OADD November Event Program

Transforming the Habit of High Stress

Presenter: Claudia Ferryman, Rainmaker Strategies Group

This workshop will start with an overview of the latest research in stress management, providing participants with the most up-to-date information and tools to implement effective stress management practices in their daily lives. This session is ideal for anyone looking to understand the science behind stress and to learn practical methods for transforming their response to stress, leading to improved health and productivity.
We will explore cortisol, its role in stress response, and the physical signs of its prolonged presence in the body. We will highlight cortisol’s dual nature, highlighting its necessary benefits in activating ‘fight or flight’ responses and the health implications when these levels are not managed effectively over time. Attendees will learn about the typical indicators of elevated cortisol, including fatigue, weight gain, and mood swings.
The session will cover practical strategies for managing cortisol levels through lifestyle adjustments, dietary choices, and stress-reduction techniques. Furthermore, the workshop will cover the principles of neuroplasticity, demonstrating how individuals can rewire their brains to reduce negative thought patterns and rumination—a key factor in sustained stress reduction.

Presenter identified Outcomes:
This is a highly practical and engaging workshop where participants will walk away feeling empowered, motivated and armed with tools and concepts that they can put into action immediately.
1) Recognize the physical and psychological signs of Stress
2) Implement effective stress management techniques
3) Understand the role of hormones in stress responses
4) Harness the power of neuroplasticity for mental health

Creating Strength in a Workplace Culture to Enhance the Lives of the People We Support: The Power of Using Trauma-Informed Care with Teams and People Supported

Presenters: Aislynn Hatt-Lamare, Tonya Drost, Gail Clarke

Regional Support Associates (RSA) is a ministry-funded organization that strives to enhance the lives of the people we support as well as empowering families and staff teams. With the utilization of a biological psychological and sociological approach as well as a trauma informed care lens, we want to strengthen resilience and knowledge within staff teams to ensure the people we support receive quality, informed care.
Research indicates that a significant number of those entering adult developmental services both as staff and people needing support have experienced one or more traumatic events. The use of trauma informed care is critical in understanding the physical and mental health needs of a person who has experienced trauma. This lens needs to be at the forefront of our day to day supports.
Participants will be provided with an overview of the connection between wellbeing of staff teams and persons accessing supports. Participants will learn about trauma as well as a brief overview of secondary traumatic stress, moral distress, empathic strain, burnout and how these concepts impact their daily work and interactions with the people they support.

Presenter identified Outcomes:
This session provides a focus on interdisciplinary approaches to trauma informed care; participants will leave the session with practical strategies and resources that they can use in their daily work. Participants will learn about the new Trauma-Informed Care Community of Practice that is being developed by RSA.

Leveraging Interprofessional Health Care Teams to Reduce Polypharmacy and Alleviate the Burden on Primary Care and Emergency Departments in the IDD Population

Presenters: Michelle Neville, Jocelyn Fleet

Polypharmacy, the concurrent use of multiple medications by a single patient, poses significant challenges to healthcare systems, contributing to adverse drug events, increased healthcare costs, and heightened burdens on primary care and emergency departments. This is of increased risk in the IDD population due to the increased likelihood of medical commodities requiring multiple clinician involvement as well as communication barriers. Addressing this multifaceted issue requires a collaborative, interprofessional approach that extends beyond traditional healthcare models.
This presentation explores the utilization of interprofessional healthcare teams as a strategic solution to mitigate polypharmacy’s adverse effects, optimize treatment outcomes and enhance patient care.
We have developed and utilize a collaborative assessment model between nursing, pharmacy and physicians. We highlight the impact of this collaborative model on healthcare utilization patterns, demonstrating reductions in unnecessary hospital admissions, emergency department visits, and primary care consultations.
Embracing a collaborative approach empowers healthcare professionals to deliver patient-centered care, optimize resources, and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in healthcare delivery.

Presenter Identified Outcomes:
Creation and use of interprofessional teams that help to increase client care decreasing the burden on the health care system

The SHIFT Training-Intersectional Holistic Harm Reduction for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Presenters: Jill Faber, Justin Wood

The SHIFT training was developed to empower colleagues, community partners, and stakeholders in addressing the critical challenges faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities within their communities. Currently, direct service providers are hindered by “silo services,” which are often exclusive and fail to inclusively serve individuals with intellectual disabilities. Conversely, resources specifically designed for people with intellectual disabilities often fall short in addressing real-world issues such as substance use, addiction, trauma, exploitation, trafficking, and the need for supportive housing.
SHIFT training aims to transform our thinking and practices by incorporating Holistic and Intersectional Harm Reduction Services for People with Intellectual Disabilities.

Presenter Identified Outcomes:
*Provide an evidence-based approach to support individuals with intellectual disabilities, particularly those struggling with addiction.
*Introduce new concepts to direct service providers, empowering them to deliver customized care that meets the unique needs of the people they support.
*Encourage community partners to view individuals with intellectual disabilities through a holistic and respectful lens, acknowledging their rights even when inherent risks are involved.
*Foster dialogue between community partners, teaching the language necessary for effective cross-sectoral partnerships.
*Offer opportunities for long-term learning and critical self-reflection.
*Break the cycles of hopelessness and helplessness, guiding participants through the steps of Humility, Awareness, Sensitivity, and Safety to fully achieve the SHIFT in their perspectives.

A Clinical and Responsiveness Approach to Organizational Trauma: Coaching, Resiliency and Personal Wellness

Presenters: Marnie Lye, Sandra Martino, Marnie McDermott

To build capacity, a specialized training on ‘A Clinical and Responsiveness Approach to Organizational Trauma: Transformation and Healing’ was developed by the Community Networks of Specialized Care – Central East and Lake Ridge Community Support Services to provide staff in developmental service agencies an enhanced skill set through an organizational trauma lens to support individuals with developmental disabilities and high support and complex care needs. As a result of the training, the person with a dual diagnosis received positive based support from trained staff which empowered the person to live in the community successfully. This session will highlight the need for a collaborative approach across sectors to understand the concept of organizational trauma through a clinical lens. Clinical resources and tools will be provided to help staff and senior leaders build their resiliency and wellness throughout the whole service delivery system.

Presenter Identified Outcomes:
• Participants will have a clear understanding of the values and principles to trauma-informed organizational change.
• Tools and resources will be provided to address organizational change.
• A positive based clinical approach will be identified to support persons with complex needs.

Hosted Dinner – separate registration

A Casual buffet dinner available to In-Person participants. A chance to chat with colleagues, new and old, without asking “where do you want to eat?”

Networking Evening

Join us to relax and unwind from a day of learning with friends and colleagues in a comfy atmosphere

Draw prizes

Supporting Complex Individuals in the Southeast Region through Creative Planning

Presenters: Jackie Kingsbury, Danielle McCully, Jessica Warren, Heather Fairbairn

A compilation of case studies highlighting creative planning for persons with complex needs supported by the CNSC-SER. A total of 4 case examples will be presented. Each case study will discuss the trials and tribulations of creative planning to find the best fit for each of the supported persons. Often with the CNSC, there is a need for a multi-case management approach (DDJCM, HCF, CSC). Each case study will highlight how the CNSC works with a collaborative approach for the best outcome. Not every idea is a great one, we will also highlight the learning curve and discuss how our supported individuals are best supported in thinking outside of the box approach.
We will highlight each of the conference streams with these case studies

Presenter Identified Outcomes
Creative Planning and outside of the box thinking is imperative for success with complex clients. We will highlight the importance of engaging our clients and supported the whole person and not just the behaviour or medical or justice concerns.

Looking through the Trauma Lens while Building Capacity in our Community Agencies

Presenters: Pauline LeDrew-Bonvarlez, Gail Clarke

With MCCSS’s introduction of the QAM and Behaviour Policy Directive 2.0, in 2012, all developmental service agencies have been encouraged to conduct a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) to identify the bio-psycho-social factors that may be influencing the persons presentation. The goal is to support agencies in understanding the factors that are influencing the individual’s engagement in problematic behaviour, and then develop targeted responses to support the individual. This approach will enhance the opportunities available to the individuals they support.
It’s recognized that a significant proportion of individuals receiving support from the developmental services system have encountered trauma.
The CCDI aims to assist agencies in recognizing that a history of trauma is among the numerous factors that could lead to challenging behaviors, including aggression. CCDI encourages agencies to adopt a trauma-informed perspective at every level of their organization.
Participants will be provided with a brief overview of the process of the CCDI in addition to recognize how Trauma Informed Supports build capacity in agency staff. Through a trauma informed lens, discussion will highlight the benefits of completing a FBA and development of positive behaviour supports.

Presenter Identified Outcomes:
New skills/approach that participants will take away from this session:
1. Participants will gain an overview of the Community Capacity Development Initiative, developed by Regional Support Associates to enhance the capacity of agency staff to increase opportunities for people to live their best lives.
2. Participants will be able to recognize that behavior supports, if not developed through a trauma-informed approach, can potentially perpetuate trauma or even cause traumatic experiences for both the staff and the individuals they support.
3. Participants will gain an overview of components of Trauma Informed Supports

Recent Practice Guidance on Transitions from Hospital to Home for Alternate Level of Care (ALC) Patients with a Dual Diagnosis

Presenters: Avra Selick, Yona Lunsky

Adults with a dual diagnosis (developmental disability and psychiatric condition) are more likely to be hospitalized and receive an alternate level of care (ALC) designation. This means they no longer require hospital-level care but remain hospitalized due to a lack of suitable community settings. Patients with a dual diagnosis need supports from both the health and developmental service sectors to ensure successful transitions. This requires cross-sectoral solutions to effectively meet their needs during the transition process. Recently, practice guidance was developed based on consultations with over 100 Ontario stakeholders from the health and developmental service sectors which outlines 10 core components to support ALC patients with a dual diagnosis to transition out of hospital. This presentation will review recent administrative data on the scope of the ALC challenge, provide an overview of the practice guidance, highlight existing relevant tools and resources, and discuss next steps necessary to implement the guidance.

Presenter Identified Outcomes:
This presentation will review recent practice guidance, commissioned by the Ontario Ministry of Health, intended to inform practice across the health and developmental service sectors. We will also share new data that for the first time allows us to provide detailed descriptions of current ALC patients with a dual diagnosis across Ontario.

Creating Supportive Environments through Cross Sector Collaboration – ALC Discharge Planning for Patients with Dual Diagnosis

Presenters: Sandy Stemp, Melonie Hopkins, Megan Henze, Angela Gonzales

Within healthcare setting the term ‘Alternative level of care’ refers to patients who are in hospital settings but do not require inpatient care. This situation is often due to a lack of appropriate discharge options in the community able to meet the person’s complex care needs and this designation happens frequently to adults with intellectual disabilities and often results in lengthy admission times. This presentation will focus on how collaboration across creates sustainable community-based supports for people with complex care needs. Presenters include inpatient mental health provider – Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), a developmental sector agency REENA, a provider of specialized healthcare and clinical services for developmental sector Surrey Place. We will review reference best practice guidelines for ALC transition planning, explore case examples and discuss specific mechanisms to improve communication between partners before, during and after discharge from hospital to create comprehensive transition plans. Examples will illustrate how strong partnerships can provide a structure that allows for flexibility, creativity and customization to meet the unique needs, personalities and interests of each person supported. Participants will come away with concrete strategies to help bring to life best practice guidelines in supporting discharge of ALC patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in a way that respects the dignity and autonomy of the people served.

Presenter Identified Outcomes:
Participants will learn strategies for improving efficiency of complex discharges through use of established protocols, trusted relationships and longer term partnerships.
Participants will identify systemic barriers and facilitators to ALC and strategies to overcome these barriers.

A Cross Sectoral Approach to Supporting Persons who are Alternate Level of Care Transition to the Community

Presenters: Whitney Faragher, Courtney Hutson, Cindie Evans

The Community Networks of Specialized Care-Central East (CNSC-CE) has developed a variety of programs to support adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities with high support and complex care needs. Many times, cross sectoral planning is essential to provide linkages to specialized services to stabilize persons with complex care needs. Persons who are identified as Alternate Level of Care need a comprehensive transition planning team to understand the persons identified support needs. Often persons become so dis-regulated that they require support through various service systems such as: justice, health, mental health, and developmental services. This session will provide a cross sectoral approach using a case study, to demonstrate how collaborations are effective to develop comprehensive personalized clinical care plans for seamless transition from Alternate Level of Care into the community.

Presenter Identified Outcomes:
• To learn how the collaborative approach to multidisciplinary clinical care can bridge the gap for persons with complex needs while waiting for specialized services.
• To understand that inclusive advocacy is the key to developing a clinical approach to support Alternate Level of Care persons transitioning into the community.
• That transition planning is a person directed team multidisciplinary approach.
• To learn how to navigate the different service systems and cross sector planning partners.

Trauma Informed Mindfulness Unveiled: Nurturing Foundations, Reflective Experiences and Integrative Practice

Presenters: Katie Bushie

Throughout the past year, The Centre for Dreams has powerfully charged the notion that mindfulness is a conversation with AND for all, especially our developmental and intellectual communities. Mindfulness, which is innately trauma informed, has the ability to impact all.
This is an interactive presentation where participants will dive into the foundations of mindfulness, connect with core frameworks of practice, share experiences and learn straight from our members (clients).
In person attendee are invited to participate in a hands-on activity; virtual attendees will be able to follow along in a trauma informed chair movement session.

Presenter Identified Outcomes:
Participants will walk away with a renewed sense of the foundations of mindfulness as it supports our communities, self reflective hands on experience and the ability to re-create pathways to include mindfulness in action across your program(s)

Wrap up and Prize Draws