west virginia association of alcoholism and drug abuse … · 2020-05-05 · now: as i prepared to...
TRANSCRIPT
West Virginia Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, Inc
Bi-Annual Newsletter May 2020
May 11, 2020 WVAADC: Then and Now By Heather Sharpe-Spinks and Mary Aldred-Crouch
Then:
Let me start by saying I am incredibly honored to have served as your President from June 2017 to September 2019. As I reflect on that time and the amazing years I have en-joyed in WVAADC, I am in awe of our heritage. I have been blessed to have been trained by some of the finest addiction professionals in the country …. and I am referring to our
members, not national speakers. I have also enjoyed the benefit of some spectacular national speak-ers. I truly believe my foundation in addiction and any proficiency I possess are a direct result of my association with WVAADC.
When I was a pup in the field, just about to graduate from WVU’s school of Social Work with my MSW, an addiction counselor and WVAADC member told me about WVAADC scholarships. Thank you Nancy Burkhammer as I might not have found my way to WVAADC nearly as quickly as I did.
I arrived in time to meet some, I believe, giants in our field and I am so very grateful to have known them. Some remain with us today (thank God) while some have passed on. I will forever treasure their teaching and their counsel. I know today’s young professionals will have their own mentors and heroes just as I have mine.
I hoped during my time as President that the work of strengthening our relationship with the Bu-reau of Behavioral Health would continue. This was work that dated back to days of Steve Mason as Director of the Division of Alcoholism with the State and continues to this day. As partnerships is one of the things I most focus on, I also hoped that during my watch we could strengthen our rela-tionship with our sister organization: The West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction and Pre-vention Professionals (“the Cert Board”). Our roots are the same, our goals are the same and, really, our membership is the same. Like any family, we have had our differences. But my phenomenal col-leagues on the WVAADC Board and the Cert Board and I were determined to prevent our national organizations’ differences from poisoning our West Virginia partnership. And we have grown stronger.
I also had the distinct pleasure of watching our WVAADC Board grow younger and become more diverse. Our board now more nearly represents our membership and will carry us forward with a greater array of talents and skills. With our new leadership, many of whom are same individuals who were the the force behind my presidency, we are in a perfect position to assume the position of dominance in the field of addiction in the State of West Virginia. We have aspired to be “the go to for all things addiction related” in our State and that is coming to pass.
I, who questioned why I needed to take Public Policy in grad school, have become extremely politi-cally aware and active. I was also able to be part of WVAADC getting more visible politically in West Virginia. WVAADC now has a lobbyist who can help us have a greater voice politically and become the prominent organization we seek to be.
It is my profound hope that WVAADC faired well during my tenure. I know I leave WVAADC in the most capable of hands. As I received a strong organization to lead given those before me, I know those that follow me will serve our membership well and help all of us help those in our State who need us most.
Namaste. Mary Aldred-Crouch
Now:
As I prepared to be WVAADC president, what struck me about the West Virginia Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors is that we are a leader in providing trainings and promot-ing social change in WV. However, not every Addiction professional has heard of WVAADC and some are not members. I envision WVAADC to truly become the leader of addiction professionals in West Virginia. WVAADC, a statewide organization, will become a Licensing Professional gov-erning board. This has been a topic of discussion that dates to our roots.
The West Virginia Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors was conceived at an organizational meeting on April 8, 1979 at what is now United Summit Center/WVU in Clarksburg, WV. Jim Hearn was elected President by the other seventeen participants and plans were set to develop bylaws and obtain a charter. On March 25, 1980, the West Virginia Association of Alcoholism and Drug abuse Counselors was officially incor-porated at the State Capital presided over by then Secretary of State, A. James Manchin.
From its inception, one of the primary purposes of WVAADC was to promote the development of a counselor certification process that would be on par with those being developed in other states. In April 1981, 30 mem-bers were awarded the first CAC certifications in the State. The Certification Board officially joined the Con-sortium for Certification Reciprocity in August 1985 (taken from Jim Baker’s article published in Profession Contact, May/June 1986). Since then, the Association split to create the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professional (WVBAPP). This board oversees and maintains the state license to ensure the level of competency is retained for professional help for the vulnerable population we serve.
To connect with other professionals throughout the state is not only good for the growth of this organiza-tion, but also for our individual growth. We become empowered through the associations we make when net-working with each other and other organizations that address treatment, recovery, prevention and educa-tion.
When this organization was formed in 1979, it focused its efforts on the political issues of the day as well as helping addiction professionals get recognized for the contribution to the profession. It was formed with the purpose to promulgate, promote, advance and protect the interests of the profession of addiction profession-al. Our purpose remains the same today and is as relevant today as it was 41 years ago.
I am honored to follow in the footsteps of the leaders of this organization. Leaders who have had the fore-sight to recognize issues that were as relevant then as they are now. They have fought for progress in treat-ment and education in this profession. WVAADC has formed a legislative committee to apprise our member-ship of the legislative bills that are of interest in our field. The committee hosts a day at the Legislature in early spring each year for our membership to connect with our lawmakers. Also, the professional develop-ment committee develops training for Ethics, Clinical Supervision and an array of trainings at the annual Conference. These trainings opportunities also promote networking thus opening the door to advancing business relations. These trainings provide opportunities for cutting-edge education and training while rein-forcing foundational truths. As we are in a new century of progress, I have set forth an agenda that helps this organization attain the goal of truly becoming a statewide organization. As the environment in which we can meet and communicate, the COVID-19 changes will continue to affect how we grow and move forward with our events and trainings. We will continue to host events, maybe on new platforms but our membership com-mittee is devoted to reaching out across the state to increase our members and increase our growth and thus our strength.
Not only will we be hosting a legislative outreach but will be taking advantage of technology by offering fur-ther RTS webinars. We are also working on a referral list serve for our members. We become empowered through networking with each other by opening these doors and making connections. We look forward to connecting with you!
I look forward to making many connections and connecting others as we come together for as successful two years.
Gratefully,
Heather Sharp-Spinks
Company Name: _________________________________Contact Person: _______________________________
Contact Information (address/email/phone): _______________________________________________________
MAIL COMPLETED FORM & PAYMENT TO:
Linda Pauley / WVAADC Treasurer 1449 Childress Road
Alum Creek, WV 25003
Or if paying by credit card, scan and email To [email protected]
Dennis Allen [email protected]
Hernando Escandon
David Bailey
Kay Lambert, Re-certification
Jim Baker, Ethics
Gregory Perry
Jaime Cantley
Emily Reel
Cathy Coontz-Griffith
James McClanahan
Jeremy Truman
Ronni Rittenhouse, Ph.D.,
Certification
Lori Garrett-Bumba
Board Office Address:
WVCBAPP
436 12th St, Suite C
Dunbar,WV 25064
(304)768-2942
Teresa Warner: 304-533-5172
West Virginia Certification Board for Addictions and Prevention Professionals
The Certification Corner
We are commonly asked who we are, and what we do at the board. If you haven’t heard of us, we are the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals (WVCBAPP). Our agency deter-mines the standards and credentialing process for addiction and prevention professionals in West Virginia. We believe that both experience and training are vital components of having a skilled addiction and prevention workforce to provide substance use disorder, peer recovery, or prevention services.
If you are currently one of our fellow certified professionals, we want to thank you for your essential services in this unprecedented time.
As we respond to the COVID-19/Coronavirus by social distancing, the board realizes obtaining continuing edu-cation hours via face to face trainings and/or conferences is unlikely. The board therefore, encourages the use of online coursework to fulfill your re-certification requirements, including the six (6) SUD specific ethics CEUs.
You may visit the Boards Facebook page for announcements of online trainings.
Also, check your certification expiration date. Please be reminded that your re-certification application is due August 30, 2020 if your certification is expiring this year. To obtain an application for re-certification go to: https://www.wvcbapp.org/applications
If you have any questions concerning re-certification please address them to the board office at 304-768-2942
Stay safe and thank you for all you do!
WVAADC Advocacy Day 2020
2020 Vision: How We See Recovery – ALL PATHWAYS – NO WRONG DOORS WVAADC Advocacy Day 2020 was held on Thursday, January 30 at the West Virginia State Capitol. Approximately 60 registrants attended the stand-ing room only morning session in the Governor’s Conference Room where Dr. Steve Delisi, Consulting/Training Medical Director and James Cowser, MSSW, LCSW, MCAP, CAI Master Trainer, both with Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation were the featured presenters.
The theme of the morning session was Four Pillars of Effective Treatment and Recovery: Medical, Behavioral Health, and Addiction Services, linked
with Peer & Community Support. Dr. Delisi and Mr. Cowser presented specifics about the Hazelden Betty Ford COR-12 (Comprehensive Opioid Re-
sponse with the 12-Steps) model which offers patient choice and informed consent when it comes to opioid use disorder treatment and recovery. Partic-
ipants learned how the integration of the four pillars of effective treatment and recovery have improved outcomes at the Hazelden Betty Ford Centers
and other settings throughout the nation.
Dr. Steve Delisi and James Cowser elevated the narrative in West Virginia by offering insights on how people view recovery through their own eyes.
They noted that the paths to get there may seem as different as country roads and city highways, but they have more in common than we think -- and
lead to the same destination. Registrants were able to gain an understanding of the common pillars that hold up effective treatment and recovery, mul-
tiple pathways, and the doors that people take to get started. Multiple Pathways including the use of medications as well as no use of medications were
all validated based on a person’s informed consent. Hazelden Betty Ford has documented good outcomes for medication assisted and non-medication
assisted approaches through their internal studies. A welcome addition to the event throughout the day were representatives from GRASP (Grief Recovery after Substance Passing) an organization for those who have lost someone due to substance use. GRASP provides compassionate support, local meetings and resources at no cost. Denise Han-son, local coordinator for the group spoke briefing during the morning session to inform participants about GRASP. Members of the group carried murals with pictures of lost loved ones during the Advocacy Day sessions and carried the banners throughout the capitol building. The banners created an atmosphere of sacred space during our morning session and served as a reminder to all of the urgency for continuing to pressure legislators and citizens in general toward creating a sustainable system of care to prevent further loss and devastation to loved ones in West Virginia. Dr. Delisi and James Cowser referred to the participants from GRASP throughout the day and legislators were reminded of their presence during the luncheon held in the Government Organization Committee Meeting Room (215 E) where over 80 participants and close to 20 Delegates and Senators joined together for a free flowing Open Mic Panel/Audience discussion with the Legislators on burning topics amongst those gathered. The first order of business during the lunch gathering was a review of pending legislation led by Hallie Mason of Mason Consulting and Joe Deegan, Public Policy Co-Chair for WVAADC which was followed by the Open Mic Panel led by Jennifer Fox from Hazelden Betty Ford. Several individuals who represent the various pillars of effective treatment and recovery, what works, and what could work better spoke during this phase of the event. This was an interactive panel that welcomed audience participation. Topics that were covered by speakers included the need for a more cohesive approach for certifying peer recovery support specialists, recognition that treatment/recovery without medication is still a successful pathway to recovery for people with opioid use disorder and long term engagement in treat-ment and recovery produces the best outcomes. A representative from GRASP told a very moving story about her experiences and the need to re-member families who deal with the loss of loved ones due to substance use disorders. An added aspect for Advocacy Day 2020 was the opportunity for WVAADC to sponsor a presentation to House of Delegates Committee on Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse which was held in the same room starting at 1:00pm. Dr. Steve Delisi delivered a passionate speech applauding the work of the committee and encouraging committee members to maintain an open mind to the multiple pathways for Substance Use Disorder treat-ment and recovery. His main points included:
Continue to recognize and address common perceptions of OUD treatment including the use of medications as well as non-medication approaches. Instill an attitude of acceptance of multiple pathways to recovery. Increase understanding about person-centered care, maintenance medications, and recovery-orientation through the exploration of the COR- 12 model Emphasize the guiding principles of the COR-12 approach including patient choice, multiple pathways to recovery and long term patient engagement
Following Dr. Delisi’s address, participants stayed for a presentation by the Office of Drug Control Policy. Brian Gallagher, Chairman, Governor’s Advi-sory Council on Substance Use Disorder and Robert Hansen, WV Office of Drug Control Policy Director unveiled and discussed the West Virginia 2020-2022 Substance Use Response Plan. It is worth noting that Chairman Matthew Rohrbach clearly showed that he had read and studied the plan by his very pointed questions for clarifications from the presenters. In concluding remarks, Chairman Rohrbach acknowledged the import of the plan by recognizing that the committee room was filled to ca-pacity for today’s meeting. See link to West Virginia 2020-2022 Substance Use Response Plan: https://dhhr.wv.gov/office-of-drug-control-policy/news/Documents/FINAL%20-%20West%20Virginia%202020_2022%20Council%20Substance%20Use%20Plan_January%2020%2C%202020%20%28as%20filed%29.pdf Overall, Advocacy Day 2020 was a resounding success both in regards to participation and content. Feedback from participants was very positive and
interaction with members of both branches of the legislature continues to grow for our organization. Thanks to all who participated in this event!!!
We would like to say Thank You to the following individuals for sponsoring Advocacy Day 2020.
Speaker Sponsors: Thomas Health Recovery Point Luncheon Sponsor: West Virginia Sober Living Advocate Partners: Rea of Hope
Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center First Choice (1-800-GAMBLER & 844-HELP4WV Alkermes
Exhibitors: Breakthru@Reynolds Memori-
al Hospital WVU Medicine
RTS’s At this time we have cancelled all of our
in person RTS’s.
Don’t Worry!! We are scheduling the needed topics that will be con-
ducted live, virtually through ZOOM. Our goal is to offer Ethics and Supervision. We are also weighing the option of offering various other topics, to
meet everyone’s CEU needs. Dates and times will be announced soon.
If you would like to become one of our Sponsors for future Virtual training, please complete the form on the following page and submit it to the designated contacts on the form.
Professional Development Virtual Sponsor Opportunity 2020
West Virginia Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, Inc.
WVAADC is the WV affiliate of NAADAC-
Our mission is to lead, unify & empower addiction focused professionals.
We provide education & advocacy focused on prevention, early intervention, treatment & recovery for WV.
2020 – A New Vision for Recovery If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact:
Heather Sharp 304-651-4020 [email protected]
Joe Deegan 304-951-2807 [email protected]
Please check the category and complete the attached sponsorship form.
Please PRINT as information should appear on Zoom and Eventbrite – Email logo to [email protected]
AGENCY:
Web Address: PHONE:
CONTACT PERSON: Email: ______________
Amount Enclosed $ Check (Payable to WVAADC) #
*For CREDIT CARD payment, please contact: Heather Sharp 304-651-4020 [email protected] or
Linda Pauley 513 828-8168 – [email protected]
MAIL COMPLETED FORM & PAYMENT TO:
Linda Pauley / WVAADC Treasurer
1449 Childress Road
Alum Creek, WV 25003
Or if paying by credit card, scan and email
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sponsorship Type Fee Benefits
Full Virtual Sponsor $500
Logo backdrop entire workshop
Logo on Eventbrite for registration
Recognition during training by speakers
Logo on Power Point slides
We regret to announce that we have had to
cancel the United for Recovery Professional
Summit at Oglebay for 2020.
This was a tough decision for your board to
make concerning the COVID-19 Pandemic that
is currently crippling our nation. We care
about our membership and the professionals
in our field.
LOGO CONTEST
Are you creative? Can you create a WVAADC attractive
LOGO that can easily be formatted into brochures, flyers
and miscellaneous items? If so, send your entry to
[email protected] in ‘word’ or ‘pdf’ format. We will vote on
entries at the next Annual Business Meeting.
Winner will receive FREE REGISTRATION to the 2021 WVAADC Professional Summit.
Peer Assistance Team Proposal Policies and Procedures:
The Chair of the Peer Assistance Team shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors.
The Chair of the team will report to and confer with the WVAADC President regarding matters addressed by the team.
The Chair of the Team or the President may appoint members to the team. The Chair in conjunction with team mem-
bers is responsible to provide intervention, support and/or advice to impaired WVAADC members as needed. The Chair
may be a WVVAADC Board member or WVAADC Association member at the discretion of the WVAADC President.
The team shall be responsible for the continued development, implementation and evaluation of a Peer Assistance Pro-
gram so that addiction professionals and peer recovery support specialists whose functioning my be impaired due to sub-
stance use disorder or other physical, emotional impairments may receive peer assistance, intervention, support, advice
and/or referrals so that their functioning may be restored and/or improved to a level of competence to perform the duties
related to their role(s). The Peer Assistance Program is also designed to provide support, advice and/or direction regard-
ing ethical and/or boundary concerns related to a person’s role.
The WVAADC President will oversee the Peer Assistance Team if an issue arises.
Peer Assistance Team
Terms: all committee appointees will serve for (1) year
By-laws state: The Chair of the Peer Assistance Team shall be appointed by the president with the approval of the Board of Direc-
tors. The team shall be responsible for the continued development, implementation and evaluation of a Peer Assistance Pro-gram so that addiction professionals and peer recovery support specialists whose functioning may be impaired due to sub-stance use disorder or other physical, emotional impairments may receive peer assistance, intervention, support, advice and/or referrals so that their functioning may be restored and/or improved to a level of competence to perform the duties related to their role(s). The Peer Assistance Program is also designed to provide support, advice and/or direction regarding ethical and/or boundary concerns related to a person’s role.
We will vote on this at our Annual Business Meeting
2020 WVAADC BOARD MEMBERS
(year this person’s term is over)
Board Member Elections will be held on
September 1, 2020.
If you are interested on running for the board, watch our website for notifications and
details.
Nominations forms will be mailed out in the
allotted timeframe according to WVAADC, INC.
By-Laws and Policy and Procedures.
Helpful Resources:
Virtual Recovery Meetings
http://www.wvaadc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Virtual-
Recovery-Meetings-Hosted-via-Zoom.pdf
Recovery Resources During COVID-19
http://www.wvaadc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Online-
Resources-for-COVID19-.pdf
President: Heather N. Sharp-Spinks (2023) [email protected] President Elect: Melissa Richmond (2023) [email protected] Treasurer: Linda Pauley (2021) [email protected] Secretary: Linda D. Mealey (2021) [email protected] ex officio Immediate Past President: Mary R. Aldred-Crouch (2021) [email protected]
Emily F. Birckhead (2021) [email protected]
Manuel D. Jackson (Marc) (2020) [email protected] Diane Shingler (2021) [email protected]
Joseph Deegan (2021) [email protected] Peter J. Callahan (2021) [email protected]
Jon Dower (2020) [email protected] Laura Eagle (2021) [email protected] Chelsea Gunther (2022) [email protected]
Stephanne Thornton (2022) [email protected].
WVAADC.com <> Website [email protected] <> Email Facebook<>aadcwv
The COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges for people with substance use disorders and in recovery. Persons with SUD are already marginalized and underserved by health care services, largely because of stigma. Much of this stigma is
based on the erroneous but persistent belief—widespread even among health care workers—that addiction is the result of weak character
and poor choices, whereas science has clearly shown it to be a disorder arising from alterations in brain circuitry. When hospitals are
pushed to their capacity, there is added danger of persons with SUD being deprioritized for care if they present with COVID-19 symptoms.
It is incumbent on all health care workers to not discriminate against patients with SUD and to treat these individuals with compassion and
dignity as they would any others.
Social support is crucial for persons trying to recover from SUD, whereas social isola-tion is a risk factor for relapse. Even though the social distancing measures being imple-mented nationwide are important for reducing disease transmission, they may be espe-cially difficult for persons in recovery because they limit access to meetings of peer-support groups or other sources of social connection. Although face-to-face interaction is a key feature of recovery support, virtual meetings may be useful for those with ac-cess to the internet. Persons who are isolated and stressed—as much of the population is during a pandem-
ic—frequently turn to substances to alleviate their negative feelings. Those in recovery will face stresses and heightened urges to use sub-stances and will be at greatly increased risk for relapse. Peers, family members, and addiction treatment providers should be alert to this possibility. Clinicians should monitor for signs of substance misuse or use disorders in their patients, given the unprecedented stresses, fears, or even grief they may be facing. Much is still unknown, but it can be expected that persons who smoke, vape, or use certain drugs will be at increased risk for infection and its more severe consequences, and that strained health care systems and social distancing will present unique challenges to those with SUD. This crisis will also force the health care system, policymakers, and researchers to accelerate new ways of meeting the treatment and recovery needs of this population, through measures ranging from enhancing virtual resources to minimizing office visits via increased use of depot injections of buprenorphine. But under no circumstances can we forget or marginalize persons with SUD during this new public health crisis. https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/covid-19-resources Collision of the COVID-19 and Addiction Epidemics, Annals of Internal Med-icine, April 2, 2020 First Choice Services runs the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and the HELP4WV Addiction Hotline via 1-844-HELP-4WV, Help4WV.com which continued to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Also still in service were 1-800-GAMBLER for gam-bling addiction and the West Virginia Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or 1-877-966-8784.
One Member’s Eye View Alcoholics Anonymous
The weekend of March 13-15, 2020 about 80 or so recovering alcoholics gathered for the annual Spring Assembly for Area 73. We stayed in a small hotel in Elkins, WV. (Area 73 covers all of WV AA) We were just at the threshold of the now worldwide pandemic. Just hours before, the WV Area Chairpersons were debating on canceling this event. Thank God, they didn’t. We had a wonderful weekend with friends, food and fellowship. We took care of the business at hand and said our good-bys. Little did we know as we returned to our homes and communities, the AA life as we knew it was to be turned upside down. Due to COVID 19, churches (where most meetings are held) closed their doors. Clubhouses had to close. Where were we to go? A lot of ‘tech-savvy’ folks attended AA and NA meetings online and connected with people all over the world. But there was still something missing. Slowly one by one, members started online meetings with local people. There is just something about seeing a person you know and one that knows you that makes the difference. When people have a 12 step program, join a home group and commit to a new way of life, something spiritual happens. We be-come a family and we need to see each other, even if only on a screen.
Connection and communication is key for the recovering addict/alcoholic. We need each other. Then there is our ‘Chips’, a celebration of life without substances. No cakes, no hugs and no chip to carry in your pocket. That’s a whole other story.… For AA meeting information in West Virginia go to https://www.aawv.org/ and click on Find A Meeting. Some districts have their own website – listed at the bottom of ‘Find A Meeting’ page and you will find more specific information there for local on-line meetings.
Anonymous Member
Help4WV says need for addiction treatment in the state has not slowed down during COVID-19 pandemic
Melissa Richmond
P O Box 914
Rupert, WV 25984
Mail to:
Don’t be afraid to reach out if you or someone you know needs help. Learning all you can
about addictions or mental health is an important first step.