Juvenile Personnel Training Program

General Workshops

For anyone who is employed by or volunteers for a JPTP-eligible organization.

"B.R.E.A.T.H.E. L.I.F.E": A Trauma Informed Model

Risa Rehmert, BS
September 16, 2009 | Oklahoma City
PREREQUISITES: None

Exposure to violence and traumatic events before leaving home and then again on the street is not uncommon to youth who runaway and are homeless. Come and explore the layers of traumatic events, the impact on youth, and how programs serving runaway and homeless youth can incorporate the trauma-specific intervention, "B.R.E.A.T.H.E. L.I.FE." model, into their everyday interactions with youth. Learn how this model can be used in crisis intervention, direct care work, mobile street outreach, and case management. The model can also be adapted so youth and parents may utilize it. The "B.R.E.A.T.H.E. L.I.F.E." model is purposely designed to be user friendly and a facilitator of healing.

Objectives:

Understand the difference and similarities of interpersonal, intrapersonal, work-related, and societal conflicts
Explore issues of power in relationships and how power relates to conflicts
Learn a conflict resolution model

Working with Native American Youth and Families

James Williams, MS, LPC and Lori Medina, MSW, LMSW, LCSW
September 10, 2009 | Tulsa
PREREQUISITES: None

As you focus on the needs of Native American youth and families and consider available resources, you have the opportunity to learn culturally appropriate assessment techniques and intervention strategies. It is important to understand the effects of neglect, substance abuse, and physical, emotional, and sexual abuse on these families. It is also important to identify strengths and positive attributes of this culture and how to utilize them in the healing process.

Objectives:

Know strengths and positive attributes of this culture and understand how to incorporate them into the healing process
Develop an understanding of the impact of multi-generational dysfunction on today’s families
Know culturally appropriate resources and interventions

Native Connections

Nancy Mason, MHR and Eddie Screechowl, BA
October 20, 2009 | Tulsa
PREREQUISITES: None

Culture influences our interactions with others and can affect the helping relationship. Increase your level of sensitivity and competence in working with the Native American population. Individual, small, and large group activities focus on understanding your personal culture, the effects of history and identity issues on Native Americans, and making connections with the Native American community

Objectives:

Assess level of cultural sensitivity
Explore culture and the biases that influence work in the social service field
Develop an understanding of the impact of history and identity on Native Americans
Identify culturally appropriate resources to assist in working with the Native American population

Understanding the Effects of Childhood Trauma: Impacting Progress

Lou Truitt-Flanagan, MH
October 29, 2009 | Oklahoma City
PREREQUISITES: None

Offering an overview of the effects relating to child abuse and neglect, this workshop addresses the types of child maltreatment, along with other areas of childhood trauma. Explore myths, facts, risk factors, behavior and emotional indicators, and how childhood trauma affects the children and youth with whom we work. Why do children who have had the same experiences react/respond differently? Is one childhood trauma more serious or severe than another? How will these children present themselves in your facilities? How can you be a part of their healing process and recovery? These questions, along with other information presented, assist you in developing a better understanding of what many of our children and youth have experienced, possibly explain some of their behaviors, and explore ways you can have a positive impact on their lives.

Objectives:

Define and identify types of child maltreatment, along with other types of childhood trauma
Recognize physical, emotional, and behavioral indicators of maltreatment
Know responsibilities and procedures in your agency with regard to reporting suspected child maltreatment
Gain practical skills and an understanding regarding how your interactions and interventions impact recovery

Social Networking: What You Need to Know about Facebook, My Space, and Twitter

Nancy Mason, MHR and Eprise Armstrong, BA
November 3, 2009 | Tulsa
PREREQUISITES: None

This workshop will inform professionals about changes professional relationships have sustained from the creation of social networking platforms and other communication technologies. Participants will walk away with an understanding of how to use these networking technologies to provide resource information as well as strategies to safely engage and connect with young people.

Objectives:

Develop an awareness of social networking sites and uses
Explore program benefits of using social networking
Recognize safety issues and develop safe strategies for connecting with clients

Understanding Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth and Homophobia

Dannette McIntosh, EdD, AASECT
November 10, 2009 | Oklahoma City
PREREQUISITES: None

This workshop helps social service providers create a safe and more welcoming environment for Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, and Questioning (GLBTQ) young people and staff members in youth-service agencies. Participants explore how homophobia, stigma, and harassment create a variety of social issues and internal struggles in the workplace setting. In addition, this experiential workshop provides a review of current research, statistics, and resources to help staff develop a friendly welcoming environment.

Objectives:

Increase providers' familiarity with terms relating to GLBTQ individuals
Explore the impact of homophobia and stigma in youth-serving agencies
Know and understand how to distinguish between myths and facts about sexual orientation
Learn about local and national resources to assist in creating a safe and more welcoming environment for both GLBTQ and non-GLBTQ staff members and youth

Developing Lifelong Connections for Older Youth

Lou Truitt-Flanagan, MHR and Clay Finck, MS, LCPC
January 7, 2010 | Tulsa
PREREQUISITES: None

Recently there has been realization that adolescents in out-of-home care want and need to find permanent connections, which also help them prepare for adulthood. However, when asked about permanency, adolescents often don't know what that means or are afraid of losing the connections they already have. When planning for permanency with adolescents, we have to think about things differently and approach the issue in a more diverse manner than we do when planning with younger children. Permanency for older youth is not centered on the living arrangement, it is not simply providing independent living services, and it is not just offering adoption. Permanency is providing youth with lifelong permanent connections to people the youth identifies as important to him/her. This workshop allows participants to hear, see, and experience the concepts of what permanent connections are, and why they are so important.

Objectives:

Become aware of what permanent connections are and why they are important
Understand the link between independent living service activities and permanent connections
Understand that youth involvement promotes permanency for youth
Learn how to talk to youth about connections
Develop strategies to facilitate connections

Juggling Stress

Steven Mullen, BS, CTRS
January 14, 2010| Tulsa
PREREQUISITES: None

Does your life make you feel like a juggler in a circus? This interactive workshop helps you learn the importance of managing your body in this hectic world. Explore the guidelines for participating in physical, creative, and relaxation activities to use in your own life or share with the youth with whom you work.

Objectives:

Learn and practice the steps for juggling three objects
Become aware of the effects of stress on our minds and bodies
Explore guidelines for choosing activities to manage our bodies and emotions
Learn activities to use to help reduce stress

Gangs 101

Inspector Timothy Hock, BA
January 21, 2010 | Oklahoma City
PREREQUISITES: None

This workshop will give participants a basic knowledge of the gangs in the Oklahoma City area. Participants will explore the definition of a gang, street gang member, and the hierarchy of a street gang. The top gangs in the metro Oklahoma City area will be discussed including their colors, hand signs, tattoos, and graffiti. Some of the lesser gangs and gang members which include blood sets, female gang members, hate groups, and Asian gangs will be explored. Common weapons that gang members use as well as increasing gang threats will also be discussed.

Objectives:

Increase the overall awareness of criminal street gangs and become aware of their local "hangouts"
Help to identify gangs/gang members by dress, graffiti, hand signs, and colors
Provide an understanding of the hierarchy of a street gang
Discuss criminal acts gang members are involved in

Connecting the Dots: Positive Youth Development

Cynethia Rayford, MEd
February 16, 2010 | Oklahoma City
PREREQUISITES: None

Most young people in out-of-home care have the same concerns, hopes, and dreams as their more "mainstream" counterparts and face the same developmental challenges. At age 18, they do not magically become self-supporting and self-sufficient. Youth need support, opportunities, and partnerships with adults who recognize and respect each youth's need and ability to take an active role in making decisions about their lives. Youth can also make significant contributions to program planning, implementation, and evaluation. In this workshop, participants have the opportunity to begin focusing on Positive Youth Development.

Objectives:

Become acquainted with the youth development philosophy
Apply a youth development philosophy to your programs
Identify ways to implement youth development activities
Learn about the Spectrum of Attitudes

Fostering the Spirit: Strategies to Support Resilience in Children and Youth

Dorothy Ansell, MSW and Lou Truitt-Flanagan, MH
February 18, 2010 | Tulsa
PREREQUISITES: None

We often hear "children are resilient" but have you ever wondered how some young people succeed in spite of the obstacles and others continue to face major struggles? Resiliency doesn't just happen; it requires competent caring adults providing a safe and nurturing environment. Explore the concept of resiliency, how it affects outcomes for youth, and learn to build an atmosphere that fosters the spirit of young people.

Objectives:

Become aware and understand the key elements of resiliency
Understand the concepts of resiliency and how it affects your personal and professional lives
Explore the relationships of resiliency, positive youth development, and asset development
Practice activities that foster resiliency in youth

Using the Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment

Lou Truitt-Flanagan, MHR and Cynethia Rayford, MEd
March 18, 2010 | Tulsa
PREREQUISITES: None

This one-day, hands-on, workshop takes place in a computer lab and demonstrates how service providers and resource parents can access free on-line resources, the Ansell Casey Life Skills Assessment (ACLSA); Life Skills Guidebook; and Ready, Set, Fly. Utilizing the ACLSA will enable participants to obtain a snapshot of a young person's readiness to live on his or her own and, by using the youth as the primary resource, create life skills activities to support the youth's progress.

Objectives:

Learn to locate and navigate the on-line ACLS
Understand how to interpret the Individual Score Report
Identify performance indicators and competencies to develop case plans using the Life Skills Guidebook
Learn how to identify resources and create activities to help youth develop life skills

Maintaining the Fire Without Burning Out: Mindfulness Training for Clinical Intervention and Self-Care

Annie Murrell, MS, LPC
March 24, 2010 | Tulsa
PREREQUISITES: None

This one-day interactive workshop will introduce volunteers and treatment professionals to the skills and benefits of mindfulness-based therapies in working with teens and adolescents. In addition, this workshop will provide training and development in mindfulness for the individual practitioner, with the intention of furthering personal wellness and for the prevention/treatment of "burnout." Jon Kabat-Zinn, founding director of the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, defines mindfulness as simply "Moment to moment, non-judgmental awareness." Mindfulness-based, Cognitive, and Behavioral therapies are derived from this root meaning and involve practices such as mediation and prayer, working with perceptions and opinions, acceptance and commitment, body-mind techniques, emotional regulation, and tolerance of distress. Although mindfulness practices are widely associated with Buddhist principles and teachings, this course is clinical in nature, non-sectarian/non-religious and is open to people of all faith traditions and backgrounds.

Objectives:

Understand the rationale for an efficacy of body-mind therapeutic interventions
Identify the four primary clinical approaches to mindfulness therapy
Discover how mindfulness can both reduce the negative impact of stressors and help provide solutions that balance acceptance and change
Learn mindfulness-based clinical strategies for working with self and others
Encounter mindfulness through direct, experiential learning

Understanding and Building Rapport with the Urban Male

Lester L. Burney, Jr., MS, CRCCPA
March 30, 2010 | Tulsa
PREREQUISITES: None

This training examines techniques and interventions designed to build therapeutic rapport and communication with the urban adolescent male. The urban male presents, at times, barriers that can impede the therapy and counseling process. Participants will learn the elements of building a productive relationship, barriers reflective of client background, lack of trust issues, and the race factor. Group work will examine effective ways to develop therapy intervention and client strengths-based approach. This workshop will expose its participants to the cultural and social influences that reinforce challenges that many clinicians, counselors, and case managers experience.

Objectives:

Identify what is rapport and why it is important and essential in serving children in the therapy process
Understand some of the barriers, both real and perceived, that can prevent you from achieving rapport
Gain insight into the "hip hop/pop" culture and its relevance in the objectives that you seek to achieve
Use empathy vs. sympathy when interacting
Use and implement variations of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with clients

Working with African American Youth and Families

Cynethia Rayford, MEd
April 6, 2010 | Oklahoma City
PREREQUISITES: None

African American youth and families are experiencing the community-based and out-of-home care systems at a rapidly growing rate. Learn strategies and tools to help you develop more culturally competent service plans and deliver more effective services. This workshop provides information regarding family systems, attitudes toward assistance, and ethnic identity development. Historical factors contributing to the over-representation of African Americans in the out-of-home care system are also discussed.

Objectives:

Develop self-awareness in regard to attitudes and feelings about African American youth and families
Recognize issues facing African American youth and families, including what it is like to be black in America
Recognize strengths of the African American community

Everyone's An Asset Builder!

Kristal Nicholson, MA, LPC
April 13, 2010 | Tulsa
PREREQUISITES: None

All kinds of people are asset builders: parents and those who are not, youth workers, neighbors, teachers, bus drivers, adults, young people and elders, folks who are wealthy or just getting by, city people, small-town residents, and farm families. This workshop is designed to teach the developmental assets framework, and motivate you to be an effective asset builder in the lives of youth and their families.

Objectives:

Understand Search Institute's framework of developmental assets and the role of individual asset builders
Identify the general characteristics of effective asset builders and personal areas of strength and challenge
Understand the concept of circles of influence and identify the circles in which there is the greatest potential for personal asset-building impact
Explore barriers to being an individual asset builder and strategies for moving toward action
Make and share a personal commitment to asset-building action

Working with Hispanic/Latino Youth and Families

Maria Reyes, BA, CADC and Chris Gentges, JD
April 15, 2010 | Tulsa
PREREQUISITES: None

Today, Hispanics are the largest ethnic population in the United States. Explore the diversity in this population through an overview of the Hispanic population and their needs specific to social services. Participants will develop an understanding of the role community and mental health professionals may provide in meeting the needs of this group. Participants will learn, through a variety of activities, their attitudes regarding diverse cultures, how to build trust, and access resources in their community.

Objectives:

Increase awareness of personal cultural values and beliefs as they relate to the Hispanic community
Become more familiar with Hispanic culture and values and the immigrant experience
Learn how to build trust with diverse populations by learning who the trusted cultural brokers are in your community
Explore how to make your office and/or agency more culturally friendly so you can improve efficacy in your programs

No Fear Investigations

Linda Pizzini, JD; Teresa Moore, BA; April Simmons, BA
April 20, 2010 | Oklahoma City
PREREQUISITES: None

This workshop clarifies the Office of Client Advocacy (OCA) investigative role at Oklahoma residential juvenile facilities. It will also explain staff and administration incident reporting responsibilities as well as administration responsibilities before and during an investigation. A review of what occurs in an OCA investigation and what is expected of staff at all levels while an investigation is ongoing will be addressed. A portion of the workshop will focus on the criteria for Caretaker Conduct Reviews and responsibilities of the administration in the process. Finally, participants will have an opportunity to cover what occurs when OCA completes investigations as well as confidentiality requirements as specified in Oklahoma state law.

Objectives:

Understand the circumstances which require a referral to the Office of Client Advocacy
Know and understand what is expected of staff and administration when a referral is dispositioned as an OCA investigation
Learn the Caretaker Conduct Review process and its required paperwork
Know where OCA reports are sent upon their completion and understand why reports are sent to these governmental agencies
Learn the state law disclosure restrictions on OCA records

Owning Your Own Supervision: The Art of Managing Upward

Frank Delano, LMSW and Jill C. Shah, LMHC
April 28, 2010 | Tulsa
PREREQUISITES: None

Supervision should be the primary vehicle that paves the way to dynamic professional growth for the worker and to better quality of care for children. Far too often, workers do not see themselves as equal partners in the supervisory relationship and don't accept their own responsibility to own their own supervision and pro-actively get the most they can out of the relationship. This highly interactive workshop will examine the supervisory relationship from both sides and help participants develop strategies to get more from the supervisory relationship and enhance their professional growth by learning constructive ways to manage upward in the organization.

Objectives:

Answer the question "If I Could Supervise My Supervisor…" as a way to better understand the supervisor's experience
Develop better understanding of the concept of power in the supervisory relationship
Understand the sometimes destructive games that can develop in the supervisory relationship and develop strategies to avoid creating them
Learn about a series of concrete strategies to own half of the supervisory relationship and do your part to better balance the power in the relationship
Develop and commit to an action plan to bring back to work to get more from the supervisory process and enhance career/professional growth

How to Engage Youth of Color

Cynethia Rayford, MEd
May 12, 2010 | Oklahoma City
PREREQUISITES: None

We all know that culture matters. Yet, for youth in care, the journey of embracing their cultural identity is fraught with many challenges since they often have little to no connection with their families or communities of origin. Sadly, they find themselves only being able to identify with the foster care culture. In this interactive workshop, participants become aware of some of the challenges for youth in care as they attempt to embrace their cultural identity while learning the significance of helping youth discover who they are.

Objectives:

Discuss the cultural identity model
Explore cultural identity challenges faced by youth in care
Learn how to utilize cultural guides

Enhancing Your Program through Activities and Games

Steven Mullen, BS, CTRS
May 18, 2010 | Tulsa
PREREQUISITES: None

Using non-competitive activities and games can be a great way to build skills and teach new behaviors with youth. This workshop reviews the benefits and guidelines for using non-competitive activities and games in youth programming. Participants learn and participate in a variety of activities that can be used in their programs. This workshop is highly active and experiential; please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and tennis shoes.

Objectives:

Understand the benefits of using activities and games with youth programming
Learn guidelines for using activities and games in youth programming
Learn and explore a variety of activities and games to be used with youth
Understand the importance of non-competitive activities to teach new behaviors
Increase skills in pre-framing, facilitation, and processing activities

Differences: Building Bridges or Walls

Cynethia Rayford, MEd and Lou Truitt-Flanagan, MHR
May 26-27, 2010 | Oklahoma City
PREREQUISITES: None

Increase your level of sensitivity and competence in working with adolescents and families of diverse cultural backgrounds. Large and small group activities focus on what culture is and how our cultural biases influence our work, our clinical interpretations, and our choices of communication style. Learn strategies to help you develop culturally sensitive service plans that consider differences in:

family systems,
attitudes toward helpers,
perceptions and values, and
behaviors and styles.

Objectives:

Develop skills in working cross-culturally
Assess level of cultural sensitivity
Explore culture and the biases that influence work in the social service field