Author Archive
09/08/16: “Integrated HIV Care & Treatment: A Medical Update and Case Example for Mental Health Professionals” (webinar)
The SAMHSA’s HIV/AIDS and Mental Health Training Resource Center and the American Psychological Association’s Office on AIDS invite you to participate
Upcoming Webinar: “Integrated HIV Care & Treatment: A Medical Update and Case Example for Mental Health Professionals”
When: Thursday 8 September 2016, 01:00 PM – 02:30 PM
Time Zone: (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US and Canada) (Please note that Daylight Saving Time (+01:00 hr) is in effect during this time)
Although effective treatments have made HIV infection a manageable chronic disease, many people living with HIV also present co-occurring mental disorders, and addictions. Medication adherence and other health behavior challenges can complicate treatment, highlighting the need for a skilled workforce (psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, substance abuse counselors, and other front line providers) that can work collaboratively with health care and public-health professionals to respond to the psychosocial challenges that accompany having or being at risk for HIV.
This webinar will highlight the latest in approaches to HIV prevention, care and treatment and provide a case example of how providers of medical and behavioral health can work together to improve outcomes for people living with HIV.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to
- Understand the latest medical approaches to HIV testing, and treatment and their impact on mental health and well-being.
- Explain the link between biomedical aspects of HIV with mental health, well-being and chronic disease management.
- Identify the role mental health care provider’s play in linking people living with HIV/AIDS into care, and supporting adherence to medical regimens.
- Describe a case example of integrated care where medical and behavioral health care teams work together to improve outcomes for people living with HIV.
The webinar is free of charge.
This webinar has been reviewed and approved by the APA Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The CE fee is $25.00 for this webinar.
Presenters:
- Eugene Farber, PhD, ABPP, is Professor and Director of Psychology Internship Training, Emory University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
- Vincent C. Marconi, M.D., is Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Professor of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University.
This webinar is provided as a collaborative effort between the American Psychological Association’s Office on AIDS and the HIV/AIDS and Mental Health Training Resource Center. The HIV/AIDS and Mental Health Training Resource Center aims to expand the knowledge and capacity of mental health care providers to address the mental health and psychosocial needs of consumers impacted and affected by HIV. This is done as a partnership between the Education Development Center, American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, and National Association of Social Workers.
The Center is funded under a task order from the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services. Reference #283-12-2401. This webinar is offered for training and technical assistance purposes only. The content, views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA or HHS.
09/19-09/21 National Association of Case Management (NACM) Conference (CEUs!)
Just a reminder about the upcoming National Association of Case Management (NACM) Conference in Los Angeles from September 19-21, 2016 at the Omni Hotel.
Early Registration has been extended to September 10th.
There will be LOTS of CEU’s at this one Conference, including nurses (11.5 CEU’s). Take a peek at the workshops available.
Please distribute this info far and wide. Please POST.
Thanks so much.
Ervin R. Munro, M.S.
Chair, NACM Conference Planning Committee
(213) 247-5399
ermunro@aol.com
09/14/16 HIV Mental Health Task Force meeting reminder & agenda
The regular monthly HIV Mental Health Task Force (HIV MHTF) meeting is on Wednesday, 09/14/16 from 9:30am to 11:30am. This month we meet in room 209.
The agenda is attached.
- Location: The Village [1125 N. McCadden Pl Los Angeles, CA 90038]
- Parking:free parking in lots across the street
- Public transportation:4, 156, 704, DASH Hwd
LAC DPH Health Alert: Outbreak of Synthetic Cannabinoid (“Spice”) Overdoses
This message is intended for emergency departments, urgent care clinics, behavioral health providers, and other health care facilities and professionals caring for patients at risk for substance misuse and abuse.
Please distribute as appropriate
Key Messages
- There is an outbreak of “Spice” (aka: synthetic cannabinoid) overdoses in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles leading to numerous hospitalizations.
- “Spice” can lead to unpredictable and life-threatening health effects.
Suspected “Spice” cases should be referred to the nearest emergency department and reported to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LAC DPH).
Situation
This health alert describes a recent outbreak of “Spice” (synthetic cannabinoid, K2) overdoses in the Los Angeles area that have led to numerous hospitalizations.
On Friday, August 19, 2016, the City of Los Angeles Emergency Medical Services transported 17 homeless individuals from 5th Street and Wall Street in Los Angeles to…
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State of California—HHS: New Vaccine Recommendations to Contain the Outbreak of Meningococcal Disease in Southern California: What Providers Need to Do
Please read attachment from the State of California, Health and Human Services Agency Re. New Vaccine Recommendations to Contain the Outbreak of Meningococcal Disease in Southern California: What Providers Need to Do.
09/23-09/24/16: Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance’s 23rd Annual Conference “Making the Most of our Moods”
We are holding our California State Annual Conference on September 23rd & 24th which is a Friday and Saturday. Our topic for the event is “Making the Most of our Moods”. The conference will encompass professionals, consumers, and people with a mental illness and we are expecting around 100 people to attend. For your information, we no longer have any rooms available that would be paid for by DBSA. Any expenses, including overnight stays, will be your responsibility.
We have medical professionals that will be speaking at the conference which will be informative and enlightening. We also will have a talent show Friday evening that is free to attend. I hope to see you there.
I have attached a brochure and registration form for your review.
Please call or email me if you have any questions.
Wanda Sellers
DBSA California Planning Committee
818-352-4346
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: The Actors Fund – Social Work Supervisor
Social Work Supervisor, Entertainment Assistance Program, Western Region
The Actors Fund, a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment, seeks a Social Work Supervisor for the Entertainment Assistance Program (“EAP”) in the Los Angeles office to provide clinical and administrative leadership to EAP services which includes: Intake, Mental Health Services, Addiction and Recovery Services, Housing Resource Center and the Financial Wellness Program. These services are designed to work with individuals, couples and families to address a myriad of issues faced when working professionally in the Performing Arts and Entertainment Industry. The position supervises all program staff and interns and is responsible for the development of the following services and resources under the EAP umbrella.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- The Social Work Supervisor of the EAP ensures the delivery of clinical and case management services to EAP clients, families and significant others adhering to agency policies and procedures. Assigns caseloads and related duties. Provides weekly supervision with individual workers and/or interns. Oversees the program development of Intake Services, Mental Health Services, Housing Resource Center and Financial Wellness Program. These programs are designed to meet the learning and wellness needs of all Social Services clients.
- Provides direct services to clients, their families and significant others including evaluation and advocacy for financial assistance through The Actors Fund and/ or other agencies, case management services, crisis intervention, information & referral, education and counseling. Provides short-term therapy groups, support groups and educational groups as well as, facilitates groups, workshops and seminars that address a variety of wellness, mental health and educational needs of the community. Visits clients at home and/or hospital when necessary.
- Manages mental health services provided through the EAP including critical incident response, crisis intervention and short-term counseling, assessment and referral for psychotherapy, and advocacy for financial assistance for treatment when applicable.
- Identifies new community resources, mental health facilities, clinicians and psychiatrists. Negotiates treatment fees and/or interfaces with insurance companies on behalf of clients to understand and maximize benefit coverage. Provides outreach to community and education, speaking on behalf of program and agency.
- Maintains all paperwork and statistics pertinent to program. Oversees and reviews staff’s charting. Ensures the confidentiality of all information. Provides back-up and coverage for all social services programs as needed
REQUIREMENTS
- Master’s Degree from an accredited School of Social Work. State Licensure required.
- Minimum of six years post-MSW experience including 2 years of experience in providing clinical/case management services. Experience with providing supervision, crisis intervention, dual diagnosis and brief treatment model desirable.
- Experience working with Entertainment Industry population preferred.
- H/She should consistently convey a sense of empathy with clients and demonstrate solid clinical acumen. H/She will be providing supervision to direct service clinical workers. H/She should value the clinical supervisor/ supervisee relationship process and have the willingness and objective of creating a safe and stimulating working environment with supervisee. Uses the individual and group clinical supervision process to reflect, observe and enhance clinical and supervision practice.
- Strong program development skills a must. Flexibility and good interpersonal skills are required.
- Worker will adhere to and be compliant with NASW code of ethics and CA-BBS guidelines in supervising MSW supervisees toward licensure, as well as interns in graduate training.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Works with Director in developing policies and procedures governing service delivery.
- Ability to handle large work flow volume and multi task in a fast paced setting a must.
- May be required to work an adjusted schedule; evening or weekend hours
- Local travel for client visits is required; an unrevoked driver’s license, valid in California and access to a vehicle are necessary
ABOUT THIS POSITION
This is a full-time salaried position based in The Actors Fund’s Western Region offices in Los Angeles. The Actors Fund offers a competitive salary, as well as a comprehensive benefits package, including: choice of multiple health and dental plan options, voluntary vision, flex and dependent care plans, employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance, supplemental life and disability, 401(k) plan with generous employer match, tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off and paid parking, depending on location.
TO APPLY
Apply online at www.Actorsfund.org/careers. A complete application will include a resume/cover letter/salary history and/or salary requirements.
ABOUT THE ACTORS FUND
The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone— performers and those behind the scenes—who works in performing arts and entertainment, helping more than 17,000 people directly each year, and hundreds of thousands online. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund’s programs include social services and emergency financial assistance, health care and insurance counseling, housing, and employment and training services. With offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Actors Fund has been—for 132 years—a safety net for those in need, crisis or transition. Visit www.actorsfund.org.
08/23/16: HIV Drug & Alcohol Task Force training subcommittee meeting
As discussed during the HIV Mental Health Task Force meeting today, you are invited to attend the next HIV Drug & Alcohol Task Force training subcommittee meeting. We will be sketching out our next few trainings. On the table for discussing: “HIV Criminalization”; “Self-Harming Behaviors in Early Recovery”; “DSM-V & Medical Necessity, with an Ethics component”
Come suggest other topics, or help us flesh out these ideas!
Start Date/Time: Tuesday August 23, 2016 11:00 AM
Duration: approximately 2 hours
Location: BHS
6838 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90028
(free parking in lot behind building, accessible from Mansfield)
Susan Forrest, Co-Chair
Los Angeles County HIV Drug & Alcohol Task Force
hivdatf.org
general information: info@hivdatf.org
training information: training@hivdatf.org
The mission of the LA County HIV Drug and Alcohol Task Force is to advocate for the needs of drug and
alcohol users and people in recovery who are at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS and/or Hepatitis C.
Los Angeles County HIV Mental Health Task Force 