luncheon: Social Work - State of Louisiana Address
Monday Luncheon:  Social Work - State of Louisiana Address - General; Will Francis, LMSW.  Premier 2.  (.50 CEU)
Time
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
11:45 AM

A-1: Prepare, Mitigate, Response, & Recover: The Role of Soc
A-1:  Prepare, Mitigate, Response, & Recover: The Role of Social Work in Emergency & Disaster Response - General; Mental-Behavioral Health, Trauma-Informed Care; Kurt W. Oster, MAT, MS, MSW, LBS, LCSW, ACSW, ADHD-CCSP, ASD-CS, CCTP, CCTS-F.  Disasters, whether man-made or natural, occur almost daily throughout the world. This 3-hour workshop aims to provide participants with a basic foundational understanding of the experiences of the role of first responders and emergency management professionals and the intersectionality of social workers being involved in the emergency management and disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery processes.  Often, social workers are called upon to respond and to provide their specialty because of their clinical or macro-level experience in understanding the intersectionality of helping to connect services to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. This workshop is designed to provide social workers with an understanding of their overall role in the emergency and disaster management process. Lastly, this workshop will teach participants about the various certifications and credentials and how social workers can participate in these professional development opportunities. PREMIER 3.  (3.0 CEU)
Time
1:15 PM - 4:30 PM
1:15 PM

A-2: PLAAY- Using Basketball and Culturally Responsive Thera
A-2: PLAAY- Using Basketball and Culturally Responsive Therapy to Reduce Racial Stress– Clinical; Mental-Behavioral Health, Trauma-Informed Care, Children, Teens & Young Adults, Diversity, Self-Care (Ethics), Corrections, Forensics, & Juvenile Justice, Social Justice/Advocacy, Cultural Competenc;  Brendan Turner, LMSW and Nycke McGill.  Presenters will engage the audience with prompts and storytelling to introduce the healing and human centered, strength based violence prevention program,  PLAAY (Preventing Long-Term Anger and Aggression in Youth), created by Dr. Howard Stevenson. Presenters will engage the audience in games and will tell stories of lived experiences to describe the strategies, skill development, values, relationships, challenges and outcomes that exist within the PLAAY program. Presenters will close with upcoming training opportunities.  Cypress 1.
Time
1:15 PM - 4:30 PM
1:15 PM

1-3: Ethical and Effective Marketing for Private Practices a
1-3: Ethical and Effective Marketing for Private Practices and Agencies - Ethics; Ethics, Private Practice, Admin/Business/Management; Hope Himel-Benson, LCSW-ACSW and Ashley Darnall, LCSW.  Although often viewed as a dirty word, marketing is critical for executive directors and practitioners to understand. Businesses and organizations must use marketing strategies to reach clients and build relationships across the field. In this workshop, participants will learn effective marketing techniques for both online and traditional marketing, along with ethical considerations for each approach. Participants will leave this workshop understanding how to successfully and ethically market their private practice, agency, or organization.  Premier 2.  (1.5 CEU)
Time
1:15 PM - 2:45 PM
1:15 PM

2-4: Gambling Problems Undetected in Screens for Those with
2-4: Gambling Problems Undetected in Screens for Those With Behavioral Health– Clinical; Addiction; Kenneth Saucier, LCSW and Robert Henson, CAC, CCGC. Individuals present at assessment with mental health/addiction issues and do not report or exhibit obvious signs of a gambling problem. Gambling problems often go undetected and therefore not treated. In order to treat the whole person, it is imperative to screen for gambling problems. This presentation will discuss the importance of screening for disordered gambling. Provide education on the signs/symptoms of problem gambling and educate on the infrastructure in Louisiana to treat problem gambling.  Premier 2.  (1.5 CEU)
Time
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
3:00 PM

3-5: Play On: Play Therapy to Treat Trauma & Stress
3-5:  Play On: Play Therapy to Treat Trauma & Stress - Clinical; Mental-Behavioral Health, Trauma-Informed Care, Children, Teens & Young Adults; Steven Parks, LCSW.  There is a public health crisis due to the lack developmentally informed mental health treatment providers for children and adolescents, according to the US Surgeon General (2021). This presentation empowers social workers with an understanding of Play Therapy and how play-based interventions can treat stress and trauma reactions in children and adolescents. Participants will learn how to apply Play Therapy interventions through the SECURE lens of trauma-informed practice. Premier 2. (1.5 CEU)
Time
4:45 PM - 6:15 PM
4:45 PM

3-6: Emphasizing Equity in Macro Field Placement
3-6: Emphasizing Equity in Macro Field Placement– General; Diversity, Cultural Competence; Sharon Owens, LMSW.  Field placement is designated as being the signature pedagogy of social work practice, and provides students expert supervision while the put what they have learned in academic classes into action. Often these are the first encounters with the populations the intern student has passion to help, but has never engaged. During this presentation, field instructors will discuss equity focused encounters, and intentionality will be given to equity based learning, conversations and activities. Premier 3. (1.5 CEU)
Time
4:45 PM - 6:15 PM
4:45 PM

3-7: Teaching While Black: An Analysis of Microaggressions o
3-7: Teaching While Black: An Analysis of Microaggressions on Black Faculty  – General; Diversity, Social Justice/Advocacy; Michelle Alexander, LCSW.  The focus of this presentation is to better understand the experiences of microaggressions on Black faculty members in SW. Since there is little research that directly addresses microaggressions in this area, the researcher looked at the literature available from other areas of academia that do address microaggressions experienced by Black faculty in their field. This research should begin to address gaps in the literature related to the experiences of microaggressions in schools of social work. Premier 3. (1.5 CEU)
Time
4:45 PM - 6:15 PM
4:45 PM

Tuesday, 07 March 2023

 
4-8: Providing an Overview of Louisiana’s Response to the Op
4-8: Providing an Overview of Louisiana’s Response to the Opioid Epidemic- Clinical;  Addiction; Quinetta Riley Womack, LPC, LAC-CCS, CCGC and Melinda Robinson, MBA.  The purpose of the presentation is to give an overview of Louisiana’s response to the Opioid Epidemic and strategies implemented to improve access to care to treat persons with Opioid Use Disorders. This session will expose resources available for treatment services at no cost to the individual seeking services. Cypress 1. (1.5 CEU)
Time
8:00 AM - 9:45 AM
8:00 AM

4-9: Student Presentations
4-9: Student Presentations - General; Other; Dr. Ruth Weinzettle, LCSW.  This workshop, presented at the NASW-LA annual conference for many years, features exemplary papers completed by students at Louisiana's schools of social work. All social work degree programs in the State of Louisiana are invited to submit one outstanding student paper to be considered for presentation. Through review by a committee, the top three papers are selected and presentations are made in this workshop. Topics reflect current issues in the field of social work. Premier 3. (1.5 CEU)
Time
8:00 AM - 9:45 AM
8:00 AM

4-10: Funeral Mishaps: The Unexpected and Wellbeing in Berea
4-10: Funeral Mishaps: The Unexpected and Wellbeing in Bereavement - Clinical;  Dr. Laura Summerhill, LCSW. Funerals reinforce the reality of death while offering comfort and support to mourners. Funerals have no dress rehearsal. Mistakes do happen, resulting in trauma. Dr. Summerhill will share autoethnographic research on the impact of funeral home mishaps with respect to bereavement. Ethics of the funeral profession will be discussed. Diagnostic criteria and background factors related to grief will be defined. Clinical modalities for treating bereaved clients who have experienced the unexpected will be explored. Premier 2. (1.5 CEU)
Time
8:00 AM - 9:45 AM
8:00 AM

5-11: When Social Workers Choose Sides In Family Conflicts
5-11:  When Social Workers Choose Sides In Family Conflicts  - Ethics; Ethics, Children, Teens & Young Adults, Sexual Assault; Ezell Lundy, M.A.   Presenters will use a six-year case study to discuss the short-term and mid-term impacts of impropriety among social workers. When social workers choose sides in tense family matters (e.g., divorce, child custody), they erode professional ethics and damage the well-being of vulnerable clients. These unethical practices also lend credibility to an already biased situation that may reinforce a positive perception of one party at the expense of the opposing party's relationship with her/his children. Premier 2. (1.5 CEU)
Time
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
10:00 AM

5-12 Understanding Autism and Treatment in Therapeutic Setti
5-12: Understanding Autism and Treatment in Therapeutic Settings- Clinical; Developmental Disabilities; Kathryn Wampold, LCSW.  This presentation will help social workers in a clinical therapeutic setting identify possible autism in teenage and adult clients, and understand what to do next. Topics covered include an overview of autism spectrum disorder, familiarization with autism presentations, how to refer for diagnostic evaluation, therapeutic treatments that can be utilized by social workers with teen/adult clients, and other resources available to the autism community. Premier 3. (1.5 CEU)
Time
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
10:00 AM

Networking Luncheon
Networking Luncheon:  Enjoy lunch while networking with old friends and making new connections! Premier Ballroom
Time
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
11:30 AM

B-13: Combating Ageism in Healthcare
B-13: Combating Ageism in Healthcare - General; Aging/Gerontology; Deanna Robinson, LCSW.  This training is intended to provide insight to healthcare professionals, specifically social workers, awareness, understanding, and knowledge about ageism and its impact on the healthcare needs of the older adults who experience ageist practices. Ageism can affect individuals of all ages; however, this presentation focuses on individuals identified as older adults, those being 60 years of age or older. Premier 3. (3.0 CEU)
Time
1:45 PM - 5:00 PM
1:45 PM

B-14: The Anatomy of Change
B-14: The Anatomy of Change - Clinical; Aging/Gerontology, Private Practice, Physical Disabilities & Rehabilitation; Kay Clemons, MSW, LCSW-BACS.  We begin changing from the time we are born. Throughout life change is often a stumbling block. This workshop is designed to address the stages of life, changes that occur and the perception of change. Concept of change at these different stages will be discussed and reflect the complications to adjustment that can include physical and mental disabilities, social change, family's evolving, and the dynamics of the workplace in the arising culture. Cypress 1. (3.0 CEU)
Time
1:45 PM - 5:00 PM
1:45 PM

6-15: Justice-Involved Individuals: The Most Vulnerable Popu
6-15: Justice-Involved Individuals: The Most Vulnerable Population on Earth - General; Mental-Behavioral Health, Corrections, Forensics, & Juvenile Justice, Social Justice/Advocacy; Taylor Farris, MSW, LCSW, C-  DBT.  Louisiana incarcerates, "a higher percentage of their people than any other democracy on earth." (Prison Policy Initiative). The presenters will be bringing attention to the lack of quality care for the justice-involved individuals in the most incarcerated state in this country and of the world. The presenters will provide current ethical practices and potential solutions to implement state-wide that will help reduce mass incarceration and improve quality of care for the incarcerated. Premier 2. (1.5 CEU)
Time
1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
1:45 PM

7-16: The Time is Right for Self-Care
7-16: The Time is Right for Self-Care-Ethics; Mental-Behavioral Health, Trauma-Informed Care, Self-Care; Sh’Niqua Alford, LCSW-S. Self-care starts now! Learn the importance of self-care in the social work profession, recognize effects of stress on the body, and develop self-care strategies to implement into social work practice. Premier 2. (1.5 CEU)
Time
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
3:30 PM

Wednesday, 08 March 2023

 
C-17: The Louisiana Social Work Practice Act and Ethical Con
C-17: The Louisiana Social Work Practice Act and Ethical Consideration - Ethics; Ethics; Lisa L. Lipsey, LCSW; Emily DeAngelo, Dr. Hyacinth McKee, Dr. Jamie Barne, Dr. Ruth Weinzettle and Trinity George .  **** BRING A COPY OF THE LAWS AND RULES WHICH ARE AVAILABLE AT labswe.org/laws-rules. ***** LABSWE will present data on alleged and adjudicated violations of the Practice Act and Rules in 2022. A panel of Board Members will discuss ethical dilemmas and any regulatory updates will also be discussed. The audience will be presented with complaint scenarios and given the opportunity to identify potential violations in the Laws and Rules. Premier 3. (3.0 CEU)
Time
8:00 AM - 11:15 AM
8:00 AM

C-18: Examining the Intersectionality of LGBTQ+ Social Work
C-18: Examining the Intersectionality of LGBTQ+ Social Work Practice - General; Mental-Behavioral Health, Trauma-Informed Care, Self-Care, Diversity, Cultural Competence, Aging/Gerontology, Teens and Young Adults; Kurt W. Oster, MAT, MS, MSW, LBS, LCSW, ACSW, ADHD-CCSP, ASD-CS, CCTP, CCTS-F.  This 3-hour workshop aims to provide participants with a basic foundational understanding of the experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Plus (LGBTQ+) individuals, families, and groups and their diverse and intersectional identities as it applies to social work practice and policy. Further, this workshop will examine a variety of areas of relevance to LGBTQ+ populations, including historical, political, and policy perspectives, the development of LGBTQ+ identity-formation, health, mental health, and familial issues, and LGBTQ+ issues across the lifespan, including the process of coming-out from youth to gerontology. Intersectionality of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity will be addressed along with ethical and legal issues impacting LGBTQ+ individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. It will be examined through clinical, generalist, and macro perspectives. Although the body of literature that relates to issues of importance for LGBTQ+ people has grown significantly in recent years, it is essential to note that the content of this workshop, by no means, is exhaustive. Therefore, this workshop will provide a basic foundation of understanding. Cypress 1. (3.0 CEU)
Time
8:00 AM - 11:15 AM
8:00 AM

8-19: Breath & Heart Focused Meditation: Rewire Your Brain T
8-19:  Breath & Heart Focused Meditation: Rewire Your Brain Towards Wellness - Clinical;  Mental-Behavioral Health, Self-Care (Ethics), Health; Michael LeBlanc, MSW, LCSW.  You can interrupt stress, anxiety and negative thinking! Research shows that individuals can make their brain stop producing chemicals of stress and start producing biochemistry that promotes wellness and wellbeing in about 3 minutes. How? By shifting their focus and breath towards their heart center (the meditation process taught and practiced in this workshop). “I immediately felt my heart slow down and fell into deep peace. It was amazing,” said a previous conference participant. Premier 2. (1.5 CEU)
Time
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
8:00 AM

9-20: Understanding Their Story - Psychosocial Narrative Pr
9-20: Understanding Their Story - Psychosocial Narrative Process - Clinical; Developmental Disabilities; Harvey Norris, LCSW.  Each client comes in with a story. Their story is crafted by their experiences, development and responses to life. Understanding the importance of the Erikson's psychosocial model in development and how it impacts and changes development is essential when helping someone learn their own story and trauma to be able to tell it, and then choose to change it. Premier 2. (1.5 CEU)
Time
9:45 AM - 11:15 AM
9:45 AM

D-21: Ageism: Social Work's Ethical Responsibility To Addre
D-21: Ageism: Social Work's Ethical Responsibility To Address This Accepted  Discrimination - Ethics; Ethics, Social Justice/Advocacy, Aging/Gerontology; Gina Rossi, LCSW-BACS, DCSW, MHSA.  UPDATED! This presentation includes new research and resources. We welcome social workers to share insights and lessons about ageism. Your experience/wisdom is valued in discussion. The insidious tract implicit bias and ageist behavior takes in our own profession, and in client's lives will be examined. Recommendations for action steps will be provided. We are not immune (worse-we may be inadvertently complicit).This workshop integrates NASW values and ethics and calls on us to challenge discrimination. Cypress 1. (3.0 CEU)
Time
1:00 PM - 4:15 PM
1:00 PM

D-22: Importance of Differentiating Autistic Spectrum Disor
D-22:  Importance of Differentiating Autistic Spectrum Disorder from PTSD - Clinical; Trauma-Informed Care, Developmental Disabilities, Sexual Assault; Lisa Donze Jacob, MSW.  This presentation will examine the crossover traits of youth with a diagnosis of ASD and youth with a diagnosis of PTSD specifically as a result of sexual abuse. we will discuss the difficulties associated with differentiating these diagnoses and the difficulties associated with treatment modalities when both diagnoses are present. Premier 3. (3.0 CEU)
Time
1:00 PM - 4:15 PM
1:00 PM

10-23: Values and Inadequacies of Diagnoses: Breaking Labels
10-23: Values and Inadequacies of Diagnoses: Breaking Labels Into Treatable Behaviors - General; Mental-Behavioral Health, School Social Work, Developmental Disabilities; Franziska NoackLeSage, PhD.  When discussing best practices, interventions, and expected outcomes, a focus on the stereotypical presentation of diagnoses often supersedes the specific symptom presentation of the individual. This focus on diagnoses often greatly influences the perspective of various professionals, reducing intervention effectiveness. This presentation will discuss various considerations for identifying goals and considerations when taking a strengths and weaknesses approach, allowing for a balance between current diagnosis and observable behaviors, skills, and abilities of an individual. Premier 2. (1.5 CEU)
Time
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
1:00 PM

11-24: Rural Hospice Social Work: Basics to Contemporary Pos
11-24: Rural Hospice Social Work: Basics to Contemporary Post-Covid Challenges - General; Hospice & Palliative Care; Angela Alvarado, MS-IS, MS, LBSW-IPR, APHSW-C and Dr. Brandi Felderhoff, PhD, LCSW-S, APHSW-C; Jennifer Barton, LMSW.  This session will introduce the basics of hospice social work. Additionally, the presenters break down the immense challenges rural hospices face in terms of accessibility, and service delivery, from the experiences of 9 rural hospice social workers, with recommendations from key themes developed through this research. Lastly, we also examine information seeking behaviors of rural hospice social workers through the COVID-19 pandemic, and applying this knowledge can improve practice standards for rural hospice social work. Premier 2. (1.5 CEU)
Time
2:45 PM - 4:15 PM
2:45 PM

Wednesday, 15 March 2023

 
Overall Conference Evaluation
Time
3/15/2023 8:00 AM - 3/29/2023 11:59 PM
8:00 AM

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