"Mindfulness: Recognize, Recover, Rebuild."

1.5 CEU

LINK TO COURSE

In this experiential presentation, we will connect with our innate capacity of awareness, to recognize where we are right now, what we need to recover and heal, and how we can grow anew from these challenging times. We will explore and experience how these ancient practices might support us to reduce suffering and cultivate peace in our current circumstances.

Trinh Mai, LCSW
Trinh Mai is a clinical social worker (LCSW) and Director of Mindfulness Programs for the Office of Wellness & Integrative Health and the Resiliency Center at University of Utah Health. She is trained as a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction teacher and has also received education in other mindfulness modalities like MORE and Yoga Nidra. Trinh develops and conducts classes and presentations on mindfulness and other wellbeing topics for university employees, community, and corporate partners. She also provides therapeutic individual and group support to employees of the university. Prior to this position, Trinh served in the College of Social Work at the U for 13 years as faculty, specializing in practicum, community engaged scholarship and diversity and social justice. 

"LGBTQ+ Equity, Diversity, Inclusion: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

1.5 ETHICS CEU

LINK TO COURSE

The National Institutes of Health have designated sexual and gender minorities (SGM), also known as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two-Spirit, intersex, and other people who do not “fit” within the traditional heteronormative binaries as health disparate populations. SGM experience significantly higher rates of mood, anxiety, and behavioral/substance use disorders, suicidality among other mental health issues. Emerging evidence indicates that SGM also have significantly higher rates of some chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes. In this presentation Dr. Hoy-Ellis will share how past and ongoing marginalization, exclusion, and discrimination are the ‘causes of the causes’ of these health conditions through the framework of the Health Equity Promotion Model. He will also offer key strategies for providing culturally sensitive, effective services for SGM, from adolescence through older adulthood.

Charles P. Hoy-Ellis, PhD, MSW, LCSW

Charles P. Hoy-Ellis is an Assistant Professor at the University of Utah, College of Social Work. He received his MSW in Clinical/Contextual Practice, and PhD in Social Welfare from the University of Washington, Seattle. Dr. Hoy-Ellis teaches Diversity, Social Justice, and Ethical Reflexive Social Work Practice and Aging Advanced Practice for MSW students. Dr. Hoy-Ellis’ scholarship focuses on the mental health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) people, especially midlife and older adults. He has nearly 20 years’ direct practice experience as a licensed clinical social worker providing services to the LGBTQ community. Dr. Hoy-Ellis was a member of the research team of the Caring and Aging with Pride (CAP) project, the first of its kind federally funded (National Institutes of Health / National Institute on Aging) national study that began to systematically examine the health and well-being of LGBTQ midlife and older adults. The initial CAP project was so successful that it is now an ongoing longitudinal study that continues to explore the health and well-being of LGBTQ midlife and older adults over time – Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, Sexuality, and Gender Study (NHAS) that Dr. Hoy-Ellis continues to collaborate on.

"Behavioral Health Disparities and What to Do."

1.5 CEU

LINK TO COURSE

This presentation will introduce the behavioral health disparities work that the Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) have been conducting over the past 3 years. An introduction into behavioral health disparities, with a focus on why this work is so crucial now. There will then be an overview of the research and the action plan that has been conducted with the public mental health system. Finally, a brief discussion of direct service needs and the important roles that social workers should be playing in this work.

Eric Yoshio Jesús Tadehara, LCSW, MPA
Eric Yoshio Jesús Tadehara is the Assistant Director of Children’s Behavioral Health, Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health. Eric works for the Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health as the Assistant Director of Children’s Behavioral Health. He has worked in the field of social work for the past 13 years in roles including: direct clinical practice working with children, adolescents, youth in transition, and adults with mental health concerns, substance use concerns, and intellectual disabilities; crisis evaluation and management; and behavioral health administration. He is also an adjunct professor at Weber State University. He received his Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, and his Master of Social Work (MSW) & Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah.

"Sexual Competency in the Therapeutic Setting."

1.5 CEU

LINK TO COURSE

How do we create an open, safe, and supportive environment for our clients to discuss their questions, concerns, and curiosities about…sex? Are you as knowledgeable, comfortable, and competent in this very important and underserved subject? Are you sexually competent? This course will cover areas that you should be knowledgeable, be able to talk about (without blushing) and know when to refer when the areas get too heady. Maria Skedros, AASECT certified sex therapist will be presenting six areas in which you should be a “sexually competent” social worker.

Maria Skedros, LCSW, CST
Maria Skedros is an LCSW and Certified Sex Therapist, working in private practice in Millcreek, and an Associate Instructor at the University of Utah, College of Social Work, teaching human sexuality and advanced practice mental health. Her area of specialty is working with individuals and couples that are exploring their sexuality, gender expression, sexual orientation and how their relationship with their social upbringings have impacted their relationship with sex. Maria has worked as a Victims Rights Advocate, is a Yoga Nidra practitioner, and an active facilitator in Women’s Empowerment, helping minoritized individuals regain their personal power and heal from past trauma.

"Addressing Suicide from the Person-in-Enviroment and Social Justice Perspectives."

1.5 SUICIDE CEU

LINK TO COURSE

Suicide may be one of the most challenging issues that social workers address in our professional careers. When facing suicidality in our client populations, we often experience such challenging things as intense responsibility for the lives of our clients, feelings of helplessness or inadequacy, and fears of liability. In this workshop, we will seek to better understand suicide from the eco biopsychosocial - spiritual perspective, that considers the many cultural contexts and developmental dimensions of being human. We social workers traditionally emphasize contextual practice as well as social justice issues, so we will look at suicide both contextually and through a social justice lens, from the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work practice. What makes life worth living for any of us? As we know, it can be both wonderful and challenging to be a human being, and we are all living in an especially challenging time, with such issues as pandemic, climate change, political polarization, and growing inequality of income and wealth confronting all of us. We will explore these local and global issues that humanity faces today with both didactic and experiential learning approaches.

David Derezotes LCSW, PHD
Dr. David Derezotes is a professor at the UofU College of Social Work for 33 years, where he spent many years as Chair of the Practice and Mental Health sequences. He currently is in part time retirement from social work, but continues to direct the Peace & Conflict Studies Program in the UofU College of Humanities and chairs the UofU Senate Advisory Committee on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (SAC-EDI). He currently is in private practice, teaches in the Osher Program, and works as a consultant and facilitator in the community. Dr. Dave also teaches EDI workshops for the UofU undergraduate studies and offers programs on social justice topics for SLCC, Utah Humanities, and KRCL Radio. (As I write this I am thinking that this probably does not especially sound to you like I am actually in part-time retirement). Dr. Dave has written 5 textbooks and is currently working on a 6th book, and he has won many teaching awards, including the UofU Distinguished Teaching Award. Finally, Dr. Dave loves to be outside biking and hiking and can be found wandering on the Colorado Plateau whenever possible.

"Demystifying the Division of Occupation and Professional Licensing: A History of Violations & the Lessons Learned."

1.5 ETHICS CEU

LINK TO COURSE

The Utah Division of Occupation and Professional Licensing can be perceived as unknown entity that plays an important role in the licensing and regulation the social work profession. Some may experience angst when interacting with them.  Through the experiences of the current Social Work Board Bureau Manager and a former board member, we will share and dialogue about insights into Division’s function, most frequently cited violations, and lessons learned.

Tammer Attallah MBA, LCSW
Tammer Attallah has over 25 years’ experience in mental health and substance use disorder services across the lifespan. He holds a master’s in social work and business administration from the University of Utah. Currently, he serves as the Executive Clinical Director for the Behavioral Health Clinical Program at Intermountain Healthcare. Over the last 10 years at Intermountain Healthcare, he also served as the Administrative Director of Behavioral Health Services at Primary Children’s Hospital and then the Director of Community Services for Children’s Health Pediatric Behavioral Health Service Line where he lead a continuum of behavioral health services and more recently he focused in community based service to enhance coordination and continuity. Also, he led multiple programs and initiatives at Valley Mental Health, a tri-county community mental health center serving Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele counties. Additionally, he served on community and state boards to include Salt Lake County’s Council on Diversity Affairs, the Division of Occupation and Professional Social Work Licensing Board. Currently, he serves on National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Utah Chapter Board, Impact Mental Health Board, a nonprofit free mental health clinic treating low-income and the uninsured in Utah, University of Utah’s College of Social Work Community Advisory Board and chairs Salt Lake County’s System of Care Advisory Council. Over the course of his leadership career, he emphasizes the value of delivering evidence based behavioral health care. From this cornerstone, a clear vision and collaboration create innovations that ultimately overcome the barriers those we serve to meet our mission.

Jennifer Falkenrath, BSFC, MLS
Jennifer Falkenrath is a Bureau Manager at the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing who oversees 9 professional licensing Boards. She attended the University of Utah and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Studies, and a Master's Degree in Legal Studies from the S.J Quinney College of Law. She has been licensed as a Pharmacy Technician since 2005 and serves on several advisory committees. 

"Suicide Prevention, Equity and Justice and Public Safety: How Social Work and Law Enforcement Professionals Intersect for Shared Community Response."

1.5 SUICIDE CEU

LINK TO COURSE

The goal of this presentation is to examine the interplay between law enforcement and social workers responding to vulnerable populations with mental health issues. We will examine the benefits of forming law enforcement and social worker mental health partnerships. We will also work to heighten the understanding of how critical the need is for shared community response. Lastly, enhance equity of mental health and suicide response in the field.

Dr. David Parker, PhD, M.Ed, BSW
David's educational and professional background is dynamic and diverse and includes Social Work, Education, and the Performing Arts. His Social Work perspective is at the foundation of his work in each of these areas throughout his career and his life. He earned his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership with a focus on cultural transformation from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh PA. David assists organizations and businesses in aligning their behavior with their stated mission on the way to creating a more inclusive culture. Dr. Parker presents workshops and keynote addresses throughout Utah and the United States. In addition, he co-teachers a dialogue model course in the College of Social Work. Dr. Parker is the President elect for NASW Utah.

Chief Jeff Carr
Chief Jeff Carr started his law enforcement career in 1983 with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office. While at the Sheriff’s Office he worked in patrol, investigations, special operations, SWAT, and was assigned to the planning team that wrote the security plan for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. From 1999 to 2007 he served in senior management positions including Chief Deputy over law enforcement operations and Undersheriff. In 2007 Chief Carr joined the Utah Department of Public Safety as a Major overseeing the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Statewide Information and Analysis Center (SIAC). From 2013 to 2015 he served as the Deputy Commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety. In July 2015, He was appointed as the Chief of Police for the City of South Jordan. In 2020, he was named Police Chief of the Year by the Utah Chiefs of Police Association. Chief Carr holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Brigham Young University and holds undergraduate degrees in Criminal Justice and Business Administration. He is a 1996 graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico Virginia and in 2011 completed the Executive Leadership Program in Homeland Security at the Naval Postgraduate School.in Monterey California.

Detective Benjamin Jensen
Ben Jensen is currently a detective for the Salt Lake Police Crisis Intervention Team. He has been a police officer for 19 years, with assignments such as: field training officer, gang liaison officer, motors officer, and SWAT sniper/operator. Ben has also been an instructor for defensive tactics, baton, taser, and excited delirium. His hobbies outside of work consist of hunting, hiking, and landscape photography.

Karen Montaño, LCSW
Karen Montaño is currently a Social Work Manager for the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Community Connection Team/Crisis Intervention Team. Karen was born and raised in central Utah. She graduated with her Bachelor’s in Psychology from UVU. Received her Master’s in Social Work from Tulane University. After graduation Karen worked for the nonprofit Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans with the immigrant and refugee communities as a Bilingual Clinician. Upon returning to Utah, Karen took the opportunity to work as an LCSW for the SLCPD responding to crisis mental health calls for service. Karen is passionate about integrating clinical skills and workshops into Macro/Mezzo level work and advocacy. In her spare time Karen likes to go dancing, cook, eat food, and dabble in canvas painting.

Nichole Cunha, LCSW
Nichole Cunha, LCSW, brings with her a robust background in crisis management and has a history of providing acute care for clients who have a myriad of challenging concerns and high-risk presenting problems. Nichole has developed numerous crisis intervention programs. Her work emphasizes community-based assessment and treatment, encouraging collaborative management of symptoms and least restrictive environments. Currently she serves as a Crisis Administrator with the Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.

John Evans, LMFT
John Evans, LMFT is a clinical supervisor at Weber Human Services in Ogden, Utah. He helped create the MCOT ( Mobile Crisis Outreach Team) in Weber County and continues to supervise it. John has extensive background in crisis services, civil commitment law, older adult mental health, adult mental health, evidenced based treatment for persons with serious mental illness, and inpatient services. John tries to apply a systemic view to all his clinical work. His clinical interests include Psychoeducation and Multifamily Group Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focus Therapy, Family Therapy, Couples Therapy, Utah Civil Commitment Law, Crisis intervention, and Older Adult treatment. He enjoys creating and implementing new programs and the mentoring and coaching of supervisors and therapists and other staff in these programs. John has a M.A. degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pacific Lutheran University , and is licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Utah.

"Micro-Sourced Wisdom, Macro-Level Impact: How Can Social Workers in Clinical Practice Influence Policy."

1 CEU

LINK TO COURSE

Social workers are experts when it come to the policies that impact their clients. Unfortunately, we’re not always great at communicating that expertise to the legislators who can most directly respond to those policy recommendations. This panel will support busy social workers to understand how best to efficiently and effectively communicate with legislators for maximum influence. We’ll learn from guest lobbyists and legislators about how policy change actually happens, the best approaches for communicating as a constituent, and the value of building low-input, high-impact relationships with decision makers.

Erin Jemison, Elizabeth Garbe &

Rebecca Chavez-Houck, MPA
Rebecca Chavez-Houck, MPA, represented Salt Lake City’s District 24 from 2008-18 in the Utah House of Representatives, where she focused on policy related to health and human services, as well as voter engagement and access. Her leadership appointments included serving as House Minority Whip (2014-16) and House Minority Assistant Whip (2012-14). Rebecca’s passion for supporting a continuum of patient-centered care, including sponsoring Utah’s End of Life Options Act for four years, shepherding expanded resources for caregivers and adult protective services, and strengthening medical interpreter credentialing, is a result of having served on legislative health and human services committees for nearly a decade. Rebecca’s passion for supporting a continuum of patient-centered care, including sponsoring Utah’s End of Life Options Act for four years, shepherding expanded resources for caregivers and adult protective services, and strengthening medical interpreter credentialing, is a result of having served on legislative health and human services committees for nearly a decade. She worked as a public affairs staffer for a number of local Utah nonprofits from 1985 to 2007 and also cultivated a parallel “career” as a board member for a variety of nonprofits, ranging from Planned Parenthood Association of Utah to Intermountain Healthcare. She currently serves on myriad local and national community boards and commissions, including the national Latino Leadership Council for Compassion and Choices, and most recently the Multicultural Advisory Committee of Utah’s COVID-19 Response. She is adjunct faculty for the University of Utah’s Master of Public Administration program and holds a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from eCornell. 

Annika Hunt, LCSW
Annika Hunt is a licensed clinical social worker and the Wing Director of Psychological Health for the 151st Air Refueling Wing of the Utah Air National Guard. She began her position with the UTANG in 2011. As part of the Psychological Health Program, she interfaces with service members , their families and command to deal with mental health and psychosocial stressors facing the Utah Air National Guard. She also serves as a consultant the Air National Guard on issues of mental health and psychological wellness. Ms. Hunt completed a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Utah in 2002. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication, also from the University of Utah. Ms. Hunt has completed a post-graduate certificate in Conflict Resolution and Mediation and has completed two, year-long leadership seminars and has a professional focus on leadership. She is a certified Master trainer of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). She has served as the president of the Utah Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in 2009, served as the Psychological Health Program Field Advisory Council Chair from 2019-2020, and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.