Training and Events Calendar

Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based method for reducing harm and improving outcomes for patients with substance use disorders. This SBIRT training will prepare participants to deliver SBIRT interventions in health care and other settings. In this interactive, instructor-led workshop, you will learn the SBIRT process, practice using SBIRT screening tools, practice administering and interpreting assessments, and understand how to give feedback and make recommendations, including recommendations for treatment.   Note: Participants must complete Motivational Interviewing: Relational Skills (Level 1) and Motivational Interviewing: Technical Skills (Level 2) to be eligible to attend SBIRT. Those who fully attend Levels 1 & 2 will automatically receive an invitation to register to attend Level 3. More info can be found on our MI and SBIRT Training 2024 webpage.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Define the five categories of use on the substance use continuum Explain the rationale for universal SBIRT Understand how to use motivational interviewing to conduct each step of the SBIRT process (screening, brief assessment, and intervention/referral) Administer SBIRT to adult patients Discuss how to conduct patient follow-up after initial SBIRT sessions Describe indications, adverse effects, and dosing for FDA-approved medications for substance use disorders Delineate common barriers to administering high-quality SBIRT systematically to all patients and how to overcome those barriers     CERTIFICATES: Registrants who fully attend this training will be eligible to receive 8 NAADAC-certified continuing education (CE) hours. CE certificates are sent to qualifying individuals via email within two weeks after the event or training.   TRAINER: Richard L. Brown, MD, MPH, is a highly experienced family physician and healthcare leader who is a nationally recognized leader in implementing the "Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment" (SBIRT) program focused on preventing problematic use, abuse and dependence of alcohol and illicit drugs. Dr. Brown has served as a practice-transformation team member for an SBIRT-related project administered by the National Council on Behavioral Health and funded by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Most recently, Dr. Brown served as a market medical director for ConcertoHealth. Previous to that he as professor of Family Medicine and director of the Wisconsin Initiative to Promote Healthy Lifestyles, at the School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison; and CEO and Chief Medical Officer for Wellsys, LLC. Among his many accolades, Dr. Brown is a recipient of several awards including the Hope in Healing Award from the Addiction Resource Council of Waukesha, Wis. He holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Brown University in Providence, R.I., where he also received his M.D. degree. He also earned an M.P.H. degree from the University of Washington, in Seattle, Wash.     The Great Lakes A/MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

When faced with challenges like homework, screen time, food choices, and bedtime, it is helpful for parents to have a plan to address them with consistency. Children who have experienced trauma often respond with reactivity instead of receptivity. Nevertheless, caregivers can foster their children’s ability to be open and curious about the world despite its frustrations and challenges. This is done by specific strategies that initiate the thinking part of the brain, inviting exploration and chance-taking. This class outlines practical parenting strategies to help navigate common situations in the home.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Set boundaries and limits in the home Strengthen insight and empathy Explore the mind body connection Increase tolerance with discomfort   CONTINUING EDUCATION: Registrants who fully attend this training will be eligible to receive 1.5 continuing education (CE) hours certified by the Minnesota Board of Social Work. CE certificates are provided by People Incorporated Training Institute.   PRESENTER: Warren Duncan, BS, has had various roles throughout his career working with households experiencing homelessness and multiple barriers to stable housing. He has worked as direct support staff on mobile teams in Permanent Supportive Housing program across the metro area, assisted in outreach efforts for program participants living on the streets and in shelter, provided outreach to property managers and landlords, connecting them to support services in metro and greater Minnesota communities. He has worked to provide support to a network of supportive housing programs and community organizing among County, State, and local community agencies in Southern and Central Minnesota. He is currently overseeing all programming as Program Director for a Minnesota Nonprofit. Warren enjoys facilitating workshops and has led a number of training sessions. Topics include Building Landlord Relationships, Housing First, Harm Reduction, Navigating Conflict, De-escalation, and Mindfulness. Warren grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and moved to Minnesota shortly after graduating from Iowa State University. He currently lives with his family in the Twin Cities western suburbs. He enjoys drawing, painting, and photography in his spare time. This training is provided by our valued partners at the People Incorporated Training Institute. The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

In this training, Sierra Grandy, JD, will teach therapists and mental health professionals how they may assist clients in navigating their mental health, neurodivergence, and/or disability needs at their place of employment, including practical support strategies and information about ADA accommodations.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Attendees will learn about neurodiversity and its role in the workplace, with a focus on how it relates to ADA accommodations. Attendees will learn about the ADA and how that impacts their work and their client’s lives. Attendees will learn about ADA accommodations and how to guide and support clients in attempting to achieve reasonable accommodations in the workplace.   CERTIFICATES: Registrants who fully attend this event or training will receive a certificate of attendance via email within two weeks after the event or training.   PRESENTER: Sierra Grandy, JD Sierra Grandy is a public speaker, disability advocate, and a law school graduate who is dedicated to promoting neurodiversity awareness and mental wellness. Drawing from her own journey of mental health recovery, Sierra brings authenticity and insight to her speaking engagements, which have many audiences across diverse platforms, including mental health conferences, police intervention trainings, podcasts, and corporate inclusion initiatives. In addition to her speaking engagements, Sierra is deeply involved in advocacy work, serving as Minnesota's Representative on NAMI's Peer Leadership Council and as a council member on Minnesota's State Advisory Council on Mental Health. Her commitment to effecting change within the mental health system is fueled by her lived experience and passion for ensuring equitable access to support and resources for all. Sierra's dedication to advocacy and teaching is complemented by her academic achievements, having recently graduated from law school with a focus on disability and tax law (strange mix—she knows). Her undergraduate degree is in psychology, which she has continued to self-study as she continues her education to better support her advocacy work.     The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

Join us for an enlightening webinar featuring two dedicated community mental health and wellness professionals from Kosciusko County, Indiana. Our speakers, who both come from and work within this rural community, will share their firsthand experiences and expertise in providing mental health support and prevention services. This session will delve into the unique challenges faced by rural communities in accessing mental health care and highlight effective strategies for engaging diverse populations, including Spanish speakers, in these areas.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Explore the specific barriers to mental health care and wellness in rural communities, including stigma, accessibility, and cultural factors. Identify the challenges faced by mental health providers and organizations in rural settings, such as limited resources and workforce shortages. Present successful strategies and programs that have been implemented in Kosciusko County to improve mental health support, prevention, and community wellness. Encourage the development of networks and partnerships to enhance mental health support and services in rural communities.   CERTIFICATES: Registrants who fully attend this event or training will receive a certificate of attendance via email within two weeks after the event or training.   PRESENTERS: Jessica Camarena, BS, Vice President of Programs, Live Well Kosciusko Jessica Camarena is the dedicated Vice President of Programs at Live Well Kosciusko, a small non-profit committed to enhancing the lives of residents in the vibrant community of Kosciusko County. Under Jessica’s guidance, Live Well has helped empower individuals who live, work, or play in Kosciusko to thrive. A dynamic force for positive change, the organization provides essential resources and innovative programs to uplift the community. Jessica is a proud graduate of Wawasee High school and a true local, she carries the spirit of the community in every endeavor. Outside the professional realm, Jessica enjoys exploring nature through invigorating hikes in the Midwest, indulging in DIY crafts, and reveling in quality time with friends and family.   Lauro A. Zuñiga, CCHW, Intake Coordinator, Bowen Center, IU School of Social Work MSW Student Lauro Zuñiga is a Master of Social Work student at Indiana University South Bend and a bilingual mental health professional in northern Indiana. Lauro enjoys working in community mental health, and currently serves as an Intake Coordinator for The Bowen Center’s inpatient hospital in Kosciusko County. This position allows him to be on the frontlines of helping persons experiencing severe mental illness in rural settings. In the past, Lauro has also worked with established and recently arrived immigrants as Director of Immigrant Services at Center for Healing and Hope and as a Parent Liaison for Goshen Community Schools. As the son of Mexican immigrants, Lauro is committed to ensuring mental health services are accessible to Spanish-speakers in rural Hoosier communities, where he has made a home for the past eight years. He hopes to continue contributing to creating solutions for rural communities’ pressing problems by working with stakeholders at the micro, mezzo, and macro level.   The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

Challenging behaviors are a form of communication. Children tend to relay their feelings and needs by acting out rather than explaining. Hospital workers can inadvertently reinforce this pattern by paying close attention to disruptive behaviors while ignoring more desirable ones like playing quietly. While this makes sense for the worker, it can incentivize the creation of drama and angst to get attention. This class describes ways to promote and reinforce calm and pro-social behaviors while setting effective and practical limits when necessary.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Interpret challenging behaviors as communication Describe a communication model for responding Illustrate the communication model with examples   CONTINUING EDUCATION: Registrants who fully attend this training will be eligible to receive 1.5 continuing education (CE) hours certified by the Minnesota Board of Social Work. CE certificates are provided by People Incorporated Training Institute.   PRESENTER: Warren Duncan, BS, has had various roles throughout his career working with households experiencing homelessness and multiple barriers to stable housing. He has worked as direct support staff on mobile teams in Permanent Supportive Housing program across the metro area, assisted in outreach efforts for program participants living on the streets and in shelter, provided outreach to property managers and landlords, connecting them to support services in metro and greater Minnesota communities. He has worked to provide support to a network of supportive housing programs and community organizing among County, State, and local community agencies in Southern and Central Minnesota. He is currently overseeing all programming as Program Director for a Minnesota Nonprofit. Warren enjoys facilitating workshops and has led a number of training sessions. Topics include Building Landlord Relationships, Housing First, Harm Reduction, Navigating Conflict, De-escalation, and Mindfulness. Warren grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and moved to Minnesota shortly after graduating from Iowa State University. He currently lives with his family in the Twin Cities western suburbs. He enjoys drawing, painting, and photography in his spare time.   This training is provided by our valued partners at the People Incorporated Training Institute. The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

Documentation is a source of stress for many mental health professionals. Finding the balance on what to document and how much in a timely manner is an art. In this webinar, participants will explore the “golden thread”, a framework for connecting diagnosis, assessment, interventions, and treatment plans. Key areas for a comprehensive assessment and medical necessity will be explored. Participants will review common mistakes and learn practical times to improve documentation.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1. Review and understanding of documentation standards and common documentation mistakes. 2. Understand the golden thread: tying the diagnosis, assessment, interventions, treatment plan, and clinical plan together 3. Discuss 12 areas of documentation for a through assessment.   CERTIFICATES: All participants who fully attend will receive a CEU Certificate which can serve as a certificate of attendance.   PRESENTER: Leona Jackson, MSW, LISW-S, LICDC, is the Owner of Heart’s Haven Counseling where she specializes in trauma, anxiety, press ion and relationship issues. She received her master’s from Spring Arbor University and received training in EMDR. She has a wealth of experience in mental health starting her career community mental health. She has been a case manager, therapist, and supervisor. She is a licensed independent social worker and a licensed independent chemical dependency counselor in Ohio. This training is provided by our valued partners at the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities.   The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

Imagine a learning environment where every student feels safe, supported, and empowered to learn. In today’s dynamic educational landscape, understanding and addressing trauma is pivotal to fostering an equitable and supportive space for all learners. By building on an understanding of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), this presentation will introduce participations to complex trauma and the impacts on learning. Participants will go beyond theory by diving into practical strategies for implementing trauma-informed practices in the classroom. Educator wellbeing will be explored as strategy to create a trauma-informed learning environment.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Participants will differentiate between trauma and complex trauma. Participants will learn at least three trauma-informed interventions to implement in the classroom. Participants will evaluate their own wellbeing in preparation to implement trauma-informed strategies.   CERTIFICATES: Registrants who fully attend this event or training will receive a certificate of attendance via email within two weeks after the event or training.   PRESENTER: Elijah Jones, MSW, MEd, LISW-S, LICDC, CHES, CDP Elijah Jones (he/him) is a licensed independent social worker, a licensed independent chemical dependency counselor, a certified health education specialist, and a certified diversity professional. He received his BSW and MSW from the University of Toledo and a MEd in Health and Wellness Education for the American College of Education. His experiences includes micro to macro practices having worked in inpatient and community psychiatric crisis, substance use disorder treatment, integrated care, health equity, consulting, and higher education. His passion lives in finding solutions to complex problems while ground his work in trauma-informed care principles, cultural humility, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. He currently works as the Assistant Director of Programs and Services with the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Lucas County, a county government agency response for ensuring a continuum of behavioral health services exists for residents.   This training is provided by our valued partners at the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities.   The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

Communicating feedback to team members in a way that motivates them to improve can be a difficult challenge. Most people dread feedback and automatically think it will be negative. However, given effectively, feedback can help people grow, which is a key part of the supervisory function. This webinar addresses some practical tools to give effective feedback to your direct reports. This class is part of the Leadership Coffee Break Series. Be sure to check out other classes in the series: Coffee Break Series.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe strategies for dealing with high and low performers Outline feedback approaches that focus on building on strengths   CONTINUING EDUCATION: Registrants who fully attend this training will be eligible to receive 1 continuing education (CE) hour certified by the Minnesota Board of Social Work. CE certificates are provided by People Incorporated Training Institute.   PRESENTER: Russ Turner, MA, Director of the People Incorporated Training InstituteDuring Russ’s 16-year tenure, he has written and taught thousands of hours of person-centered curriculum to help people become more effective helpers, communicators, and leaders. His audience includes workers and leaders across a wide range of organizations from human services, healthcare, and libraries, to law enforcement and corrections. He trains trainers, works with management, and has consulted and coached on training projects across multiple sectors of the economy. He has worked as an educator for three decades in a variety of countries and settings including Japan, the Czech Republic, and the UK. His teaching philosophy is that adults learn best when they are challenged, the material is applicable to work situations, and sessions are interactive and engaging.   This training is provided by our valued partners at the People Incorporated Training Institute. The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.