Save the Dates
Social Work Offerings for 2018-19 School Year
Reconciling Ethics & Law in Special Education Evaluations for Emotional Impairment (Psych Series)
MISD
Just what is Emotional Disturbance and what do we do about it? Learn a framework for an ethically-sound approach to special education evaluations for Emotional Disturbance/Emotional Impairment. This fast-paced, information-intensive presentation will provide an overview of (a) the history of an emotional disturbance in research and special education law, (b) case law and federal interpretations regarding students eligibility and need for special education, (c) research related to the key inferences under the law and other controversies, and (d) a framework for approaching psychoeducational evaluation for ED/EI that merges school psychologists ethical obligations, legal requirements, and research-based practice.
Note: This will not fulfill the Ethics requirement for School Social Workers.
Student Problem Solving Process
October 2, 2018
March 28, 2019
Steve Whitmore, Karen Rusniak, Jim Wood & Robin Erkfritz
Do your student problem solving (SPS) meetings feel unproductive? Are you using a process that results in an action plan ... with results? If not, come join us to learn the Oakland Schools student problem solving process. Participants will observe a mock walk-through of the process, and receive information to lead this process in their school district.
Click on the date for registration.
FBA/BIP Level 1: Basic Principles and Team Processes (Hybrid)
October 11, 2018
January 31, 2019
Robin Erkfritz, Karen Rusniak, Steve Whitmore & Jim Wood
Does your behavior support team need help developing Functional Behavioral Assessments and Behavioral Intervention Plans (FBA/BIP)? This hybrid workshop is ideal for educators at a beginner or intermediate level of experience. DAY 1: Using the MiPlace platform, participants will complete REQUIRED online modules with assessments. DAY 2 at Oakland Schools: To learn the FBA/BIP process, participants will work through a case as a team. Please bring a case with detailed data and supporting documents. Because of the collaborative, problem-solving nature of this approach, teams are strongly encouraged to attend. Any individual participants will be assigned to a team.
Oakland Schools offers a hybrid training that consists of 2 portions: web-based AND classroom-based. Participants will first complete the web-based learning which is estimated to take 1 1/2 hours. Participants must complete the online course PRIOR to the classroom-based portion.
After the Crisis: Traumatic Event Crisis Intervention Planning (TECIP)
May 22, 2019 & May 23, 2019
Julie McDaniel
This 2-day TLC course introduces "After the Crisis" management protocols that offer building crisis response teams a proven structure to stabilize the aftermath situation, mobilize resources, accelerate normalization of routine, minimize the adverse impact on student achievement (by restoring adaptive functioning) and facilitate access to more help for the most seriously impacted students and staff.
ASIST – Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
Holly Douglas
Virtually anyone age 16 or older, regardless of prior experience or training, can become an ASIST-trained caregiver. Developed in 1983 and regularly updated to reflect improvements in knowledge and practice, ASIST is the world’s leading suicide intervention workshop. During the two-day interactive session, participants learn to intervene and help prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Over 1,000,000 people have taken the workshop, and studies have proven that the ASIST method helps reduce suicidal feelings for those at risk. Virtually anyone age 16 or older, regardless of prior experience or training, can become an ASIST-trained caregiver. Developed in 1983 and regularly updated to reflect improvements in knowledge and practice, ASIST is the world’s leading suicide intervention workshop. During the two-day interactive session, participants learn to intervene and help prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Over 1,000,000 people have taken the workshop, and studies have proven that the ASIST method helps reduce suicidal feelings for those at risk.
Registration Link coming soon.
Human Trafficking? In Oakland County?
March 25, 2019, or
May 7, 2019
Sara Orris & Susan Benson
Human trafficking has been called a “silent epidemic” and a “hidden threat” to children and adults everywhere. Unfortunately, there is as much misinformation as fact about human trafficking, and separating the two is often a difficult task.
Hear from certified trainers and local experts in the field of human trafficking to learn about what trafficking is, why it seems like more people are talking about it, and what Oakland County is doing to address the issue.
This meets requirements for health professional licensure requirements.
Click on the dates above for registration links.
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) Hybrid Training INITIAL
Face-to-face: March 27, 2019 (online dates: 3/11-3/25/19) or
Face-to-face: April 16, 2019 (online dates: 3/29-4/12/19)
Dr. Karen Rusniak & Dr. Jim Wood
Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NCI) is a safe behavior management system designed to aid professional staff in the management of disruptive and assaultive students. This program may help reduce the risk of injury; comply with legislative mandates; minimize exposure to liability; promote the philosophy of Care, Welfare, Safety, and Security. Oakland Schools offers a hybrid training that consists of 2 portions: web-based AND classroom-based. Participants will have complete the web-based learning which consists of study units and assessments. Web-based learning is estimated to take 3 hours. Participants must complete all units and pass the post-test PRIOR to the classroom-based portion.
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) REFRESHER
March 19, 2019
Dr. Karen Rusniak & Dr. Jim Wood
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Hybrid (NCI) REFRESHER is an effective and engaging staff refresher using a combination of web-based and classroom instruction. This program reviews and builds on core content. The web-based portion of the hybrid refresher takes approximately 1-2 hours to complete. The classroom portion is only a half day.
Click preferred date for registration link.
safeTALK – Suicide Awareness is for Everyone
June 6, 2019
Holly Douglas
safeTalk is a half-day alertness training that prepares you to become a suicide-alert helper. Most people with thoughts of suicide don't truly want to die, but are struggling with the pain in their lives. Through their words and actions, they invite help to stay alive, safeTalk-trained helpers can recognize these invitations and take action by connecting them with life-saving intervention resources. The training features presentation and guidance from a Living Works registered trainer, access to support from a local community resource person, powerful audiovisual learning aids, the simple yet effective TALK steps: Tell, Ask, Listen and KeepSafe, and hands-on skills practice and development.
Click on the dates above to register.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid is a public education program which introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescent, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Mental health First Aid uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis; select interventions and provide initial help; and connect young people to professional, peer, social and self-help care.
Registration Links coming soon.
Community of Practice Sessions for Preschool Social Workers
March 26, 2019- 8:30am-11:30am- Click to register
May 22, 2019- 8:30am- 11:30am- Click to register
Jennifer Champagne, Elaine Tadajewski & Steve Whitmore
If you are a preschool social worker in Oakland County, please join us this August for inaugural community of practice event. In this half day gathering, we will identify the top challenges for school social workers who support children 3 - 5 years in Oakland County. There will be a time for group problem solving as well as a formal presentation of community services.
Restorative Practices
A Community of Restorative Practitioners
November 15, 2018 & April 25, 2019
Julie McDaniel
Network for those engaging in Restorative Practice or those interested in Restorative Practice. This will include professional learning.
To register, please click here.
Restorative Practices: Policies, Protocols and Practices
October 23, 2018, or
April 18, 2019
Julie McDaniel
Restorative practices holds great promise for our schools, from community building and social-emotional skill development to reducing behavior issues and increasing communication skills. Please join us for a 1-day exploration into Restorative Practices, where you will learn the latest policy developments, the foundation of RP and gain experience in formal and informal circles.
To register click here.
Cultivating Empathy and Other Essential Understandings
March 20, 2019 or May 14, 2019
Julie McDaniel
Join us for an evening to explore the power of empathy, humility, gratitude and more. We will share how these protective factors can reduce aggression and can transform both environments and individuals. You will leave with numerous strategies and techniques for increasing the capacity for empathy in your students, your schools and yourselves. We hope to provide an experience that is informative, entertaining, and enlightening.
To register please click on the dates above.
Whole Child Network
January 17, 2019 & April 16, 2019
Christina Harvey & Julie McDaniel
Please join a growing number of Oakland County educators who are focused on the Whole Child. We will share successes and challenges as we integrate social-emotional with academic learning, build cultures that support both students and educators, and strengthen the connections to the greater community.
Registration Link coming soon.
Resilience, Grit and Post-Traumatic Growth
May 9, 2019
Julie McDaniel
Research and current practice urges us to understand the difference between Resilience Grit and Post Traumatic Growth and how we can build these strengths within ourselves and our students.
To register, click on the dates above.
Suicide to Hope: A Recovery and Growth Workshop
TBD
Clinicians and other professional helpers know that encountering suicide is an inevitable and significant part of their work. However, many lack confidence for this role and feel inadequately prepared. Suicide to Hope offers a unique training opportunity to improve helpers’ preparation to provide effective suicide care. Suicide to Hope strengthens hope by aiding recovery and growth in persons with previous suicide experiences who are currently safe. The training provides a sequel to suicide first-aid training that complements and enhances management, treatment and therapy by framing them within a recovery and growth perspective. Suicide to Hope supports clinicians and other professionals helping people understand and work through their suicide experiences toward a better quality of life.
Registration Link coming soon.
TLC Children of Trauma
January 18, 2019
Julie McDaniel
Designed for school and clinical professionals who work with at risk and traumatized children. This course provides content related to grief versus trauma, trauma exposure, trauma to be viewed as an experience rather than a diagnostic category, trauma’s impact on the brain, the Adverse Childhood Experience’s Study and additional information and strategies to support the evidence-based structured sensory interventions TLC developed.
TLC Courageous Classrooms
October 24, 2018
Julie McDaniel
Courageous Classrooms Designed for educators working with students who exhibit problematic behavior, this course builds upon the Circle of Courage® philosophy; providing a framework for implementing its principles in a school setting.
TLC Courageous Connections
March 12, 2018
Julie McDaniel
Designed for direct care staff, youth specialists, para-educators, counselors, social workers, therapists, administrators, and any other caregivers, professionals, or crisis responders working with young people who exhibit problematic behavior, this course builds upon The Circle of Courage® philosophy; providing a set of skills/tools to be used when intervening with individuals in crisis.
TLC Healing the Experience of Trauma
May 16, 2018
Julie McDaniel
This training will present, Healing the Experience of Trauma: A Program for Youth, which was developed for practitioners to use with children who are living in a constant state of toxic stress. Instead of asking a child what happened, it focuses on their lives now. Learn the process of moving traumatized youth between themes of trauma and feelings of connection, resilience and strength. Structured sessions integrate mind-body skills and expressive art activities that provide the child with a platform to be an active participant in their healing.
TLC Structured Sensory Interventions
Karen Gomez
During the Structured Sensory Interventions course, participants will learn trauma-specific intervention tasks and techniques. This is a day of practicing and experiencing the evidence-based structured sensory interventions presented in the Children of Trauma course. Participants engages in encapsulated demonstrations of the major sensory structured processes. Participants will practice interventions to ameliorate survivor reactions, post-traumatic stress and grief reactions in children following violent and non-violent traumatic losses. Participants will also engage in additional activities. A brief presentation of the TLC evidence-based research and outcomes will support value of TLC’s structured sensory programs in schools and districts. Suggested pre-requisite: Children of Trauma course.
TLC The Trauma Informed Schools
November 14, 2018
Julie McDaniel
This course will engage and motivate you to take action on behalf of children, providing the tools you need to put your classroom, school, district and agency on the path to becoming trauma informed.
A portion of the training day will include presentation of the documentary "Resilience", integrated with a guided discussion. The focus will be on the school as the change agent, an interconnected team, including mental health and child care practitioners that supports healthy development of children, ultimately creating a thriving school. Participants will also learn how to find ACE-related programming in their communities and integrate it into practice, while learning and practicing strategies and activities that support nurturing, positive relationships and appropriate learning experiences in a trauma-informed school setting. This course includes the book "10 Steps to Create a Trauma -Informed School".
Steve Whitmore, Social Work Consultant
For more information, please feel free to contact Steve Whitmore via the e-mail or phone number listed below.
Email: steven.whitmore@oakland.k12.mi.us
Website: https://oakland.k12.mi.us/about-us/departments/special-education/Pages/School%20Social%20Workers.aspx
Location: 2111 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Township, MI, USA
Phone: 248-209-2252
Twitter: @oaklandssw