Continuing Education

This workshop will focus on the gaps of service that exist within the veteran community, specifically for national guard and reservist members. Gaps in service for National Guard and Reserve members can create challenges, particularly regarding benefits, career progression, and reintegration into civilian life.

Ready Workplaces (also called Recovery Friendly Workplaces) are committed to making foundational change in the way they hire, treat, and support workers living in or seeking recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. Recovery Ready Workplaces move from a “zero tolerance” policy emphasizing disciplinary action to a “recovery” policy emphasizing help, hope, and realizing the economic potential of healthy employees. Just as “housing first” policies recognize the role of stable housing in supporting recovery from substance use and mental health challenges, recovery ready workplaces recognize the need for stable, sustainable and supportive employment to support individuals in recovery and maximize their social contributions.

The purpose of the workshop is to provide an introduction to solution-focused brief practice. The model has been accepted as an evidence-based practice, and much research has demonstrated the effectiveness of solution-focused practice with varied populations and in varied contexts. The following topics will be covered: the distinction between short-term and brief therapies; assumptions; solution-building versus problem-solving; and the seven intervention tools. The workshop is structured to encourage and allow discussion and sharing of ideas. Solution-focused practice follows many of the social work precepts, such as “staying where the client is,” viewing clients as an integral part of their social environments, creating a collaborative relationship, and developing a client-centered approach.

The purpose of the workshop is to provide an introduction to solution-focused brief practice. The model has been accepted as an evidence-based practice, and much research has demonstrated the effectiveness of solution-focused practice with varied populations and in varied contexts. The following topics will be covered: the distinction between short-term and brief therapies; assumptions; solution-building versus problem-solving; and the seven intervention tools. The workshop is structured to encourage and allow discussion and sharing of ideas. Solution-focused practice follows many of the social work precepts, such as “staying where the client is,” viewing clients as an integral part of their social environments, creating a collaborative relationship, and developing a client-centered approach.