Unhealthy alcohol and other drug use are among the most common causes of preventable morbidity and mortality. As healthcare moves to integrate behavioral health services within primary care settings, social workers are called upon to be familiar and adept with screening for and addressing unhealthy substance use. SBIRT (Screening,

Brief Intervention & Referral to Treatment) is a screening and intervention tool that focuses on the one in five people who may use alcohol or drugs in unhealthy ways but who do not have a substance use disorder (i.e., abuse, dependence). Research shows that people in this category successfully change their use with feedback and brief intervention counseling, using SBIRT methodology.

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AV: PowerPoint presentation

Format: Presentation

Persons with lived recovery experience will provide information for primary care clinicians on what assisted them and what did not assist them in their recovery journey. 

AV: dependent on presenters
Format: Panel discussion

Parity is the law. Insurance companies are required to provide coverage for mental health, including substance use disorder services, at the same level they cover physical health services. However, lack of mental health parity in insurance coverage is a form of discrimination that people with mental health and substance use disorders continue to experience.

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This workshop will:

• Inform attendees about existing parity law

• Guide attendees in spotting and responding to potential parity violations

• Provide tips and tools to help attendees advocate for themselves or a family member with insurers to obtain the mental health benefits they need.

Facilitators Shamus Durac, Staff Attorney, RI Parent Information Network and Karen Malcolm, Project Manager, RI Parity Initiative

AV: Includes PowerPoint

Format: Presentation

When behavior change is difficult we need to deliberately communicate, connect and collaborate in effective ways. Our team of highly experienced trainers offers participants an evidence-based, practical approach to conversations about next steps, as well as specific clinical skills that create effective interventions.

Focused on identifying and cultivating personal motivation, MI conversations are fertile ground where solutions arise and positive health outcomes become more likely. They also reduce provider burnout because, even with challenging clients, there is no frustration. MI teaches you to calmly meet the client where they are in order to help them make changes more easily.

Our highly interactive courses incorporate practical individual and group exercises, brief lectures and engaging activities on our online learning platform.

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AV: Requires projector and internet access

Format: Presentation

When behavior change is difficult we need to deliberately communicate, connect and collaborate in effective ways. Our team of highly experienced trainers offers participants an evidence-based, practical approach to conversations about next steps, as well as specific clinical skills that create effective interventions.

Focused on identifying and cultivating personal motivation, MI conversations are fertile ground where solutions arise and positive health outcomes become more likely. They also reduce provider burnout because, even with challenging clients, there is no frustration. MI teaches you to calmly meet the client where they are in order to help them make changes more easily.

Our highly interactive courses incorporate practical individual and group exercises, brief lectures and engaging activities on our online learning platform.

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AV: Requires projector and internet access

Format: Presentation

Clinicians of all types are being called upon to be comfortable and competent at screening for and addressing the use tobacco, e-cigarettes or other nicotine delivery systems. Unlike alcohol, which has guidelines for reasonable use, there is no safe amount of use of these products. Screening, Brief Intervention & Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based tool that helps you identify, address motivation to quit and offer treatment options to people with nicotine dependence.

This workshop reviews the bio/psycho/social model of nicotine dependence, and present the efficacy of the SBIRT model, leading to a practicum which allows you to conduct an SBIRT intervention and debrief to address your experience.

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AV: Requires projector and internet access

Format: Presentation

We know smoking is killing people, but often we just don't know how to address it. Gain confidence in having the cessation conversation and creating effective referrals to treatment.

You will learn how nicotine addiction affects the brain and how you can use evidence-based practice to assist people struggling with tobacco dependence to quit for good.

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AV: Requires projector and internet access

Format: Presentation