Counselors, therapists, clinicians, child welfare and court personnel, working with women challenged by the complex issues related to criminal justice involvement and alcohol and other drug abuse will not want to miss this cost-free training, worth 6 hours of continuing education!  Featuring:  Dr. Nena Messina, UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Program – Criminal Justice Research Group.

Click here to register online:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2RDCLXS, or contact Anita Hurtado at (916) 285-1810 for more information.

California has possibly the most diverse population in the country and this includes a very large and diverse, LGBTQ community.  This article will provide culturally appropriate service approaches and treatment strategies for working with lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgendered and questioning individuals in a treatment setting.  The article will include background on the population, an overview of terms and identities, and information on the socio-economic/justice and health disparities faced by LGBT individuals.  Specific emphasis will be given to African American, LGBTQ issues. Concrete strategies for modeling appropriate behavior in the service environment, and addressing transgender issues and homophobia in treatment settings/groups and housing environments will be provided, along with examples of LGBT-inclusive organizational policies and procedures.

Recently the show aired a segment on help for nonprofit community-based organizations, featuring our independent consultant, John Black.  John, who can boast of 20 years in his profession, has been part of our consultant pool since 2007.

The interview includes inquiries about vision mapping, nonprofits and taxes, and organization start-up.  Find out how John fields these questions from hosts Melissa Crowley and Guy Farris.  Click here to watch the video.

Click here to read more news and announcements.

There are always a few clients in treatment who really do push our buttons. These are the ones who talk the talk—often a great deal–but fail to walk the walk. They don’t follow the rules and when you give them consequences they are surprised, hurt, angry or all three. They make promises and break them, over and over.  Other people’s private property does not exist: “what’s yours is mine and what’s mine is mine”.  They have meltdowns over little things that others do, but don’t seem to notice that their own behavior is upsetting to others.  And despite clinicians’ best efforts this pattern continues with little or no improvement.

In the field of substance abuse treatment, we see this client as having some combination of character defects, maybe even the core dishonesty described in the Big Book as the basic obstacle to recovery.  What is almost never considered is the possibility that undiagnosed brain damage could be causing this behavior, and greatly interfering with treatment. Unbeknownst to many treatment providers, by far the most common type of brain damage is caused by exposure to alcohol during pregnancy resulting in the condition we now call Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

Download Full Article

• Essential elements of the Core Competencies for women’s treatment
• Trauma-informed, culturally responsive services
• Considerations for assessment, treatment planning & case management
• Organizational supports and considerations

Click here to register online for this training.  If you have questions regarding registration please contact Anita Hurtado at ahurtado@ontrackconsulting.org or call 916-285-1810.

Studies have documented that African American women have higher rates of CPS involvement than other ethnic groups.  Over 1/2 of African American children placed in foster care are not reunited with their biological families.  (National Center for Children in Poverty, 2000). So it is no wonder that within the African American community, CPS workers are viewed with high levels of mistrust and skepticism.  This article will emphasize the benefits of utilizing the techniques found in Motivational Interviewing to develop successful reunification plans that: encompass clients’ concerns; concentrate on identifying family strengths and empower the support networks indigenous to the African American community.

Ms. Stout, an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco and nationally recognized MI practitioner, will provide scenarios and examples of appropriate questions, conversational techniques, etc. to help providers envision the process.

Download Full Article