ACESS+REECETSQ Conference

Equity Seeking Groups & Social Justice: Inclusive Social Service / Work Practice and Education

June 3rd -5th, 2019 Dawson College, Montreal, QC.

1st Series of Workshops/Round Table Discussions

1) Reclaiming a Wise Practice
(A Round Table Discussion Group)
By: Wilda Listener, Dean of Indigenous Social Work, Maskwacis Cultural College

The goal of this session is to present a Wise Indigenous Social Work Practice and to discuss how institutions can support faculty by creating strategies that are sensitive to students’ needs. The focus is to share information, stories and practices and to answer questions from participants. The other focus will be to look at Indigenous Ethical Principles and how these relate to Wisdom-Based Practices that are guided by our Indigenous knowledge through language and ceremony.

2) Décolonisation de la formation en techniques de travail social, par où commencer?
(un atelier interactif)
Par: Rafaëlle Sinave, Techniques de Travail Social, Cégep du Vieux Montréal

L’atelier propose de démystifier ces grandes tendances et de lancer la Réflexion autour de nos pratiques d’enseignement en travail social en regard des perspectives et réalités autochtones. Un portrait des initiatives entreprises au sein des programmes de TTS du Québec sera présenté, suivi par une période d’échanges sur les bonnes pratiques et les ressources visant à rendre nos programmes de formation plus inclusifs.

2nd Series of Workshops/Round Table Discussions

1) Welfare Fraud? How current policies and media narratives Stigmatize and Criminalize the Poor
(Traditional Presentation and Book Launch)
By: Dr. Kathy Dobson, Carleton University and Vanier Scholar

2) A United Nations experience for Social Work students
(Traditional Presentation)
By: Zaréma Bulgak, A graduating 3rd year Social Service Student, Cégep du Vieux Montreal

How did 16 CEGEP students end up in New York becoming delegates for a week? As seen through the lens of one of the few Social Service students amongst thousands of university students, living the National Model United Nations was an incredible eye-opener. Not only was it a learning experience that will impact Zaréma's future in Social Work in different ways, but she also learned to deal with the intersectionality of being a disabled woman. Zaréma will share this experience while linking it to a vision of inclusive Social Work. She will explain why this experience should be suggested to all students in the field.

Keynote Address

Teaching Trauma-Sensitive Practices: Opportunities and Challenges
(Traditional presentation)
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Delphine Collin-Vézina, Director, McGill Centre for Research on Children and Families, Nicolas Steinmetz and Gilles Julien Chair in Social Pediatrics in Community, Associate Professor, McGill School of Social Work and Associate Member, McGill University, Department of Pediatrics

The term “complex trauma” refers to the dual reality of a) prolonged exposure to particularly intrusive traumatic events and b) the multiplicity of negative impacts of this exposure as well as their lasting effect on social, emotional and behavioural functioning. It is increasingly recognized that services for children and youth in difficulty must pay particular attention to trauma and expand intervention to reflect the dire needs of this population in difficulty. This presentation will enable us to: 1) Define the concept of complex trauma in children and youth. 2) Discuss the most promising intervention methods currently implemented in Quebec settings; and 3) Reflect on teaching strategies that promote the interest of students and future professionals in trauma-sensitive practices.

Enseignement des pratiques sensibles au trauma: Opportunités et défis
(Présentation Traditionnelle)
Conférencière d’honneur: Dr. Delphine Collin-Vézina, Director, Centre for Research on Children and Families; Chair, Nicolas Steinmetz and Gilles Julien Chair in Social Pediatrics in Community; Associate Professor, School of Social Work & Associate Member, Department of Pediatrics McGill University

Le terme « trauma complexe » renvoie à cette double réalité a) de l’exposition prolongée à des évènements traumatiques particulièrement envahissants, et b) de la multiplicité des impacts négatifs de cette exposition ainsi que leur effet durable sur le fonctionnement social, affectif et comportemental. Il est de plus en plus reconnu que les services pour les enfants et les jeunes en difficulté doivent porter une attention particulière au trauma et étendre leurs interventions pour rendre compte des besoins criants de cette population en difficulté. Cette présentation permettra de: 1) Définir le concept de trauma complexe chez les enfants et les jeunes; 2) Discuter les modalités d'intervention les plus prometteuses et actuellement implantées dans les milieux québécois; et 3) Réfléchir aux stratégies d'enseignement qui favorisent l'intérêt des étudiants et futurs professionnels pour les pratiques sensibles au trauma.

3rd Series of Workshops/Round Table Discussions

1) “Two Soft Things – Two Hard Things” (PART 1 of a 2 PART Presentation)
(Documentary Film and Discussion)
By: Maureen Doherty, Chair of Health and Wellness Programs at Nunavut Arctic College and the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal Nunavut Arctic College Social Service

"Two Soft Things, Two Hard Things" is a feature documentary that explores the complexities of the LGBTQ community as they prepare for a Pride celebration in Iqaluit. (Directed by Mark Kenneth Woods and Michael Yerxa 2016- Runtime: 71 minutes)

Synopsis: As a small group in Nunavut prepare for a seminal LGBTQ Pride celebration, the film explores how colonization and religion have shamed and erased traditional Inuit beliefs about sexuality and family structure and how, 60 years later, a new generation of Inuit are actively 'unshaming' their past.

2) Using Visual Storytelling to Talk about Trauma
(Traditional Presentation)
By: Daniel Goldsmith, Humanities, Dawson College and Shirley Watkins, Nunavut Arctic College and Social Service, Dawson College

In this presentation, teachers will learn how they can use visual storytelling to stimulate students’ critical thinking abilities and ethical imaginations. We will present a graphic short story we created (“Felix and Anya”) that explores intergenerational trauma and resilience, along with pedagogical materials we have developed to assist teachers in implementing this material. “Felix and Anya” has already been used in a wide variety of disciplines at John Abbott and Dawson Colleges. Come and see how you could use this material at your institution!

3) Resilience of Urban Indigenous People: Creating change in an urban setting
(Traditional Presentation)
By: Nakuset S. Executive Director, Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal

Indigenous peoples have survived despite the multiple policies and structures put in place like the Indian Act, Residential Schools, and the 60’s Scoop. This workshop discusses some historical context and then efforts made to strengthen, empower and create safer spaces for Indigenous people who live in the city of Montreal. This will include a discussion of the projects run by Nakuset, including the Cabot Square Project, Iskweu and their work with Child Welfare, Youth Protection.

4th Series of Workshops/Round Table Discussions

1) “Two Soft Things – Two Hard Things” (PART 2 of a 2 PART Presentation)
(Documentary Film and Discussion)
By: Maureen Doherty, Chair of Health and Wellness Programs at Nunavut Arctic College and the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal Nunavut Arctic College Social Service

Discussion: The film explores the themes of equity and inclusion of LGBTQ in Nunavut. For further information please refer to the website: https://twosofttwohard.com

2) Creating Property of Me in 15 Weeks: Human Trafficking Project
(Traditional Presentation)
By: The Social Service 3rd year Student Project, Dawson College

In January of 2019, Property Of Me was originally created by a section of the third year Dawson Social Service students as a required project for the program. As a final project, we chose to raise awareness on juvenile sex trafficking through different social media platforms and events. This issue is more prevalent than most people think in our city. Over 4000 young women and men (aged 12-15) are sexually exploited in Montreal alone. This presentation will discuss the multiple layers of planning and execution that was involved in realizing the awareness campaign.

3) Inter-professional Education
(Traditional Presentation)
By: Alyssa Kuzmarov, Social Service; Tim Miller and Maureen MacMahon, Physiotherapy, Dawson College

This session will explore the concept of Interprofessional Education (IPE) and the activities being piloted at Dawson College among the 6 medical technology programs, including social services. IPE exists when two or more professions learn with, from, and about each other to improve the quality of care (WHO, 2010). Research demonstrates that effective collaboration amongst multiple health care professionals is essential for the existence and persistence of an all-encompassing and comprehensive health care approach (Bridges, 2011). Across the literature, a clear theme emerged; “that a successful experience among any IPE activity allows students to understand their own professional identity while gaining an understanding of other professional’s roles on the health care team” (Bridges, 2011).This session will explore the challenges of this collaborative approach, the highlights of the activities we have explored this year, as well as the successes we have already seen among our students.

Agency Tours / 5th Series: Round Table Discussions

Option 1: Agency Tours
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Guided walking tour to a number of nearby local partner agencies *Please bring water!

Option 2: 5th Series: Round Table Discussions
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Round Table Discussion #1: Strategies to mitigate and to help students manage anxiety and mental health issues in the classroom and in the field.

Round Table Discussion #2: Challenges and best practices in field placement supervision

Round Table Discussion #3: Standards of social service and social work instruction nationwide: What do we want for the future?

3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Round Table Discussion #1: Strategies to mitigate and to help students manage anxiety and mental health issues in the classroom and in the field.

Round Table Discussion #2: Challenges and best practices in field placement supervision

Round Table Discussion #3: Standards of social service and social work instruction nationwide: What do we want for the future?

6th Series of Workshops/Round Table Discussions

1) Navigating marginalization: Reflections on social work practice, research and pedagogy
(Traditional Presentation)
By: Dr. Alicia Boatswain-Kyte, Social Service, Dawson College and Travail Social, Université de Montréal

Dr. Alicia Boatswain-Kyte is a postdoctoral fellow at the Institut Universitaire Jeunes en Difficultés. She is also a practising social worker with over ten years of experience working with marginalized individuals, families and groups. The majority of this experience has been in the area of child protection. Dr. Boatswain-Kyte will share her reflections as a practitioner, research and social work educator on the historical and contemporary role of social work practice and research as it related to transformative change. The session will allow for greater awareness and discussion regarding:

• The gaps between social work theory and practice;
• The importance of social and relational processes pursuant to social justice;
• The need for participatory parity to ensure that individuals and groups are able to engage as full and equal peers within society;
• The importance of social work pedagogy that supports critical reflexivity.

2) Complex Trauma, Secondary Traumatic Stress, and Trauma Informed Care
(Traditional Presentation)
By: Dr. Denise Brend, Social Service, Dawson College & Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Psychoeducation, Université de Sherbrooke

Human service professionals serve people with high rates of exposure to trauma, often beginning in childhood. While a sub-group of human service professionals share this life experience, arguably all human service professionals will be exposed to the aversive details of traumatic experiences lived by the clients they serve. Recently, several groups of scholars/clinicians have articulated a practice framework that operates through the helping relationship itself. These frameworks represent a paradigmatic shift in concern from current client problems or behaviours to repairing developmental and relational injuries that have impaired client self and relational capacities. A renewed focus on the self of the professional and the historical and current impacts of potentially traumatic experiences facilitates this relational approach. Using examples from direct practice, this session will ground participants with a theoretical understanding of: The impact of complex trauma; secondary traumatic stress (vicarious/trauma/ compassion fatigue/moral distress); and trauma informed care (TIC).

Interactive Workshop

Inuuqatigit: Respecting Traditional Knowledge through the Creation of an Indigenized Social Service Worker program for Nunavut students
By: Emily Angulalik, Nunavut Arctic College and Margaret Sullivan, Director of Social Work Programs, Nunavut Arctic College.

Inuuqatigit translates to working together for a common cause while treating each other as equals. This process was incorporated in the revitalization and indigenization of the Social Service Worker program at Nunavut Arctic College. This workshop will allow participants to learn about the steps taken to indigenize the Social Service Work program and provide an overview of the journey coupled with interactive examples of activities used to indigenize the curriculum in the classroom. Most important will be an introduction to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, the Eight IQ principles, developed by the Government of Nunavut, to provide guidance on how people should live and work with each other and the environment. These principles are sewn throughout the Social Service Worker curriculum. Workshop participants will be engaged in activities related to the IQ principles, which are simulated in the classroom.

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