National Family Week Conference

November 18, 2022 @ 8:00AM — 4:30PM Eastern Time (US & Canada) Add to Calendar

Mohegan Sun Pocono: 1280 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 Get Directions

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"The Never-Ending Pandemic- Substance Abuse In Your Community"

A David and Lillian Thalenfeld Family Life Series Program

13th Annual National Family Week Conference

8:00 a.m.- Continental Breakfast & Resource Tables

8:25 a.m.- Welcome

8:35 a.m.- Opening Session

Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Disorders:

Your Role and How SAMHSA Can Support Prevention and Recovery Goals

presented by Jean Bennett, Ph.D., MSM, MSN, BSN, RN, Regional Administrator, SAMHSA

Session Overview:

  • SAMHSA and SAMHSA Regional Office short overview

Prevention of:

  • Addiction
  • First Use in Youth
  • Overdose Integrated Crisis Systems of Care (988) with Pennsylvania-specific examples

Prevalence and importance of Understanding Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders

Models to spark ideas for customization and implementation

Resources and Partnerships- How Grant Funding Works

9:30 a.m.- 9:40 a.m.- BREAK

9:40 a.m.- 10:40 a.m.- Breakout sessions

Trauma-Informed Substance Abuse Care (Part 1 of 2)

presented by Dr. Megan Velo-Zorzi, Psy.D., M.Ed. Red Bird Mental Health

Session Overview:

This presentation will discuss how to use trauma-informed care in the substance abuse population. The training will provide an overview of substance abuse, including prevalence, presentation, and challenges. It will then cover traumatic stress prevalence, causes, symptoms, and presentation. Information on co-morbidity, resources, and barriers to treatment will be discussed.

Narcan Training: How to Save a Life **limited to the first 50 registrants**

presented by Rachael Wydra, BSN, RN, Behavioral Health Nurse Consultant, PA Department of Health

Ryan Hogan, BA, Director, Luzerne & Wyoming Counties Drug & Alcohol Program. Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor, Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor. Certified Trauma Counselor

Session Overview:

Opioid Overdoses are preventable and reversible through the use of Naloxone, better known as Narcan. Narcan blocks the effects of Opioids during an overdose and restores breathing within minutes.

During this training session, attendees will learn about Naloxone (Narcan), its properties as a medication, and how it reverses overdoses in the body and brain. You will learn about the safety and efficacy of this life-saving medication. The Trainer will walk you through the simple, yet proper administration of the medication in the event you must use the medication to save another person’s life.

All attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion for attending the Narcan Training as well as their own Narcan Kit, which includes two (2) 4mg doses of Narcan, to store safely at home. It’s small enough to carry in your pocket! Each person will receive their own life-saving Narcan Kit.

The Impact of Substance Abuse on Families

presented by Kori V. Britton, MS, Counselor, Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Services, Inc.

Session Overview:

  • Family
  • Substance Abuse Disorder
  • Statistics
  • Enabling
  • Detachment
  • The Five C's
    • Cause
    • Control
    • Cure
    • Cope
    • Change

10:40 a.m.- 10:50 a.m.- BREAK

10:50 a.m.- 11:50 a.m.- Breakout sessions

Trauma-Informed Substance Abuse Care (Part 2 of 2)

presented by Dr. Megan Velo-Zorzi, Psy.D., M.Ed. Red Bird Mental Health

Session Overview:

This presentation will discuss how to use trauma-informed care in the substance abuse population. The training will provide an overview of substance abuse, including prevalence, presentation, and challenges. It will then cover traumatic stress prevalence, causes, symptoms, and presentation. Information on co-morbidity, resources, and barriers to treatment will be discussed.

Preventing Suicide By Improving Health Outcomes

presented by Sean Gerow, MS, Chief Executive Officer, Family Service Association of NEPA

Session Overview:

Treating a person for behavioral health issues is only one aspect of reducing suicides. As providers, we need to be connected to all health continuum aspects to reduce lost lives and understand behavioral and physical health issues. Treating mental health, substance issues, and physical health issues. Treating mental health, substance issues, and physical health together will increase the likelihood of a Zero Suicide Community.

Has this approach been done? YES!

Has this approach been successful? YES!

This presentation will focus on the aspects of the health continuum and how treating all aspects can lead to a Zero Suicide Community.

Current Drug Trends Affecting Luzerne County and What’s Being Done to Address the Problems

presented by Ryan Hogan, BA, Director, Luzerne & Wyoming Counties Drug & Alcohol Program. Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor, Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor. Certified Trauma Counselor

Session Overview:

This session will discuss current drug trends affecting Luzerne County while looking at new and emerging trends throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Additionally, the session will provide an overview of national, statewide, and local initiatives to curb substance use disorders and the consequences that affect the individual, their families, and the community. Resources for individuals and families to access when they or their loved ones are impacted by substance use disorders will be provided.

11:50 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.- BREAK

12:00 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.- Lunch and Keynote Speaker

Don't Ride the Highs too High or the Lows too Low

presented by Kyle Popish, AS, Associate Addictions Counselor, Turning Points Alternative Living Solutions (TPALS)

Session Overview:

During this session, Kyle will discuss his story and path to sobriety. He will share how he uses mindfulness, the 12-step program, SMART recovery, and Eastern Philosophies to assist him in being his best self so he is capable of assisting others.

In a world full of chaos, be life.

1:30 p.m.- 1:40 p.m.- BREAK

1:40 p.m.- 2:40 p.m.- Breakout sessions

Narcan Training: How to Save a Life **limited to the first 50 registrants**

presented by Rachael Wydra, BSN, RN, Behavioral Health Nurse Consultant, PA Department of Health

Ryan Hogan, BA, Director, Luzerne & Wyoming Counties Drug & Alcohol Program. Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor, Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor. Certified Trauma Counselor

Session Overview:

Opioid Overdoses are preventable and reversible through the use of Naloxone, better known as Narcan. Narcan blocks the effects of Opioids during an overdose and restores breathing within minutes.

During this training session, attendees will learn about Naloxone (Narcan), its properties as a medication, and how it reverses overdoses in the body and brain. You will learn about the safety and efficacy of this life-saving medication. The Trainer will walk you through the simple, yet proper administration of the medication in the event you must use the medication to save another person’s life.

All attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion for attending the Narcan Training as well as their own Narcan Kit, which includes two (2) 4mg doses of Narcan, to store safely at home. It’s small enough to carry in your pocket! Each person will receive their own life-saving Narcan Kit.

Healthy MOMs: It takes a village

presented by Maria Kolcharno, MSW, LSW, Director of Addictions Services, The Wright Center for Community Health and

Marcella Garvin, MBA, Healthy MOMS Case Manager

Session Overview:

You've heard it takes a village to raise a child, right? Even in perfect circumstances, raising a child takes a village. The complex struggles surrounding opioid addiction can make pregnancy an even tougher time. Our team realizes that healthy babies begin with healthy moms and that being healthy means attending to the mom and baby's health, financial, legal, and personal needs.

The Healthy MOMS (Maternal Opiate Medical Support) Program helps moms-to-be and their babies build a strong foundation to begin their lives in recovery. The program is a collaborative effort between like-minded community partners throughout Northeast Pennsylvania that brings together experts from healthcare, legal, housing, and social services organizations. This presentation will provide a forum to discuss services available in our regions and the best practice to advocate and link moms to programs.

Understanding & Treating Substance Abuse Disorders in the Veteran Population

presented by Stacey Marie Little, MA, Executive Director, Pyramid Healthcare Inc., Dallas Residential and Detox Treatment Facility

Session Overview:

In this session, we will discuss the unique needs of the Veteran population and the barriers they experience to accessing effective treatment services that address their needs and validate their experience. It will also include an overview of the Military Therapy and Recovery Program at Pyramid Dallas Inpatient.

2:40 p.m.- 2:50 p.m.- BREAK

2:50 p.m.- 4:15 p.m.- Panel Discussion and Closing Remarks


EDUCATION CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE!

  • LWS- 6 hours ($10 to be paid at the conference)
  • CLE- 4.5 hours ($10 to be paid at the conference)
  • Act 48- 6 hours (FREE)
  • CADC- 6 hours (FREE)

A big thank you to our sponsors!

Platinum Presenting Sponsor
The Thalenfeld Family Charitable Trust
Gold Presenting Sponsor
Geisinger
Recovery Rises Foundation
Keynote Luncheon Sponsor
CleanSlate Centers
Opening Session Sponsor
DA State Drug Forfeiture Fund
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Breakfast Sponsor
Pyramid Healthcare
The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education
Sean & Tammy Gerow
Session Sponsor
Children's Service Center
Community Care Behavioral Health
King's College
Santarelli and Sons Oil
Santarelli and Sons Oil
Service Electric Cable TV, Inc.
WVIA
Frank & Sandra Orlando

Support us with a donation.