NASW-MO Chapter 2024 Fall Conference

The social work profession increasingly recognizes international issues and experiences as valuable components of social work education for new and experienced practitioners. Exploring unfamiliar cultural contexts can help one better understand social justice inequality and the intersectionality of various social identities. This presentation highlights the significance of exploring differences and understanding international opportunities. 

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Appreciative inquiry is a grassroots approach to identifying community strengths and leveraging them to plan and bring about sustainable change.  Participants will learn about the process, its application to rural communities, and engage in a related experiential activity.

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Motivational Interviewing is a key skill used by clinicians in all levels of practice. This presentation will begin with a brief overview of the spirit of MI and the importance of meeting clients where they are. I will then briefly touch on the stages of change and the importance of empowering clients to work through their ambivalence. The key skills in MI will then be covered with an emphasis on how each of these skills (open ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries) should be used throughout the MI process. I will wrap up the presentation by touching on key areas in which MI can be beneficial such as brief interventions, assessments, and telehealth appointments.

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Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is not providing therapy to horses.  EAP is not petting and brushing horses (although that may be part of a structured activity).  EAP incorporates horses as being part of the treatment team to address a variety of concerns that can also be addressed in traditional office settings.  During this workshop, participants will gain a better understanding of the process of EAP, how it is applied in the arena, what populations can be served and what issues can be addressed.  This presentation will also explore how EAP has been incorporated with such treatment models as EMDR and IFS.  Participants will have the opportunity to experience EAP via videos and participate in an activity that simulates being in the arena.

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Appreciative inquiry is a grassroots approach to identifying community strengths and leveraging them to plan and bring about sustainable change.  Participants will learn about the process, its application to rural communities, and engage in a related experiential activity.

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The presentation will focus on considerations for working with individuals who have disabilities. Within the U.S. system, there has been a shift from the medical model of disability to the social model of disability in recent years. The social model of disability attempts to promote greater understanding of the restrictiveness the U.S. society for individuals with disabilities. The social model of disability examines the various factors that act as deterrents to inclusivity for individuals with disabilities. Factors such as lack of accessibility, discrimination, insensitivity to “invisible” disabilities, and lack of opportunity all restrict the well-being of individuals with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities must navigate these factors to achieve community integration. Understanding the challenges posed to individuals with disabilities has commonly been achieved by looking at ability status in isolation, without taking into consideration other aspects of the individuals’ identity. Identity aspects such as race, gender, and class all must be taken into consideration when working with individuals with disabilities. Using an intersectional perspective when working with individuals with disabilities fosters a more holistic view that can be utilized to create more effective outcomes for the individuals who social workers provide services to. This presentation will highlight specific considerations for social workers who provide services to individuals with disabilities, with a focus on intersectionality. The presentation will also provide useful information that can be utilized by social work educators in academia within the classroom setting in teaching future social workers. When discussing the value of social justice, the NASW Code of Ethics emphasizes working with vulnerable and oppressed populations (NASW, 2021). Examining the intersections of various forms of oppression, as it relates to individuals with disabilities, will enhance social worker knowledge and promote improved service delivery to this population while aiming to address the value of social justice.

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Examining everything we need to know when it comes to connecting with our BPD clients! From diagnosing, to building a trusting rapport and maintaining ongoing boundaries. Together, let's better understand BPD trauma responses, maladaptive coping mechanisms, intense mood dysregulation, impulsive behaviors, BPD survivorship and communication tactics. Learn how the BPD diagnosis has deep connections to attachment styles as well as grief and loss stages. Let's dissect the DSM-5 criteria, recognize the "4 types" and how the 256 different combinations reside on a unique spectrum. Lastly, let's eliminate BPD stigma by learning helpful tips on how to LOVE working with our clients with BPD!

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Communication is a cornerstone of effective social work practice.  No matter where you are in your career becoming a better communicator should always be a professional goal.  To be successful both as a clinician and a supervisor or director means using skills in multimedia.  Using email as a business tool for fast communication has become essential in our work today.  With more and more people working from home using this tool has become automatic.  With its use we have learned that it is difficult to convey the correct sentiment and emotion over this media.  Many of us have made mistakes via email we wish we could take back.  Likewise visual presentations are an important part of our work world.  Learning how to tell the story in a visual presentation can create a lasting impact for the listener.  There are some simple tips that are easily adaptable to help with this.   And speaking directly to an audience is also a part of what we do when we convey messages to a group of employees or in a more formal presentation.  Capturing their attention, holding that attention, and leaving a lasting impression is key.  One area we often forget is the nonverbal messages we send.  Body language matters when we speak.  Doing so much of our work over the computer for meetings or even therapy has caused many of us to forget some of the power associated with our visual self.  Using physical expressiveness adds power and success to speeches, presentations, and meetings. Join me as we look at tips for improving your effectiveness via email, visual presentations, and speeches.

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·       Special event further enriches your conference experience

·       Receive 2.0 clock hours for attending

·       Take pride in being a social worker

·       Gain a deeper appreciation for social work's impact

·       Popcorn and snacks available

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The "A" in LGBTQIA+ is finally gaining visibility in pop culture and media. However, many social workers are still stumped when it comes to understanding, working with, and advocating for this community, which makes up roughly 1% of the United States population. This presentation will provide an overview of asexuality, and attendees should anticipate leaving the presentation with language and practice tools that better equip them to work ethically with asexual individuals and communities, whether it is at the clinical, community, or macro level.

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This presentation will explore cultural differences in the Hispanic/Latino/Latinx and African American populations surrounding suicide (prevention, assessment, and response). Currently, most suicide risk assessments focus on criteria that is not inclusive of cultural factors important to persons of color, causing ineffective responses. Participants will increase their knowledge surrounding more culturally sensitive approaches to suicide prevention and responses for Hispanic/Latino/Latinx and African American populations.

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Immigration has been called one of the key civil rights issues of our time. As professionals dedicated to social justice and respecting the dignity and worth of all people—and knowledgeable about so many systems impacting human life—social workers are uniquely positioned and called to accompany immigrants in exercising their rights, meeting fundamental needs, and challenging racist and xenophobic narratives. But immigration systems and issues are complex, confusing, and high stakes; knowing how to assist can be difficult. This workshop will open with an interactive activity, inviting participants to share their knowledge and questions about immigrants in Missouri. Then, guided by a presenter with nearly 30 years’ experience working with immigrant communities, we will talk about basic immigration status types and accompanying rights and risks, options to obtain status, relevant government agencies, immigrant populations in Missouri, and the impact of national and state policies. We will also explore parts of a toolkit (available to participants via links and handouts) for advocating with and for immigrants, including information about public benefits eligibility; migration-related mental health concerns; sources of reliable information about immigration facts; and resources for legal assistance, social services, and getting involved in macro-level advocacy.

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This presentation will explore cultural differences in the Hispanic/Latino/Latinx and African American populations surrounding suicide (prevention, assessment, and response). Currently, most suicide risk assessments focus on criteria that is not inclusive of cultural factors important to persons of color, causing ineffective responses. Participants will increase their knowledge surrounding more culturally sensitive approaches to suicide prevention and responses for Hispanic/Latino/Latinx and African American populations.

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In the demanding world of social work, it's easy to forget the importance of tending to our own souls. This empowering presentation is designed to remind social workers that they too have a soul worthy of attention and care. Discover practical and soul-nourishing activities to ignite your inner light, cultivate resilience, and find balance in the noble work of serving others. Let's embark on a journey of self-discovery and renewal together, because when we prioritize our own well-being, we shine brighter and serve stronger.

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As social workers we are often encouraged to work in community mental health agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and government entities.  We are taught how to recover from burnout and the common belief is that we need to be entirely altruistic in our work.  Private practice is often seen as something that other mental health professionals do and to complicated to consider.  Practicums in private practice are rarely found. Social workers have many of the skills that position them to be amazing in private practice- as practice owners and as providers of care. In this presentation we will look at the process for starting and operating a private practice and explore several of the ethical issues that face private practices.

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Horses look for leaders who are confident, consistent, compassionate, and who communicate clearly.  They are an incredible metaphor for leaders and leadership based on themes revolving around partnership, trust, communication, and relationships.  This session will offer a unique approach to enhance your skills through equine-assisted leadership development.  Explore various techniques and activities to help you lead with intention and craft a healthy workplace culture.  Participants will take an in-depth look at the five leadership lessons that you can learn from horses to discover what a little "horse sense" could do for your leadership skills.  Participants will leave this session with a better understanding of the foundational qualities of empowering leadership.

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In the demanding world of social work, it's easy to forget the importance of tending to our own souls. This empowering presentation is designed to remind social workers that they too have a soul worthy of attention and care. Discover practical and soul-nourishing activities to ignite your inner light, cultivate resilience, and find balance in the noble work of serving others. Let's embark on a journey of self-discovery and renewal together, because when we prioritize our own well-being, we shine brighter and serve stronger.

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As social workers we are often encouraged to work in community mental health agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and government entities.  We are taught how to recover from burnout and the common belief is that we need to be entirely altruistic in our work.  Private practice is often seen as something that other mental health professionals do and to complicated to consider.  Practicums in private practice are rarely found. Social workers have many of the skills that position them to be amazing in private practice- as practice owners and as providers of care. In this presentation we will look at the process for starting and operating a private practice and explore several of the ethical issues that face private practices.

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Many people struggle with chronic pain issues. Not only does this impact their physical health, but their mental health can also be affected. This presentation will cover understanding chronic pain, its effects on mental health, and treatment options that best help our clients who struggle with mental health related to chronic pain.

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Emotional Intelligence can be defined as one’s awareness of their own emotions and the emotions of others around them. This presentation will center on the importance of direct service providers practicing a high level of emotional intelligence when working with vulnerable populations. By operating from an introspective lens, providers can better understand their own emotions and in turn model healthy emotion regulation to those they serve. This session will highlight how interpersonal awareness and intrapersonal awareness can help advance the social work profession by creating more empathetic and conscious service provision.

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Come share your work with your fellow social workers. It’s a safe environment for our stories, our poetry, our truth. Enjoy reading and hearing poetry, creative nonfiction, and fiction over coffee with your fellow conference attendees!

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In 2020, less than 10% of community members diagnosed with a substance use disorder received any form treatment. This staggering statistic stems directly from the culture of stigma and shame that surrounds behavioral health in our country. Join us as we delve into the impacts of intersectionality, bias, and the language we utilize. Participants will leave with a renewed confidence that their communication is human-centered and empowering. ?

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The terms “leadership” and “management” are sometimes used synonymously. However, leadership is change-focused while management centers on order and consistency. Examining five leadership challenges provides a framework for attendees to highlight their personal leadership abilities, regardless of social work role title and career stage. These same leadership challenges provide a framework within which attendees can recognize opportunities for personal focus, linking their own leadership to a culture of success and change in professional social work practice.

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This 90-minute interactive workshop engages participants to intentionally center decolonized anti-racist practice through the exploration of social work education and the changing landscape of social work faculty. The principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are best understood through the practices of social work programs and institutions of higher education. Social work educators are an essential component of the learning environment providing insulation from biases inherent in higher education. In a way, cultural humility in social work practice begins with faculty. A decade of institutional, personal, and professional characteristics of social work faculty tells a story of the learning environment in which todays social workers have been trained.

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