Improve Your Ability to Serve Those   With Disabilities 

When

Thursday May 19, 2016 from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM CDT
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Registration closes Tuesday, May 17, 2016.

While working in public serving institutions, library staff encounter people from all walks of life on a daily basis. However, we are not always adequately prepared to handle situations involving patrons who are experiencing circumstances with which we are unfamiliar. In this workshop we will discuss what mental health is, how to best interact with the mentally and physically disabled, and resources available to both staff and patrons. Additionally, the information covered will be applicable to patrons of all ages and libraries of all sizes and locations (rural, urban, suburban).

Agenda:

 9:30-10:30         Overview of Mental Illness – Carol Roeder-Esser, LSCSW

 Our presenter will cover a working definition of what a mental illness is and talk about the most common mental health issues (primarily depression and anxiety).  In addition, she will discuss the signs and symptoms someone might see in adults and children and some suggestions for how to address those if needed.  She will also talk about Mental Health First  Aid as that is a great resource to learn how to handle issues as they arise – much like  learning CPR to know what to do for physical health issues.  If time allows, she will try to touch on trauma informed care as that is something we are working hard to address now.

10:30–11:30      Overview of Physical Disabilities – Tiffany Radcliff

Discuss challenges faced by physically disabled individuals, ADA, differences between adults and youths with physical disabilities.

11:30-12:30       Communication/Interaction Best Practices and Strategies – Traci Pettis Johnson

Discuss how to best and most effectively communicate with patrons dealing with wide- ranging mental health issues

12:30-1:30         Lunch on your own.  A list of local restaurants will be in your workshop folder.

1:30-2:30           Homelessness vs. Mental Illness: Understanding and Respecting the Differences - Griselda Williams, MSW, LCSW

Discuss challenges that the homeless population deal with, the frequency of overlap between homeless and mentally ill populations, strategies for effectively working with overlapping populations in order to successfully reach patron goals.

2:45-3:30           Staff and Patron Resources - Carmen Hannon-Patton & Emma Tapp

Presenters:

Carol Roeder-Esser, LSCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has her MSW from the University of Kansas.  She has been a therapist at Johnson County Mental Health for many years now.  In addition,she taught Mental Health First Aid Classes, has done a lot of work with courts here teaching classes for divorcing parents, and is involved with our Quality and Integrity team doing peer reviews and helping assure that we meet the requirements for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.

Traci Pettis Johnson is a Mental Health First Aide Instructor, USA and a Educator Consultant for SALT Initiative LLC. (Serve, Affirm, Love and Transform).  Traci has 20 years of experience in the criminal justice system, development and education, mental health advocate, and bereavement services. Traci have been a guest speaker on the Trinity Broadcast Network, Dr. Gladney Show on Voice of America. Traci holds a Bachelor degree in Sociology from Newman University and will receive her Masters in Thanatology (The study of death, dying and suicide) in 2017. She is also a member of the learning community and metro council who collaborates and partners with mental health agencies, faith community, government entities, academic sector and nonprofit and business sectors throughout Kansas and Missouri. Traci really believes. "It takes a healthy village, to help heal the nation."

Carmen Hannon-Patton is the Reader’s Services Librarian at Kansas City, Kansas Public Library. Carmen has worked in Academic, Special, and Public Libraries. In her current position she does collection development, programming, runs two book clubs, and general outreach. Her favorite part of working is talking to patrons about the books they have read and helping them decide what to read next.

Griselda Williams, MSW, LCSW has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked in the mental health field for 14 years in the State of Missouri.  She has worked with children, youth and adults in various settings such as domestic violence shelter, substance abuse treatment, community health clinic, mental health crisis and special needs programs for children and families. Currently, she serves as Manager of Mental Wellness Services at Community Linc. Community Linc is a HUD funded program for families experiencing homelessness. Community Linc is a rapid rehousing program, meaning that families move from an emergency shelter to our program for 4 months and then to permanent housing—where they are paying rent, in the community. The Mental Wellness staff provide mental health supports for children, youth and adults that enter our program.

Cost:

• MALA Member: $45.00
• Non-Member: $90.00

MALA Workshop Billing/Refund/Credit Policy: