Nurturing Mentally-Healthy Workplaces: Exploring Breakout Sessions at Workplace Evolution 2023

In a world where workplaces are increasingly acknowledging the significance of employee well-being and mental health, the Addiction Prevention Coalition's annual event, "Workplace Evolution," takes center stage as a beacon of progressive ideas and actionable strategies. Now in its second year, this Birmingham-based event brings together HR Professionals, Business Owners, team leaders, and those who support inclusive work environments, for an in-depth exploration of strategies and practices aimed at fostering work cultures that empower employees on their journey of wellness and recovery.

2023 Workplace Evolution – One Day Conference

Date: Thursday October 5, 2023, 9AM – 3:30PM

Location: Jefferson State Community College

Unveiling a New Era of Support: The plenaries and breakout sessions slated for this year's Workplace Evolution promise to deliver dynamic insights, uncovering the profound impact of compassionate workplace policies and practices on both individuals and organizations. The speakers and sessions are designed to provide attendees with actionable strategies for embracing and nurturing a recovery-friendly ethos within their workplaces.

2023 Workplace Evolution Event Content will include:

"Cultivating Workplace Mental Wellbeing"

Speaker: Reggie Parker, Parker Counseling and Consulting, LLC

?"Workplace of the Future: A Safe Space for the Sober Curious and Recovery Ready Workforce"

Speaker: Cheryl Brown Merriwether, MHR, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CM, CPRC, CRSS CoFounder, Vice President, Executive Director, International Center for Addiction & Recovery Education?

Breakout Sessions:

Trauma-Informed Management in the Workplace Speaker: Bronwyn McInturff, LICSW

This course will explore how we are shaped by past experiences, especially those that may include a component of trauma.?? We will define trauma and how it impacts us on a day to day basis.?? It can show up in some unexpected and expected ways that can influence behavior.?? Knowing what trauma is and how it impacts people can be a powerful tool in employers kit to contribute to employee health and react appropriately and effectively when crises do present.

?Bronwyn McInturff has served the Birmingham?mental health community for over 20 years.? She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Birmingham Southern College and a masters degree in social work from the University of Alabama. ??She served in the? Addiction Recovery Program UAB including as it’s director.?? She is now a therapist at UAB’s Sparks Center and adjunct faculty with the Department of Social Work at UAB.? She recently joined the board of directors for The Addiction Prevention Coalition.? Addiction medicine is her passion, and her other areas of interest are trauma recovery, wellness, second victims, and healing through expressive arts.?? Bronwyn was raised in Birmingham, Alabama and currently resides in Homewood with her two daughters. ?

Counting the Cost: Employee Mental and Behavioral Health, and Wellbeing at Work Speaker: Cheryl Brown-Merriwether

In the post-pandemic workplace, having an awareness of issues that impact employee mental, behavioral health and overall wellbeing is vitally important. Research shows that an unsafe or negative workplace environment can have significant impacts on an employee’s mental, behavioral health and overall wellbeing resulting in tremendous increased costs to the employer. Each one of us can help to build an open, honest, safe, and inclusive organizational culture that enhances the wellbeing of employees who may be struggling with mental health and/or substance use disorders.

Cheryl is the Co-founder, Vice President and Executive Director for the International Center for Addiction and Recovery Education (ICARE), a non-profit organization dedicated to solving the growing global problem of substance misuse and addiction.? Cheryl has over two decades of proven leadership in corporate management, Human Resources, adult education, addiction and recovery awareness, support, prevention, and corporate wellbeing.

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Question, Persuade, Respond: Suicide Prevention in the Workplace Speaker: Cheryl Dodson, Alabama Suicide Prevention and Resources Coalition

This event is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to identify the warning signs of suicide, the myths and facts associated with suicide, and so much more.

The QPR training is an evidence-based program that teaches participants how to Question, Persuade, and Refer someone who may be suicidal. By taking this training, you will be able to recognize someone at risk for suicide, be able to intervene, and refer them to an appropriate resource.

This training is suitable for anyone who wants to learn how to help someone in crisis, including parents, teachers, healthcare providers, and community members. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to be a lifesaver!

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2nd Chance Hiring Best Practices: A Real-Life Example Speakers: Crystal Holcomb and Tim Cross

People in recovery are valuable employees with skills and qualities that can benefit businesses. By creating a supportive work environment and a culture of understanding, not only can employers attract these workers but they can reduce stigma surrounding recovery, as well as give these employees an opportunity to have a meaningful career and reach their full potential. Through a real life example, attendees will learn about hiring people in recovery in a thoughtful and informed way so employers can find great employees who are committed to their sobriety and their careers.

Emotional De-escalation and Practical Communication Skills Speaker: Reggie Parker

This training session will focus on emotional de-escalation amid critical incidents. During this training, participants engage in exercises that will equip them to effectively cope with the psychological health issues directly related to professional mental health, stress management, and depression in the workplace. During the class, the instructor will demonstrate how to employ emotional de-escalation techniques, practical communication skills, and empathizing strategies. At the end of the training, participants will better understand how to deploy emotional de-escalation skills amid critical incidents to accomplish the desired outcomes.

Reggie Parker is a Certified Hostage Negotiator with over 25 years of law enforcement experience. He served as the team leader for the Hoover Police crisis negotiation team for twenty years before retiring in October 2021, where he trained new negotiators in fundamental negotiating techniques. Reggie now assists the crisis negotiations unit with the Hoover Police Department as a Mental Health liaison. He is also a former National Association of School Resource Officers instructor, where he trained officers to transition from the streets to a school setting. Reggie is the Director/Owner of Parker Counseling and Consulting LLC.

A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Reggie applies his background in Sociology, Corrections, and Mental Health to further the field of negotiation. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and his Bachelor of Science degree in Corrections from Jacksonville State University in 1994. Reggie received his Master of Science degree in Community Agency Counseling from Jacksonville State University in 2011.

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Understanding Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and the Workplace Speaker: Dr. Stephen Taylor, MD, MPH, DFAPA, DFASAM

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) plays a vital role in supporting individuals on their recovery journey. Dr. Stephen Taylor, a board-certified in general psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and addiction medicine, will offer insights into the intersection of MAT and workplace policies. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to create a supportive environment that accommodates the unique needs of employees utilizing MAT, fostering a culture of compassion and inclusion.

Dr. Stephen Taylor is board-certified in general psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and addiction medicine.? In his nearly 30 years of practice experience, and as an educator and presenter, Dr. Taylor’s life’s work has been to help adolescents and young adults avoid or overcome addiction disorders and co-occurring general psychiatric disorders. Dr. Taylor has recently completed his 16th season as the Medical Director of the Player Assistance and Anti-Drug Program of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). Dr. Taylor also serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Pathway Healthcare, a company that has opened and is operating 17 outpatient addiction treatment offices spread across Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Texas.

Dr. Taylor is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and is currently the President-Elect of ASAM. He also chairs ASAM’s Delegation to the AMA House of Delegates. Dr. Taylor is also a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and is also a member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the International Society of Sports Psychiatry (ISSP).

Dr. Taylor is a certified Medical Review Officer (MRO) and serves on the Board of Directors of the Medical Review Officer Certification Council (MROCC). He also serves on the Drug Testing Advisory Board (DTAB) of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); the National Academy of Medicine’s Opioid Action Collaborative; and the Scientific Advisory Board of the Foundation for Opioid Recovery Efforts. Most importantly, Dr. Taylor is blessed to have served as a long-time member of the Board of Directors of the Addiction Prevention Coalition.

An honors graduate of Harvard College, with a Master of Public Health degree from the Harvard School of Public Health and a medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine, Dr. Taylor completed residency training in pediatrics, psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Bronx Municipal Hospital Center, and then completed a fellowship in addiction psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine/Bellevue Hospital Center.

Dr. Taylor and his wife of 35 years, Dr. Angela Taylor, have two adult children, Dr. Nia Taylor, a dentist in Fayetteville, Georgia, and Jamal Taylor, a supply chain specialist and data analyst in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Workplace Evolution's breakout sessions promise an immersive experience, arming attendees with practical strategies for cultivating workplaces that prioritize recovery and well-being. By embracing the insights shared by speakers and engaging in discussions, HR Professionals, Business Owners, team leaders, and managers have the opportunity to lead their organizations into a new era of compassionate and recovery-focused workplaces. As the dynamics of work culture continue to evolve, this event serves as a roadmap towards a future where employees are empowered to heal, grow, and succeed in an environment that champions their well-being.

Please join us for the second year of Workplace Evolution as it promises to be an inspiring and transformative event, where attendees will gain actionable insights into nurturing work environments that champion recovery and well-being.

Click here to learn about available sponsorships and/or Group Rates for 2023 Workforce Evolution.