Upcoming or On-going Workshops
View workshops on the DVA Calendar
REGISTER HERE
When: Tuesday, September 26th (12 - 1 pm, PST)
Where: Virtual/Online
Trainer: Subject Matter Experts from the Office of Veterans Affairs
Description
Join us for a one-hour workshop tailored to help you become a resource in assisting veterans access to their education benefits. Whether you're a veteran, concerned citizen, family member, or community advocate, this workshop will equip you with knowledge to guide veterans toward educational opportunities. Please join us in making a positive impact on the educational journeys of our nation's veterans.
Learning Objectives
After taking part in this training, participants will be able to:
- Gain an understanding of VA Education Benefits
- Gain an understanding of the eligibility and application process
- How a veteran might maximize their education benefits
- Understanding the transition to civilian education
Register here!
Please join us for the 11th Annual VA Puget Sound Behavioral Health Summit! This year’s slogan is “Creating Safety by Forging Relationships”. This is a capstone event tying together many of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month’s activities and themes. Our focus is showcasing a Public Health approach to Suicide Prevention. This approach strengthens protective factors by enhancing access to mental heath services, medical services and housing resources. This approach hopes to enhance access to tribal resources. It promotes access to ethnic, cultural and spiritual resources. We hope to do this by forging even stronger relationships between the Washington Department of Veteran affairs VA Puget Sound, Tribal communities, community business leaders, not for profit Veteran Support organizations, veterans and families.
Our goal is to heighten a community's understanding of how strengthening protective factors creates a safer environment. Our presenters will share suicide prevention strategies. We hope you are able to participate.
What is the Equity, Inclusion, & Justice Summit?
The Equity, Inclusion, & Justice Summit is a transformative three-day event that brings together minority veterans, service members, subject matter experts, and community supporters from across the country to delve into the unique experiences of the minority veteran community. Through engaging panel discussions, immersive workshops, and inspiring speaker sessions, attendees will explore innovative strategies, share experiences, and collaborate on actionable solutions to promote equity, foster inclusion, and drive justice within the military and veteran community. This summit provides a unique platform to connect, learn, and empower one another while forging a path towards a more inclusive community for us all. In 2023, we take bring our 4th annual Summit in-person for the first time. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to be part of a dynamic event that sparks meaningful change and amplifies the voices of minority veterans!
The EIJ Summit will take place at the Seattle Airport Marriott, just minutes from SeaTac Airport. After landing at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, hop on the complimentary shuttle service to the hotel less than a mile away. Conference attendees can enjoy discounted room rates for EIJ Summit to Sept. 15th.
REGISTER HERE!
REGISTER HERE
Assessing & Managing Suicide Risk (6 CEUs)
When: October 6th (9 am - 4 pm, PST)
Where: Virtual/Online
CEUs Available: Six
Instructors:
Kara Walker | MA, LICSW | VA PUGET SOUND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
David Kapelle, MSW, LCSW | VA PUGET SOUND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
47,000 Americans died by suicide in 2017, and sadly, over 14% of the completed suicides were Veterans. Despite increased funding and awareness, the Veteran suicide rate is still steady. Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk (AMSR) helps give clinicians the skills and confidence to meet suicide care standards and competencies.
This training is designed for outpatient providers to assess and manage suicide risk with the goal of aiding in patient recovery. Clinicians will learn through group discussion, case examples, and videos, and should expect to participate in this class with a collaborative, non-adversarial and nonjudgmental stance. This course meets the Washington State requirements (RCW 43.70.442) for social workers, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists.
Objectives
1.Identify and apply the following core competencies to suicide prevention: maintaining an effective attitude and approach, collecting accurate assessment information, formulating risk, developing a treatment and services plan, and managing care.
2.Demonstrate an increased willingness, confidence, and clarity in working with individuals at risk for suicide.
3.Describe specific methods to better care for individuals at risk for suicide.
REGISTER HERE
Instructor: Jeffery Rosskelley, LICSW
When: Friday, October 6th, 1 - 4 pm
Location: Virtual/Zoom
CE Hours: 3
In this session we will focus on understanding the cognitive theory of co-occurring disorders. Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT) is an evidence-based talking therapy that explores the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and the relationship of those patterns to our suffering or well-being.? Our experience of distress can be influenced by learned patterns of thinking and behavior that are unhelpful to us. People experiencing psychological distress, no matter the diagnosis, can learn tools to better cope with, and in some cases intentionally engage and transform these unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, relieving layers of distress and allowing them to be more effective in their lives.
*This training is the first session in a two-part module and part of an 8 session series on co-occurring disorders and serious mental illness (COD/SMI) offered by Jeff Roskelley, LICSW. While there is benefit from attending an individual training & each session can stand on its own, each builds upon the previous and participants will gain maximum benefit from attending sessions 1-7 in succession.
Learning Objectives:
After taking part in this training, participants will be able to:
- Summarize the basic structural components of CBT.
- Describe and apply CBT techniques for Substance Use?.
- Describe and apply CBT techniques for Paranoid and Suspicious Thinking.
- Describe and apply CBT techniques for Behavioral Activation.
REGISTER HERE
When: Wednesday, October 11th (11 am - 12 pm, PST)
Where: Virtual/Online
Trainer: Olivia Burley, Washington State Military Spouse Liaison
CEs Available: 3
Description
Learn about the military spouse community through the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Military Spouse Cultural Competency Training. This training covers the culture of military spouses, the military spouse experience, and issues related to military spouse career paths. Participants who view the training will receive a participation confirmation email and certificate of completion after answering a short survey. This training fulfills the requirement for military spouse cultural competency training for professional licensure board and commission members in Washington State.
Learning Objectives
After taking part in this training, participants will be able to:
- What is the definition of a military spouse?
- How many military spouses are in our state?
- What are the unique challenges military spouses face?
- What do military spouses bring to their communities and workplaces?
- How can you create programs/environments that welcome the military spouse community?
REGISTER HERE
Who: VA Puget Sound and U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
When: 2nd Thursday of each month - 12:00pm-1:30pm (PST)
Where: Virtual/Zoom
CEUs Available: 1.5
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) S.A.V.E. suicide prevention training program is designed to help recognize the warning signs of suicide and provide support and resources to individuals at risk of suicide. The S.A.V.E. program aims to help V.A. employees and volunteers develop the skills and knowledge necessary to identify and respond to individuals at risk of suicide and to connect them with the resources and support they need to get the help they need. The program is an integral part of the V.A.'s overall efforts to reduce suicide among veterans and to ensure that all veterans have access to the support and resources they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
VA S.A.V.E. Training will help you act with care and compassion if you encounter a veteran in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts. The acronym S.A.V.E. helps you remember the important steps involved in suicide prevention:
S - Signs of suicidal thinking should be recognized
A - Ask the most important question of all -- "Are you thinking of killing yourself?"
V - Validate the veteran's experience
E - Encourage treatment and Expedite getting help
REGISTER HERE
When: Friday, October 13th, 9 am - 4 pm PST
Where: Virtual via Zoom
Trainer: Anne-Marie Roepke, P.h.D. - Evoke Training and Consulting, PLLC
CEs Available: 6
Description:
How can we help our clients make positive changes in their behavior -- without nagging, shaming, persuading, or arguing? Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based counseling approach that can help individuals change behaviors they might feel ambivalent about, such as exercising, changing their diet, quitting alcohol/drugs, adopting safer sex practices, taking important medications, or starting psychotherapy.
In this interactive and engaging 6-hour training, participants will learn the fundamentals of motivational interviewing, including the MI spirit, the four processes of MI, use of the core techniques (open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, summaries), the strategic use of different types of reflective listening, how to evoke and strengthen motivation for change, and how to roll with difficulty and discord within the helping relationship. We will focus on topics that may impact Veterans we serve, including: motivation to seek help for mental health, addressing PTSD, addressing substance use concerns, management of chronic pain and health conditions. Training participants will have the opportunity to learn in a variety of ways including lecture, demonstrations, small group practice in breakout rooms, discussions, and experiential learning activities designed to give them a richer understanding of the use of motivational interviewing in therapeutic and healthcare settings.
Note: This series includes two "Introduction" courses. This workshop is for caseworkers, social workers, behavioral health professionals, and any others who work with veterans. The "Introduction to Motivational Interviewing for Psychotherapists" workshop is in person at the King County Veterans Program in Tukwila on November 17th is oriented towards mental health professionals with graduate degrees in Psychotherapy. This workshop is linked here: www.eventsquid.com/event/20686
Learning Objectives
1. Define motivational interviewing (MI)
2. Define change talk and sustain talk
3. Explain the fundamental spirit and guiding principles of MI
4. List two ways to evoke change talk
5. Demonstrate use of MI-consistent reflective listening
6. Assess how, where, and when MI may be beneficial in the participant’s clinical/work setting
Note: these trainings are offered as education and information for professionals, and are NOT intended as a healthcare service, or to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice for any condition, or to establish a doctor-patient relationship with the trainer.
REGISTER HERE
Faculty: Eric Strom, JD, Ph.D, LICSW
When: Friday, October 20th, 9 am - 12 pm
Location: Virtual/Zoom
CE Hours: 3
Description
Our work as behavior health professionals is heavily regulated through a variety of legal, ethical, and clinical standards. For clinicians engaged in relational work with families and minors (when clinical work is done with more than one family member/client present), the complexity of these legal and ethical considerations are compounded. But don’t worry. The turbulent waters of relational work can be navigated safely!
This 3 hour law & ethics workshop is designed to help you identify, clarify, and apply current legal and ethical standards to the complicated context of relational work. Participants will have the opportunity to discover the guidance provided by state law, federal law, and a range of applicable ethics codes. In addition to case studies and scenarios, participants are encouraged to share their own experiences, questions and thoughts.
Learning Objectives
Participants in this workshop will be able to:
1) Identify ethical standards relating to identifying the client when working with multiple clients
2) Identify legal standards relating to the age of consent for clinical work with minors
3) Describe the various types of legal decision-making authority for minor clients
4) Describe and apply the Washington Family Initiated Treatment Act
5) Create and evaluate strategies for client advocacy
6) Evaluate sufficiency and effectiveness of current practice policies with regard to involvement in the legal system
REGISTER HERE
Instructor: Jeffery Rosskelley, LICSW
When: October 20th, 1 - 4 pm
Location: Virtual/Zoom
CE Hours: 3
In this session we will build on our knowledge base from Part 1 of this module and focus on specific action-stage CBT strategies for COD, including strategies for psychotic experiences and addictions.
*This training is the second session in a two-part module and part of an 8 session series on co-occurring disorders and serious mental illness (COD/SMI) offered by Jeff Roskelley, LICSW. While there is benefit from attending an individual training & each session can stand on its own, each builds upon the previous and participants will gain maximum benefit from attending sessions 1-7 in succession.
Learning Objectives:
After taking part in this training, participants will be able to:
- Summarize the basic structural components of CBT.
- Describe and apply CBT techniques for Substance Use.
- Describe and apply CBT techniques for Paranoid and Suspicious Thinking.
- Describe and apply CBT techniques for Behavioral Activation.
Our Veteran nonprofit Continues our mission to Empower Our Communities with life saving skills and community resources. We would like to invite you to join us as a Veteran leader, zombie, Runner, vendor or sponsoring partner for the upcoming Survive Seattle Zombie Run this October. Visit SurviveSeattle.org now to reserve a spot! or register your group as Zombies for Free!
Zombie Run: will be a perfect blend of fitness, adventure, and fun, offering participants a chance to experience the excitement of outrunning zombies while navigating through thrilling challenges.
Veterans can receive priority/free tickets that are transferable to friends/family. Have fun trying to SURVIVE! or join the legion of the damned and chase down survivors!
! This is not a Race! *Save the date!* Runner advance ticket sales begin September 20th, 2023.
Run for your life from zombies to SURVIVE SEATTLE ! ! !
Primarily an outdoors event, taking place with a beautiful view of the park and ongoing Halloween festival at Jefferson Park, Seattle. Participants have the option of coming as “Survivors,” “Zombies,” and/or spectators. As a group, survivors will have to navigate through a family-oriented obstacle course while being pursued by hordes of zombies. It will be a thrilling experience that will benefit our community and bring the brave closer together.
Additional, family fun activities outside of the main attraction will serve as a way to bring in partnered local businesses, organizations, and nonprofits that have information on the resources available to this community. This includes a blood drive & Doomsday Preppers resource Fair! Prepare for Natural disaster, emergency response, CPR, + first aid training labs, First Responders are going to be here and we are proud to be working together towards a common goal that Empowers Communities.
We also are encouraging organizations looking for team-building activities that can also be promotional to come and join our positivity focused community building. Visit SurviveSeattle.org now to reserve a spot! or register your group as Zombies for Free!
Blood Drive: Help our community! Signup at Registration booth's Blood Mobile to schedule a donation and receive half off Survivor tickets! Give after running PLZ!
***Please Do NOT donate blood before participating in a scheduled zombie run challenge!***
We also are encouraging organizations looking for team-building activities that can also be promotional to come and join our positivity focused community building. For example, free attendance as "acting zombies" for the October's Survive Seattle Halloween fun run.
REGISTER HERE
When: Tuesday, October 24th (12 - 1 pm, PST)
Where: Virtual/Online
Trainer: Subject Matter Experts from the Office of Veterans Affairs
Description
Join us for a one-hour workshop tailored to help you become a resource in assisting veterans with the VA Disability Claims process. Whether you're a veteran, concerned citizen, family member, or community advocate, this workshop will equip you with knowledge to support the veteran in navigating through this process.
Learning Objectives
After taking part in this training, participants will be able to:
- Gain an understanding of VA Disability Claims process
- Gain an understanding of the eligibility and application process
REGISTER HERE!
When: Friday, August 4th, 2023 (10 am - 12 pm PST)
Where: Virtual
Faculty: Ryanne Lindberg
Workshop Description:
The Veterans Cultural Engagement training, offered by the WA State Department of Veterans Affairs' Counseling and Wellness Program, sheds light on the world that military veterans come from, highlights the challenges veterans face in transitioning from “Battlemind to Homemind,” and offers a meaningful discussion about how an individual or organization can create an environment in which veterans can find their “second mission.”
Objectives:
- Describe examples of Battlemind to Homemind and how you can be a liaison between the two cultures.
- Describe the second mission and how you and the Veteran can grow.
- Discuss promising best practices that will support veteran development in your organization and culture.
REGISTER HERE
Instructor: Jeffery Rosskelley, LICSW
When: Friday, November 3rd, 1 - 4 pm
Location: Virtual/Zoom
CE Hours: 3
Workshop Description:
Relaxation practices are critical skills to manage the effects of chronic stress and can be of enormous value in managing co-occurring disorders. Similarly, mindfulness practices increase awareness of inner states, including cravings, automatic negative thought patterns, and aversive emotions, and allow for much greater psychological flexibility in directing our attention and behaviors toward long-term values.
In this workshop we will focus on developing a clinical understanding and rationale for using mindfulness and relaxation strategies, as well as develop skills for practical application.
Learning Objectives:
After taking part in this training, participants will be able to:
- Explain the rationale for using relaxation and mindfulness strategies.
- Practice and guide others in learning basic relaxation practices.
- Practice and guide others in learning basic mindfulness practices
REGISTER HERE
Who: VA Puget Sound and U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
When: 2nd Thursday of each month - 12:00pm-1:30pm (PST)
Where: Virtual/Zoom
CEUs Available: 1.5
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) S.A.V.E. suicide prevention training program is designed to help recognize the warning signs of suicide and provide support and resources to individuals at risk of suicide. The S.A.V.E. program aims to help V.A. employees and volunteers develop the skills and knowledge necessary to identify and respond to individuals at risk of suicide and to connect them with the resources and support they need to get the help they need. The program is an integral part of the V.A.'s overall efforts to reduce suicide among veterans and to ensure that all veterans have access to the support and resources they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
VA S.A.V.E. Training will help you act with care and compassion if you encounter a veteran in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts. The acronym S.A.V.E. helps you remember the important steps involved in suicide prevention:
S - Signs of suicidal thinking should be recognized
A - Ask the most important question of all -- "Are you thinking of killing yourself?"
V - Validate the veteran's experience
E - Encourage treatment and Expedite getting help
REGISTER HERE
When: Friday, November 17th, 9 am - 4 pm
Where: King County Veterans Program - Tukwila
Trainer: Anne-Marie Roepke, P.h.D. - Evoke Training and Consulting, PLLC
CEs Available: 6
Description:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an evidence-based approach that can help clients improve their mood, manage anxiety and stress, and address other difficulties in functioning. In this 6-hour training, participants will explore cognitive and behavioral strategies for addressing depression, anxiety, stress, and other difficulties. Emphasis will be given to three key tools: cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and exposure therapy. Training participants will have the opportunity to learn in a variety of ways, including lectures, demonstrations, discussions, and experiential learning activities designed to provide a richer understanding of cognitive-behavioral therapies.
Objectives:
At the end of this training participants will be able to:
- Describe the cognitive-behavioral model
- Explain how to use cognitive restructuring to help clients change maladaptive thoughts
- Create a hierarchy for exposure therapy to improve anxiety
- Describe how to plan and implement behavioral activation to improve mood
Audience: Direct service providers in mental health / behavioral health settings (e.g. clinical social workers, marriage & family therapists, mental health counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, behavioral health technicians, peer support specialists, etc.).
REGISTER HERE
When: Tuesday, November 28th (12 - 1 pm, PST)
Where: Virtual/Online
Trainer: Subject Matter Experts from the Office of Veterans Affairs
Description
Join us for a one-hour workshop tailored to help you become a resource in assisting veterans with the Veteran Readiness & Employment Program. Whether you're a veteran, concerned citizen, family member, or community advocate, this workshop will equip you with knowledge to guide veterans toward employment readiness. Please join us in making a positive impact on the career journeys of our nation's veterans.
Learning Objectives
After taking part in this training, participants will be able to:
- Gain an understanding of VR&E
- Gain an understanding of the eligibility and application process
- How a veteran might maximize their VR&E experience
- Understanding the career transition for our veterans, who qualify for VR&E
REGISTER HERE
When: Tuesday, December 5th (8 - 9 am, PST)
Where: Virtual/Online
Trainer: Olivia Burley, Washington State Military Spouse Liaison
CEs Available: 3
Description
Learn about the military spouse community through the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Military Spouse Cultural Competency Training. This training covers the culture of military spouses, the military spouse experience, and issues related to military spouse career paths. Participants who view the training will receive a participation confirmation email and certificate of completion after answering a short survey. This training fulfills the requirement for military spouse cultural competency training for professional licensure board and commission members in Washington State.
Learning Objectives
After taking part in this training, participants will be able to:
- What is the definition of a military spouse?
- How many military spouses are in our state?
- What are the unique challenges military spouses face?
- What do military spouses bring to their communities and workplaces?
- How can you create programs/environments that welcome the military spouse community?
REGISTER HERE
When: Friday, December 8th, 9 am - 4 pm
Where: King County Veterans Program - Tukwila
Trainer: Anne-Marie Roepke, P.h.D. - Evoke Training and Consulting, PLLC, Seattle, Washington
CEs Available: 6
Description:
How can we help our clients make positive changes in their behavior -- without nagging, shaming, persuading, or arguing? Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that can help individuals change behaviors they might feel ambivalent about, such as quitting or reducing alcohol/drugs, adopting safer sex practices, exercising, taking important medications, engaging in behavioral activation, using new coping skills, or starting psychotherapy. In this 6-hour advanced-level training, participants will build upon their existing MI skills through interactive and experiential learning activities. Participants will have the chance to:
- Hone their ability to evoke change talk by using MI micro-skills (open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, summaries)
- Practice responding effectively to sustain talk and discord within the helping relationship
- Assess MI skills in oneself and others
- Give and receive coaching on how to improve one’s own MI skills
Training participants will have the opportunity to learn in a variety of ways including lecture, demonstrations, discussions, experiential learning activities, and role plays designed to give them a richer understanding of the use of motivational interviewing in therapeutic and healthcare settings. IMPORTANT NOTE: This advanced-level training will emphasize role-playing and other direct skill practice. It will be a good fit for people who find role-plays and “real-plays” to be a helpful part of their learning style and who are interested in giving and receiving supportive feedback about deepening their MI skills.
Objectives: At the end of this training participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate two ways to evoke change talk
- Demonstrate use of MI-consistent reflective listening
- Demonstrate MI-consistent style of responding to sustain talk and discord
- Describe basic methods of coding MI adherence and competence
- Describe an MI-consistent approach to coaching for clinical skill development
Audience: Professionals providing direct services to Veterans in therapeutic, healthcare, and other supportive settings. This training is appropriate for mental health professionals (e.g. psychologists, social workers, marriage & family therapists, counselors), medical professionals (e.g., physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists), and professionals in other supportive roles (e.g., case managers, employment specialists, coaches, probation/parole officers). As this is an advanced-level training, it is designed for participants who have already completed at least two full days of MI training and who have a solid understanding of the spirit, principles, and processes of MI. Potential participants who have questions about the course level are welcome to contact the trainer to discuss further: ann.marie.roepke@gmail.com
REGISTER HERE
Who: VA Puget Sound and U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
When: 2nd Thursday of each month - 12:00pm-1:30pm (PST)
Where: Virtual/Zoom
CEUs Available: 1.5
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) S.A.V.E. suicide prevention training program is designed to help recognize the warning signs of suicide and provide support and resources to individuals at risk of suicide. The S.A.V.E. program aims to help V.A. employees and volunteers develop the skills and knowledge necessary to identify and respond to individuals at risk of suicide and to connect them with the resources and support they need to get the help they need. The program is an integral part of the V.A.'s overall efforts to reduce suicide among veterans and to ensure that all veterans have access to the support and resources they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
VA S.A.V.E. Training will help you act with care and compassion if you encounter a veteran in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts. The acronym S.A.V.E. helps you remember the important steps involved in suicide prevention:
S - Signs of suicidal thinking should be recognized
A - Ask the most important question of all -- "Are you thinking of killing yourself?"
V - Validate the veteran's experience
E - Encourage treatment and Expedite getting help
REGISTER HERE
When: Friday, December 15th, 9 am - 4 pm PST
Where: Virtual via Zoom
Trainer: Anne-Marie Roepke, P.h.D. - Evoke Training and Consulting, PLLC
CEs Available: 6
Description:
Caring for others is a rewarding profession – and a demanding one. As providers in helping professions, how can we prevent burnout and attend to our own wellness? As supervisors, how can we care for our own well-being while also fostering the well-being of the individuals we supervise and mentor? Resilience-based approaches can help. In this 6-hour training, participants will explore strategies for fostering resilience and preventing burnout, including rediscovering meaning and purpose in our work, boosting positive emotions, building high-quality connections, bringing mindfulness into daily life, and identifying opportunities to advocate for environmental/systemic changes. Training participants will have the opportunity to learn in a variety of ways including lecture, demonstrations, discussions, and experiential learning activities designed to provide a richer understanding of strategies to foster resilience and prevent burnout in therapeutic and healthcare settings.
Objectives:
At the end of this training participants will be able to:
- Describe the three key components of burnout
- Explain three strategies for fostering resilience in the face of work-related stressors
- Assess how, where, and when resilience strategies could be usefully applied in the participant’s own professional setting