Human Service Forum

Intergenerational Trauma / Ask a Therapist
2024-04-29 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
In this training, attendees will learn how many of our current mental health issues can come from the traumas of our parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents. We will learn and discuss how to build off the work of experts in the fields of neuroscience and posttraumatic stress. We will also reserve time for an “Ask a Therapist” session where you may ask questions in a welcoming and safe environment.
Facilitated by: the Behavioral Health Network
Hosted by: New North Citizens’ Council
Sponsored by: Youth Mental Health Coalition

Big Brothers Big Sisters 14th Annual Daffodil Run 5k/10k
2024-04-28 10:00 - 14:00
Help support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County
By signing up for the Daffodil Run 5k or 10k, you’re helping Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
What does Big Brothers Big Sisters do?
Our mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. For a few hours, 2-4 times a month, Bigs and Littles spend time doing various activities together, from going to a museum to taking a hike. By simply offering the invaluable gift of friendship, Bigs and Littles literally change each others’ lives for the better.

Runway 5K
2024-04-28 07:00 - 12:00
About the Runway 5K
Race Date: April 28. Run & Walk both start at 9AM.
You know what’s even more rewarding than finishing a 5K on a runway? Knowing that you helped change foster care for good when you cross the finish line. The Runway 5K mission is to bring community together to raise funds for foster care innovation. Every dollar raised helps kids soar.
When you register for the Runway, you’re joining a community on a mission to support kids first – and a race/walk second. It’s easy and fun to get involved. You can run – timed or for fun – walk, join virtually or volunteer. You can create a team – or fly solo – for fundraising. We’ll share tips and tools to help you succeed in raising funds and awareness to celebrate your participation and foster care innovation. Every dollar serves children, youth and families who’ve been impacted by foster care in the greater Pioneer Valley.
Plus, this year donations go further thanks to Greenfield Savings Bank. GSB will match every dollar donated to $15,000 with their Community Challenge Grant.
Don’t miss earning your wings and a Runway beanie when you raise $150 or more!

34th Annual Victim Rights Conference
2024-04-26 08:00 - 15:30
This course is designed for law enforcement, mental health professionals, victim witness advocates, physicians, nurses, psychologists and community providers and social workers.
In line with the theme for National Crime Victim’s Rights Week, the 34th Annual Victim Rights Conference asks all of us-friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, community leaders, schools, victim service providers, criminal justice practitioners, and health professionals-how can we help those who experience crime.
By focusing on survivor experience and best practice, we ask participants to reflect on whether they are creating safe environments for survivors to be able to share their stories, are their agencies trauma-informed and are they familiar with services available in the community. Time will be specifically allotted for participants to share resources and the services they provide.
By participating in this conference participants will learn how to offer support, services, and hope to those who have been impacted by crime.
Available credit:5.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™5.50 ANCC Contact Hours5.50 APA American Psychological Association5.50 ASWB Continuing Education Credit(s)5.50 IPCE Credit Hour(s)5.50 NBCC

Advancing Climate Justice and Health Equity
2024-04-25 12:00 - 13:00
This webinar will showcase the various climate justice work that the Public Health Institute of Western Mass is involved with in order to advance climate justice and health equity.
Speakers will include Samantha Hamilton and Francheska Bermudez from Public Health Institute of Western Mass, and Dr. Krystal Pollitt, Associate Professor of Epidemiology Yale School of Public Health.
To request interpretation, please contact Keleigh Waldner at KWaldner@PublicHealthWM.org or 413-794-2897. We will do our best to fulfill any requests. Advance notice will help us to provide seamless access.

Faces of Faith 2024
2024-04-24 17:30 - 19:30
Faces of Faith honors local women and men, who are cancer survivors and living vibrant lives. Through a photographic display and storytelling, their lived experiences of faith and resilience will inform, encourage, and uplift as well as help break the silence and stigma of a cancer diagnosis.
2024 Faces of Faith Honorees:-William Brown-Robin Fowlkes-Joyce Huff-Denise Jordan-Khali Maddox- Abdegeo-Vivian Moulden-Sandra Moultrie-Irvinia Scott-Robbins-Dixie Rodriguez-Andrew Rucks-Deborah Scott-TJ Steele
For more information, please contact Kimothy.Jones@BaystateHealth.org

The State of Gender Equity in Western MA: New Findings & Local Action
2024-04-23 13:00 - 14:00
This webinar will share the latest findings from a recent report on gender equity in Western Massachusetts. In collaboration, the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts and the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts (WFWM) gathered extensive data, including listening to local communities, to create a report rich with information and insights. Come learn how women, girls, transgender, and gender-diverse residents are doing in our region. Hear about the WFWM’s strategies to advance gender equity and what you can do to make a difference.

April First-Time Homebuyer Webinar
2024-04-17 18:00 - 21:00
In this Zoom webinar presented by Valley Community Development:
Get the facts from real estate professionals, including attorneys, loan officers, realtors, home inspectors & housing counselors
Learn tips about how to improve your credit.
Ask questions to help you proceed & protect your own interests as you approach this life decision.
A certified course recognized by MHP & MassHousing, this workshop helps you qualify for special mortgage products.
$50 for two adults in the same household.* Registration is nonrefundable & attendance is required at all three sessions.
April sessions are scheduled:
Monday, April 8
Wednesday, April 10
Wednesday, April 17
All from 6pm-9pm on Zoom.
Please reach out if you need reasonable accommodation due to disability or lack of technology access.
If your income is at or below the posted incomes below, and you live in Amherst, Easthampton, or Northampton, MA, you may be eligible to attend this class for free. Contact Donna Cabana 413-586-5855 ext. 180 to schedule a budgeting session prior to the webinar. You will need to complete a household budget, provide pay stubs, bank statements, and participate in budget counseling. Residents of other towns are not eligible.
Household size and maximum income:
1 – $52,750, 2-$60,250, 3-$67,800, 4-$75,300, 5- $81,350

Ableism and Disability Justice for Social Workers
2024-04-13 09:00 - 16:30 | Smith College, United States
In Person Seminar
Smith College Campus
Northampton, MA 01060
Instructor: Davey Shlasko, M.Ed. and Hillary Montague-Asp, M.Ed.
Note: Exact classroom to be announced prior to event
Level: Intermediate
CEs: 6
Review CE accreditation and approvals for this course on tab above.
Disability Justice (DJ) is an intersectional framework and movement that understands ableism (the oppression of disabled people/people with disabilities) as deeply entangled with racism, capitalism, heteronormativity and colonization. This training uses a DJ lens to unravel internalized ideas about health, wellness, ability and independence and reflect on our sometimes conflicting desires for independence and interdependence, individual achievement and community support. Participants will reflect on how internalized messages related to disability may show up in interactions with clients and will practice discussing disability with clients in DJ-informed ways. The trainers will share wisdom and experiences from disability communities that have so much to teach us all about advocacy, mutuality, thriving and liberation. The training concludes with opportunities to dream, scheme and plan ways of incorporating DJ into our work, our agencies and beyond.
The presentation is “introductory” in that most people haven’t been exposed to the framework before. However, since it is such a nuanced and intersectional framework, it is valuable even for folks with deep experience in other social justice frameworks.

A Postmodern Approach to Non-Monogamy and Attachment in Therapy
2024-04-13 09:00 - 16:30 | Smith College, United States
In Person Seminar
Smith College Campus Center
100 Elm Street, Northampton, MA 01060
Instructor: Kat Glick, M.Ed., LPC, ACS, CIMHP, CSE
Level: Intermediate
CEs: 12
Review CE accreditation and approvals for this course on tab above.
April 12 and 13, 2024, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET
This is a multiple-day session. In order to receive CEs, you must attend both days.
This 12 hour course is structured to assist the practitioner in understanding variations and nuances in non-monogamous and polyamorous relationships, and to better enhance their therapeutic skills when working with individuals and relationships that are not traditionally monogamous. In the first third of the course, participants will be guided to deconstruct their existing views on non-monogamy before learning about the various options for non-monogamous and polyamorous relationship structures. Participants will learn about common challenges of non-monogamy and polyamory, and will incorporate foundational skills necessary to work effectively with consensually non-monogamous (CNM) and polyamorous individuals/relationships.
The middle part of the course is structured to assist the participant in building on their foundational understanding while incorporating deeper understanding of identity and intersectionality. We will dive deeper into understanding the lived experiences and challenges of CNM/polyamory and examine philosophical and values-based frameworks that influence one’s choice to pursue non-traditional relationship structure and influence how those relationships function. We will deconstruct themes such hierarchy, power dynamics and internalized oppressions such as capitalism and consumer culture.
The last part of the course focuses on key therapeutic skills to assist clients with navigating challenges and pitfalls within polyamorous and CNM relationships, all from a trauma-informed and attachment-based lens. Core themes of differentiation, emotional safe-haven, and secure base will be integrated in discussions of the therapeutic relationship and therapeutic skills taught. Themes of codependency and boundaries will be discussed, and participants will have the opportunity to practice various skills with other participants. Other core skills of conflict resolution, dealing with jealousy, navigating changes, sexual health and community-building will also be discussed

Door, Wall, Window, Sky: Finding our Ground as Mixed/Multiracial Clinicians
2024-04-12 13:00 - 16:15 | Webinar
Live Interactive Webinar
Instructor: EJ Seibert, LICSW and Nathalie Rodríguez, LICSW
Level: Intermediate
CEs: 3
Review CE accreditation and approvals for this course on tab above.
This facilitated dialogue will be a place where clinicians with mixed (biracial/multiracial) identities come together to discuss the specific joys and complexities of what our backgrounds bring to our work. What are the questions we run up against in our practices? What strategies have we found to support clients and ourselves in these areas? What therapeutic models are most helpful to draw from? How do we understand and experience our bodies/nervous systems within this conversation? How do our other intersecting identities benefit, hinder, inspire, guide and impact us?
We will utilize case study, large group discussion, small group discussion, dyad work and journaling time to explore together. Metaphor will help us to frame the conversation: when is our experience a door, a wall, a window, a sky (a passage, a barrier, an in-between, a liberation)? When is it all of the above? What centers/grounds us in the multiple truths of who we are and what that means in clinical contexts? What do we envision for the future of social work as a discipline, based on the wisdom we hold?
This workshop will be facilitated from within a collective liberation framework with a focus on intersectional change processes. We will discuss the way in which the nuance of mixed-race identities offers wisdom to the discipline as a whole, holding ourselves and others accountable. The wisdom and beauty of Indigenous knowledges will be centered.

Mentalization-Based Treatment
2024-04-12 09:00 - 16:30 | Smith College, United States
In Person Seminar
Smith College Campus
Northampton, MA 01060
Instructor: Joan Lesser, Ph.D, LICSW
Level: Intermediate
CEs: 6
Review CE accreditation and approvals for this course on tab above.
This course will present mentalization-based treatment (MBT), a recent psychoanalytic extension of attachment theory and research. MBT places strong emphasis on the relationship between attachment and mentalizing situated within the broader developmental gene-environment context. The multidimensional nature of mentalization will be addressed with attention to assessment of mentalizing, automatic (implicit) versus controlled (explicit) mentalizing and cognitive versus affective mentalizing. Additionally, the course will discuss mentalization and culture and address MBT principles used in the treatment of relational trauma. Finally, there will be a discussion and application of therapeutic techniques, illustrated with case examples. Course participants will be invited to share their own disguised case material, as appropriate.

Somatic Experiencing: Enhancing Psychodynamic Therapy
2024-04-12 09:00 - 12:15 | Smith College Campus Center, 100 Elm Street, Northampton, MA, 01060, United States
In Person Seminar
Smith College Campus
Northampton, MA 01060
Instructor: David Levit, Ph.D., ABPP, SEP
Note: Exact classroom to be announced prior to event
Level: Intermediate
CEs: 3
Review CE accreditation and approvals for this course on tab above.
This program is focused on interweaving Somatic Experiencing (SE), a trauma therapy, into psychodynamic therapy for clients who suffer from unresolved early trauma and severe forms of dissociation. David Levit will outline the SE model and discuss its basic principles. He will illustrate ways to draw upon approaches from SE by presenting clinical process from therapy with clients who struggled with catastrophic dissociative episodes and who had a histories of severe early trauma. Levit will discuss the interweaving of SE in terms of various psychodynamic perspectives, with emphasis on Winnicott, and especially on the role of SE in enhancing provision of holding. He will also illustrate in a broader sense how the SE model can supplement talk therapy by enriching our ways of looking, listening, and responding.
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a model originally developed by Peter Levine for understanding and treating post traumatic stress disorder. It has been expanded to treat psychic/somatic/nervous system dysregulation more generally. SE provides perspectives and approaches that are especially helpful in our work with clients who are prone to either states of intense over-activation (anxiety, panic, terror, agitation, rage, etc.) or under-activation (freeze, numbness, emptiness, deadness, etc.). A central aim of SE is to facilitate the restoration and enhancement of the client’s intrinsic regulatory capacities, with the larger goal of bringing a more highly resourced self to the task of processing life’s ongoing experiences (including experiences in the therapy context). SE has particular relevance for people who are vulnerable to the triggering of dissociative states related to trauma.
This program is appropriate for all psychotherapists, those who are informed by psychodynamic, CBT, EMDR, or other approaches. No prior knowledge of SE is needed.

18th annual Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival
2024-04-11 19:00 - 21:00
Founded in 2004 and presented by the Springfield Jewish Community Center, the Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival proudly continues its tradition of showcasing award-winning films from around the world. Join us for a multifaceted cinematic exploration of Jewish identity, community and history!
Year after year, PVJFF presents critically acclaimed films that not only entertain, but also provide opportunities for reflection, discussion, and a deeper understanding of our complex, diverse world. Film screenings and accompanying programs aim to illuminate universal themes such as identity and belonging, conflict and reconciliation in the Middle East, social justice and civic engagement.

Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival

Overview of Youth Mental Health
2024-04-11 17:30 - 19:00
In this training, participants will learn how to identify and support mental health needs for children and youth. It will cover common mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, ADHD, and PTSD. It is appropriate for both adults and youth in high school.
Facilitated by: Behavioral Health Network
Sponsored by: Youth Mental Health Coalition

Using 413Cares to Strengthen the Local Safety Net
2024-04-11 12:00 - 13:00
Learn about the 413Cares online resource database and how local organizations are using 413Cares to build relationships with other organizations and the community to ensure they are getting connected to services.
Speakers will include Liv Anna Homstead & Francheska Bermudez (Public Health Institute of Western MA), Alan Dallman & Johanna Farrell (Food Bank of Western MA), Jodi Smith (Way Finders), Jasarah Burgos (New North Citizens Council), and Sheneya Johnson (Square One)

Equity Leadership Alliance applications being accepted
2024-04-11 08:00 - 17:00

The Balancing Act
2024-04-10 16:30 - 18:00
Wednesday, April 10, 4:30-6 pm.
In-Person Event
Baystate Health Education Center, 361 Whitney Ave, second entrance to the building, Holyoke, MA
Do you have a fear of falling? Have you ever been told you are slightly off balance? Join Baystate Rehabilitation Care experts from Baystate Rehabilitation Care, Neuro-Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists, including Jaines Andrades, NP, Baystate Trauma Services, and Diana Chung-Edwards MSN, RN, Baystate Medical Center, Injury Prevention Trauma Program, for an interactive event on fall prevention. Each attendee will receive: discussion about individual risk factors with a physical therapist; instructions for specific exercises to improve balance; information about environmental safety and equipment with occupational therapist that may help prevent falls; a falls-prevention checklist and prevention strategies; and information about the types of fall injuries. Wear comfortable clothing. Space is limited.

Building Resilience from Within: A 6-week self-care series for caregivers and anyone experiencing heightened stress in their lives
2024-04-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Join us Wednesdays, 4/10, 4/17, no class 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, and 5/22, from 11am to 11:45am on Zoom. The program is free and open to the public. No experience is required. Drop-ins welcome. Registration is required. Click here to RSVP online at or call 413.737.2601.
Learn simple techniques to build core resilience, balance the nervous system and deepen a healthy connection to your body. Each week we will gather online to practice shifting habituated patterns of holding stress and tune into your innate body’s wisdom. Some practices include mindfulness, gentle movement, brain and body balancing, guided visualization and boosting the immune system.

33rd Annual Autism Conference
2024-04-10 08:00 - 16:30 | Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel, United States
The day-long educational conference brings together agency and education professionals, families, parents, caregivers, individuals with autism, sponsors and exhibitors to build knowledge, inspire and make meaningful connections.
The schedule includes: Keynote: Amplifying Acceptance, Building Independence: How #ActuallyAutistic Perspectives Provide a Strong Foundation for Growth (at any age/throughout the lifespan) by speaker Jennifer Brunton, Ph.D.; Breakout Sessions; Exhibitor Showcase; breakfast and lunch.
Keynote and Breakout Sessions will be videotaped and available for one year to all registered attendees.

WHEN YOUR KIDDO SAYS, "MY TUMMY HURTS" SERIES: IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME IN CHILDREN
2024-04-09 18:00 - 19:00
WHEN YOUR KIDDO SAYS, “MY TUMMY HURTS” SERIES: IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME IN CHILDREN

Tuesday, April 9, 6-7 p.m.
Some children have symptoms that alternate between diarrhea and constipation. Join Dr. Timothy Menz, Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Baystate Gastroenterology, for a discussion about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), how overall diet affects IBS, as well as diagnosis and treatment options.

JEDIB Discussion: COSA
2024-04-09 10:00 - 11:30
COSA is excited to invite you to an upcoming event that will explore the importance of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging at nonprofit organizations. A panel of experts from our own JEDIB Committee will share their experiences and insights on how JEDIB can positively impact organizational culture, community engagement, and overall mission success. This event is open to anyone interested in learning more about JEDIB and how it can be leveraged to drive positive change within nonprofit organizations. Join us for what promises to be a thought-provoking and engaging discussion. This workshop will include breakouts and interactive segments.

Annual Flag Raising, Greenfield
2024-04-08 11:00 - 12:00

Empty Bowls
2024-04-06 12:00 - 16:00
Get your tickets now and join us at the Center anytime from 12:00-4:00 PM on Saturday April 6th for a delightful meal and table service by fabulous local celebrities! You’ll find gorgeous handmade bowls from local potters and delicious soup made by local restaurants and our very own kitchen! Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free soup options are available. Meals will be served with warm bread, salad, and a light dessert.

Annual Flag Raising, Athol
2024-04-05 09:00 - 10:00

Break Through
2024-04-04 08:00 - 17:00
Ready to learn how to play your game and access your internal blueprint? Each person is born with a unique game that cannot be duplicated by anyone else. Often, individuals are taught there is a formula for advancement- they must duplicate a way of talking, thinking, and leading that points to success. Imitation often leads to an uncomfortable feeling you somehow don’t have the right equipment- and others are better equipped to prosper. Liz Nead believes true success comes from understanding the equipment you were born with, developing these talents into skills, and learning to play your game with your team. Liz uses powerful examples of historical and modern-day inventors, entertainers, and leaders and shares simple strategies to implement your game in communication, leadership, organization, and creativity.
Liz Nead is an adventure speaker, traveling the world and taking on challenges to find lessons of leadership, communication, diversity and inclusion. A diversity speaker and researcher for over a decade, she specializes in common language and daily communication around race and cultural differences in the workplace. Liz uses a direct, humorous, and vivid style from the stage to create opportunities for communication around differences. Liz has also served as an executive coach and consultant for DEI challenges for companies like Paypal, News Corp, National Guard, and YWCA.
She is a television host and author, writing several Amazon best sellers, most recently “The 1440 Principle.” She also won a regional Emmy for her television show, “Life Dare.” Liz balances her passionate work with a thriving family of seven, and husband of 20 years, a retired army major.
Ready to learn to play your game? Reserve your tickets today to see Liz at the 2024 WLC!

INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION- Advanced Management 2024- CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE SUPERVISION
2024-04-03 09:00 - 12:30 | NCYF Building; 203 East St, Easthampton, 203 East St, Easthampton, MA, 01027, United States
This is presented as a Hybrid event, available both as a Virtual Workshop Series, or In Person at our offices located in Easthampton!
Now you can pick and choose topics to attend from our ADVANCED MANAGEMENT SKILLS SERIES! This certificate series is designed to invest in and promote leaders from within to secure the future of the human services in Western MA. This program will provide experienced leaders, supervisors, managers, and directors with the high level trainings to gain the skills they need to succeed as they advance in the human service field! Individual sessions are now open for registration.

Session Topics include:

The Unique Role of Managing from the Middle
Public Speaking for Large and Small Groups
Financial Management Panel
Networking: Building Internal and External Connections
Advanced Employment Law
Culturally Responsive Supervision

HSF Members: $100 per person per topic Not Yet Members: $200 per person per topic

Session 2: PUBLIC SPEAKING FOR SMALL AND LARGE GROUPS
Wednesday March 6th 9am-12:30pm
Whether you need to lead a morning team meeting, give a presentation to your managers, or speaking to the entire company and investors, speaking in front of others can be nerve-racking. Learn tips and tricks to Public Speaking that can be used in all circumstances.
Presenter: Cathy McNally
Session 3: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PANEL
Wednesday March 13th 9am-12:30pm
Our panel will discuss how money moves through and effects non-profit organizations. Topics to be covered include a nonprofit finance overview, including where the money comes from, budgeting, and internal controls including compliance and audits. The panel will be followed by a question and answer session.
Session 4: NETWORKING: BUILDING INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONNECTIONS
Wednesday March 20th 9am-12:30pm
Learning the soft skills of business etiquette and social skills can help build connections that help the success of your organizations. Gain partnership within your organization. Become an organizational ambassador as build collegial relationships in a competitive environment.
Presenters: Janine Fondon and Lucie Lewis
Session 5: ADVANCED EMPLOYMENT LAW
Wednesday March 27th 9am-12:30pm
Protect your organization, yourself and your team from unneeded expensive and time consuming legal issues. This information heavy session takes a deep dive into Employment Law with up to date topics that managers should know.
Presenter: Tim Murphy
Session 6: CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE SUPERVISION
Wednesday April 3rd 9am-12:30pm
Gain an understanding of what it means to be Culturally Competent. Understand within group differences on what makes each person unique and respond respectfully to all cultures and identies in a research based management style.
Presenters: Ysabel Garcia

HSF Annual Sponsors:

Advanced Management Series 2024
2024-04-03 09:00 - 12:30 | Human Service Forum Offices, 203 East Street, East Hampton, MA, 01027, United States
This is presented as a Hybrid event, available both as a Virtual Workshop Series, or In Person at our offices located in Easthampton!
HSF is pleased to announce our ADVANCED MANAGEMENT SKILLS SERIES! This certificate series is designed to invest in and promote leaders from within to secure the future of the human services in Western MA. This program will provide experienced leaders, supervisors, managers, and directors with the high level trainings to gain the skills they need to succeed as they advance in the human service field!
Session Topics include:

The Unique Role of Managing from the Middle
Public Speaking for Large and Small Groups
Financial Management Panel
Networking: Building Internal and External Connections
Advanced Employment Law
Culturally Responsive Supervision

This is a 6 part series!
*order of sessions may change

Session 1: THE UNIQUE ROLE OF MANAGING FROM THE MIDDLE
Wednesday February 28th 9am-12:30pm
Supervisors often find themselves in the position of having to relay the needs of their team and clients up while communicating the mission and needs of the organization down. We will address what information you will communicated to you and will need to communicate to stakeholders. Learn what impact you personally can have on your work environment.
Presenter: Will Weche
Session 2: PUBLIC SPEAKING FOR SMALL AND LARGE GROUPS
Wednesday March 6th 9am-12:30pm
Whether you need to lead a morning team meeting, give a presentation to your managers, or speaking to the entire company and investors, speaking in front of others can be nerve-racking. Learn tips and tricks to Public Speaking that can be used in all circumstances.
Presenter: Cathy McNally
Session 3: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PANEL
Wednesday March 13th 9am-12:30pm
Our panel will discuss how money moves through and effects non-profit organizations. Topics to be covered include a nonprofit finance overview, including where the money comes from, budgeting, and internal controls including compliance and audits. The panel will be followed by a question and answer session.
Session 4: NETWORKING: BUILDING INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONNECTIONS
Wednesday March 20th 9am-12:30pm
Learning the soft skills of business etiquette and social skills can help build connections that help the success of your organizations. Gain partnership within your organization. Become an organizational ambassador as build collegial relationships in a competitive environment.
Presenters: Janine Fondon and Lucie Lewis
Session 5: ADVANCED EMPLOYMENT LAW
Wednesday March 27th 9am-12:30pm
Protect your organization, yourself and your team from unneeded expensive and time consuming legal issues. This information heavy session takes a deep dive into Employment Law with up to date topics that managers should know.
Presenter: Tim Murphy
Session 6: CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE SUPERVISION
Wednesday April 3rd 9am-12:30pm
Gain an understanding of what it means to be Culturally Competent. Understand within group differences on what makes each person unique and respond respectfully to all cultures and identies in a research based management style.
Presenters: Ysabel Garcia
Certificates are given out after the final session to all participants who have attended all sessions.

*NO makeup sessions will be allowed for this program.*

HSF Annual Sponsors:

Substance Use and People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
2024-04-02 12:00 - 14:00 | Webinar
Live Interactive Webinar
Instructor: Elspeth Slayter, M.S.W., MA, Ph.D
Level: Intermediate
CEs: 2
Review CE accreditation and approvals for this course on tab above.
In this webinar, attendees will explore the “dignity of risk” concept as it relates to substance use among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Although substance use and substance use disorders (SUD) are noted in a small percentage of people with IDD, the consequences of having an SUD in this population may be greater than for the general population, in part due to inadequate treatment access. A significant barrier to appropriate treatment is the lack of evidence-informed psychosocial interventions that are validated for this population. Researchers in behavioral health treatment for people with IDD have emphasized the need for specialized, inter-professional accessible services that are based in the community. Targeted to direct practitioners, this workshop reviews both empirical and non-empirical literature on psychosocial interventions aimed at the prevention and treatment of substance use disorder in individuals with IDD.
Increasingly, social workers are faced with challenges in supporting clients with IDD who use alcohol and drugs. Given theoretical differences between disability service systems and addiction treatment systems, it is hard to know how to approach practice with these clients. The “dignity of risk” concept is central to the well-being and human rights of people with IDD. Drawing on documented best practices for the empowerment of the disability communities along with a review of evidence-based practice information from the addiction service sector, social workers will gain practical knowledge and skills targeted to empowering this population. This presentation introduces screening, assessment, prevention and treatment tools adapted for people with IDD. Case studies are used in small breakout rooms to see how the above-described concepts can work in concert with these evidence-based practices that are not often discussed in the social work literature. Participants will be able to apply their learning to short case scenarios and discuss them together in small and large groups.
Notably, people of color are over-represented among people with IDD, making race a salient and visible part of the presentation re: intersectional dynamics. Disability is a social identity that is often overlooked in conversations of diversity, though 27% of the US adult population is disabled. People with IDD often live in poverty, making socioeconomic class an aspect of this intersectional presentation. The proposed presenter uses intersectional lenses in all her work.

When Worrying Takes Over: Helping Kids Overcome Anxiety and Build Resilience
2024-04-01 12:00 - 14:00 | Webinar
Live Interactive Webinar
Instructor: Sharon Saline, Psy.D.
Level: Intermediate
CEs: 2
Review CE accreditation and approvals for this course on tab above.
This webinar will be recorded.
Living in a world that’s increasingly unpredictable, today’s children and teens are more anxious than ever before. For students who are neurodivergent thinkers—those with ADHD, learning disabilities or twice exceptionality (2E), managing anxiety in conjunction with executive functioning deficits can seem especially daunting. Sharon Saline, veteran psychologist and author of What Your ADHD Child Wishes you Knew: Working Together to Empower Kids for Success in School and Life and The ADHD Solution Card Deck discusses the grip of anxiety and what professionals (and parents) can do to reduce students’ worries.
After reviewing the physiology and psychology of anxiety, she will show participants how to help kids change their relationship to worry and avoid the pitfalls of negative thinking. Instead of reassurance and rationalization, she will share techniques for separating the person from the anxiety, talking to the worry itself and creating effective responses to ‘what ifs’. She also addresses how anxiety affects motivation, productivity and confidence and how participants can assist clients in coping with and lowering stress. Saline offers tools for teaching children and teens how to realistically evaluate situations, tolerate uncertainty and apply effective coping skills to reduce social anxiety as well. Finally, how to transform worry and insecurity into curiosity and confidence will be explored.
