On November 20, 2015, the Substance Abuse Task Force hosted an all-day conference entitled “Implications of Treating Trauma in Substance Use Disorders”. Conference attendees included providers from public and private substance abuse treatment agencies, community based organizations, private therapists, and professionals throughout Long Island.
Detective Pam Stark, Heather Harten, Lauren Laurore, Bonnie Owens- presenter, Anthony Zenkus- presenter, Alberta Rubin, Virginia Kornfield, Jennine Hill- Chairperson of the Task Force, Paula Pontrelli, Mary Silberstein, Anthony Rizzuto
The presenter for the morning portion of the conference was Director of Education- Anthony Zenkus, who discussed the neurobiology of trauma, and how trauma and stress increases risk of addictive and mental health disorders. Our afternoon presenter was Bonnie Owens from Seafield, who presented on psychobiology of trauma; brain-body centered counseling techniques, and the neuroscience of exercise for trauma and substance abuse recovery.
With the support of the Nassau County Department of Mental Health, Chemical Dependency, and Developmental Disabilities, the Mental Health Association of Nassau, and Seafield Center, we were able to provide six (6) social work continuing education unit credits (CEUs) and certified alcohol and substance abuse counseling (CASAC) credits to those who attended.
About The Substance Abuse Task Force
The Task Force at The Safe Center is made up of members from The Safe Center, Nassau County Child Protective Services (CPS), Nassau County Department of Mental Health, Chemical Dependency, & Developmental Disabilities, Long Island Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (LICADD), NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), Nassau County Police Department, and several Nassau County OASAS Licensed Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs as well as other community based agencies who work with substance abusing families and children at risk. Our mission is to identify & eliminate gaps and barriers to services for children in substance abusing families.
Jennine Hill, Substance Abuse Case Coordinator