An Opportunity to Participate in AMED 2018: Join Us via Livestream from the College Website

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers is pleased to remind you of the upcoming Annual Meeting and Education Day (AMED). The event takes place on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building (Toronto). AMED is part of the Glenda McDonald Educational Series.

While registration to attend AMED in-person has reached full capacity, we invite OCSWSSW members to join in via livestream.

Don’t miss out on what will surely be an engaging day of networking and learning. Once again this year, the Annual Meeting portion of the day in addition to the keynote address and two of the educational sessions will be available via livestream directly from the College website. For more information regarding the livestream feature, click here.

Afternoon educational sessions available via livestream

We are excited to announce that the following two afternoon educational sessions have been selected to be livestreamed for those unable to attend AMED in-person:

1. Session A: “Risk Assessment, Risk Management and Safety Planning for Children Living with Domestic Violence: A Critical Role for Social Workers and Social Service Workers
Marcie Campbell, Laura Olszowy and Mike Saxton

This presentation brings forward the findings of a five-year research project that focuses on identifying more nuanced strategies to reduce risk of domestic homicide and increase safety for vulnerable populations. For additional information regarding this presentation, click here.

2. Session B: “Breaking Down Barriers: The Role of Social Work and Social Service Work in the Context of Complex Illness, Uncertainty and Grief
C. Elizabeth Dougherty, MSW, RSW

This presentation explores the role of social work and social service work in providing compassionate care for individuals and families of all ages following the diagnosis of a complex illness, at end of life and into bereavement. For additional information regarding this presentation, click here.

The College will also live-tweet AMED on its Twitter feed and encourages members to connect with us on Twitter during the event, using the #AMED2018 hashtag.

Update regarding AMED keynote address: Casandra Diamond

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the College’s previously confirmed keynote speaker Jennifer Richardson, RSW is no longer able to present at this year’s AMED.

The College is pleased to announce, however, that Casandra Diamond is this year’s keynote speaker. Casandra is the founder and Director of BridgeNorth, a charitable organization working to address and prevent the unique problems facing victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking through providing programs to assist with their departure and transition from the sex industry.

In her keynote address, Casandra will speak from her own lived experience and current role to discuss indicators of human trafficking as they relate to children and youth. Casandra intends to share how having a better understanding of the unique subculture of the sex trade assists social workers and social service workers in recognizing human trafficking situations and allow them to be more effective in their own practice.

Don’t miss out!

We look forward to seeing you at AMED 2018 – in person and virtually!

If you wish to add your name to the waitlist to attend AMED in-person, please contact AMED@ocswssw.org.

For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact Sarah Choudhury, Communications Manager, at schoudhury@ocswssw.org.