You can add to the professional development post by commenting below or emailing the library.
The Australian and New Zealand Addiction Conference
Authors or organisations interested in submitting a paper or presenting a workshop are invited to submit an abstract of no more than 300 words outlining the aims, contents and conclusions of their paper or presentation; or about their intended role in a workshop.
Topics
- Navigating the service system: how do we get the service system to meet the needs of the client.
- Training and Support of AOD Workers: this looks at the development of people working within the sector including the supervision of support staff. It also focuses on providing support for staff who identify as lived experience.
- Focus on issues within rural and remote communities – this involves multiple areas: Access to treatments; Continuity of service; Support needs; Workforce training; Treatment planning and strategies
- Cultural safety and sensitivity when working with specific population groups eg ATSI communities; maori; islander; multicultural; LGBTI; refugees etc
- Emerging trends of addiction eg internet, sex, video gaming, steroids, prescription medicines etc and innovative solutions in treatment services including public versus private responses and the role of physical help in the recovery process.
- Trauma informed services: working with people on their addiction treatment and recovery program who are experiencing or have experienced trauma – helping them to feel safe.
- The lived experienced and their supporters: this topic covers self-help options; support mechanisms and systems for family and friends; early intervention models; co-dependency; the multi-systemic system; intervention and support for families; addressing co-dependency in family systems.
Submissions close: 6th February
Read – professional reading
Smirnov, A., Kemp, R., Ward, J., Henderson, S., Williams, S., Dev, A., and Najman, J. M. (2016) Patterns of drug dependence in a Queensland (Australia) sample of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who inject drugs. Drug and Alcohol Review, 35: 611–619. doi: 10.1111/dar.12392.
Rash, C. J., Stitzer, M., & Weinstock, J. (2016). Contingency management: New directions and remaining challenges for an evidence-based intervention. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment.
Tracy, K., & Wallace, S. P. (2016). Benefits of peer support groups in the treatment of addiction. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, 7, 143–154. http://doi.org/10.2147/SAR.S81535
Attend – informal learning sessions, journal club, seminar series
Meth Check
Developed by Insight, Meth Check is a package of free tools and resources designed for health and community service workers who engage with people who use methamphetamine. Although developed specifically for Queensland workers, the materials are applicable to most regions.
The package includes:
Introduction to methamphetamine;
Medical interventions;
Ultra-brief interventions;
Harm reduction materials;
and Factsheets for families
Ice: Training for Frontline Workers
Module 7 for NCETA’s training has been uploaded. The module looks at organisational responses to Ice use.
Journal club (available to Healthy Options workers only)
Internal professional development session held in the Annerley boardroom and via Skype meeting.
October’s journal club will be presented by SA team
Date: TBC
Attend - conferences
Australasian Sexual Health Conference/Australasian HIV and AIDS Conference
The annual conference is run by ASHM as a platform for the dissemination and presentation of new and innovative research findings across the Australasian HIV sector. The conference aims to strengthen bonds between specialists, GPs, nurses, researchers and other key contributors to the sexual health sector, through collaboration in sexual health education, policy-making and research. The conference encourages all disciplines involved in sexual health medicine and sexual health promotion to come together and share experiences, new research and discuss national and local responses to sexual health in Australasia.
When: 16-18th November
Where: Adelaide, SA
See website for registration fees
Listen – podcasts, webinars
MindOUT! Webinar
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for LGBTIQ People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds, presented by Dr Tony Mordini
When: 8th Nov, 1-2pm (AEDT)
Insight Webinars - Wednesdays 10am (AEST)
Working with High-Risk Families: The Parents Under Pressure Program
Prof. Sharon Dawe School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University
The Parents Under Pressure (PUP) program is focused on improving the quality of the caregiving relationship between parents and children. The program has been undergoing evaluation in the UK and this seminar provides preliminary data on two studies. Both studies present encouraging results and also raise important issues about the utility of intensive parenting programs conducted in the real world.
When: 2nd November
The Lowdown on AOD Apps and Websites
Assoc. Prof. Leanne Hides Deputy Director, Centre for Youth Substance Abuse (CYSAR), Queensland University of Technology
eHealth has the potential to increase access to AOD treatment as well as enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of current treatments. This seminar will review the key features and evidence base for current AOD apps and websites, as well as discuss models for how they can be implemented into routine clinical practice.
When: 9th November
Understanding Treatment for Personality Disorders
Nathan Pasieczny Team Leader, Mood Academic Clinical Unit, Metro South Addictions and Mental Health Service
Given the variable levels of severity and functioning, high comorbidity rates and variety of treatment options available for clients / patients with personality disorders, effective formulation and treatment planning remains complex. Nathan is a specialist in dialectical behaviour therapy and will discuss progress on the understanding and treatment of borderline personality disorder over the last five years.
When: 16th November
The Emperor’s New Clothes
Dr Jeremy Hayllar Clinical Director, Metro North Mental Health – Alcohol & Drug Service
Dr Hayllar concludes the semester with a review of fine cloth and bespoke tailoring in the field of alcohol and drugs. This talk is guaranteed to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the latest information and research in the field – as well as your appearance
When: 23rd November
In Social Work Podcast: Multisystemic Therapy: A Strengths-Based, Collaborative Approach for Working with Negative Adolescent Behaviours
Anyone working with the disruptive behaviours of a challenging adolescent understands just how difficult that work can be. When these problematic behaviours are present, successful resolution may require involvement from several of a child's networks. Multisystemic therapy (MST) is an intensive intervention that works with the adolescent and their family, while also engaging the other important systems in the child's life. In this episode, Dr. Steven Halady, Erin DeWolfe, and Jessica Bonczar describe what MST is and how its ecological foundation informs and directs its application.
Duration: 42min
