Open App
8 hours
Kenyon College
Starting at USD 125
Tue, 03 Jun, 2025 at 08:00 am to 04:00 pm (GMT-04:00)
Kenyon College
106 College Park Drive, Gambier, United States
The Knox Substance Abuse Action Team (KSAAT) invites you to experience the Communities Coming Together conference on June 3rd and 4th. A compilation of Focusing on Youth Issues (FYI) Conference and the Knox Addiction Conference. The presentations are open to the public and provide a wide array of valuable information for everyone.
Registration for all attendees is required. Lunch will be provided cafeteria style, options will be available for individuals with special dietary needs. Registration will begin at 7:00 am in the lobby of the Pierce Hall.
Cancellations: Full refunds for cancellations are available until April 30, 2025. Contact ZW1jY29udmlsbGUgfCBtaHJsayAhIG9yZw==
Who should attend?
• Educators
• Social Workers
• Community Members
• Business Owners
• Licensed Counselors
• Probation and Law Enforcement
• Scout Leaders
• Church Youth Directors
• Parents
• Nurses
Info: This keynote session offers a comprehensive look at how to more effectively support survivors of violence and trauma who use substances. These individuals often face distinct barriers when seeking care and are frequently misunderstood by traditional service systems. Participants will explore both clinical and non-clinical intervention strategies, including harm reduction techniques, barriers to treatment success, and enhancing domestic violence services. The session will also address how to shift community response and reduce stigma, empowering providers to offer compassionate, trauma-informed care.
Info: Grounded in survivor-informed content, this session explores the hidden and often misunderstood world of familial trafficking. Participants will gain critical insights into how familial trafficking presents, how to recognize the signs, and how to respond with trauma-informed care. The material reflects the voices and priorities of survivors themselves—what they want social workers and counselors to truly understand in order to provide meaningful support and protection.
Info: This workshop examines the intersection of partner-inflicted brain injury and overdose-related brain trauma—an often unrecognized aspect of survivor experiences. Attendees will learn how brain injuries affect cognitive functioning, the signs and symptoms of potential brain trauma, and how to adapt workplace and service environments to support survivors with cognitive impairments. The session introduces the CARE Framework, a trauma-informed enhancement model developed by ODVN, and provides ready-to-use tools and resources for professionals working at the nexus of mental health, substance use, and trauma.
Info: Designed for professionals working with survivors of human trafficking, this session provides an overview of key federal and Ohio-specific laws, including Safe Harbor Diversion and Expungement options. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of available legal remedies and how to identify and respond to trafficking survivors in alignment with trauma-responsive best practices. This session offers actionable strategies to better serve and advocate for survivors within community settings.
Info: This session explores the vital role of peer support specialists within the behavioral health field. Participants will examine the principles of effective collaboration between clinicians and peer workers, ethical considerations and boundaries, and the profound impact peer support can have on client engagement and recovery outcomes. Whether you're a clinician, administrator, or peer, this session offers a roadmap for building strong, integrated care teams rooted in lived experience and mutual respect.
Info: The legal landscape surrounding cannabis use has evolved rapidly, creating complex challenges for employers and behavioral health professionals. This session explores the current legal status of cannabis in Ohio workplaces, reviews clinical evidence related to impairment, and offers practical guidance for assessing impairment on the job. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the medical and legal implications of cannabis use and learn how to navigate policy decisions and client care with confidence and clarity.
Info: Recovery Capital is an essential concept in behavioral health that focuses on the internal and external resources a person can draw on to support recovery. This session introduces a framework for assessing a client's environment—including risk and resilience factors—that impact recovery planning and long-term success. Participants will explore strategies to evaluate and enhance Recovery Capital, allowing for more personalized, strengths-based treatment interventions that support sustainable healing.
Info: Whether working in the field or navigating daily life, situational awareness is a critical skill for social workers and behavioral health providers. This session teaches participants how to sharpen their observational skills, remain alert in unpredictable situations, and make quick decisions to avoid potential hazards. Attendees will leave with practical tools to boost their personal safety and better support clients in managing environmental risk factors.
Info: This session offers an introduction to commonly prescribed medications used in the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. Ideal for practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of pharmacological interventions, the session covers drug action principles, therapeutic uses, side effects, and contraindications. Participants will gain foundational knowledge to enhance collaboration with prescribers and improve client outcomes through informed, integrated care.
Info: Clients experiencing both mental health and substance use disorders require thoughtful, coordinated care. This training equips professionals with the skills to recognize the complex interactions between mental illness and substance use, perform accurate assessments, and develop integrated treatment plans. Attendees will also examine how co-occurring issues impact client identity, reduce stigma through education, and apply strategies that improve client-centered outcomes.
Info: Delays in executive functioning skills can significantly affect a child's behavior, academic performance, and social development. This session explores the root causes of these delays and offers practical, evidence-informed strategies clinicians and educators can use to help young people build executive functioning and soft skills. Participants will also examine how chronic stress impairs executive function and discover ways to support resilience and self-regulation in the children and teens they serve.
Info: LGBTQIA+ youth face unique challenges, including discrimination and increased mental health risks, particularly within school environments. This session uses data and case examples to highlight the experiences of these young people and provides practical, values-driven steps social workers and counselors can take to create safer, more inclusive spaces. From language choices to agency-wide policy shifts, attendees will leave with actionable strategies to support this vulnerable population with empathy and advocacy.
Info: Substance use can have a profound impact on a person’s cognition, behavior, and ability to engage in treatment—but it is often overlooked in professional settings. This session provides tools to help clinicians identify the signs of substance use and understand how alcohol and drugs can shape thinking, mood, and long-term behavior. Participants will explore how to support clients on the path to long-term recovery through accurate recognition and appropriate intervention.
Info: This reflective session invites participants to examine their own belief systems around addiction, recovery, and the use of Medic*tion-assisted treatment (MAT). Through guided dialogue and introspective exercises, attendees will uncover personal and professional assumptions that may influence how they approach client care. The session also explores the science and stigma around opioid use disorder treatment, helping professionals strengthen their capacity for empathy, understanding, and evidence-based practice.
Info: Adolescent brains are rapidly developing—and uniquely vulnerable to the effects of substance use. This session unpacks the neurological differences between teens and adults, illuminating why traditional approaches to addiction treatment often fall short with younger clients. Participants will explore the science of prevention, how emotional regulation and decision-making evolve during adolescence, and how to reframe expectations to better support youth through this critical developmental window.
Info: This interactive session invites participants to reflect on their unique roles in fostering a connected and compassionate recovery community. Through guided exercises and discussion, attendees will explore how individual purpose and lived experience can be leveraged to create safe, inclusive, and healing environments. The session emphasizes the importance of psychological and relational safety in community-based care, and highlights how personal and collective strengths can align to build sustainable, people-centered systems of support.
Also check out other Health & Wellness events in Gambier, Business events in Gambier.
Tickets for Communities Coming Together 2025 can be booked here.
| Ticket type | Ticket price |
|---|---|
| June 3 & 4 | 125 USD |
We have gathered all the information for you in one convenient spot, but please keep in mind that these are subject to change.We do our best to keep everything updated, but something might be out of sync. For the latest updates, always check the official event details by clicking the "Find Tickets" button.
