984-03-2013 Advocate Fall - Alberta College of Social Workers

Transcription

Volume 38, Issue 3,
Fall 2013
THE
www.acsw.ab.ca
ADVOCATE
A L B E R TA C O L L E G E O F S O C I A L W O R K E R S
Social workers aid flood relief
—See our story on the flooding in southern Alberta, page 33
Photo by / Chris Bolin / www.chrisbolin.ca
Feature story: Social workers aid flood relief page 33
ACSW President Bob Johnson steps down page 8 Calling time out: Children First bill should not be rushed page 14
My journey to find mental health help page 26 DSM-5: social workers should be cautious page 28
A Day in the Life: Bill Swieringa: Self-expression through music leads to empowerment page 30
The Advocate
Volume 38, Issue 3, Fall 2013
FEATURE STORY
Social workers aid flood relief................................. Joan Marie Galat��33
in this
issue
FEATURES
ACSW president Bob Johnson steps down................. Joan Marie Galat�� 8
Journaling at the office......................................... Kathy Archer��25
My journey to find mental health help..................... D.K. Mak��26
DSM-5: social workers should be cautious................. Peter Choate��28
A Day in the Life: Bill Swieringa.............................. Joan Marie Galat��30
NEWS
From our desk to yours.......................................... Charity Lui�� 3
Published by:
The Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW)
550 10707 100 AVE NW, Edmonton AB T5J 3M1
Ph: 780-421-1167/Toll-free (in Alta): 1-800-661-3089
Fax: 780-421-1168/Toll-free 1-866-874-8931
E-Mail: acsw@acsw.ab.ca Website: www.acsw.ab.ca
Exec. Director & Registrar:
Lynn Labrecque King, MSW, RSW
acswexd@acsw.ab.ca
Interim Complaints Director:
Linda Golding, MSW, RSW
acswregulatory@acsw.ab.ca
Manager, Professional Affairs:
Lori Sigurdson, MSW, RSW, acswpac@acsw.ab.ca
Competence Program Coordinator/Hearings Director:
Kelly Brisebois, BSW, RSW
Membership Activities Coordinators:
Heather Johnson, SW Dip, RSW
Charity Lui, BSW, RSW
Finance & Administration Officer:
Gladys Smecko
Registration Coordinator: Brenda Gross
REGULAR FEATURES
New RSWs............................................................ Membership as of July 30, 2013��11
President’s report.................................................. Richard Gregory��12
Executive director & registrar’s report...................... Lynn Labrecque King��13
Social Action/Social Justice: Calling time out:
Children First bill should not be rushed................. Lori Sigurdson��14
Private Practice: Are you prepared?.......................... Stephanie Wellings��18
Diploma Dialogue: Portage College learners
say no to apathy............................................... Bonita Decaire��20
Book Review: Youth Homelessness in Canada............. Peter Smyth��22
U of C Updates: This is the spirit of our community... Eldon Duchscher��24
For Your Information............................................. Announcements��38
The opinions and interpretations expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Alberta College of
Social Workers (ACSW), its editorial board, or contractors. The aforementioned make no guarantee or warranty, either
expressed or implied, about the accuracy or links contained in the Advocate, and are not liable for any direct, indirect,
incidental, or consequential damages that could arise.
All material with bylines is ©2013 by author. ACSW retains copyright when no author is listed.
THE ADVOCATE EDITORIAL POLICY: The Advocate serves as a “meeting place” for Alberta social workers
by publishing information about social work research, theory, practice, and education; professional
affairs; social issues; the work of the College; books, journals, and other media of interest to social
workers; continuing education and job opportunities; and member activities. Members and the public
are welcome to submit articles, stories, anecdotes, poems, thoughts and ideas. Letters to the editor
on topics that have been addressed in previous issues, announcements, cartoons, artwork, and pictures
are also welcome (suggested word counts: reports, letters, announcements — 400-900 words; articles
— max. 1000 words). The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit submitted material. Please call the
ACSW office for a copy of “Writing for the Advocate” before submitting material. Publication does not
imply endorsement by the College.
The Advocate is published quarterly. Deadlines: JANUARY 15 for SPRING issue (March publication), APRIL
15 for SUMMER (June), JULY 15 for FALL (September), OCTOBER 15 for WINTER (December).
ALL SUBMISSIONS:
The Advocate, ACSW, #550, 10707 - 100 Avenue, Edmonton AB T5J 3M1
ATTN: Charity Lui • E-MAIL: CharityL@acsw.ab.ca • PHONE: 780-421-1167 • FAX: 780-421-1168.
2
Executive Assistant / Administrative Team Lead:
Noreen Majek
Promotions Coordinator: Ilona Cardinal, BA, BFA
Administrative Support Professionals:
Monica Vasconez Nearint Neam
Jennifer Vasquez Neetu Dodd Desiree Hurst
ACSW Council:
President: Richard Gregory, MSc, RSW
Vice President: Vacant
Secretary: Barbara McPherson, MA, RSW
Treasurer: Terry Wilson, BSW, RSW
Members at Large:
Cynthia Gallop, MSW, RSW Rick Guthrie, MSW, RSW
Anne-Marie McLaughlin, PhD, RSW Kanakii Mekaisto, BSW, RSW
Richard Shelson, MSc, RSW Timothy Wild, MSW, RSW
Indigenous Social Work Committee Representative:
Kanakii Mekaisto, BSW, RSW
Public Members:
Lyle Berge Marija Bicanic, LLM Austin Mardon, CM
The Advocate is published quarterly for members of
ACSW and other interested parties.
Editorial Board:
Papiya Das, MSW, RSW (Chair)
Leslie MacKinnon, BSW, RSW (Co-chair)
Barbara Beattie, BSW, RSW Jo-Anne Beggs, BSW, RSW
Duane Burton, BSW, MEd Eugene Ip, DPhil, RSW
Tasha Novick, BSW, RSW Peter Smyth, MSW, RSW
Contributing Editor: Joan Marie Galat
Production Editor: Jena Snyder
Design: Kyle Loranger Design
Advertising space is available; please call Ilona
Cardinal at the ACSW office or email IlonaC@acsw.ab.ca
for details or to place an ad. The Editorial Board
reserves the right to reject any advertising.
WINTER 2013 ISSUE DEADLINE: OCTOBER 15, 2013
Canadian subscriptions are $26/year
(outside Canada: $26 US/year) Please notify ACSW
office immediately of any address changes.
ISSN 0847 - 2890
PM NO. 40050109
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO
550 10707 100 AVE NW, EDMONTON AB T5J 3M1
The Advocate • Fall 2013
From our desk to yours
by Charity Lui, BSW, RSW
Charity Lui
One of the ways to stay current in the social work profession is to join the Alberta College of
news
Social Workers’ interest groups. The many benefits include becoming aware of policy shifts and
changes, leading social change, and networking with colleagues. Members who attend meetings
receive Category B credits for their annual competency requirement. The groups below are open
to new members.
•
•
•
The Advocate Editorial Board meets quarterly to review
and plan the Advocate. The next meeting is Tuesday,
September 24 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm at the Faculty of
Social Work, University of Calgary – Edmonton Campus.
For more information or to RSVP for a meeting, contact:
•
charity@acsw.ab.ca for Edmonton and northern
Alberta
The Edmonton Children’s Issues Interest Group is open
to new members once a year. All those interested are
cordially invited to attend the next meeting on Wednesday,
September 11 from noon to 1:00 pm at 11240 79 Street.
•
heatherj@acsw.ab.ca for Calgary and southern
Alberta
•
the ACSW office at 780-721-1167
or toll-free 1-800-661-3089
The Edmonton Gerontological Social Work Interest
Group meets every other month. Their next meeting is
Wednesday, September 11 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm at the
ACSW office: #550, 10707 100 Avenue.
Calgary meetings
Watch the ACSW September electronic newsletter for
September meeting dates and other details on these groups in
Calgary:
•
The Calgary Gerontological Social Work Interest Group
meets once a month for a lunch and learn session.
•
The Social Workers for Social Justice Interest Group
meets monthly on Fridays over lunch hour at the
Sunnyside Hillhurst Community Centre (1418 7 Ave
NW). Their next meeting is September 20, 2013.
•
New group: ACSW would like to start a Children’s
Issues Interest Group in Calgary. Please contact Heather
Johnson, Membership Activities Coordinator – South.
Gerontological Social Work
In their June meeting, the Edmonton Gerontological Interest
Group discussed recent changes in home care delivery and
the impact it will have on clients and the health care system.
Edmonton and Calgary had 72 home care agencies, but that
number has been reduced to 13 due to government policy
changes.
Friends of Medicare, an ACSW social policy partner, recently
shared the following story. A senior found out that her home
care worker, with whom she has had a relationship for the
past five years, was being let go. This particular worker, like
many others, was not employed with one of the agencies that
granted a contract. The senior received two days notice that a
stranger would replace her home care worker.
Her daughter said, “My mom is one tough 86-year-old. She’s a
survivor of Stalin’s brutal WWII labor camps, life as a refugee,
malaria, cancer and so much more; yet facing the loss of her
compassionate, ‘adopted’ care aide has brought my strong, stoic
mom to tears. Living in their precious twilight years, why are
Continued on page 4
Volume 38 • Issue 3
3
in the
Step up, get involved
Continued from page 3
in the
news
thousands of Alberta seniors like Mom burdened with such
mismanaged home care havoc destroying their well-being and
quality of life?”
Public Interest Alberta, also an ACSW social policy partner,
has developed a position paper on home care. Members of the
public are invited to sign on to the recommendations they will
send to government. Public Interest Alberta is planning a rally
at the legislature and other locations across the province on
Grandparents Day, Sunday September 8 at 1:00 pm. Please visit
www.pialberta.org for more information.
Lori Sigurdson on Alberta Prime Time TV
Relational Ethics workshop
On June 10, 2013 ACSW’s Manager of Professional Affairs,
Lori Sigurdson, participated on an Alberta Prime Time panel
regarding the living wage versus minimum wage. A link to the
show can be found on our website under the Current News
section.
Workshops
Workplace Bullying Experienced by Social Workers
Edmonton Area Coordinators hosted two workshops. On May
24, 2013, Linda Rae Crockett, MSW, RSW, led an engaged
audience in Workplace Bullying Experienced by Social Workers. She
shared results from a 2012 Canadian workplace bullying survey
encompassing 552 full-time Canadian employees, of which 45
percent said they were bullied. During her field placement at
ACSW, Crockett created a toolkit that can be accessed in the
Practice Resource Section of the ACSW website.
L to R: Sandra Alton and Eugena Rempel-Witten at the Relational Ethics
workshop
Relational Ethics: Working in the Third Space
Duane Massing, PhD, RSW, and Sandra Alton, MSW, RSW,
of Grant MacEwan University explored theory and practice
in their workshop, Relational Ethics: Working in the Third Space,
on June 5, 2013. More than 40 participants listened intently
and asked questions. Role plays performed by the speakers and
Eugena Rempel-Witten, SW Dip, RSW, assisted participants
in understanding the day-to-day clinical implications of third
space. Look for the PowerPoint presentation on the ACSW
website in the Social Workers, Member Services, Edmonton
Area Coordinators section.
Flood victims with TD Insurance
ACSW is one of TD Insurance’s affiliated members. Gary
Dunne, senior vice president sales and distribution, announced,
“Given the extent of the devastation and the hardship that
many of our customers are experiencing as a result of the
flooding, TD Insurance will pay sewer back up losses from
this event according to the endorsement and its limit, even if
the premises were impacted by overland flooding.” For more
information, contact Gary at 416-983-6302.
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• In Memoriam •
Marie Macdonald was an extraordinary lady who, in 1969, was successful in
convincing the powers to be at the Edmonton General Hospital that a Social Work
Department was required to attend to the non-medical challenges of the patients.
I met Marie a few years later at a staff shower. I don’t remember much about the
party but I do remember Miss Macdonald—a gracious, charming, witty, exquisitely
dressed lady, highly respected by all.
Marie was admired for her tenacity, her ability to fight for the rights of the patients
and her steadfast support of her staff. Debbie McGinley, a social worker in the
1980s now living in North Carolina, remembers having a terminally ill patient at
the General, where there was no room for his wife to stay with him. With Marie’s intervention, a room was found and
his wife was able to be with her husband until the very end. Along with others, Esi Zion described Marie as a pioneer in
hospital social work, a lady full of integrity and willing to take risks.
Marie Macdonald
In 2004, Marie was honored in a reception celebrating 35 years of the Social Work Department. Marie was a strong
supporter not only for her patients and staff but also for the profession of social work, as recognized by a feature article in
the Advocate highlighting her medical social work career. She was insistent that social work be represented in the hospital
multi-discipline team. She worked on several committees, contributed to the monthly newsletter, and most recently had
been an active member of the ACSW Retired Social Workers committee. After her formal retirement, Marie’s passion for
social work was unending. How many times have many of us answered the phone to have Marie request our assistance
with a patient in hospital having difficulty with placement.
Marie rarely blushed but in 1985, she authorized a 65th birthday party for Yvonne Stainton on the 9th floor in Youville.
We were having a wonderful time only to hear “Huff, puff, puff ” and the stair door opened with 10 firemen ready to
douse the candles. Blushing from ear to ear, Marie offered them a piece of cake.
Marie had a strong Catholic faith and this helped to sustain her over the difficult times. She used to attend Mass daily and
strongly believed in prayer to seek spiritual guidance and comfort.
There are numerous definitions for Marie—a social work manager par excellence, a beautiful lady who never lost her
beauty, a warm, caring friend and relative, a respected colleague, a dedicated soul who has blessed all those she knew, a
person whose life was devoted to serving others. Perhaps I will leave you with the way Debbie remembers Marie, as “the
tiny lioness.”
A loving farewell, Marie. We shall miss you enormously.
— By Jean Lawson, RSW
5
news
To many of her social work colleagues, Marie was fondly known as “Miss
Macdonald.”
in the
Marie Estelle Macdonald
1928 - 2013
• In Memoriam •
in the
news
Frank Bach
September 5, 1926 - July 18, 2013
Frank was one of five children born to a farming family in Castor, Alberta. At the age of nine, during the Great
Depression, he moved with his family to Vancouver.
He completed an undergraduate degree in Social Work at Gonzaga University and graduated with an MSW from the
University of British Columbia in 1959. He moved to Calgary, where he became a mentor, educator and leader in the
social work community. He was a founder and director of the Calgary Catholic Family Service until 1968 when he joined
the newly established School of Social Work at the University of Calgary, and also served as Vice president of the Canadian
Association of Social Workers. He was active in the Calgary community as a volunteer soccer coach, president of the swim
club and member of many voluntary sector Boards.
Frank and the love of his life, Bette B, together raised eight children and were grandparents and great-grandparents to
many more. Frank appreciated the world around him, both the small wonders and the grand adventures. He introduced his
young family to hiking in the Rocky Mountains. In 1975, Frank and Betty B took their eight children on a six-month trip
around the world to the Balkans and the Middle East. In retirement, he travelled widely to Australia, Africa, Asia, the South
Pacific and Europe. He was an avid reader and a life-long learner. Even in his seventies he took up photography, piano and
tai-chi. He was a man of deep faith who was involved in his church, church choir and his parish community. Although
Frank was a quiet man, he loved to entertain the people around him. He loved dancing and singing and in his later years
was an amateur magician to his grandchildren. A raconteur of some notoriety, he was never afraid to embellish the truth.
His children and his grandchildren still believe he single-handedly captured Slippery Sam.
Frank was a wise, appreciative and gentle man whose empathy was valued by his family, friends, students and colleagues. He
lived with hope and sought harmony. He made us laugh. He lived a rich and wonderful life.
n Area Coordinators Retreat: Thursday, October 24, 2013
n Edmonton Holiday Social: Thursday, November 28, 2013
n Calgary Holiday Social: Wednesday, December 4, 2013
n Social Work Week in Alberta: March 2 - 9, 2014
n ACSW Annual Conference, Edmonton Shaw Conference Centre: March 20 - 22, 2014
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Kelly Brisebois presents at ASSIST Community Services
ACSW’s Competence Program, Coordinator/Hearings Director, Kelly Brisebois, BSW, RSW, presented at the International
Social Workers Monthly Meeting for Job Seekers July 11, 2013. Organized by Abhirami Padmanabhan, RSW, the meeting was
held at Edmonton’s ASSIST Community Services Centre—an immigrant settlement agency and attended by 16 internationally
trained social workers. The presentation on ACSW’s professional competency requirements was useful and informative.
in the
news
Kelly Brisebois from ACSW at the ASSIST Community Services Centre speaking with
Mariam Faiza RSW. Photo courtesy Abhirami Padmanabhan.
A group of internationally trained social workers at the ASSIST Community Services
Centre. Photo courtesy Abhirami Padmanabhan.
Advocate editor wins award
The Writers Guild of Alberta presented author Joan Marie Galat, editor of
the Advocate, with the R. Ross Annett Award for children’s literature for The
Discovery of Longitude. Recognition for the book, a nonfiction title published
by Pelican Publishing Company, included a leather bound copy of the book
and $1500, presented at the Alberta Book Awards.
Administered by the Writers Guild of Alberta, the 2013 award also
honoured the late Mary Woodbury. She inspired countless writers through
her books, workshops, and publishing company, as well as through
her involvement in the Writers Guild of Alberta and numerous other
organizations.
Congratulations, Joan!
Claire Woodbury presents Joan Marie Galat with the R. Ross Annett
Award for Children’s Literature at the 2013 Alberta Literary Awards
in Edmonton, May 25, 2013. Photo courtesy Jacob Bos.
ACSW is on Facebook and Twitter!
Like the Alberta College of Social Workers: facebook.com/AlbertaCollegeofSocialWorkers
Like The Calgary Social Workers for Social Justice: facebook.com/CalgarySocialWorkersForSocialJustice
Follow Alberta College of Social Workers: twitter.com/ACSWSocialWork
7
news
in the
ACSW president Bob
Johnson steps down
Joan Marie Galat
By Joan Marie Galat, Advocate Editor
Active on ACSW Council since 2006, first as a council member, then as vice president, Bob Johnson,
MSSW, RSW, became president when Randy Harris stepped down. He was later elected as president, a
position which he held for three and a half years.
If thinking of getting involved in ACSW politics, consider the satisfaction this role brought outgoing
president, Bob Johnson. His various roles allowed him to meet social workers across Alberta, Canada, and
the United States. He gained valuable opportunities to compare notes on best practices, establish key
professional relationships, and best of all, bring what he learned back to his immediate community—the
social workers of Alberta.
Johnson describes the past ten years of his
involvement on council and committees
as challenging, stimulating, and personally
rewarding. “What I enjoyed most was achieving
that global perspective of the profession. It
was an incredible time and I worked alongside
a very interesting, diverse group of people.
We didn’t always agree and sometimes it was
uncomfortable but the debate and stimulation
were meaningful. I don’t regret my involvement
at all.”
Looking back, Johnson is pleased with his
participation on the recruitment committee,
which saw Lynn Labrecque King hired as
executive director and registrar. He describes
the most controversial issue his tenure faced
as the process which saw the ACSW leave
the Canadian Association of Social Workers
(CASW). “We worked incredibly hard to make
a good decision on the part of the membership
Continued on page 9
Bob Johnson
Joan Marie Galat in the author of Give Yourself a Pep Talk and the newly updated
Day Trips from Edmonton (www.joangalat.com).
8
“
I want to devote my time to doing better in [my contract work] and spending time
with my grandchildren. I’m going to be 65 this year, so maybe it’s time to let some
in the
”
younger social workers get involved.
news
and even though there are members
who profoundly disagree, I felt the
elected members of council made
a well-founded decision. It wasn’t
arrived at lightly.”
Along with the rest of council
and ACSW staff, Johnson was
instrumental in the formation of
the Canadian Council of Social
Work Regulators (CCSWR)—a
collaboration of all the social
work regulatory bodies in Canada,
established to focus on the
profession’s legislated component.
“We worked hard with our
counterparts in other parts of Canada
to make the organization viable.”
Lynn Labreque King and Bob Johnson at the recent ACSW Conference in Calgary
Johnson’s period as president saw
council address membership activities,
advocacy, and social action-social justice. “Sometimes I think
I could have done more in that area. My focus as president
was the regulatory part of the organization and serving
as the first-line connection for the executive director and
registrar to council.
protection of the public is paramount in our profession and
the regulatory process is key to ensuring that goal.”
Active with the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB),
Johnson served as ACSW’s delegate at annual meetings, as
well as on the Nomination Committee recruiting candidates
for the board of directors and Program and Education
Committee, which put together an annual conference to
provide staff and professional development opportunities for
the ASWB.
“The organization has done an incredibly good job of
balancing membership interests with the regulatory side,
which is our mainstay. Unfortunately, it doesn’t necessarily
have the same curb appeal. People don’t like having to do
all the paperwork around maintaining their registration,
which is seen as less important than social action but both
are essential. I do know people’s eyes would fog over when
we talked about regulation! The reality is, I believe, that
He notes that the ongoing challenge for council is balancing
the connection between the membership and regulatory sides
of the organization. “The current staffing component and
Continued on page 10
9
Bob Johnson steps down
in the
news
executive director are doing a phenomenal job of making
changes. Former vice president Richard Gregory is now at
the helm and he is very capable and incredibly committed to
the profession. I know he’ll do a great job.”
A social worker for 42 years, Johnson is stepping down
from his ACSW volunteer commitments to allow time
for his contract work with Corrections Services Canada,
the Law Enforcement Review Board, and Alberta
Education Attendance Board. “I want to devote my time
to doing better in those areas and spending time with my
grandchildren. I’m going to be 65 this year, so maybe it’s
time to let some younger social workers get involved.” n
“
… protection of the public is
paramount in our profession and the
regulatory process is key to ensuring that
goal.
”
Bob Johnson has a long-standing history of participating
in activities related to the ACSW. As vice president of
ACSW Council, he stood in for then-president Randy
Harris at the 2009 conference to deliver the ACSW
portion of the statement from the profession. This
acknowledged the historical role social workers played
in activities that negatively impacted Aboriginal
communities and individuals. Bob demonstrated a
strong, quiet leadership style that provided a balanced,
level-headed approach to ACSW Council discussions.
— Rod Adachi, MSW, RSW
former ACSW executive director and registrar
(retired)
Bob is an individual of great personal integrity,
wisdom, and commitment. It has been an honor to
work on council under his leadership.
— Richard Gregory, MSc, RSW
ACSW president
I’ve enjoyed working with Bob and appreciated his
support and commitment to social workers and all
ACSW committees. Along with our colleagues at the
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and Canadian
Council of Social Work Regulators, where he held office,
we wish Bob all the best. He will be missed.
—Lynn Labrecque King, MSW, RSW
ACSW executive director and registrar
10
New RSWs
Membership as of
July 30, 2013: 6,903
Joshua Nicolas Leffelaar
Scott Bradley Reid
Emma Elizabeth Lehmann
Tara Chase Robertson
Sam Nels Leibel
Tiffany Marie Roy
Riley C. Lendrum
Crystal Marceda Rye
Heather Melissa Freeman
Kya Jehane Leydier
Sharon Dianne Saby
Jacqueline Dawn Allen Miller
Louise Roberta Gagne
Carla Rae Liepert
Silifat Adebukola Saliu
Michael Jeorge Atip
Kelly May Gallagher
Katelyn Tara Litwinow
Soloman Sam
Nicole Heather Bastien
Roberta Leigh Gardiner
Megan Kristina Logan
Neisau Maria Sampson
Kala Morgan Beers
Kalinda Marie Gauthier
Margaret Eileen MacCormac
Manuela Santos-Dalekos
Haley Brianne Beisel
Kathleen Theresa Gauthier
Carla Dawn MacDonald
Haley Elizabeth Schmermund
Reiza Jocelyn Belzil
Alaynee Rae Goodwill-
Tennille Stevie Makinaw
Kasey Schnerch
Katherine Alice Markin
Amanda Rose Scott
Chelsea Carolyn Bembridge
Littlechild
Lauren Kimberley Bennett
Denise Nicole Green
Natasha Masciantonio
Rincy Sebastian
Scott Gordon Birkett-Roberts
Mikaela Brynn Jenkins Grigg
Patience Matute-Ewelisane
Janelle Jaclyn Seutter
Stacy Dawn Bodnar
Cassandra Haig
Brandi-Lynn Karen McClaflin
Lorna Anne Shackelly
Francia Cabrera Bodoso
Kylie Anne Hamilton
Neha Bhavin Mehta
Susan H. Shores
John Chuol Bol
Harprit Kaur Hans
Lori Ann Morrison
Sandra Sofalvi-Wiscombe
Lindsay Kathryn Bonnell
Erin Leslie Harwood
Cheri Janette Morrison Judson
Katyanna Marie Booth
Jennifer Louise Heaton
April Michelle Moss
Guida Goncalves Branco
Grace Carolyn Henry
Angela Lynn Mulvey
Jordan Kayleigh Burness
Angela Jessica Hick
Margaret Mupanguri
Daniel Castiello
Stacy Elizabeth Hill
Heather Lynn Murray
Hanumica Cehajic
Katelyn Thea Hoogendoorn
Nsombe Mvuezolo
Callista Meredith Chasse
Shaman Ishak
Ryuichi Nakashima
Bailey Anne Chilliak
Jaison James
Boban Thomas Nedumparambil
Stacie Marie Clark
Christina Sara-Maria Jarvis
Shaun Ryan Colwell
Jwalana John
Alexandra Morgan Nemeth
Paula Ann Cornell
Jisha Johnson
Amanda Joy Nickerson
Jennifer Alicia Crete
Kathleen Rebecca Joseph
Jennifer Dawn Nilsson
Crystal Rosanne Croft
Margaret Frances Joyce
Michael Christopher Orsini
Laura Lynn Cunliffe
Anita Kante
Amanda Rose Orsten
Caitlin Elizabeth L. Cushing
Imzan Karamath
Martin Franco Osuru
Michael Rhys Davies
Brendan Alexander Kearns
Jennifer Elizabeth Page
Andrea Brenda Davis
Kathleen Grace Kelly
Yeon Ok Pak
Bonita Louise Davis-Schmitz
Shahriyar Khan
Baiju Pallicka Vareed
Leah Marie Dawson
Megan Katherine Kingdon
Kim Laura Pangracs
Cheryl Carolin Deynaka
Josephine Dianne Krenzler
Laura Margaret Pattison
Roger Marcel Dinelle
Robins Kurian
Jose Paul
Vida Narki Drah
Sineesh Kuruvilla
Heather Midori Pautler
Emmanuel Dumbi Mbungu
Jennifer Carmen Kwan
Julia Norton Peirce
Evert Dzemua
Steffi J. Kynoch
Karly Evelyn Liza Phippen
Stewart Garrett Edwards
Michelle Ashley Laboucan
Martha Isobel Pierce
Erin Nicole Elphinstone
Jerri-Lynn Marie Laitre
Meagan Lynn Plamondon
Brianne Mackenzi Erichsen
Mireigh Nicole Lamarche
Sheena Marie Pond
Iniobong Joseph Essien
Marie-Eve Lamothe-Gascon
Reshmi Madhu Prasad
Marthe Yngreed Fevrier
Cindy Jane Lang
Cesia Pulunto
Jason Robert Fischer
Kim M. Lauscher
Catherine Jane Raynard
John
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Michael Robert Sommerfeld
Ashley Marie Sparke
Rania Spitula
Gaurang Srivastava
Katherine Anne St Antoine
Charles Brodie Stenhouse
Abraham Stephen Jr
Maria Therens
Amanda Leeanne Theriault
Emily Thomas
Carolin Thompson
Sreekanth Thrukkekunnel Raj
Adam Joseph Alvin Tomasta
Kelsey Priscilla Lynn Trevors
Ashley Nicole Vaksdal
Trisha Joy Van Diepen
Becky VanTassel
Renata Fraga Barbosa Vieira
Kaylee Julia Villadsen
Sandra Monica Villanueva Abac
Elena Mikhailovna Vinarskaia
Kun Wang
Nicole Lindsay Wardin
Jamie D.K. Warrack
Ria Janelle Warren
Kyla Dawn White-Delorey
Karman Wong
Cassandra Jean Wuerth
Jasmine Yip
Margaret Lai Yu
news
Megan Janelle Francisco
Holly Jennifer Allen
in the
Samuel Omane Agyapong
President
regular
feature
Richard Gregory, MSc, RSW
President’s report
Richard Gregory
At the time of writing this report I am still quite new in the role of president for the Alberta College of Social Workers
but am pleased to contribute to the Advocate in my new role. I begin by acknowledging Bob Johnson for his many
contributions to ACSW while president.
As per our bylaws, with Bob’s resignation, as vice president
I assume the role of president. Council will choose a new
vice president from existing council members at our next
scheduled meeting in September. We will then work with the
Nominations and Recruitment Committee to fill the vacancy
that will be left when a council member moves into the role
of vice president. Whoever fills that position will serve out
the rest of that term, which will last either until the 2014 or
the 2015 AGM. In spite of these transitions, it is business as
usual.
look at the continued work of the organization. This process
reiterated that social workers are doing great things across the
province and we can be very proud of this work.
The office of ACSW has also been in transition. As we
have gone through renovations, new staff, and the day-today challenges of ongoing, it is important to acknowledge
the work being done by Lynn and the staff of ACSW. We
are fortunate to have a committed and hard-working team
working for, and on behalf of, our members.
I look forward to serving the Alberta College of Social
We started the Membership Consultation Process at the end
Workers as president. I invite your comments and questions.
of May. Through it, I have had the privilege of meeting with
You can contact me at president@acsw.ab.ca. n
social workers from across the province. It has been a great
experience for me and I’m thankful for all who participated
in the meetings and those who took the time to complete the
survey online. Your feedback and ideas are important as we
Thank you to all who participated in the face-to-face
Member Consultation Sessions across the province!
The Member Consultation survey closes as the end of
August. In our winter issue more information regarding
the feedback received will be provided.
Slave Lake Consultation Session: Sylvia Pratt, area coordinator, is on the far right
High Prairie Consultation Session
Grande Prairie Consultation Sessions. L to R: Marci Copes-Genereux, Christine
Ayling, Irene Gladue and Cheryl Bjorklund
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Executive director
& registrar
Lynn Labrecque King, MSW, RSW
Lynn Labrecque King
individuals who regularly give their time and energy to attend meetings, participate on committees, and make decisions
about our organization’s governance. I appreciate working closely with council members and respect the important part
they play for our collective.
Alberta flooding
The summer has been a difficult one for many of our
members and neighbours. ACSW assisted in communicating
information about opportunities to assist during flooding in
Southern Alberta. Our thoughts and prayers continue for all
those affected by flooding and storms. Please see our cover
story on the flooding, page 33.
Project news
This spring, ACSW Council launched a project called Member
Consultation 2013, with the objective to consult membership
on a series of topics where the priorities are chosen by
members themselves. Staff stepped up to assist with material
preparation, session logistics, and online opportunities for
members to contribute.
Drop by and see the office renovations, which have continued
throughout summer. You will find a new reception area to
greet you, as well as a central administrative team working
area. A great opportunity to visit is the council’s Meet and
Greet event at 7:00 pm, September 12, 2013. Meet and greet
events, held Thursday evenings before Friday council meetings,
are an opportunity to meet with council and guests on issues
of importance to social workers. n
Lynn Labrecque King is the Executive Director and Registrar for ACSW. You can
contact her at LynnLK@acsw.ab.ca if you would like to share your thoughts on this
or any other topic.
Announcement & welcome
In follow up to last year’s Flourishing in Child Protection
research, Lori Sigurdson is leading a special project on
additional work to examine factors that contribute to
wellness and healthy supervisory relationships in the field of
child protection. We are excited to once again work with
Dr. Val Kinjerski, Kaizen Solutions, in collaboration with
the Ministry of Human Services, and expect initial results in
spring 2014.
Manager Regulatory Practice
ACSW is pleased to welcome Sheryl Pearson, MSW,
LLB, RSW, and Bruce Llewellyn, MSW, RSW, to the role
of “Manager, Regulatory Practice.”
Sheryl and Bruce will work together in this key
role for supporting ongoing development and
practice excellence for social work practitioners and
implementing regulatory processes related to licensure
standards. Sheryl begins her duties effective August 22
while Bruce will join us October 22, 2013.
Meetings and Greetings
The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) spring
meeting focused on continuing competence programs and
examining the components that contribute to programs
that are meaningful and feasible. Highlights and links to
session summaries were shared with the ACSW Competency
Committee.
Welcome Sheryl and Bruce!
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Service to the profession of social work in Alberta can be observed in many different ways. Our council is made up of
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Executive director & registrar’s report
Social Action/
Social Justice
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Lori Sigurdson, MSW, RSW
Lori Sigurdson
Calling time out:
Children First bill should not be rushed
By Lori Sigurdson, ACSW Manager, Professional Affairs . Reprinted with permission. Edmonton Journal, May 15, 2013.
While the new Children First Act appears to contain some steps forward in the oversight of child intervention services
in Alberta, there are numerous unanswered questions regarding the shift in delegated responsibilities, the lack of
consultation, and the speed with which the legislation is being pushed through.
The shift in delegation from the director to the front-line
child intervention worker is especially concerning.
We know there are significant workplace issues in child
protection, including the high rate of staff turnover. Recent
statistics indicate 50 percent of the workers have been
employed for two years or less.
A high percentage of staff is on medical leave because of
myriad workplace issues. Staff consistently report they are not
supported by management and organizational change is not
managed or communicated well.
High caseloads and a lack of resources only exacerbate these
difficulties.
Child intervention workers are recruited from many
backgrounds. Sixty per cent of employees are not registered
social workers.
Moving the authority and responsibility for important
decisions to front-line intervention workers could
inadvertently put vulnerable children at further risk. The
director must retain authority and responsibility so that the
system continues to ensure accountability for the safety of
children at every level.
Lori Sigurdson, MSW, RSW, is Manager, Professional Affairs, at the
Alberta College of Social Workers.
Children and families in the child welfare system have
significant challenges that are not easily overcome. Will the
front-line child intervention worker be solely responsible
when things go wrong?
Another concern regarding the transfer of authority and
responsibility to the child intervention worker is the
extremely broad definition ascribed to this worker.
While well-intentioned, some child intervention workers
might lack the necessary experience and education to
make the best decision in the interests of the child they are
representing.
Will a worker be employed by contracted agencies? The
vagueness of the definition indicates this could occur.
Making substantial decisions about the health and wellbeing
of vulnerable children is an authority and responsibility the
government has been entrusted with and must retain.
While Human Services Minister Dave Hancock indicates
he consulted with various professional organizations before
drafting this legislation, the Alberta College of Social Workers,
the professional association for social workers in the province,
was not consulted.
As social workers, we have a unique role in working with
vulnerable individuals in the province, whether they are
children, seniors, or Albertans living in poverty.
14
Social Action/
Social Justice
“
Will the front-line child intervention worker be solely responsible when things go
”
—Lori Sigurdson
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wrong?
What is being changed is the need to go back up into the
organization to seek approval from the director, who often
does not know the children involved or their individual
circumstances as well as the front-line worker.
Our final concern is the speed with which Bill 25 is being
pushed through the legislative assembly. It was first introduced
May 7 and has already passed second reading. It will likely pass
third reading this week. (Editor’s note: Third reading was passed
May 14.)
Enabling staff to have the ability to make the right decisions in
a timely manner, with the support of their supervisor, will go
a long way to achieving positive outcomes. It is also important
to remind everyone there are checks and balances in the
child intervention system—including the courts—to ensure
We need to slow down and make sure this legislation is indeed the right decisions are being made in the best interests of the
child.
in the best interests of children.
The Alberta College of Social Workers is hopeful the
government will reconsider its decision to put this legislation
forward until there is proper consultation with the workers
currently serving children and their families.
We all want to put children first in Alberta. We need to step
back and work together to make that happen. •
Helping front-line staff to make timely
decisions to protect kids
Re: “Calling time out: Children First bill should not be
rushed,” by Lori Sigurdson, Letters, May 15.
By Dave Hancock, Minister of Alberta Human Services
Reprinted with permission, Edmonton Journal May 30, 2013
When dealing with at-risk children, an unnecessary delay
puts them at greater risk. With this legislative change, families
will clearly understand that decisions are being made by their
caseworker and not by someone who may know very little
about them personally.
Our qualified child intervention staff will continue to have the
same duties, powers, and decision-making abilities they have
today. They will just not have to wait for someone else to tell
them it is okay to make a decision that is in the best interest
of the children they serve.
Sigurdson seems to think that having the same post-secondary
credentials is the overriding key to providing better outcomes
for children. Being a registered social worker is certainly
indicative of professional credentialing and we are committed
to ensuring our child intervention workers have appropriate
education.
Concerns raised about the Children First Act fall into three
main areas: delegated responsibilities, the speed with which the
However, it does not on its own automatically instill someone
legislation is being passed, and a lack of consultation.
with the caring, compassion, concern, knowledge and
Front-line workers are already delegated the ability to make
commitment that our child-intervention workers show every
front-line decisions in a collaborative team approach with
day.
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the support and direction of experienced and dedicated
supervisors and managers. This only makes sense.
We take our responsibility to protect and promote the
wellbeing of these individuals very seriously, which is
why we have all earned post-secondary education in our
field to ensure we meet the highest standards of care and
professionalism. We follow a professional code of ethics and
standards of practice. We are accountable for our work.
Calling time out
“
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That is not to say we do not have a concern about
qualifications. It is incumbent on government to ensure our
staff continue to be supported, trained, and developed so they
are prepared to be designated as child intervention workers.
There will be enhanced transparency and collaboration as
we consult further on developing regulations. Through this
process we will define what a qualified child intervention
worker is and consider ways to better support our front-line
staff.
What is being changed is the need to go back
up into the organization to seek approval from the
director, who often does not know the children
involved or their individual circumstances as well
as the front-line worker.
—Dave Hancock
Finally, I want to address concerns that the Children First Act
is really an attempt to privatize the care of children at risk
and that government is moving too fast.
”
There is important government staff training to be done and internal change management processes to be put in place to
ensure smooth implementation on the front lines. It is only at that point the sections will come into force and the legislation
proclaimed.
The Children’s Charter created by the act will be the lens we look through in evaluating all policies, procedures, and approaches
for protecting children.
Consultations during development of the Children’s Charter will be an excellent forum for Sigurdson and her organization, the
Alberta College of Social Workers, to bring forward their ideas and concerns. •
What is best for children
Re: “Helping front-line staff to make timely decisions to protect kids,” by Dave Hancock, Letters, May 31.
By Rod Adachi, Edmonton
Reprinted with permission. Edmonton Journal, June 4, 2013
Human Services Minister Dave Hancock’s comments about social work credentials raise grave concerns for professions and
post-secondary institutions.
Post-secondary credentials form the basis for professional practice. Alberta’s Health Professions Act requires some 30 professional
regulatory colleges to ensure health practitioners comply with professional standards that include holding recognized postsecondary credentials. And post-secondary institutions that
offer professional training are obligated to conform with
One would hope Hancock would serve “the
accreditation standards.
The intent of this combination is to best serve and protect
the public interest.
One would hope Hancock would serve “the best interests of
the child” by recruiting the most qualified professional social
workers to work with Alberta’s most vulnerable children. •
“
best interests of the child” by recruiting the most
qualified professional social workers to work with
Alberta’s most vulnerable children.
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— Rod Adachi
”
“
I urge [Hancock] to sit down with the broadest possible range of social work professionals, the
college, and social work educators to tap their vast wisdom. Families and children deserve no less. ”
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— Duane Massing
Why discount credentials?
Re: “Helping front-line staff to make timely decisions to
Re: “Helping front-line staff to make timely decisions to
protect kids,” by Dave Hancock, Letters, May 31.
protect kids,” by Dave Hancock, Letters, May 31.
By Larry Booi, board chair, Public Interest Alberta
By Duane Massing, professor emeritus, MacEwan
Reprinted with permission. Edmonton Journal, June 3, 2013.
University, Edmonton
Minister Dave Hancock’s response to social workers is one
more illustration of why many have abandoned hope for any
progress on human services issues by the Redford government.
In dismissing social workers’ concerns about new legislation,
Hancock adds the insulting suggestion they seem to believe
“having the same post-secondary credentials is the overriding
key to providing better outcomes for children.” He also says
such credentials do not “automatically instill someone with the
caring, compassion, concern, knowledge, and commitment”
needed to be a child-intervention worker.
Human Services Minister Dave Hancock seems at pains to
downplay the Alberta College of Social Workers’ concerns
about lack of consultation on his ministry’s new initiatives.
Hancock also says having a post-secondary credentials
in social work “does not on its own automatically instill
someone with the caring, compassion, concern, knowledge,
and commitment” that child-intervention workers show every
day.
Surely two to four years of intensive, focused social-work
training cannot be so easily discounted.
The implication is that perhaps people other than professional
social workers might do the job better and more cheaply, as
has been happening in other areas of health care and human
services.
The qualities Hancock lists are clearly important prerequisites
for an effective child-welfare worker. But none of them are
sufficient without professional skills and training in ethical
practice.
Professional social workers are essential to meeting the
needs of Alberta’s most-vulnerable individuals and their
families. Ongoing cuts have made social workers’ caseloads
unmanageable in too many situations. Now they’re threatened
with this obvious move toward de-professionalization, yet
Hancock is suggesting they are raising these concerns out of
self-interest.
In child welfare, I think of the complex skills required to
work effectively with a range of vulnerable families and
problems. If we do not put the very best professionals in place
and give them time and resources to do their job, we risk
making the apprehension of children the default position.
To be fair, I think Hancock is one of the best ministers
child welfare has had in years. I urge him to sit down with
the broadest possible range of social work professionals, the
college, and social work educators to tap their vast wisdom.
Families and children deserve no less. n
It’s deplorable.
Hancock has had the reputation of being among the more
progressive members of Alberta’s Tory government but again
seems comfortable making another round of unnecessary cuts
to crucial public services in Canada’s wealthiest province. •
Reprinted with permission. Edmonton Journal, June 6, 2013.
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Hancock is toeing the Tory line
Private Practice
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Stephanie Wellings, MSW, RSW
Are you prepared?
Stephanie Wellings
Sarah was 34, had finished all her degrees, and qualified as a social worker in private practice. She had built up a
healthy business of private clients who depended on her presence from week to week to help them on their journey of
healing and self-discovery. One day, Sarah did not go to her office. Her receptionist hadn’t heard from her and was busy
cancelling and rebooking Sarah’s appointments when she got the call from her employer’s mother. Sarah had been in a
fatal accident the night before. The receptionist didn’t know what to do, as Sarah had never anticipated something like
this happening.
Jim was 46, fit, athletic, and committed to living a healthy
lifestyle. A social worker in private practice, he was able to
support his wife and two children by specializing in an area
of great need. He worked from an office in his home, his wife
providing secretarial support for him. When out for a run one
morning, Jim suffered a fatal heart attack. His wife was left
with the task of contacting his clients to let them know Jim
had passed away.
For those of us in private practice, it is our responsibility to
ask ourselves some tough questions, so that like Jocelyn, we
can be prepared for the possibility of sudden serious illness or
death.
Use this list of questions to assist you in devising a back-up
plan for your private practice.
1. Is there someone in my area with whom I can make
a reciprocal contingency plan for our clients? Seek
someone trained in your area of expertise, whose
philosophy and demeanor are compatible with your
own.
Jocelyn was 59, healthy and active in the community and her
private practice. Because she was considering retirement in a
few years, she had begun making arrangements with Danielle,
another therapist, to transfer her long-term clients when
she retired. Having discussed methodology and philosophy,
Jocelyn was confident her clients would easily transition to
Danielle when the time came. When Jocelyn was stricken
with a sudden and fatal illness, dying within two days,
her husband Pete knew where all the files were and how
to contact Danielle to ask her to take over Jocelyn’s files.
Because of their ongoing conversations, Danielle was able
to easily decipher Jocelyn’s notes and testing apparatuses and
provide immediate trauma and grief work with those clients,
as she informed them of Jocelyn’s passing. Pete and the family
were able to manage their grieving process unfettered by
concerns about Jocelyn’s clients.
2. Where will my old files be stored and who will have
access to them? Private practitioners are required
to keep client files for 10 years after a client’s last
appointment.
3. Who are my referral sources (such as doctors,
Employee Assistance Program groups, key partners in
health clinics or rehab centres), and who will notify
them?
4. How do I make arrangements for liability coverage
to be maintained after my death/illness, so that my
estate or family is not held liable years later, should a
lawsuit arise from my work while in practice?
5. Have I ever looked into Keyman insurance, which
might financially facilitate a smoother transition in
the event of severe illness or death of the principal?
A member of the Private Practice Committee, Stephanie Wellings has been in
private practice with her husband since obtaining her degrees, and following
many years in business. She works with individuals and couples on trauma issues,
addictions, loss, grief, and associated disorders and relational problems.
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“
A professional website highlighting your experience,
Private Practice
the clients with whom you work, and the type of services
you offer, can be worthwhile.
Private Practice News
While there are other questions one might ask, these provide a
good start to thinking about how a major transition might be
handled. n
The Private Practice Committee received a good response
from Private Practice Roster members on setting up
a separate association for private practitioners. More
volunteers are needed to help establish bylaws and sit
on the management committee once the association is
formalized. After discussion on a name, the favorite so far
appears to be Kerrie Moore’s suggestion: “Registered Social
Workers in Private Practice.”
PRIVATE PRACTICE ROSTER
FREE ANNUAL MEETING & NETWORKING EVENT
The Private Practice Committee invites Private Practice Roster members to the fourth all-day annual meeting and networking
event. There is limited space available for private practitioners who may wish to attend but are not on the Roster. This
event will provide an opportunity to discuss private practice issues, to network and have informal time with fellow private
practitioners. It also qualifies for 6 hours of Category B Continuing Competency.
DATE: SATURDAY OCTOBER 5th, 2013 9:30-3:30
LOCATION: Southwest Calgary
THEME: Parity as Professionals
CONTACT PERSON: Judi Baron Phone: 403-281-7789, Email: baronbown@shaw.ca
Deadline for Registration: September 15th. Register early as space is limited
Keyman insurance
Keyman insurance is a type of life/disability insurance that covers the business for an amount/limit purchased, and which
comes into effect should the key man or woman be unable to fulfill their duties due to death or a highly disabling illness
(i.e. brain damage, quadriplegia, etc.). The business, or beneficiary, is given this amount in order to replace that person with
someone who is capable of fulfilling their duties, or can be trained to do so, so that the business does not go under. This
could make it possible to do an easier transition of clientele to someone else.
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6. Does my executor know where all my business
financial information is located to ensure there will
be less difficulty managing the closing off process,
collecting outstanding accounts receivables, and
completing the final income tax?
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Diploma Dialogue
Bonita Decaire, MSW, RSW
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Portage College
Portage College learners say
no to apathy
Bonita Decaire
Social work learners’ lives are increasingly complicated as they struggle to find a balance between education, work, and
home lives. Many have additional responsibilities caring for parents or community members. The Peak, a Simon Fraser
University student newspaper suggests, “Students are apathetic, and that’s okay.” They further add that, “The students
of today don’t need to be radical. Frankly, they’ve got it pretty good compared to previous generations.”
Learners in this year’s Portage College Community Social
Work (CSW) program have proven The Peak wrong. It
has been a stellar year for radical community involvement,
research, and fundraising, with more than $10,000 raised for
local and international projects.
Learners at the Cold Lake and Lac La Biche campuses
took part in the Idle No More peaceful protest movement.
Many supported the Walk of Hope to promote awareness
for the issues of family violence and bullying. Three learners
supported the local men’s “out of the elements shelter” by
planning and participating in “Freezin’ for a reason.” They
The Lac La Biche Community Social Workers lead the way for anti-bullying day
raised money by sleeping outdoors March 17, when the
temperature dropped below -20 degrees. Another group
raised funds for micro-loans to women in Malawi Africa;
some applied for a grant to improve the playground area at
the local women’s shelter. Portage community social work
learners contributed to fundraising for the local college food
bank and the Terra Centre in Edmonton, which provides
The Cold Lake Community Social Workers lead the way to participate in AntiBullying Day and pack items for the Shoe Box Project
Bonita Decaire is the Coordinator at Portage College for Community
Social Work, University Studies & Women’s Shelter Crisis Worker
Program and is a member of the ACSW communications committee
and several community committees in Lac La Biche.
Friends of Malawi fundraiser
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services to young and expecting parents. Other initiatives included support for a
grief and loss group, a youth group in conjunction with Dene Wellness on Cold
Lake First Nations, and funding applications for Rainbows, an international not-forprofit organization that fosters emotional healing among children grieving loss.
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Community social work (CSW) learners are going to deliver the Responsible
Education Active Learning (R.E.A.L) program to the students at Bonnyville
Outreach School. It addresses issues not normally brought forward in school—
pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and the use of contraceptives.
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CSW learners took on a community research role and conducted a number of
surveys in the community including:
•
a look at the Canadian environment and Idle No More movement
•
reactions and opinions relating to the new 0.05 impaired driving law
•
parent satisfaction with local daycare
•
issues of homeless people in Cold Lake
•
local child care services at a recreational facility.
Friends of Malawi display
Students in the CSW II program designed and piloted questionnaires on the
following topics:
•
What does the public know about Alberta Works?
•
Is there a need for a medical detox program in Northeastern Alberta?
•
What does the public know about Children and Family Services
Association?
•
Is there a need for another liquor store in a small town in Northeastern
Alberta?
•
Are there safe disposal sites for needles in Northeastern Alberta?
•
Is a youth emergency shelter needed in a small town in Northeastern
Alberta?
•
How do college students feel about body image?
Patsy Johns (left) presents cheque and donations
raised for the Terra Centre
Looking forward
In Lac La Biche, we are looking forward to the University of Calgary Virtual
Learning Circles program arriving in September 2013. We see this as a great
community partnership and opportunity for people to continue their education.
We’re excited about our new group of learners, as well as those returning in Cold
Lake and Lac La Biche. This year promises to be a fun and challenging time for all
of us. n
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L to R: John Brockmeyer, Nadine Gordey-Landstorm,
Diamond Whitney all “Freezin’ for a reason”
Book Review:
in the
news
Youth Homelessness in Canada:
Implications for Policy and Practice
Reviewed by Peter Smyth, MSW, RSW
Peter Smyth
Youth Homelessness in Canada: Implications for Policy and Practice
by Stephen Gaetz, Bill O’Grady, Kristy Buccieri, Jeff Karabanow, & Allyson Marsolais
Canadian Homeless Research Network Press, The Homeless Hub. Toronto (2013) 501 pages, e-book & paperback
Homelessness describes the situation of an individual or family without stable, permanent,
appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means and ability of acquiring it. It is the result
of systemic or societal barriers, a lack of affordable and appropriate housing, the individual/
household’s financial, mental, cognitive behavioural or physical challenges, and/or racism and
discrimination. Most people do not choose to be homeless, and the experience is generally
negative, unpleasant, stressful and distressing.
— The Canadian definition of homelessness, Canadian Homeless Research Network (2012)
Youth Homelessness in Canada: Implications for Policy and Practice
is a monster of a book in its contribution to a critical social
issue gaining more attention in Canada. With the goal to
offer content relevant to decision-makers and practitioners,
the authors aimed to address the “so whatness” behind the
research to better empower those who work to address youth
homelessness. They state their intention is “to fill a gap in the
information available on this important issue by providing
an easily accessible collection of the best Canadian research
and policy analysis in the field.” Gaetz, O’Grady, Buccieri,
Karabanow, and Marsolais wrote and co-edited the 26
chapters of valuable information, which are comprehensive in
addressing issues that can result in youth homeless.
Youth Homelessness in Canada tackles societal attitudes and the
neo-liberal mentality that brought us the get-tough-on-crime
agenda, despite crime decreasing yearly. It asks why youth
become involved in crime and addresses Indigenous youth
who carry the legacy of colonialism, residential schools, and
Peter Smyth is a regional specialist with high-risk youth in
Region 6.
the “60s Scoop.” It covers queer youth who, like Indigenous
youth, are over-represented in the areas of addictions, mental
health, and suicide, and as victims of violence, as well as
young mothers who face homelessness and thus lose children
to the child welfare system.
The authors go into detail about the criminalization of
homelessness with youth facing fines, being banned from
public areas, and potentially facing arrest for loitering in
public parks. It discusses recent laws against asking for money
and trying to raise money as squeegee kids, as well as how law
enforcement uses resources for what is “essentially a social and
economic problem.” Rather than asking why youth homeless
populations have increased dramatically, the authors point out
that society takes a population of already socially excluded
and marginalised youth and punishes them, thus socially
excluding and marginalizing them even further.
The authors show youth homelessness has been “reduced to
attitudinal and behavioural problems in youth,” thus blinding
people to the more serious societal problems that lead to
youth living on the street. It states that the causes of youth
homelessness reflect “an intricate interplay between structural
factors (poverty, affordable housing), system failures (people
22
“
Homeless youth are searching for a sense of belonging and acceptance. If we don’t
offer it to them, they will find it in other groups who also find themselves marginalized
from society.
Partly fuelled by this book, the general homelessness issue
and youth homelessness in particular will remain hot issues
over the next few years. People will refer to the research and
chapters of this book for a long time. We are fortunate to have
access to such a comprehensive compendium of knowledge on
the subject and can hope that it will indeed have implications
for policy and practice.
While similarities exist, the unique differences between youth
and adult homelessness are carefully outlined to show young
people are typically fleeing from or kicked out of households
where they depended on adult caregivers. Losing housing, as
well as significant connections, can result in dropping out of
school and a premature rush toward independence, often at a
time when they may be suffering from the trauma of many
losses. Most are unprepared to manage as they are working
through adolescent development challenges and lack life skills.
Like the common chant we seem to hear these days, the book
reinforces that building nurturing, respectful relationships with
these youth is essential and the current mentality of punishing
youth into compliance is ineffective. Homeless youth are
searching for a sense of belonging and acceptance. If we don’t
offer it to them, they will find it in other groups who also find
themselves marginalized from society.
As stated by the editors: “The contributors to this book are
committed to supporting the development of more effective
solutions to youth homelessness. Not only can we do things
differently, we need to. And research on youth homelessness
can help make a difference.” n
While identifying issues in a thoughtful, evidence-based
way, this book challenges politicians, policy makers, law
enforcement, social agencies, and all Canadians to take a
sober look at youth homelessness. It highlights programs that
have experienced success with this population and offers
solutions that go beyond simply providing emergency shelter
to include prevention, accommodation, and support to help
with quickly transitioning youth out of homelessness. Rather
than advocating punishment for responses to circumstances
over which they may have little control, the text shows how
creative programs can focus on enhancing a sense of optimism
that life can perhaps be different, despite histories of family
breakdown, traumatic experiences, and exposure to drugs,
alcohol, and domestic violence.
Research discussed throughout the book challenges readers to
not only think differently but to act differently as well. This
might explain why the editors have made it easy to access this
23
The State of Homelessness in Canada
To use a well-worn, though hardly irrelevant phrase, it
is shameful a wealthy country like Canada has 80,000
homeless people. Of these, 30,000 are homeless on any
given night and a further 50,000 comprise the “hidden
homeless”—those who couch surf or stay with friends
or relatives. People ages 16-24 make up 20 percent of
Canada’s homeless. These statistics are from the recently
released report: The State of Homelessness in Canada
2013, co-authored by Stephen Gaetz, Jesse Donaldson,
Tim Richter, and Tanya Gulliver and available at
www.homelesshub.ca.
On a very positive note, this report indicates Alberta has
done well in reducing homelessness in general through
the Alberta government’s 10-year plan to eliminate
homelessness (by 2019). Edmonton shows the strongest
results in the country with a 30 percent reduction in overall
homelessness since 2008, while Calgary has achieved an
11.4 percent decrease.
news
volume of wisdom. This 500-page book is just $19.99 for a
print copy, but free to download. Clearly the authors want this
message out.
in the
”
being discharged from mental health facilities, corrections or
child protection services into homelessness), and individual
circumstances (family conflict and violence, mental health and
addictions).”
U of C updates
regular
feature
By Eldon Duchscher, BComm
This is the spirit of our community
“This is Calgary, folks. This is the spirit of this community,” said Calgary’s Mayor Naheed Nenshi to a crowd of
excited volunteers as Calgary began the cleanup from the June 2013 flood. Well, this is the University of Calgary
and the spirit of our community—our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners—are shining through in
many ways since the local state of emergency was declared.
Numerous stories have been told about how the city of
Calgary, province of Alberta, and people from across Canada
united to assist those affected by the worst flood in Calgary’s
history. As the University of Calgary opened its residences
to those affected by the flooding, including many seniors
and clients from the Drop-In Centre, word spread about the
overwhelming need for assistance. The faculties of social work,
nursing, and medicine heeded the call, working with industry
partners from Alberta Health Services and Wood’s Homes.
“It’s just been magic,” said Anne McKay, a registered nurse
with Alberta Health Services who coordinated supplies for a
physicians’ room as volunteer doctors arrived to see residents
with medical needs. “All the students have been kind,
compassionate, flexible, highly skilled, and really welcoming.
That only partially describes what I saw today.”
Dr. Jackie Sieppert, Faculty of Social Work dean, said he was
amazed at the overwhelming response from the faculties and
the ability of faculty members and students to so quickly
organize. “The professionalism and outpouring of care from
both groups was inspiring. They jumped right in and did
what professionals do best—find any way possible to help.”
Salma Mohiuddin, a social work masters student in her
final year, spoke about the reasons for volunteering. “We
had a chance to understand the intricacies of one another’s
professions. By tag-teaming, we learned on the fly about
where it made sense to transition a resident from her care
Students prepping for another day of assistance
to mine. Not that I ever had any doubt, but I really saw and
appreciated the distinct impact of social work during those
days.”
For now, the plan is to continue working with the Calgary
Emergency Management Agency to support evacuees.
Sieppert found the experience one he will never forget.
“We talk a lot about collaboration between various faculties
on campus and with our community partners and I am
still overwhelmed by the response I witnessed. It wasn’t
just a learning experience for the students, but for all of us.
The response made me extremely proud to be among such
amazing social workers.” n
Eldon Duchscher is the Director of Communications for
the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work.
24
Journaling at the office
Essential leadership skills
By Kathy Archer, AAC
Kathy Archer
in the
challenging you, it is likely because you feel as though you don’t know what to do. Stressed like this, it is easy to get
frustrated and think you are lost with no idea of how to resolve the dilemma.
Perhaps a challenging staff member is causing you grief, or
you have a choice to make. Wishing someone would give you
the answer, tell you what to do, or at least help you narrow
down the options is one approach. However, there is an easier
way. Just ask yourself what to do.
Your intuition often knows the answer before you do. It then
sends you intuitive messages by way of body sensations—a
knot in your stomach, tingling across your shoulders, ringing
in your ears or sweaty palms—or even as a quick visual or
image. It is also there when you have a sense of knowing, a
hunch or gut feeling.
Unfortunately, we sometimes ignore these physical sensations
and mental messages. We think we’re just hungry because of
a late or skipped lunch. Or we pay no attention to muscles
screaming that they need to stretch after sitting for hours at a
desk without moving.
Think about a time you said yes to something and then felt
your stomach tighten. That was your body saying, “Hey, I
don’t think this is a good idea. Do you want to rethink that?”
Accessing your intuition has the powerful ability to help you
as a leader. You probably already use it without knowing it.
The power is to use it more often, to be open to hearing it,
conscious about it and to accept its potential. Intuition is not
an airy-fairy concept. It is a combination of your knowledge,
your experience and your body’s memory. It is held in your
subconscious and your job is to bring its wisdom to the
conscious level.
One technique to strengthen your intuition is to journal and
ask yourself questions. Write a question in your journal. Then
allow yourself to answer. Write down whatever your pen
wants to write. Your intuition will come through and give
you the answer you are looking for. Go fast. Don’t let your
brain think of the answer. Ask a second and third question
just as fast. Keep writing down the answers. You will find a
powerful link to your intuition.
If you struggle with the concept of writing to yourself, try
this. Imagine you are writing to a wise trusted elder who can
guide you. Learn through their lessons. Or imagine writing to
yourself from the future. This version of you has been through
a lot, knows the answers, has experienced things, taken more
training and is a respected elder. Ask them. Allow your pen to
write to them and discover their wisdom.
Making time for journaling at the office may seem weird or
awkward. You might worry someone will catch you writing
in your “diary”! Get over it! Talk about it openly with your
staff. Encourage them to do the same. Journals make great
company gift ideas. Leadership is changing and you are in
the driver’s seat now. Set the tone in your company and your
office and encourage people to use their intuition.
When someone is working with a youth or a family, often
their intuition tells them what to say or how to respond.
The more front line workers learn to use their intuition in
combination with all they have formally learned and know,
the more powerful they will become. Encourage this. When
someone comes looking for advice, ask what their gut says.
Encourage them to take five minutes and write about it first
and then join them for a conversation.
Journaling to yourself can open the door to an immense
amount of knowledge, wisdom and answers. Using this
technique in your role as leader provides you insight you
might struggle to get otherwise. Find a way to add journaling
as a way to do business in your organization and set a tone
for a conscious and aware team. n
Kathy Archer, ACC, is a certified Leadership Coach and owner of Silver River
Coaching. She specializes in coaching leaders and organizations to grow a new
kind of leader for a new kind of time.
25
news
When you start losing sleep, notice you are persistently feeling anxious or are constantly ruminating about something
feature
article
By DK Mak, Mental Health Consumer
My journey
to find mental
health help
A former mental health patient within Alberta Health Services, DK Mak now avoids
using provincial mental health services whenever possible. She is successfully working toward recovery with a psychotherapist who is a registered social worker.
My journey to find mental health help has been a
long one. After three years seeing 29 professionals
from psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses to
psychologists and psychiatric residents, I remained
where I started. Frequent suicidal urges, visits to
the emergency department, car rides in the back of
police cruisers, and intense emotional pain were
still my norm one year ago.
I could not understand why therapy was not leading me to
recovery. Why was I still mentally and emotionally unstable?
Why were dialectic behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive
behavior therapy (CBT), or the other treatments applied not
working? Why was I feeling suicidal after therapy sessions?
Surely these sessions should not have left me feeling worse.
After three years of trying to get help I believed myself
incurable and that no one could help me. I felt that if therapy
is about bringing the patient to the suicidal state, then I am
capable of getting myself into that state without further help.
And so I quit therapy.
Quitting therapy was not the ideal solution for my illness.
The self-harm urges got stronger as the months went on
and eventually became unbearable. Certain no one within
the provincial mental health system was going to help me,
I started searching the web for a therapist. Unable to trust
mental health clinicians, I decided to see if group therapy
might be a better option than one-on-one therapy.
Still assuming all therapists were alike and no one could
understand me, I spoke to a therapist facilitating an
interpersonal group. During our initial meeting, something
26
“
I trust this social worker because I connect with her as a person. The relationship is
still a client therapist relationship. What is different is she accepts me as who I am and
5. I do not expect the social worker to know all the
answers to my issues. However, I do feel that she
wants to help me recover and will guide me in that
direction. Her knowledge of therapeutic methods is
not forced on me and she adjusts the methods based
on my needs.
This led me to reflect on my past interactions with mental
health clinicians. As I compared the current treatment process
with the past treatment, I found that:
6. I do not receive judgment from this social worker
and do not receive unwanted advice from her. She
gives suggestions and provides explanation on why
she gave the suggestions and how they would be
helpful.
1. My current therapist, a social worker, tracks and
reflects with me on my experiences. She listens and
responds to me by allowing me to say what I need
to say.
2. This social worker sees me as a person and allows
me to be me. I am not an irrational imbecile to her
and do not have to pretend to be stable when we
are in a session. She understands that when I am
in emotional pain, I cannot process logic and need
understanding. She also knows that when I am stable
she is able to present me with therapeutic concepts.
3. The social worker allows me to ask for clarification
and she, in turn, questions me when not
understanding my train of thought. She listens to my
views and accepts them as they are: my views. If she
finds my thoughts will lead to self-harm, she will
guide me towards a less harmful way of thinking.
She does not get angry or threaten to discontinue
treatment when my views are different from hers.
4. I trust this social worker because I connect with her
as a person. The relationship is still a client/therapist
relationship. What is different is she accepts me as
who I am and sees the positive side of me. I am not
constantly reminded of my illness.
8. This therapist allows me to depend on therapy for
support and yet, because the option is there, I feel I
do not need the dependency. Again as she puts it, she
wants her clients to eventually become their own
therapists by allowing them to heal at their pace.
I have spent eight months with this social worker and
continue to attend weekly group sessions. It may seem like a
long time but a fair amount of it was spent undoing the past
therapy I received. She helped me come to terms with my
past therapy experiences; then began tackling the problem
that caused my illness. She holds no judgment in the work of
her colleagues and holds no judgment in my response to past
therapeutic treatment.
Compared to a year ago, I can now count the times I
was unstable instead of the times I was stable. While the
emotional pain still exists, it has decreased in intensity and
frequency. The sessions are now about resolving the problem
that brought about the illness and not about analyzing why
therapy is not working. I still have a way to go but am finally
on the right path to recovery. n
27
article
within me recognized a difference. Unlike at previous sessions,
the therapist listened to me and I found the meeting helpful.
After several group sessions, I felt I was finally moving toward
recovery and most of all, felt I was curable.
”
feature
sees the positive side of me. I am not constantly reminded of my illness.
feature
article
By Peter W. Choate, PhD, RSW
DSM-5:
Peter Choate
social workers
should be cautious
With the advent of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric
Association (DSM-5), social workers are being asked to begin using this tool with clients. However, it
brings a number of new approaches that should cause many of us to be cautious.
Those of us who work with DSM know there has long been
mental illness due to the many symptoms of depression seen
criticism of it being more of a socio-political document than
in such cases. There might be sleep and appetite problems,
one that truly reflects illness. One need only remember that
adjustment issues, trouble focusing or concentrating, and
earlier versions contained homosexuality as a mental disorder.
a loss of interest in things previously enjoyed. Given the
Though removed in 1973, it was replaced by sexual orientation
length of the relationship, this may take many months to
disturbance—leaving room for homosexual people to still be
work through. Under DSM-5, this scenario could meet
seen as having a mental disorder—and the version DSM-III
diagnosis criteria if the symptoms persist for more than two
included the introduction of ego-dystonic homosexuality.
months. The challenge of course, is that this can then result
The professional and popular press has, for over a year now,
been raising many concerns about new features in DSM-5.
Consider the following hypothetical example:
George, 56 years of age, lost his wife of 32 years to cancer
four months ago. He misses her dearly. While continuing
to work, he comes home daily and feels quite lonely.
Prolonged grief, such as this, may now be a diagnosable
in the prescribing of antidepressant medication. The social
work perspective, on the other hand, may be to see George’s
reaction as part of a normal grieving process that can be
supported and validated.
Another example is found in the new diagnosis of disruptive
mood dysregulation disorder. Again, a hypothetical example is
useful:
Becky, aged nine, a difficult child who experiences many
Peter Choate is an assistant professor of social work at Mount Royal
University. Also in private practice in Calgary, he is an approved ACSW
clinical supervisor.
temper tantrums and is seen as quite moody, is given this
new diagnostic label. This was intended as a way to reduce
28
“
… there is a real worry that normal periods of tension, anxiety, stress, and other
effects of life’s challenges will now be subject to diagnosis.
pathologize children who are difficult and tend to have
frequent or intense temper tantrums. In social work, we
may well be prone to look at the family systems perspective,
which may be more effective. We may find a number of issues
affecting Becky, which may even go back to early attachment
issues.
There is already a significant concern the rate
of diagnosing children with mental health
issues is rapidly increasing. Recently, the
Centre for Disease Control in the United
States reported that one in five children are
now diagnosed with a mental health disorder.
The most common diagnosis is attention deficit
“
hyperactivity disorder, with about 1 in 15 children
… it is crucial that we not lose touch with our
perspectives that see the person holistically and not
diagnostically.
being so diagnosed.
Supporters of DSM-5 feel that the new
criteria will create more opportunities for people to receive
”
Social work, however, focuses on using direct interventions.
treatment. Yet there is a real worry that normal periods of
These can be focused on functioning through individual,
tension, anxiety, stress, and other effects of life’s challenges will family, and group therapy. The creation of support networks
now be subject to diagnosis.
and the alleviation of stressors from the environment such as
However, there are those who will feel DSM-5’s new
diagnostic categories bring recognition to their suffering. An
problems with housing and income are also direct areas for
intervention.
example is excessive skin picking, called dermatillomania, which DSM-5 is strongly rooted in the medical model. From a
was previously seen as a condition obscured within obsessive
social work perspective, it is vital that the profession stay
compulsive disorder. Now, individuals with this diagnosis may
connected with its core practice perspectives in which
have hope that their disorder will garner increased clinical
systemic and environmental considerations are given careful
and research attention as a distinct concern.
review. As a profession, we work well with allied disciplines,
Some of the most vocal criticisms of DSM-5 are the everincreasing links between psychiatry and the pharmaceutical
industry. DSM-5 is thought to lower diagnostic thresholds,
such as psychiatry, but it is crucial that we not lose touch
with our perspectives that see the person holistically and not
diagnostically. n
29
article
which is a laudable goal. However, it may also begin to
thus increasing the population that will be targeted for
prescription medication. There is also concern that this
new version will have significant impact on who qualifies
for various funded services. Further, there are important
implications for the justice system where diagnosis can impact
a multitude of family and criminal matters. Like earlier
editions, DSM-5 catalogues symptoms and collects them into
categories, calling them diagnosis. The science that suggests
that one diagnosis is discretely different from another is
actually weak.
feature
the frequency of childhood bipolar disorder being diagnosed,
”
feature
article
A day in the life...
Bill Swieringa
Joan Marie Galat
Self-expression
through music leads
to empowerment
With the words “social work” defining a frame of thinking as much as a profession, it’s not surprising
social workers bring their values into decisions on how to spend their spare time. Bill Swieringa, MSW,
RSW, is a prime example.
By day he’s a communitybased family therapist; after
hours, he’s a founder and
interim president of the
Abbottsfield Music Program
(AMP)—a new free music
education program reaching
out to kids in the low-income
Edmonton neighborhoods of
Abbottsfield, Beacon Heights,
Bergman, Beverly Heights,
and Rundle Heights.
Bill Swieringa with Shauna McMillan and family from Abbott Elementary School. Shauna is a Leadership Team Member
of the Abbotsfield Music Program.
30
“
When kids don’t have the perceptual ability to develop a feeling vocabulary, music
can take over that issue because they can talk about the music. They can sing, dance,
play, and even act it out, which is even better.
”
Formerly of Chicago, Swieringa is employed by the Family
experiences (playing piano, guitar and mandolin in pick-up
Centre, a nonprofit organization that works to foster healthy
bands, for fun) and the positive results he had achieved using
individuals, homes, schools, workplaces, and communities by
rap with troubled youth in Chicago.
building on family strengths. As a family therapist, he spends
half his week seeing Employee Assistance, fee-for-service, and
Outcome Based Service Delivery (OBSD) clients at the 106
Street office of The Family Centre. The other half of his week
is spent in schools seeing elementary-school-aged children
through a United Way funded program called Partners For
Kids. Working with a Circle of Support Team, he assesses
and provides therapy for kids having difficulty staying in the
classroom—mostly kids with developmental traumas and
attachment disorders.
“
Typical therapy doesn’t work—
except play therapy—and older kids
don’t want to do that. Fortunately,
music hits a whole different part of the
“Children often need levels of care that are more intense
than we can provide in schools but we can put them on a
fast track to psychiatric care. The program is a way of getting
mental health services into the school. Informally, I try to
help students and teachers adjust to each other.”
After moving to Alberta in 2007 and working in the
school system, Swieringa was surprised to see the lack of
enrichment opportunities for children from low-income
households. “It quickly became apparent to me that kids in
this neighborhood—Abbottsfield—had less opportunity for
mastery opportunities than kids in inner-city Chicago, which
has some of the poorest schools in North America.”
Using music to reach out
Swieringa started thinking about ways to use music to
help kids in Edmonton, particularly in the Abbottsfield
neighbourhood where he lives and works. His enthusiasm
for song as a tool is a product of his own positive musical
Joan Marie Galat is the author of Give Yourself a
Pep Talk and other titles. Visit joangalat.com for
details on her books and writing workshops.
brain, not accessed with words
”
One of his former clients, Geoff, was a developmentally
challenged 16-year-old struggling with academic learning.
“He had problems with emotional regulation, so he was easily
suckered into a fight and couldn’t manage himself once he
got hyper-aroused,” says Swieringa. “He was big and strong
and when he hit someone, that person went down hard. This
was difficult to see because he was a nice guy who didn’t
come across as tough and looking for trouble, although he
was street smart.”
Swieringa soon discovered Geoff didn’t care about therapy,
and fighting was the only thing that gave him a feeling
of power. “The goal was to give him a sense of control. I
discovered he loved rap and knew all the players. He had
memorized a lot of music and that was a strength.”
After discovering an Apple app that provided beats, Swieringa
taught Geoff how to use it and challenged him to tell
his story using rhythm. “It was better than therapy,” says
31
Bill Swieringa
feature
article
Swieringa. “He was so successful that others in his unit
wanted to tell their lives in rap too and it ended up being
filmed for public distribution. Music allowed Geoff to
become a leader and a model. Once he felt more empowered
and got more status, he felt more in control and able to pick
and choose his battles. It raised his self-esteem so that he
wasn’t as volatile.”
following sixth grade, we’re starting them young.” The
program, intended for ages 6-12, takes advantage of donated
instruments and already has six guitars but needs drum sets
and keyboards. “Our goal is to get 50 kids going as soon as
possible,” says Swieringa. “We are crazy busy trying to find
instruments and funding sources. A lot of time away from
work is spent doing that now.”
Swieringa found that offering kids a rhythm to play with
can get them to say what they are thinking in a way that
they would not otherwise do. “When kids don’t have the
perceptual ability to develop a feeling vocabulary, music can
take over that issue because they can talk about the music.
They can sing, dance, play, and even act it out, which is even
better.”
Drawing on social work skills from observation and critical
thinking to task planning and communication, Swieringa
spends his evenings approaching supporters, service
organizations, and local musicians. “As social workers, we
try to get people to talk to each other and build their
communities. Social workers aren’t just junior therapists.
I’ve had to engage people with what’s important to me and
to them, and sell them on the idea that music is going to
provide a skill as well as therapy, and maybe even a career.”
“
Hip hop is really the new language. Kids
The program, which is free for participating families, will
hire instructors who excel at engaging kids and keeping
them motivated. Swieringa says their job will be to “give
students musical abilities they can relate to, control, and
master if they apply themselves.” Children will start with
weekly group sessions, then one-to-one lessons once their
ability dictates readiness. AMP has formed a partnership
with Abbott Elementary School, which is providing
classroom space during the school year.
are more prone to rap because it’s part of their
culture and hearing it so much often allows
them to immediately engage with it.
”
Often working with low-income households, Swieringa finds
he tends to meet kids that “bottom out with insight oriented
treatment modalities.” He says many victims of chronic
developmental trauma find talk therapy either feels risky or is
simply something they’re unable to do because they cannot
identify feeling states. “Typical therapy doesn’t work—except
play therapy—and older kids don’t want to do that.
While it will take the group a year to attain charitable
organization status, the Legacy Children’s Foundation
of Calgary is allowing AMP to use their status to collect
donations and issue tax-free receipts.
Though Swieringa is a social worker by day, clearly this
profession is not something he leaves at the office. The
“Fortunately, music hits a whole different part of the brain,
skills he applies at work, early engagement, family-centered
not accessed with words,” says Swieringa. “Hip hop is really
the new language. Kids are more prone to rap because it’s part involvement, and flexible service delivery, are transcending
into opportunities for students to learn new skills and have
of their culture and hearing it so much often allows them to
some fun—with hope for achieving better self-expression,
immediately engage with it.”
communication, and empowerment in the process. n
The Abbottsfield Music Program
Swieringa notes that music acquisition has been linked to
higher IQ scores and lower dropout rates. “Because we
have a nearly 50 percent dropout rate for kids immediately
For more information or to donate to the Abbottsfield
Music Program, please email ampsedmonton@gmail.com
to reach Bill Swieringa.
32
Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group soldiers direct evacuees from the Delta Lodge
Kananaskis towards army trucks to be further transported to tour buses.
Photo courtesy Land Force Western Area. 3rd Canadian Division/3e Division du Canada
feature
article
Social workers aid
flood relief
Like parts of Alberta’s soaked landscape, the media has been awash with flood information from weather
warnings to stories of rescue, tragedy, and hope. Social workers, often displaced by the flooding
themselves, have worked alongside other key rescue personnel to identify and place evacuees, assist them
in accessing emergency services, and perhaps most of all, help them cope with the changes. In the chaos
of evacuation, rescue, and reorganizing, social workers have managed to help others, even as they have
been displaced from their homes and workplaces.
33
Flood relief
feature
article
Michele Harshenin, SW Dip, RSW, is a detox coordinator for
the Calgary Alpha House Society, whose mandate is to serve
men and women in Calgary struggling to deal with alcohol or
other drug addictions. Combining a shelter and detoxification
facility in one downtown location, Alpha House typically
provides shelter to 120 people each night during the summer
as well as another 42 residents in its detoxification program.
But with the seemingly endless rain that fell in late June and
only a few hours notice, staff needed to alert 160 people
and guide their transport to a safe place in the middle of the
night.
Since the state of emergency was declared in Calgary, the
Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), in
partnership with the City of Calgary, the province of Alberta,
and its department of Alberta Health Services, worked
diligently to find temporary locations for its shelter programs.
The evacuation, which saw Harshenin’s clients move four
times, began when a Calgary transit bus arrived to take them
to a drop-in centre 10 blocks away, where they stayed for a
few hours before being moved to a school in the morning,
then later that day to the Village Square Leisure Centre. They
camped in the arena for five days but the space was needed
for summer programs, so Calgary Emergency Management
Agency (CEMA) arranged for transport to the Max Bell
Arena. “At first everyone slept on cots,” says Harshenin, “but
we ended up getting the mats we use at shelters so we can
clean and disinfect them properly.”
Because the Max Bell Arena is so far east from the area of
Calgary most familiar to Alpha House residents, some chose to
leave the security and regular meals available at the evacuation
site. “Their comfort area is downtown, so they struggle with
being so far from home. Our numbers are down to close to 60
even though they can stay as long as they want.”
Photos by Karen Berg. Flood rescues across the street from High River Hospital, where Berg spent 33 hours before she and others were allowed to evacuate.
34
things have also come into play. “The city police have gotten
a better understanding of our clients. On a grander scale
people are coming together and working together as a team.”
Help has also arrived from an unexpected place—the
McCullough Centre in Gunn, northwest of Edmonton, near
Lac Ste. Anne. A provincially owned, sober-living facility for
men with addictions, the McCullough Centre offered Alpha
House five beds.
Since Calgary flooded, the society is unable to operate out of
its usual facility and no longer has a detoxification program.
“We can’t run it because we don’t have the space to keep
“We brainstormed on who we thought would be a good fit
detox clients from being surrounded by people under the
influence of drugs. They’re trying so hard to maintain sobriety and five from the detox program agreed to go and they sent
a van to pick them up. Then they said they could take four
but it’s very difficult considering the overall situation.”
more,” says Harshenin. “Their staff bent over backwards to
Because High River is Harshenin’s hometown and where her take our clients out of this situation. They’re in a beautiful
family lives, she’s in the difficult situation of having to choose setting, on 40 acres of land with a community garden and
where to concentrate her energy. “It’s hard. My family is
greenhouse.”
home cleaning out their houses and I’m torn because I want
A social worker for eight years, Harshenin has been with
to help them but I also need to help my clients. My sister
was cleaning out my mom’s basement but I was so exhausted Alpha House for three months.
from work, I just couldn’t go.”
She appreciates how her colleagues have responded to the
crisis, especially considering the frustration both staff and
Harshenin copes by setting boundaries. “I haven’t been to
clients have felt, not always knowing the reasons why things
High River since the flood because I know it will have a
are playing out the way they do. “The staff have really been
higher impact on me. So until work is stabilized, I’m not
amazing and stepped up above and beyond for the people we
going to High River.” she says.
serve. It shows their dedication to our clients.”
“It’s so easy to get wrapped up in stuff; I think it’s important
to still have fun, spend time with friends, and not think about University of Calgary Campus
The University of Calgary also rallied to help flood victims.
everything that’s going on. One of the things I’ve done for
As people arrived at campus residences, urgent meetings
myself is get a puppy. I took him to work to try to boost
were held to strategize the best ways to support evacuees.
some spirits and it was magical.”
Dr. Jackie Sieppert, Faculty of Social Work dean, contacted
Despite hardship caused by the flooding and despite the
faculty, students, and alumni for support and the faculties of
struggle that comes with living and working in difficult
circumstances with no clear ending, Harshenin sees that good
35
article
Some of the evacuees are people who have spent their nights
at Alpha House for the past 10 to 20 years. As a result, staff
often get to know them quite well, and can see how the
flooding crisis has raised anxiety levels. “They are drinking
and doing more drugs to cope,” says Harshenin. “Some are
talking to staff and the different mental health support people
we have in place, but our clientele struggles with emotional
regulation and stress already, so this situation is that much
harder on them.”
The town of High River under water from the flooding in Southern Alberta. Over
1200 soldiers from Edmonton Garrison deployed to southern Alberta to work hand
in hand with RCMP and local organizations to help fight the flood waters that
forced residents out of their homes. Photo by MCpl Bern LeBlanc, Canadian Army
Public Affairs, LFWA HQ.
feature
Flooding in High River. Photo by / Chris Bolin / www.chrisbolin.ca
Flood relief
as Drs. Dave Este and John Graham, and Dr. Sieppert,
amongst others. Someone was needed to organize a roster of
volunteers for a week and another faculty member, Dr. Lorne
Jacques, took on the commitment.”
feature
article
social work, medicine, and nursing quickly became involved.
Over the first days and weeks, the City of Calgary, Red Cross,
Alberta Health Services, and others arrived to support efforts
on campus.
Dr. Dorothy Badry, RSW (Academic Lead—Professional
Development Certificate Programs, Faculty of Social Work),
responded to the call. Badry, who had spent 16 years with
child welfare (Alberta Human Services), much of that work
with Calgary’s Social Services Response Team (SSRT), had
plenty of experience with crisis situations. Her background
enabled her to remain composed, compassionate, and
focused on problem solving while assisting distraught flood
victims. “Working as a team with other U of C faculties
who responded to the crisis helped all of us. At one point
we had 400-500 people on campus,” says Badry. “Dr. Ellen
Perrault (RSW, Instructor, e-Learning Director, Faculty of
Social Work) and I showed up as soon as we could, as well
Photo by Karen Berg: “A corner of my basement. This is what we
walked into the morning of July 1, the day we were allowed to return.
The piano was moved by the water, which was 6’ high, to the other
end of the room. The basement window was pushed into the basement
from the force of the water and is lying on a table.”
ACSW sent an email to all members on behalf of the
University of Calgary, requesting assistance for the flood.
Social work students, alumni, and staff came out to support
the effort. “A retired social worker from up north responded
and said ‘I can come down from Peace River and stay as long
as required,’” says Badry.
Once organized, the volunteers conducted an environmental
scan of the residences where evacuees were being housed.
They went door to door with social work and nursing
students through the dorms to see if medications were
required and find out what other circumstances needed to
be addressed. “We brought all our information together,
then met to collate their major needs and make a plan to go
forward from there,” says Badry.
Many people arrived with very little and sometimes with
nothing. One of the halls became a depot where people
could come to choose clothes. Meals were prepared and
served on campus. “The first couple days we were just
trying to manage the influx and doing a census of who was
on campus,” says Badry. “We acted as a support, provided
referrals, and listened to people’s stories. I talked to one man
who had water up to his chin before being hauled out by a
helicopter.
“People who were already homeless became displaced,”
Badry continues, “and efforts were made to return people
as quickly as possible to a community setting once the
downtown core started to open up.” And while some
preferred to return to their neighborhoods and drop-in
centres as soon as possible, others found leaving the campus
more difficult. “People felt safe here. They had their own bed,
a key to their rooms, meals, and some privacy, but then they
had to leave. They experienced a trauma as a result of the
crisis and found it very difficult to keep moving around.”
While some of shifts were uneventful, staff and volunteers
also had to cope with crises. One downtown evacuee who
depended on homecare support was distressed and in need of
emotional support. Other times, campus security was called
to deal with concerns of drug use.
After the first week of volunteering ended, social workers
36
Mekaisto has been providing support by listening to people’s
stories, assisting elders who were victims of the flood, and
Siksika First Nation
When the banks of the Bow River could not contain its flow, helping obtain necessities and sort food and clothing into
hampers. “A lot of people are shy and not comfortable asking
about 170 homes in six communities on the Siksika First
for supplies and personal items.” While volunteering and
Nation flooded—water sometimes reaching as high as house
donations are now making a difference, she says, “At first we
rooftops. Situated 100 kilometres east of Calgary, the Siksika
got no help but when media got out, people came.”
First Nation is Canada’s second largest nation and home to
more than 7,000 people. Flood damage has forced residents
Red Cross arrived and environmental disaster inspections
to stay with relatives or move into tents, trailers, hotels, the
have been taking place but the news isn’t good for many
Elder’s lodge, or the Deerfoot Sportsplex.
people. “There’s sewage back-up and mold is starting to
Facilitator, trainer, and ACSW Indigenous Social Work Group appear,” says Makaisto. “We have to wait for Indian Affairs to
help and we might have to wait for months or maybe a year.
chair, Kanakii Mekaisto, BSW, RSW, is a Siksika resident
That’s standard.”
who is living without water or gas in her home, but is
grateful not to have been impacted as much as others in the
community. Mekaisto has spent countless hours volunteering.
“It’s not good here,” she says. “Three families sometimes share
one home so the number of people impacted is more than
you might realize. A lot of people are in tents. We’re helping
each other but still have people that need shelter.”
Fortunately, some provincial assistance has occurred. Debit
cards preloaded with $1250 for adults and $500 for children
were distributed. First Nations from other parts of Canada are
providing support, along with volunteers from Calgary and
other areas.
Describing the atmosphere on Siksika as one of frustration
and grieving, Mekaisto notes, “Our people are still trying to
cope with the reality of what happened. There’s no privacy
and families are trying to keep the kids occupied but you
“The flood had a huge impact on a lot of our people
including myself,” says Makaisto. “I’ve seen a lot of my people
and others helping out and being so humble in their care and
compassion. It has made our community closer as a nation
and strengthened our community in a positive way.”
Joan Marie Galat is the
author of Give Yourself
a Pep Talk and other
titles. Visit joangalat.
com for details on
her books and writing
workshops.
While these are just a few of the many stories of those
involved in flood relief efforts, it’s clear that social workers in
Alberta are working with optimism, empathy, and confidence
as they strive to foster human safety and well-being during
this crisis and through its aftermath. n
37
article
Badry feels the displaced individuals
who stayed at the University of Calgary
experienced good hospitality. She credits the Flooding at Siksika First Nations. Photo courtesy Kanakii Mekaisto
collaborative efforts of the different programs
on campus and appreciated the opportunity
can see they are restless and preoccupied; they have nowhere
to get to know other colleagues. “We made connections
to play. It’s setting in that there is no home—no sense of
through the crisis. It was a privilege to support the people
connection to what they had.”
who came to the U of C for respite from the storm.”
feature
continued to support the crisis response,
now under the centralized leadership of the
University of Calgary Risk Management and
Volunteer Services. As social workers called
to offer their services, Badry told organizers
“I can assure you these people are part of the
ACSW and you can count on them.”
information
for your
For your information
PLEASE NOTE: For more listings, please see “Calendar of Events” at: www.acsw.ab.ca/calendar_of_events
First International Conference on Prevention of FASD
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
A conference about preventing harm from alcohol use during
pregnancy
September 23 - 25, 2013, Shaw Conference Centre,
Edmonton AB
International Wellness Symposium
Wellness: It’s For Life
October 1 & 2, 2013, Lake Louise AB
Participants attending this conference are also invited to register for
from government, non-profit, the public sector, business and academia.
our Consensus Development Conference on Legal Issues of FASD, which
will take place in Edmonton on September 18-20, 2013.
Alberta’s leading wellness conference features presentations by
top experts and practitioners from the field of wellness, and is your
opportunity to build relationships with decision-makers and leaders
Over two information-packed days at the beautiful Fairmont Chateau
Lake Louise, you’ll learn about emerging trends and best practices
in wellness, as well as innovations and tools to help you promote
For more information, see:
fasdedmonton2013.ca/FASD-Prevention/
22nd Annual Manitoba Provincial Hospice Palliative Care
Conference
September 26 & 27, 2013, Victoria Inn, Winnipeg MB
For more information, please visit:: manitobahospice.ca
and enhance wellness in your communities, workplaces, schools and
families.
This year’s conference theme, Wellness: It’s For Life, captures the idea
that wellness is a lifelong endeavor, touching almost every aspect of
our lives, and affecting every one of us. This conference is a chance to
be a part of creating a positive, life-affirming change in our world.
For more information, visit: wellness4alberta.com
Email: afirth@manitobahospice.mb.ca
Phone: 204-889-8525.
Best Practices in Child Legal
Representation
The Rights of the Child
October 27 – 29, 2013, Jasper AB
The Narrative Project
Brief Narrative Therapy
Scot J. Cooper, Clinical Therapist
The Office of the Child and Youth
Advocate is hosting its 2nd Best
www.briefnarrative.com
October 18, 2013 – 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
New Narratives on
Loss, Death and Grief: Re-membering Conversations
Lorraine Hedtke MSW, ACSW, PhD.
www.rememberingpractices.com
November 15, 2013 - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
at The Stanley Milner Library
Room 7, 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, AB.
Practices in Child Legal Representation
Conference, to be held from October
27-29, 2013, in Jasper, Alberta at the
beautiful Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
Registration is now open. Please visit:
reg.conexsys.com/lrcy13
workshop details: www.thenarrativeproject.ca
38
for your
The Career Mentorship Program
An Edmonton Region Immigrant
Employment Council (ERIEC)
Initiative
information
Want to be more effective leading,
coaching and communicating with a
diverse workforce and community?
Join ERIEC’s Career Mentorship Program
to participate in no-cost, governmentfunded professional development through
a mentoring relationship to coach an
immigrant professional social worker to
successfully achieve employment in the
Edmonton region (Mentors do not find jobs
for their mentees.)
Apply now at
Thank you.
On behalf of the
Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary,
we give profound thanks to the students, alumni,
staff, and our many community partners for their
outstanding efforts assisting those affected by the
flooding in Calgary, Lethbridge and across Alberta.
eriec.ca/career-mentorship-program/ or
contact Ruth Moore, Program Director at
rmoore@eriec.ca or call 780-497-8866 for
more information.
fsw.ucalgary.ca
Asset Building Learning Exchange
(ABLE) 2013 Conference
Fostering Financial Empowerment
November 5 – 6, 2013, Calgary AB
ABLE is a national conference for all stakeholders interested in fostering financial empowerment for people who live on low incomes.
This learning event will explore a range of innovative financial empowerment initiatives, a closer look at the role of financial institutions
and emerging research, and policy. ABLE 2013 will deepen the understanding of how asset building and financial empowerment can play a
significant role in poverty reduction.
To register and for more information, please contact: Salimah Kassam, Financial Futures Collaborative: 403-441-2265 or email:
Salimah.kassam@calgaryunitedway.org
Donna McBride, Momentum: 403-204-2675 or email: donnam@momentum.org.
Also follow us on Twitter @ffcyyc, #ABLEyyc
To register: financialfuturescalgary.ca/able-conference/register-now.html
To view the conference website: financialfuturescalgary.ca/able-conference.html
39
information
for your
Nurturing the Resiliency of the Human Spirit Workshop
Series keynote & workshop with Dr. Brené Brown, PhD, LMSW
Wired for Connection: How Empathy, Shame, and
Vulnerability Affect Helping and Healing
November 5 & 6, 2013, Winnipeg MB
The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax
credit that helps individuals with disabilities reduce
the amount of income tax they have to pay.
November 5, 2013
7:00 - 8:00 pm — Public Keynote with Dr. Brené Brown. Cost: $25.
Who is eligible?
November 6, 2013
9:00 - 12:00 — Workshop with Dr. Brené Brown
You may be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit if you
or an eligible dependant:
1:00 - 4:30 — Choice of 2 Resiliency Based Experiential Workshops:
•
are blind;
•
receive life sustaining therapy; or
•
have an impairment that affects one or more of
the following basic activities of daily living —
walking, speaking, dressing, hearing, feeding,
mental functions necessary for everyday life, or
elimination (bowel or bladder functions).
1. Exploring Caring through Creative Movement - Liane Cherrett, OR
2. Regenerating through Music - Shirley Grierson
3. Building Resiliency through Expressive Arts - Tereza Gomes, OR
4. Restorative Practice - Dillon Cherrett
Cost: $175 (includes lunch) Winnipeg Convention Centre
In addition, individuals who are significantly restricted
in two or more basic activities of daily living may be
eligible for the DTC under the cumulative effect of
significant restrictions.
For more information, ticket purchases and to register call:
204-233-2556 or 1-800-665-4443.
How do I apply?
The Early Years Conference 2014
Shaping Childhood: Factors that Matter
Thursday, January 30 - Saturday, February 1, 2014
The Hyatt Regency Vancouver
Applying for the DTC is as easy as 1-2-3.
1. Complete Part A of the form
T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate
with your basic personal information
2. Have Part B of the form completed and certified
by your qualified practitioner
This conference will explore the complex nature of the social,
physical and biological environments that shape children’s
3. Send the certified original form to the Canada
Revenue Agency
development. Multiple elements interact to create dynamic contexts
that contribute significantly to early and lifelong wellbeing.
The CRA does not charge any fees to process your
application. Your qualified practitioner may charge a
fee to complete the certificate.
Similarly, children influence their environments to shape their
developmental paths. All of these factors matter.
•
to broaden our understanding of how children experience similar
For more information about the DTC, go to
www.cra.gc.ca/dtc or call 1-866-741-0127.
environments in unique ways
•
to promote the value of an inclusive approach in supporting the
child, family and community
•
to review and discuss the influence of diverse social and cultural
factors in the context of child development
•
to increase recognition of the impact of epigenetics research on
early childhood development
•
to give greater consideration to how children with special needs
experience, and interact with, different environments
For more information, visit interprofessional.ubc.ca or call:
1.604.822.7708 or email: yolande.ipce@ubc.ca.
40
QUALITY MENTAL HEALTH
& EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
SUMMER/FALL 2013 | ALBERTA
www.jackhirose.com
ENGAGING TRAUMATIZED CLIENTS
WHO AVOID ATTACHMENT,
CLOSENESS AND PAINFUL FEELINGS
DAVID BURNS, M.D.
ROBERT MULLER, Ph.D.
Calgary, AB | Nov. 14 & 15, 2013
Edmonton, AB | July 8, 9, 10, & 11, 2013
THE 10 BEST-EVER ANXIETY
MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
CYBERBULLYING:
PRACTICAL INTERVENTION
& PREVENTION STRATEGIES
MARGARET WEHRENBERG, Psy.D.
Edmonton, AB | Oct. 24, 2013
SAMEER HINDUJA, Ph.D.
Calgary, AB | Nov. 22, 2013
THE 10 BEST-EVER DEPRESSION
MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
VANCOUVER
ANTI-BULLYING
CONFERENCE
North Vancouver, BC
Nov. 20 & 21, 2013
TREATING ANXIETY DISORDERS IN
CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS
1 or 2
Day
Option
REID WILSON, Ph.D., & LYNN LYONS, MSW
SAMEER HINDUJA, Ph.D.
DEBRA PEPLER, Ph.D.
DONALD MEICHENBAUM, Ph.D.
Canada’s Premier Psychotherapy Conference
Proudly sponsored by EDGEWOOD Treatment Centre and Jack Hirose & Associates Inc.
4th Annual
conference2013.jackhirose.com
PRESENTED BY
ROBERT BROOKS, PH.D.
DON MEICHENBAUM, PH.D.
STEPHEN GRINSTEAD, DR. AD, LMFT,
ROB MULLER, PH.D.
ACRPS, CADC-II
LISA NAJAVITS, PH.D.
KENNETH V. HARDY, PH.D.
LAWRENCE SHULMAN, ED.D., MSW
LORNE HILDEBRAND
LOREE SUTTON, MD
LAURIE LEITCH, PH.D.
BRIAN LEVINE, PH.D., CPSYCH, ABPP-CN
PATRICK ZIERTEN, EMBA, M.A.
Richmond, British Columbia | December 4, 5 & 6, 2013
Save $10 on your registration! Register and pay online at registration.jackhirose.com
For full information on all workshops and conferences, visit www.jackhirose.com
41
information
4 DAY INTENSIVE: COGNITIVE
BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY
for your
= child & youth focus
information
for your
Earn Category A Credits
Online and Flourish
Fall online eCourses:
Canadian Child Abuse Association (CCAA) presents:
Joining Together
An International Conference on Child Maltreatment
May 4 - 7, 2014, Calgary AB
The Mindful Leader
Knowing and Leading Self
Introduction to Mindfulness
(re)Constructing Well-being
Art of Facilitation
Power of Gratitude
An Intro to Appreciative Inquiry
Ethical Imperative of Self-care
The 2014 Joining Together Conference will once again bring child
abuse professionals together to identify and discuss issues and
initiatives related to child abuse forensic investigation and clinical
practice. The conference is pleased to feature sessions related
On Demand Self-Paced Home Studies:
to the latest research and best practices in forensic child abuse
Flourishing
Positivity
How of Happiness
Creating Spirit at Work
investigation and clinical practice. The conference is based on
a model of multidisciplinary collaboration. Preconference: This
conference will feature the option of a preconference workshop (6
hours) on Sunday May 4, 2014. Cost not included in the conference
www.elearningtoflourish.com
price.
780.429.2588
Val@kaizensolutions.org
For more information, please visit: www.ccaa.org
Email: aliceg@ccaa.org
Val Kinjerski, MSW, PhD, RSW
Kaizen Solutions
Phone: 403-289-8385. n
HELPING COMMUNITIES ORGANIZATIONS
WITH ISSUES OF CRISIS AND TRAUMA
WORKSHOPS COMING TO ALBERTA IN
2013-2014 FALL/WINTER
GENDER AND SEXUAL IDENTITY IN YOUTH
Edmonton: December 4; Calgary: December 11
MINDFULNESS COUNSELLING STRATEGIES
ANXIETY - Practical Intervention Strategies
- Activating Compassion and Regulation
Edmonton: October 17; Calgary: October 30; Grande Prairie: November 7
Edmonton: December 5-6; Calgary: December 12-13
DEPRESSION - Practical Intervention Strategies
CRISIS RESPONSE PLANNING
Edmonton: October 18; Calgary: October 31
Calgary: December 10; Edmonton: December 11
STALKING - Assessment and Management
DE-ESCALATING POTENTIALLY VIOLENT SITUATIONS™
Calgary: October 23; Edmonton: October 24
Edmonton: January 28; Calgary: January 29
UNDERSTANDING MENTAL ILLNESS
Calgary: November 5; Edmonton: November 7
TRAIN-THE-TRAINER Certification Program for
DSM-5 - What’s New...What’s Different
Calgary: January 29-31
DE-ESCALATING POTENTIALLY VIOLENT SITUATIONS™
Calgary: November 6; Edmonton: November 8
ADDICTIONS AND MENTAL ILLNESS
- Working with Co-occurring Disorders
MOTIVATING CHANGE
Calgary: February 11; Edmonton: February 12
- Strategies for Approaching Resistance
Edmonton: November 21-22
Calgary: November 28-29
SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND YOUTH
- Creating Opportunities for Change
Edmonton: February 13; Calgary: February 21
To register or for Spring workshop information, please visit our website.
info@ctrinstitute.com
www.ctrinstitute.com
42
204.452.9199
All CTRI Workshops are approved by ACSW:
CATEGORY A
COMPETENCY CREDIT
ACSW’s
Partners in Advocacy
Alberta Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health
for your
aamimh.ca
Arusha
arusha.org
Canada Without Poverty
cwp-csp.ca
Canadian Council on Social Development
ccsd.ca
Edmonton Social Planning Council
We also raise public awareness about
the important role of allied health
professionals including social workers.
edmontonsocialplanning.ca
Friends of Medicare
www.hsaa.ca
friendsofmedicare.org
Greater Edmonton Alliance
greateredmontonalliance.com
Public Interest Alberta
pialberta.org
Parkland Institute
ualberta.ca/parkland
DEADLINE
for the
WINTER 2013 issue of
the Advocate
is
OCTOBER 15, 2013
Another day, another crisis averted.
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees is proud to
represent more than 75,000 Albertans who provide quality
public services to the people of our province.
Among these hard-working Albertans are more than 2,500
social services workers including Child and Youth Care
Counsellors, Human Services Workers, Psychology Assistants
and Psychologists who work every day to make sure their
clients are safe and on track to successful lives.
All ad inquiries to Ilona Cardinal
IlonaC@acsw.ab.ca
All editorial inquiries to Charity Lui
AUPE is committed to a society in which all Albertans can
expect fair public services provided by committed, well-trained
public employees. www.aupe.org
Charity@acsw.ab.ca
Alberta Union of Provincial Employees. Your working people.
43
information
The Health Sciences Association of
Alberta represents more than 22,000
professional, technical, and support
employees in Alberta’s health care
system. We bargain for fair wages
and decent working conditions for our
members.
in the
news
PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40050109
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO
ALBERTA COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS
550 10707 100 AVE NW
EDMONTON AB T5J 3M1
Social Work: Person
in Environment: NOW!
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Deadline: September 30, 2013
Look for “2014 Conference” at acsw.ab.ca
MARCH
20 / 21 / 22
2014
SAVE THE DATE
2 0 1 4
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44

984-03-2013 Advocate Fall - Alberta College of Social Workers

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