Understanding Autism: Strength-based strategies to help students flourish
This engaging session will enable attendees to understand and respect the unique attributes of individuals on the spectrum as well as communicate, discipline and nurture more effectively.Participants in this workshop will learn skills that will enable them to improve interactions with individuals on the autism spectrum. The format of the class will be based in a strength perspective, emphasizing the value of respecting that individuals on the spectrum are empowered by a supportive structure in their environment where it is at home, school or the workplace. Skills in relating to individuals on the spectrum will be addressed.
12:30 - 01:30 PM CST
Virtual Room A
The Impact of Social Isolation and Loneliness on the Elderly During and Post-COVID-19 and Best Practices from the Field: Lessons Learned
Loneliness can be defined in two ways. First,in relation to indices of social integration, i.e. marital status, contact with friends or family, and lack of social integration (Helmer et al. 1999; Fratiglioni et al. 2000; De Jong Gierveld & Van Tiburg 2008; Lunaigh & Lawlor, 2008). However it is also based upon the individual’s perception.
12:30 - 01:30 PM CST
Virtual Room B
Secrets of the Sand Tray: The Neuroscience of Stress and Strategies for Engaging Youth through Play
The Art of Sand Tray--an interactive and fun workshop exploring sand tray therapy for use with children, teens, and adults.This workshop will give you a brief overview of the modality as well as an opportunity to practice basic skills.
12:30 - 01:30 PM CST
Virtual Room C
But I'm Not a Racist!": How Non-racists Contribute to Racism
Racism continues to be a major problem in American society. And despite all of the protests, trainings, seminars, newscasts, documentaries, testimonials, and debates, between popular newscasts, many will claim either racism does not exist, or they, themselves, are not racists. "I'm not racist because I have a black friend!" or "I'm not racist, I like black people!" or "I'm not racist, I'm colorblind!" These statements actually contribute to the problem of racism. And one of the major problems is that many people don't even understand these microaggressions. This seminar will teach the students what racism actually is, how it is perpetrated by "non-racist" people, why the black community needs the white community regarding racism, and what can be done to continue addressing this issue with people who can actually make a difference.
01:40 - 02:40 PM CST
Virtual Room A
Practicing What We Teach: Influencing Cultural Inclusivity in the Workplace
Social workers are known for our lifelong learning commitment to cultural awareness, practicing cultural humility, and treating individuals with dignity. Cultural diversity is a multifaceted, complex concept involving our working environment and our practice. Systemic changes to promote inclusivity, civic discourse, and psychological safety can be more difficult though. Where do you start? What will make a difference? Development requires an intersectional framework that defines cultural identity broadly. This workshop discusses practical ways to positively shift our working environment by using macro strategies and interpersonal sharing in professional and workplace development. We’ll share our ideas, challenges, and best practices.
01:40 - 02:40 PM CST
Virtual Room B
A Team of Social Workers Courageous Conversations about Race Matters
It was at the onset of the social and civil unrest resulting from the May 25, 2020 death of George Floyd, our team of 12 social workers knew we had to have courageous conversation about race matters. The conundrum was how we would do this in a work place, a space none of us had ever known to encourage in the history of our collective work experiences. It took little time for us to decide that the importance of this.conversation far outweighed any possible work related consequence. However, it wasn't until we started the conversation that we understood that discussing race could be incredibly uncomfortable - all the more reason it needed to happen.
01:40 - 02:40 PM CST
Virtual Room C
Hanging Out or Hooking Up: Adolescent Relationship Abuse - How Can I Help?
This workshop, Hanging Out or Hooking Up is designed to educate social work professionals who work with adolescents the warning signs of an abusive relationship, how to use trauma-informed approaches to intervene and strategies to promote healthy relationships.
02:50 - 03:40 PM CST
Virtual Room A
Voices of Families with a Transgender Member: Building Religious Cultural Competency
The dialogue on transgender people’s transitions emphasizes the individuals experiencing it, while discussion of its effect on their families is infrequent.When the family holds strong religious values this factor can play a role in the family’s response.The purpose of this presentation is to start to fill in this family perspective gap and answer the question of perhaps why these voices have been silent with the goal of facilitating some degree of family acceptance of the gender transition of one of its members.
02:50 - 03:40 PM CST
Virtual Room B
Anxiety Treatment utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and measurement-based care
Not counting adolescents and children under the age of 18 (who also experience anxiety), prior to the COVID-19 pandemic it was estimated that at least 40 million adults in the United States suffered from some form of anxiety. It is believed that number has likely tripled during the pandemic. This training will offer an overview of the combination of techniques to address anxious symptoms in the short term, adjust client response to anxiety in the long term and how to use measurement base care approaches both as an objective measure of progress and as an intervention and prompt in treatment.
02:50 - 03:40 PM CST
Virtual Room C
Meeting Them Where They Are: Engaging Youth through Technology
Participants will reflect on strategies to engage students in conversations about equity in their schools and community with support of virtual tools that support in-person or virtual instruction and settings. First, a review of relevant frameworks will ground this therapeutic strategy in social emotional learning, and youth-led project based learning. Second, participants will be guided through interactive activities that can be used in person and in virtual settings. Ultimately, participants will walk away with tangible, interactive tools to engage students in group discussions. User-friendly virtual tools that will help motivate students will be shared.
04:00 - 05:00 PM CST
Virtual Room A
Grounding Ourselves in Justice & Equity-driven Social Work Values
The Revolution IS Being Televised: The lyrics of Scott-Heron’s 1971 song challenge that change won’t come from passively watching injustices; action is necessary to bring about change. Fast forward 50 years, the visibility of George Floyd’s death sparked a nationwide rally cry for action. For some, Black males dying at the hands of law enforcement was a shocking revelation. For others, it illuminated the inequities long known and experienced. Where do Social Workers enter? This interactive session will explore implications in social workers’ response to racial inequities in service delivery, lived experiences of BIPOC practitioners, and the calling of our values-based profession to take action.
04:00 - 05:00 PM CST
Virtual Room B
Protecting our Children from Violence One Behavior at a Time
Nationally recognized school safety expert and best-selling author of “Education in a Violent World: A Practical Guide to Keeping our Kids Safe” - Dr. Steve Webb will present lessons learned from American school violence and utilizing the PARA Mindset to enhance Behavioral Threat Assessments and Social Emotional Learning in order to prevent violence in our schools.
04:00 - 05:00 PM CST
Virtual Room C
