The theme for this year’s Annual Meeting and Education Day was Exploring Possibilities in Social Work and Social Service Work Practice. Exploring possibilities in practice is multi-faceted. It includes learning about new approaches and innovations, responding to opportunities for collaboration, respecting diversity, and practising according to the standards of practice and within the limits of one’s scope and competence, among other things.
Keynote Speaker
Possibilities and Responsibilities: The Unique Contributions of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
Linda Jackson, M.S.W., RSW
Social workers and social service workers are unique in our focus on individuals, families, groups and communities. Over more than 100 years, we have grounded our work in a concern for broad social issues such as unemployment and poverty. New demands for evidence-based practice along with globalization, shifting demographics and emerging technologies will bring new opportunities if we believe as professions that we can continue to make an impact. Linda Jackson will review the many contributions that social workers and social service workers have made to the field, while challenging the audience to consider some of our greatest opportunities for the future.
Linda is Vice President of Residential, Community and Brain Health at Baycrest. She is a social worker and health administrator who has had a focus in geriatrics and the integration of care research and education. Linda is currently leading the implementation of several health transformation system projects (including Behaviour Support for Seniors Initiative for the Toronto Central LHIN) and chairing a cross-sector Quality Table; she is also the Executive Sponsor for one of the Health LINKS in Toronto.
Afternoon Concurrent Sessions
Session A – 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Managing Complex Clients in Private Practice
Kathy Al-Zand, B.Sc.N., M.S.W., RSW
As social workers or social service workers in private practice, (whether just starting out or with several years’ experience) we will have clients who challenge us and require us to navigate through a complicated set of problems. This daunting task forces us to evaluate our skills and proceed in the best interests of our clients. How do we know if we have taken on too much? What are the red flags that indicate we need to seek help or refer the client elsewhere? This presentation will focus on indicators that we should explore countertransference and boundary issues, seek supervision and/or tailor our Continuing Competence Program. Examples of possible challenges will be discussed.
Managing Complex Clients in Private Practice
Compassion Fatigue Information and Support for Social Workers and Social Service Workers
Christa Dales Donnelly, RSSW
This presentation is designed to encourage us to share ideas so we can better understand and address the impact of compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and burnout in human service professionals and agencies. The goal is to keep experienced staff well, and to equip newer staff so they can protect themselves as they gain experience in their chosen field. Whether you are working in health, private practice or at a community social service agency, the symptoms of compassion fatigue can have an effect on your personal and professional life. Join us to keep this conversation going.
Compassion Fatigue Information and Support for Social Workers and Social Service Workers
Promoting the Power Shift: Understanding the Need for Cultural Safety in Practice
Cristine Rego, M.S.W., RSW
Cultural safety moves beyond cultural competence. It is a paradigm shift that came out of work in New Zealand in the 1980’s. It deals with how health services are delivered, specifically with the indigenous population. In Canada, our indigenous population is asking for health services that incorporate their traditional worldview. Participants will learn what cultural safety is, how it can be incorporated into their practice and how cultural safety addresses the power differential in the helping relationship.
Promoting the Power Shift: Understanding the Need for Cultural Safety in Practice
Through Thick and Thin: Exploring Effective Social Work/Social Service Work Practice with Eating Disorders
April Gates, M.S.W., RSW, Susan Graham, M.S.W., RSW
In addition to providing a brief overview of eating disorders and disordered eating, this workshop will examine the roles of service providers in determining and fostering treatment readiness, providing best-practice services to clients and their families, and navigating the continuum of community care. The services provided by Homewood Health Inc., Canadian Mental Health Association (Waterloo-Wellington-Dufferin) and the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Eating Disorders Coalition will be highlighted in this presentation.
Afternoon Concurrent Sessions
Session B – 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm
Getting the most out of your CCP: Completing your Self-Assessment and Setting Meaningful Goals
Ellen Kampf, M.S.W., RSW, Karen Pinto, RSSW
This workshop will provide you with the opportunity to learn more about the College’s mandatory Continuing Competence Program (CCP), ask questions, network with other members, and begin to complete your Self-Assessment Tool and Professional Development Plan Documents. You will learn how to make the most of the self-assessment process, and how to translate your learning needs into meaningful, relevant and accessible goals that will contribute to your professional growth, while addressing the needs, gaps and interests that you have identified.
Getting the most out of your CCP: Completing your Self-Assessment and Setting Meaningful Goals
Privacy Update from the Commissioner’s Office
Debra Grant
Director of Health Policy at the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
This presentation will provide a high level overview of Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act and describe proposed amendments to this legislation to address privacy issues in the context of ehealth. Emerging trends and hot topics relating to privacy and security of personal health information will be discussed, including electronic health records, mobile devices and social media. The presentation will also highlight some of the more common causes of privacy breaches and strategies to prevent them.
Privacy Update from the Commissioner’s Office
Working with LGBTQ Youth/Gender Independent (GI) Children and their Families – Practice Challenges for Social Workers & Social Service Workers
Steven Solomon, M.S.W., RSW
Without question, there is growing acceptance regarding diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. However it is important to recognize that such growing acceptance requires consistent care and attention to the continuing needs and aspirations of LGBTQ/GI children, youth, families and those who love them. As practitioners working in a variety of settings on multiple levels of intervention, we must remember that homophobia and transphobia persist. This session will provide an overview of the issues, along with strategies to enhance our practice possibilities with LGBTQ/GI youth and their families, with attention to ‘gender independent’ kids.
Elder Abuse Identification and Interventions
Tammy Rankin, RSSW, Sargent John Keating
Elder abuse is often a hidden crime because it can be difficult to identify. This presentation will describe what abuse looks like using real case examples from across Ontario. Once elder abuse is identified, interventions can be put in place to ensure that the senior can move forward, living with dignity and respect. At the end of this presentation, the learner will have a thorough knowledge of all aspects of elder abuse and what can be done about it.
Elder Abuse Identification and Interventions
If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact Jolinne Kearns, Communications Manager, at 416-972-9882 or 1-877-828-9380 ext 415 or e-mail jkearns@03ba464.netsolhost.com