Friday Afternoon Sessions

Speakers :

• Linda Kreitzer, PhD, RSW, Associate Professor, Central and Northern Region, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary
• Nora Smith, BSc, Delburne Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Community Worker
• Karen Fegan, Chief Administrative Officer, Village of Delburne
• Anne Harvey, Community Recreation Coordinator, City of Edmonton

Description : This workshop will build on Tamarack Institute’s four ways to deepen community and will present two Alberta community building projects as examples of deepening community. Hide

Speaker :

• Leilani Farha, MSW, LLB, Executive Director, Canada Without Poverty.

Description : The workshop will use Canada Without Poverty’s Human Rights Guide to Poverty Elimination as a vehicle to discuss how social workers might use a human rights based approach within their work. Hide

Speakers :

• Myrna McNitt, MSW, LSW, Adjunct Professor, Lake Michigan Community College
• Kathleen Kufledt, PhD, RSW, Adjunct Professor, University of New Brunswick

Description : Children in foster care often experience a profound sense of isolation and disruption from their family and community. Participants will learn how to promote the well-being of the child inclusive care practices to assure the child feels connected to a community to call home. Hide

Speakers :

• Rob Poggemiller, BSW, RSW, Caseworker, Continuing Competence Committee (Chair), ACSW
• Bruce Llewellyn, MSW, RSW, Manager, Regulatory Practice, ACSW

Description : This workshop is designed for members who are new to the Alberta College of Social Work. Participants will learn about the history and legislative background to the Continuing Competence Program. This workshop will guide you through your continuing competency program annual portfolio completion, by teaching new user-friendly updates as well as taking time to explore reflective practice. Hide

Speaker :

• Judy Chew, MSW, Phd, RPsych, Director of Training/Senior Counsellor, University of Calgary

Description : Women’s experience of positive friendships with other women is key to health and wellbeing. This workshop explores the complexities and benefits of friendship. Strategies for addressing negative experiences will be shared. Hide

Speakers :

• Liza Lorenzetti, MSW, RSW, Instructor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary
• Joan Farkas, MSW, RSW, Community Social Worker, City of Calgary

Description : This workshop is a place to explore your own inroads to social justice using the Pechakucha as a sharing tool. We invite you to reflect on some key questions, and creat your own narrative based on life-shaping moments that influenced your social work path. Hide

Speakers :

• Kallie Lavoie, MSW, RSW, Children's Mental Health Therapist, Alberta Health Services
• MaryLou Godard, R.Psych, Certified Play Therapist, Children's Mental Health Therapist, Alberta Health Services

Description : This workshop will discuss the infant-preschool mental health program in Medicine Hat and share some "tricks of the trade" for engaging small children in therapy. Hide

Speakers :

• Jean Lafrance, PhD, RSW, Associate Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary
• Bernadette Iahtail, RSW, Executive Director of Programs, Creating Hope Society

Description : Aboriginal fathers are often marginalized by helping systems that deal with their families. We will present the challenges they face and propose practical solutions. Hide

Speaker :

• Dennis Whitford, MSW, RSW, Senior Advisor Aboriginal Services and Special Projects, Northwest Alberta Child and Family Services Authority

Description : This presentation provides a comparison of helping technologies between those that have their roots in Aboriginal cultures and conventional ways of helping that originate from the non-native world view. It demonstrates the merits and advocates for an organizational shift toward incorporating Aboriginal technologies into our human service organizations. Hide

Speakers :

• Noreen Majek, Executive Assistant/Administrative Team Lead, ACSW
• Laurie Nelson, Registration/Online Service Support Analyst, ACSW

Description : Exciting opportunity to learn the “how to’s” of renewing registration, competency, downloadable practice permits and receipts in 90 minutes or less! Plus, the amazing tools offered through the ACSW new software “in1Touch”. Hide

Speaker :

• Jim Toner, SW Dip, RSW, Regional Fostercare/Kinship care Supervisor Specialist, North Central Alberta Child and Family Services

Description : This workshop provides a review of the development of safety standards and the outcome of commitments made to meet those standards through resource allocation within the Ministry of Human Services. What can be done to ensure that standards are upheld? Hide

Speakers :

• Melanie Sawatzky, BSW, RSW, Manager, Support Services, Silvera for Seniors
• Jennifer Burnell, MA, Learning and Development Specialist, UFA Cooperative

Description : Learn how to combine substance and style to create positive and engaging learning experiences for colleagues and clients. The essentials for designing a presentation will be shared. Hide

Speaker :

• David Baxter, MSW, Retired
• Nila Stringer PALSS member formerly the president
• Willow Brocke, M Ed. BSW

Description : Using video and community processes learn how to engage citizens. Develop an understanding of how they may work for you. Water, Water, Everywhere video will be used to illustrate. Hide

Speakers :

• Joy Norstrom, BSW, RSW, Community Social Worker, City of Calgary
• Christine Lee, BSW, RSW, Community Social Worker, City of Calgary
• Neeru Basra

Description : Learn why community grants are effective for strengthening neighbourhoods. Workshop content includes: partnering with residents as co-agents of change, developing leadership, practical tools, sharing challenges and success stories. Hide

Speakers :

• Elsaby Johnstone, BSW, RSW, Mental Health Clinician, Community Disaster Outreach Team, Alberta Health Services
• Debra Armstrong, BSW, RSW, Psychosocial Education and Training (Flood Response), Alberta Health Services

Description : This workshop will support participants to cultivate an understanding of the social work role in psychosocial interventions related to community development and mental health in all phases of disaster. Hide

Speakers :

• Peggy Porisky, MSW, RSW, Emergency Department Social Worker, Alberta Health Services
• Pat Anderson, MSW, RSW, Emergency Department Social Worker, Alberta Health Services

Description : This workshop will walk conference participants through the process of identifying, cultivating and engaging communities in order to support patients in an urban hospital. Hide

Speakers :

• Judi Baron, MSW, RSW, Clinical Social Worker, Private Practitioner
• Liz Hides, MSW, RSW, CT, Clinical Social Worker, Private Practitioner, Healthy Directions

Description : This workshop will focus on the practical management of a private practice. Participants will learn how to build a more effective and successful practice. Hide

Speakers :

• Madan Nath, MSW, Researcher/Organizer Men’s Action Network Calgary, Ethno-Cultural Council of Calgary and Men’s Action Network, Calgary
• Vic Lantion, Internationally educated physician and nurse, Program Coordinator, Ethno-Cultural Council of Calgary
• Abbas Mancey, BSc, Project Coordinator, Calgary Family Services

Description : Preventing domestic violence in the next generation requires changing values, norms and behaviors. Calgary MAN brings together a participatory action research approach and a grassroots community development project aimed at engaging and supporting ethnically-diverse men to build capacity and enhance their roles in violence prevention. Hide

Speaker :

• Mary Valentich, PhD, RSW, Professor Emerita, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary

Description : Viewing of a DVD on Gripton’s 60 year career, with discussion relating to major trends in social work education and practice from 1940s to 2000s. Hide

Speakers :

• Liz Massiah, MSW, RSW, R.Psych, Owner, E. Massiah Consulting, Old Boots Veterans Association
• Lesley Bowness, BSW, RSW, Program Manager Old Boots Veterans Association, Pathways Family Services

Description : Participants will learn 3 characteristics of the Old Boots’ approach to veterans with Operational Stress Injuries. Creative arts techniques will be demonstrated and therapeutic techniques for this population. Hide