2021 Continuing Education Offerings

Presented by Nancy Mullen, MSW   1 CEH

This presentation explores the challenge of differential diagnosis and support for clients living with co-existing post-traumatic stress disorder and post-concussion syndrome. Although addressing concussive issues is gathering increasing attention, concussions remain both undiagnosed and underdiagnosed, despite how common they are, across all political, religious and cultural groups. The presentation addresses the need for social workers to spearhead including assessment for mTBI routinely, especially within the domestic violence field, in elder care, and with young people active in sports. The under-diagnosis or missed diagnosis of concussion complicates treatment of mental health issues, which can be misunderstood as client resistance or disinterest. Undiagnosed post- concussive issues can hinder a client's progress in moving forward with recovery or even contribute to recidivism rates. In more serious cases, post-concussive issues may impede on activities of daily living for months and sometimes years. Breathing and Blinking draws upon research from the leading trauma experts, Bruce D. Perry, Bessel van der Kolk, and Nadine Burke Harris and includes occasional references to the presenter’s lived experience in concussion and concussion care. Social workers who are aware of the complications and can identify the co-existing symptoms will be more effective in getting their clients to appropriate care. As a profession, social workers are uniquely positioned to begin looking for the longer term effects of concussion, in school settings, residential settings, and clinical settings with clients who are also trauma survivors in order to advocate for care beyond the traditional passive treatment recommendations.

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COST:

Member - $25
Member - Student or Retired - $20
Non Member - $35

Presented by Emily Kenney, LCSW

In 2020, the world was sent into an unprecedented crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the recognition of the economic downturn and personal crisis that many people were experiencing, the federal government invested in basic needs support. Because of the investment in rental assistance and other housing dollars, local communities were able to create different solutions to homelessness. This session will cover innovative strategies used around the state with COVID housing dollars, the impact of those funds, and what’s next for communities now that this additional funding has ended

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Cost:

Member - $25
Member - Student or Retired - $20
Non-Member - $35

Presented by Julie Ahnen, DCDHS CPS and Laura Becher, DCDHS CPS 

This training strives to challenge practitioners to think critically before making a CPS report. Our trainers will provide practical guidance about when to make a report and encourage practitioners to help become a support network for the family. Mandated supporting is a framework that shifts our profession away from positions of surveillance to agency and humanity. Instead of punitive measures, it calls on social workers to be supporters to the families and communities we serve. We hope to invigorate our audience to take action and think about the legal mandate differently.

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Cost
Member - $25
Member - Sturendt or Retired - $20
Non-Member - $35

Presented by Katherine Drechsler, DSW, LCSW-SA, SSW(she/her) and Emily Green, MSW, CAPSW, SAC-IT (she/her)

This workshop will assist social work students in preparing for the Wisconsin BSW or MSW level social work certification/licensure exam including CSW, CAPSW and LCSW. It will include a review of the types of social work content covered on the exam, test taking skills and hands-on practice.

Members - Free
Non-Members - $70

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Presented by Debra Minsky-Kelly, MSW, LCSW

Workshop summary: The effects of technology on social work practice since the onset of the pandemic have been enormous. Out of necessity, many providers rushed to adopt technology-assisted practices in an effort to continue to provide care to those in need. What have we learned from these practice changes? Are the 2018 changes to the Social Work Code of Ethics adequate to address modern practice challenges? This workshop will explore these critical questions and will also examine some of the specific boundary-related issues that arise in technology-assisted practice. In addition, as the evidence mounts regarding the harmful effects of technology on mental health, relationships, and community wellbeing, we will ask critical questions regarding the role of our profession in addressing these concerns.

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Cost
Members - $85
Members - Student or Retired - $65
Non-Members - $115