Healthy Start hosted an annual workshop on Friday, November 3, 2017 at our local Florida Department of Health, Brevard County, Viera, Bill Posey Conference Center. This year’s focus was on the opioid epidemic as it continues to plague our community, our speakers gave an in depth look at the perception of substance abuse disorders and explored active solutions for prevention, treatment, and aftercare for our moms and babies. Our Substance Abuse During Pregnancy Workshop was a successful event that provided 5 CEU’s for Social Workers, Mental Health Counselors, Teachers, Dietitians, Nutritionists, and Nurses (RNs, LPNs, CNAs, ARNPs, and Midwives).
We had five outstanding speakers for this year’s workshop…
1) Erin Shea, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Brevard Health Alliance
Changing Perspective: Early Identification and Intervention of Prenatal Mental Health
This session will discussed best practices on caring for and resolving prenatal substance use disorders by incorporating evidence-based screening tools that identify mental health and substance use disorders in an OB/GYN practice. Attendees learned how to incorporate basic therapeutic interviewing skills with the medical model of prenatal care to increase treatment compliance amongst moms with mental health and comorbid substance use disorders.
2) Dave Kneessy, M.S., LMHC, MCAP, MAC
Regional Director, Central Florida Treatment Center
The “New” Heroin Epidemic
Participants were presented with the history of opioid use/ prescribing in the country between 1990 and today. At the end of the presentation, they had a working knowledge of what led us to the heroin overdose rates we are experiencing and how opioid dependency changes and affects the body and brain of those addicted.
What is Medication Assisted Treatment and Our Pregnant Patients
This session provided an overview of MAT from assessment, intake and induction through stable maintenance. There was a discussion of the concept of maintenance medication for a medical disease as well as the stigma and discrimination experienced by those in addictions treatment. Participants were given an overview and information on studies of MAT and pregnancy to the extent that they will understand the actual impact of medications such as Methadone and Buprenorphine with pregnant opioid dependent patients.
3) Sue Bowles, DNP, CNS, RNC-NIC, CBC
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Neonatal Services, Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, What You Need To Know
This session provided an overview of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and best practices to care for these infants based on the evidence. This talk addressed identification of symptoms, methods for assessment, and some supportive interventions to improve outcomes for these vulnerable infants.
4) Traci Klinkbeil, CPM, M.A.
Circuit Community Development Administrator, Department of Children and Families
5) Kirby Morgan, B.A.
Central Region Child Fatality Prevention Specialist, Department of Children and Families, Family Safety Program
Maternal Substance Misuse, Infants, and the Response by Department of Children & Families
This session educateed hospital / health care professionals about the Department of Children & Families that included: indicators of abuse and neglect, reporting requirements, response to reports, service provision and safe sleep. Attendees gained a better understanding of the decision making methodology regarding Child Abuse Investigations, how to assist in the assessment process, discharge planning, and follow up, and creating positive outcomes for these infants.
