A series of four presentations will explore intervention, treatment and recovery options.
California University of Pennsylvania is hosting the 2021 Addictions Conference, “Intervention, Treatment and Recovery Across the Lifespan.”
The annual conference — a series of four virtual events for 2021 — is hosted by Cal U’s Counselor Education and Social Work programs through a $1.3 million Health Resources and Services Administration Opioid Workforce Expansion program grant. The funding enhances community-based experiential training for students preparing to become behavioral health professionals with a focus on opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders.
The sessions are free and open to the public. Continuing education credits are available. To register, visit https://www.calu.edu/community/institutes/hrsa/addictions-conference.aspx
Here are the session dates and topics:
“Providing Recovery Services and Being in Recovery – Navigating the Needs of a Medically Underserved Community,” noon-1 p.m. Nov. 5: Dr. Janice McCall and Joseph Pagano will discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of services to those with substance use disorders.
“Training MSW Students on Recognition and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders,” 3-4 p.m. Nov. 9: Natalie Montero, Dr. Susan Packard and Dr. Elaine Rinfrette will discuss the importance of preparing future professionals to assess clients for these disorders, understand their impact and know how to treat or refer clients.
“Medical Marijuana in Pennsylvania: Is It Hope or Sabotage for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder?” noon-1 p.m. Nov. 12: Dr. Mary Rudberg and Michelle Sabol will discuss policies, qualifying conditions and the positives and negatives of medical marijuana as a treatment of opioid use disorder.
“How Reducing Stigma, Barriers, and Using SBIRT Approaches Can Increase Early Intervention,” 3-4 p.m. Nov. 16; Ashley Potts, James Walnoha and Ama Danso-Ayesu will discuss how the opioid crisis, accelerated by COVID-19, is impacting communities and straining the healthcare system.