Mini Workshop 1: Healing the Wound: the Family’s Journey through Chemical Dependency

Faculty: Matt Karayan, MA, LADC, Buffalo, Minnesota

This workshop will practically and progressively address family dynamics, the motivation that enables chemical dependence, and how the family can interrupt the cycle.  We will take a fresh and challenging look at what chemical dependence is, and how to help the family move from enabling to real support.
Within an interactive process, we will identify behavioral and attitude adjustments family members make in their attempts to change the chemically dependent loved one. Through the clinical application of the principles of radical forgiveness, we will address how to help the family work through anger, guilt and fear, towards healing and wholeness.
We will grapple with the end goal:  How to move towards detachment with love and what it looks like in practice.  

Mini Workshop 2: “What’ll it be?” Food Addiction or Nutrition

Faculty: Wendie Williams, LCSW, SAC, Merrill, Wisconsin

Which foods create craving, have the “I can’t get enough” effect, and withdrawal symptoms? Sugar and white flour, to name two!  Might processed foods a “gateway” to addiction? Will the DSMV give an honest description of Food Addiction?
This workshop will explore the available but often minimized role of diet in the whole picture of addiction, recovery, and sobriety. What we eat impacts anxiety, depression, and anger, all common triggers for relapse.  We will discuss “normal” overeating and under-nutrition, and its contribution to the epidemics of obesity and diabetes.
A body and brain ravaged by substance abuse requires greater than average nutrition to fully heal. When the physical needs of the body are met, we choose sobriety over addictive substances. We nurture new, healthier brain cells, and a “renewing of the mind” transformation takes place.
Using symbolism from nature, we will list foods that fuel the body from the roots, to the trunk, and finally to the branches of neurons and dendrites, learning Chronobiology enhances digestion. You will assess your Ayurvedic air-fire-earth body type and understand how foods disrupt or balance your type. Many resources will be offered for improving your own plan of eating and sharing reasons and these “how to change” options with others.

Mini Workshop 3: Dealing with Anger

Faculty: Frankie Williams, AODA and Anger Management Counselor, Porterville, California

There are many ways that client’s deal with their anger. One way is to become withdrawn which might lead to depression.  Another way is for them to explode and harm someone which is explosive anger. This class will help counselors to get ideas on how to work with the clients in dealing with their anger. It will also help to identify certain anger red flags and how the counselor can give the client some ideas on how to work through their anger and successfully talk the client out of explosive anger and into a successful therapy session. This session will also include stress management and conflict resolution

Mini Workshop 4: Why Family Involvement is Important

Faculty: Steve Hornberger, MSW, Silver Springs Maryland

This workshop will review what we know and what we are learning to increase family involvement in substance abuse treatment and recovery and how it impacts outcomes. It will discuss how to build successful working relationships between family members and professionals at the policy, program and practice levels. Successful examples in the substance abuse field and in other human service systems will be provided, and available resources will be shared.

Mini Workshop 5: Spring Forest Qigong

Faculty: Char Lusher, RN, BSN, MEd, Mankato, Minnesota

Qigong is a form of Chinese medicine that has been practiced in China for over 5,000 years. Qigong uses mental concentration, breathing techniques and body movements to balance the body’s energy. Blocking of energy channels can lead to illness and disease. There are thousands of forms of Qigong, some clouded in mystery and secrecy. In this workshop, we will focus on Spring Forest Qigong (SFQ); an easy-to-learn form developed by Master Chunyi Lin. SFQ is one of many forms of complementary medicine now being used in hospitals and clinics to enhance patients.

Mini Workshop 6: The Art of Recovery: Using Art as a Therapeutic tool for Recovery from Substance Use Disorders-CANCELLED

Faculty: Fran Belvin, MA, ATR-BC, LPAT, Lexington, Kentucky

Mini Workshop 7:Touching the Right Bases: Strategizing for Coalition Success

Faculty: Kristine Harper Bowers, Johnson City, Tennessee

Rural community prevention coalitions are challenged to use the existing resources and human capital that are called upon for every worthy cause and local crisis. How prevention organizations function in rural areas needs creative approaches that allow fewer people to perform effectively in a context of close knit families and strong cultural bonds. Ideas and methods can become "stuck" when the same old practices are used to develop membership functions.  This workshop will provide opportunities for new avenues for coalition capacity, forge innovative ideas for reaching a community-identified mission and goals, and bring a new perspective on coalition membership.  Guided exercises over 3-days will help participants 1) Assess coalition strengths and determine gaps in coalition participation, 2) Craft and deliver persuasive messages to reach prospective stakeholders to enlarge the coalition "pie," 3) Promote retention of volunteers through targeted involvement, and 4) Measure stakeholder participation in ways that can meaningfully contribute to providing prevention activities that achieve the mission of the coalition. Every coalition member needs a valued place on the team.

Mini Workshop 8: Relapse Treatment

Faculty: Nikola Moyer, MALP, LADC, Center City, Minnesota

This training experience will focus on relapse treatment and how it complements primary treatment.

Participants will look at the big picture, that is, general principles of relapse treatment – and try out four specific techniques useful with individuals struggling to gain or regain sobriety.

Mini Workshop 9: Healthcare Co-Operatives and the Impacts on Rural Programs

Faculty: David W. Cunningham, MHA, BSBA, ACATA, Billings, Montana
Mona L. Sumner, MHA, MAC, ACATA Billings, Montana

This mini-workshop will focus on three key sections:

1-Health Care Co-operatives, Health Exchanges, Primary Care Clinics and Medical Homes: New Players Impacting Rural Health Providers. How best can Public and Private Programs, and Independent Counselors respond to newly mandated changes?

• The new rules for adopting regulations mandated in the Affordable care Act of 2010 are poised to engineer dramatic shifts in how our health services are delivered in rural America.  This Workshop's key objectives will take the essential time necessary to introduce you to the key Players responsible for this transformation, as well as figuring out exactly how rural programs, counselors and independents will benefit from the coming changes.

2-Performance-Based-Treatment Design, Quality Measurement, Customer Satisfaction-for Rural Programs

• What will the addiction treatment industry face in this new Accountable Care environment's "Pay for Performance Era"? It will be necessary for rural programs to have plans for collaboration, provision of continuums of service levels,  and other important features.

3-Speed Dialing the Future: Real Strategic Planning for Rural Healthcare Providers

• Development of this practical Strategic planning process provides a long term operational road map by defining specific steps about how resources will be utilized in responding to a changing marketplace. In light of uncertain economic circumstances this "Hands On" strategic planning approach provides Rural Programs, Staff and Counselors with examples for creating and executing tactics and managing decisions.