Speaker(s):

Strabala, David, MSW, LCSW

Presentation:

The attitude, “That’s my story and I’m sticking to it,” is often humorous, but in today’s chaotic times it can exemplify a rigid and dysfunctional pattern that doesn’t serve us well. We need more diverse stories as guides or maps to reflect on, hold us and provide meaning and resilience. Yet most of our stories of heroes or superheroes treat them as conquering and claiming something that is brought under control. So where are the stories or maps for chaotic situations that can’t be conquered? Turns out there is another type of “heroism” called the trickster that is less hyper-masculine or forceful and more relational and receptive. Trickster characters are often vilified or at least misunderstood and underestimated, but they often do nothing less than transform or create new consciousness at many levels as they work with excesses of appetite or other emotions.
   
In this encore presentation from last year, new stories are included with a focus on deepening the nuances within each type of story at micro and macro levels. Most stories are hundreds of years old, demonstrating a universality and resilience to all times and places that can strengthen us today.  The presenter will tell stories of heroes and tricksters from many cultures. He will compare heroes and tricksters to show how they complement each other in healing.

Objectives:

1. Discover how stories connect us more deeply to ourselves and the world

2. Experience how stories yield insights and creativity

3. Open up non-violent conflict resolutions through stories

Speaker(s):

Memmott, Jay, MSW, Ph.D.

Presentation:

Every community contains natural or indigenous helpers–people who are sought out by friends, neighbors, and relatives because of their knack for effective problem solving and social support. More often than not, indigenous helpers are the first-line providers of informal health, social, addiction, and mental health services. Indigenous helpers represent every walk of life and the help they render is in most cases free of charge. Using an ecological framework and illustrations drawn from in-depth interviews with indigenous helpers, Dr. Memmott will discuss the impact this important human activity has on individuals, families, groups, and larger organizations. In addition, Dr. Memmot will offer tips on how to encourage and promote indigenous helping to make our communities healthier, safer, and more livable.

Objectives:

1. Define indigenous helping and provide examples from their own lives.
2. Identify and describe the types or helping styles of indigenous helpers.
3. Discuss the helping methods employed by indigenous helpers.
4. Explain how indigenous helping improves the quality of life in a community.
5. Discuss ways to encourage and promote indigenous helping in neighborhoods and communities.

Speaker(s):

Belcher, Jonathan, MSW

Craig, Jessica, MS

Presentation:

The presenters will share information on the impact housing insecurity and homelessness has on a person’s health and cognition. Next, a review of the human hierarchy of needs and the impact on a person’s health, and the effectiveness of treatment when needs go unmet. We will then navigate the vast research on the Housing First Model and explain why it has become the most supported model to serve those experiencing homelessness and chronic behavioral health diagnosis.
   
Both presenters have years of working within the Housing First Model. With their expertise, they will present the model and bring case analysis demonstrating ‘real’ examples of how Housing First improves health outcomes and increases the effectiveness of any treatment.

Objectives:

1. Describe signs and symptoms of the impact of housing insecurity and homelessness.
2. Understand hierarchy of needs and impact on behavioral health conditions.
3. Gain a basic understanding of Housing First Model.