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HomeTreatment Strategies Series

Vulnerable Populations Series – Session One

Overview:

This introductory session on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) addresses its impact on social-legal cognition, part of the Vulnerable Populations Series dedicated to enhancing understanding and advocacy for marginalized groups affected by neurodisabilities. The session will explore TBI as a neurodisability and examine the effects on cognitive communication and social-legal behavior.

Learning Objectives:


1.Recognize TBI as a neuro disability:

- Grasp the biopsychosocial model of neurodisability.

- Identify specific functional limitations linked to TBI.


2. Understand the Effects of TBI on Social-Legal Cognition:

- Explore cognitive communication limitations post-TBI.

- Recognize social-legal cognitive behavioral limitations following TBI.

Featured Speaker:

Joseph Wszalek, JD, PhD,is the founder of the Center for Neurolaw and Equity, a California-based initiative advancing research and advocacy at the intersection of neuroscience and law. With a background in neuroscience and neuroethics, Dr. Wszalek’s work centers on neurodisability, language and communication, and social-legal cognition, positioning him as a leading voice in neurodisability rights and equity.

This presentation is designed to provide attendees with a better understanding of acquired brain injury and the challenges (physical, behavioural, emotional, and cognitive) that one may experience while navigating a complex justice system. Through two case studies, we will highlight common difficulties as well as provide relevant, practical strategies that you can use to understand and support clients with acquired brain injury

Delivering community based support for concurrent disorders

 

Time: August 18, 2021 01:00 PM to 2.00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)


A concurrent disorder is a condition where a person experiences both mental illness and a substance abuse disorder. Concurrent disorders can manifest in a variety of combinations for example anxiety disorder and alcohol abuse or bipolar disorder and opioid addiction and dependence etc. Experienced Practitioners will discuss challenges and best practices in delivering community-based support for drug use and mental health disorders.

 

Moderator: Justice Kofi Barnes, Ontario Superior Court, Chair, AJTP and IATCP.



Nathaniel Israel M.A., B.Sc.,

Clinical Director & Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual Outpatient Program

Trafalgar Addiction Treatment Centres


Lindsay Reynolds, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist

Clinical Education Lead, Addictions

Lakeridge Health Hospital

 

Alex Yeaman

Youth Mental Health Court Worker

Turning Point Youth Services

 

Upon request, here is the link to the Mental Health Court meta-analysis referred to by Alex Yeaman:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12103-021-09629-6

A Conversation about Three Treatment Philosophies


As we gain a better understanding of the cause and effects of substance abuse and drug addiction, treatment strategies evolve and improve. This session will discuss three treatment philosophies i.e. abstinence, harm reduction and a trauma informed approach.


When: July 14, 2021, 1.00 PM to 3.00PM


Abstinence: 1:00 PM to 1:35 PM Eastern

Jennifer Berard 

Chartered Psychologist and Clinical Lead

Calgary Drug Treatment Court


Harm Reduction: 1:40 PM to 2:15 PM Eastern

Carole Sinclair

Manager

Supervised Consumption and Treatment Service

Somerset West Community Health Centre, Ottawa, Ontario


Trauma Informed Approach: 2:15pm to 2:55 pm

Robin Cuff, RP Manager, Acute Care

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)


Moderator: Justice Kofi Barnes, Ontario Superior Court, Chair, Association of Justice and Treatment Professionals and International Association of Treatment Court Professionals

Treatment for incarcerated populations: Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT)

Kate Johnson, Director, Clinical Services, Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres

An expert discusses Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) Ontarians who have experienced incarceration are at a disproportionately higher risk of death by opioid toxicity than the general population. Individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) released directly from court following incarceration potentially face even greater risks.

 

OAT is often continued or initiated when an offender with OUD is incarcerated in a provincial facility. For those who have been on OAT, release to the community creates challenges to the continuity of this essential medical treatment which is necessary to prevent overdose and return to both the use of illicit substances and criminal activity. This is especially challenging for those who are released directly from court since they do not have adequate advance planning to ensure the continuity of care of their OAT. 

Other barriers can include:


  • OAT providers’ inability to obtain accurate information from the correctional center to safely continue treatment
  • Lack of government-approved identification or Health Card which is required to access medical services and initiate/continue treatment in the community
  • Lack of funds or drug plan coverage (public drug plan or other) to cover the costs of OAT medication

Access and linkage to low-barrier, evidence-based treatment for OUD must be integrated into the criminal justice system—both during incarceration and immediately upon release—to prevent unnecessary loss of life, protect local communities and reduce recidivism in Ontario. 


Speaker Bio


Kate Johnson


Director of Clinical Services, Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres (CATC)


Kate spent her early career working in the federal correctional system. From there, she spent time working with youth involved in the criminal justice system. After seeing the link between traumatic experiences, mental health, substance use and incarceration, Kate retrained to become an addiction counselor, primarily working in Eastern Ontario.


Kate joined Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres in 2015 in a leadership role and moved to the Director position in 2018. She is responsible for clinical services and operations in 74 Treatment Centres in the Province of Ontario that deliver addiction care to nearly 15,000 patients a month. Driven by a personal passion for improving access to high-quality, cost-effective opioid agonist treatment, particularly in rural communities, Kate is committed to changing the trajectory of the opioid/fentanyl epidemic in Canada.


Treatment Strategies for individuals at a high risk of committing a violent sexual offence

An Expert discusses the Guiding Good Choices (GCC) project. GCC adopts treatment strategies aimed at preventing individuals at risk of harming others sexually in an effort to reduce the risk of offending.

GCC aims to provide a safe, non-judgmental place for participants to talk openly about struggles related to sexual thoughts, attitudes, or behaviours that are harmful to others or themselves; provide an opportunity for participants to share their sexual thoughts and challenges and discuss the potential impact of acting on those thoughts.

GCC aims to help the GGC participant with a better understanding of their harmful behaviours, motivations, trends, and patterns and seeks to equip them with strategies to help them overcome these tendencies thus keeping themselves and others safe. The ultimate objective is to connect the individuals to clinical/therapeutic supports and to help participants identify and understand their thinking and behaviour patterns and address beliefs that underlie unhealthy and harmful patterns of thinking and behaviour.


Speaker Bio


Carol O'Neil


Carol is a Restorative Justice Program Associate with Mennonite Central Committee for over 5 years working with their CoSA (Circle of Support and Accountability for Individuals who have harmed sexually) and FCRI (Faith Community Reintegration Initiative for women just released from incarceration). She is married to Mark, and they have 2 children, and 5 grandchildren. She is excited about a new project she has developed entitled Guiding Good Choices (GGC). The goal of the project is to prevent individuals at risk of harming others sexually to get them help before they do – in doing so we prevent the cost and trauma of the growing number of criminal offences related to sexual assault and less victims.



Trauma-Informed Processes


10:10 AM - 10:50 AM



This presentation focuses on what trauma is, how it affects us, why we should consider it in the courtroom, and what courtroom practices we can implement to help alleviate the ongoing effects of trauma. The prevalence of serious traumatic experiences among our neighbours and fellow community members is alarming, and its consequences can be severe, manifesting in stressful environments like courtrooms. Presenters in this section will walk through direct clinical experiences, personal experiences, and a case study to help illustrate the many sides of trauma. This presentation will conclude with suggestions on how court practitioners can better help case participants cope with trauma and on how to incorporate trauma-informed practices into the courtroom.

 

Lindsey Price Jackson, Senior Program Manager of Community Justice Initiatives, Centre for Justice Innovation, New York

Kathryn Ford

Director of Clinical Supervision and Child Witness Initiatives

Centre for Justice Innovation, New York