The Advocate Fall 2019 by ACSW

FEATURE

ETHICS IN ACTION

FEATURE

Staying Alive: Supervised Consumption in Alberta

Reflecting upon Risks and Supports to Competence

Hope and Support for Families Living With Dementia

ADVOCATE FALL 2019

THE

VOLUME 44 | ISSUE 3

www.acsw.ab.ca

ALBERTA COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS

SEE STORIES ON PAGES 6 & 17

SOCIAL WORK CELEBRATES PRIDE

OPIOIDS & MARIJUANA:

MANAGING THE NATIONWIDE EMERGENCY Instructor:

R.S. Hullon, M.D., J.D.

6 HOURS CREDIT (Social Workers) PROGRAM / LECTURE Conference registration is from 7:45 AM to 8:15 AM. The conference will begin at 8:30 AM. A lunch break (on your own) will take place from approximately 11:30 AM to 12:20 PM. The course will adjourn at 3:30 PM, at which time course completion certificates are distributed.

Registration: 7:45 AM – 8:30 AM Morning Lecture: 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM • The Opioid Crisis Is Not Subsiding: Definitions, Statistics, Risks of Overdose, and Irreparable Harm. What Needs To Be Done Most Urgently. • Street and Illicit Drugs: Availability, Street Prices, and Channels of Acquisition. How To Tell if Heroin or Oxycontin is “Cut" with Deadly Fentanyls. • Predictors of Opioid Abuse: Patient's Histories and Signs. When To Be Exceptionally Cautious. • Neurotransmitters Dopamine, Glutamate, and the Adrenal Hormones. Why Opioid Addiction Is A Disease and Is So Engrained. • Beating Drugs With Painful Honesty. When Chemicals Induce a False Sense of Purposeful Living. • Can A Child Inherit the Drug Habit from Parents? Discoveries That Contradict "Textbook" Genetics. Reprogramming the DNA/RNA of an Addict. Mid-Morning Lecture: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM • The Government Takes A Stand: The CDC Guidelines Drastically Restrict Opioids. The Presidential Commission on Harm Reduction. • Heroin Replacement Therapy? Alternatives to Methadone. The (Almost) Secret Pharmacology of Methadone. • Understanding Buprenorphine (Buprenex) and Combination AgonistAntagonist Medications (Suboxone). • Drug-Free Detox: Advantages and Risks. Clonidine Protocols and Risks of CNS Toxicity. • Schedule IV Opioids and Tramadol: A Valid Alternative? Minimizing Risks of Abuse.

•

Fentanyl and Synthetic Derivatives. What Is Being Done To Intercept the Deadly Parcels from China? Lunch: 11:30 AM – 12:20 PM Afternoon Lecture: 12:20 PM – 2:00 PM • Over-the-Counter Opioids: Abusable Stomach and Cough Remedies. Why Abusers Try To Break the Blood-Brain Barrier. • Dental Pain: What Are the Best and Safest Practices? The 4 "A"s Every Dentist Must Document. • Understanding Morphine Milligram Equivalents and Signs of Overdose. • Naloxone and Naltrexone: Saving a Life and Reducing Harm. What Every American Must Know. Are Generics Less Effective Than Brands? • "Beating the Drug Test": Is It Even Possible? The Poppy-Seed Bagel Defense and the Newest Subterfuge: Biotin Supplementation. Mid-Afternoon Lecture: 2:00 PM – 3:20 PM • Cannabis (Marijuana) and Opioid Overdose. A Gateway Drug or a Reducer of Risks? • What Is Known and What Is Speculated About Marijuana: From "Reefer Madness" to Better Science. • Prescription Use of Cannabinoids: From Dronabinol to Cannabidiol and Medicinal Cannabis. • Does Marijuana "Kill Cancer Cells" or Nerve Cells? Scientific Facts on Shortand Long-Term Effects. • "Would You Prescribe Marijuana to Your Mother?!" The Re-Scheduling of Cannabis. Evaluation, Questions, and Answers: 3:20 PM – 3:30 PM

Biomed’s Website: www.biomedglobal.com

CALGARY, AB

MEETING TIMES & LOCATIONS

EDMONTON, AB

Wed., Oct. 23, 2019 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM Executive Royal Inn 2828 - 23rd Street NE Calgary, AB T2E 8T4

Thu., Oct. 24, 2019 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM Edmonton Inn & Conf. Ctr. 11834 Kingsway Avenue Edmonton, AB T5G 0X5

EDMONTON, AB

Fri., Oct. 25, 2019 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM Edmonton Inn & Conf. Ctr. 11834 Kingsway Avenue Edmonton, AB T5G 0X5

EDMONTON, AB

Wed., Oct. 30, 2019 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM Edmonton Inn & Conf. Ctr. 11834 Kingsway Avenue Edmonton, AB T5G 0X5

CALGARY, AB

Thu., Oct. 31, 2019 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM Carriage House Inn 9030 Macleod Trail South Calgary, AB T2H 0M4

CALGARY, AB

Fri., Nov. 1, 2019 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM Carriage House Inn 9030 Macleod Trail South Calgary, AB T2H 0M4

INSTRUCTOR

Dr. R.S. Hullon (M.D., J.D.) is a full-time physician-lecturer for INR. Dr. Hullon is a physician and surgeon specializing in trauma and orthopedics. His medical experience includes diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, neurological disorders, neurodegenerative diseases (multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s diseases) and psychiatric disorders (personality and mood disorders). Dr. Hullon has had extensive surgical experience in trauma management and orthopedics and has published papers on head, back, and knee disorders and pain medications. He has also studied bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease) and the medical and legal implications of this disease. Biomed reserves the right to change instructors without prior notice. Every instructor is either a compensated employee or independent contractor of Biomed.

FEE: CHEQUES: $109.00 (CANADIAN) per person with pre-registration or $134.00 (CANADIAN) at the door if space remains. CREDIT CARDS: Most credit-card charges will be processed in Canadian dollars. Some charges will be in U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate. The tuition includes all applicable Canadian taxes. At the seminar, participants will receive a complete course syllabus. Tuition payment receipt will also be available at the seminar. TO REGISTER:

Please complete and return the registration form below. Or online at: www.biomedglobal.com. Or register toll-free with Visa, MasterCard, American Express®, or Discover® by calling 1-888-724-6633. Or fax a copy of your completed registration form–including Visa, MasterCard, American Express®, or Discover® Number–to (925) 687-0860.

ACCREDITATION INFORMATION

This course is cosponsored by the Institute for Natural Resources (INR). This program is approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Provider #886502971-4888) for 6 Clinical Social Work continuing education contact hours. The Institute for Natural Resources, Provider #1356, is approved as a provider for social work education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. The Institute for Natural Resources maintains responsibility for the program. ASWB Approval Period: 02/28/2019 – 02/28/2022. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. Social workers participating in this course will receive 6 clinical continuing education hours.

 REGISTRATION FORM 

Please check course date:

(This registration form may be copied.)

Wed., Oct. 23, 2019 (Calgary, AB) Thu., Oct. 24, 2019 (Edmonton, AB) Fri., Oct. 25, 2019 (Edmonton, AB)

Wed., Oct. 30, 2019 (Edmonton, AB) Thu., Oct. 31, 2019 (Calgary, AB) Fri., Nov. 1, 2019 (Calgary, AB)

Please print:

Name: Profession: Home Address: Professional License #: City: State: Zip: Lic. Exp. Date: Home Phone: ( ) Work Phone: ( ) Employer: E-Mail: (needed for confirmation & receipt) Please enclose full payment with registration form. Check method of payment. Cheque for $109.00 (CANADIAN) (Make payable to Biomed General) Charge the equivalent of $109.00 (CANADIAN) to my Visa MasterCard

American Express®

Discover®

Most credit-card charges will be processed in Canadian dollars. Some charges will be in U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate.

Card Number: Signature:

(enter all raised numbers)

Exp. Date:

CVV:

(Card Security Code)

Please provide an e-mail address above to receive a confirmation and directions to the meeting site.

Please return form to: Biomed General Box #622 Unit 235, 3545-32 Avenue NE Calgary, AB T1Y 6M6 TOLL-FREE: 1-877-246-6336 TEL: (925) 602-6140  FAX: (925) 687-0860

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Please register early and arrive before the scheduled start time. Space is limited. Attendees requiring special accommodation must advise Biomed in writing at least 50 days in advance and provide proof of disability. Registrations are subject to cancellation after the scheduled start time. A transfer at no cost can be made from one seminar location to another if space is available. Registrants cancelling up to 72 hours before a seminar will receive a tuition refund less a $35.00 (CANADIAN) administrative fee or, if requested, a full-value voucher, good for one year, for a future seminar. Other cancellation requests will only be honored with a voucher. Cancellation or voucher requests must be made in writing. If a seminar cannot be held for reasons beyond the control of the sponsor (e.g., acts of God), the registrant will receive free admission to a rescheduled seminar or a full-value voucher, good for one year, for a future seminar. A $35.00 (CANADIAN) service charge applies to each returned cheque. A $15.00 fee will be charged for the issuance of a duplicate certificate. Fees are subject change without notice. The rate of exchange used will be the one prevailing at the time of the transaction.

For all inquiries, please contact customer service at 1-877-246-6336 or (925) 602-6140.

THE

ADVOCATE

THE ADVOCATE Volume 44, Issue 3, Fall 2019 Published by: The Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) 550 10707 100 AVE NW, Edmonton AB T5J 3M1 Ph: 780-421-1167/Toll-free (in AB): 1-800-661-3089 Fax: 780-421-1168/Toll-free fax: 1-866-874-8931 acsw@acsw.ab.ca — acsw.ab.ca Executive Director & Registrar: Lynn Labrecque King, MSW, RSW acswexd@acsw.ab.ca Associate Registrar: Suzanne MacKinnon, MSW, RCSW associateregistrar@acsw.ab.ca Managers, Regulatory Practice/Complaints Directors: Bruce Llewellyn, MSW, RSW Sheryl Pearson, MSW, RSW, LLB acswregulatory@acsw.ab.ca

STAYING ALIVE: SUPERVISED CONSUMPTION IN ALBERTA 18 Looking at harm reduction through a social work lens

Associate Director - Professional Practice & Advocacy: Jody-Lee Farrah, MSW, RSW assocdirector@acsw.ab.ca Membership Activities - Team Lead: Charity Lui, MSW, RSW Social Workers - Membership Activities: Heather Johnson, SW Dip, RSW Andre Tinio, BSW, RSW Finance & Administration Officer: Kim Hyggen, CPA, CGA Finance & Administration Support: Audrey Kent, CPA, CMA Registration Coordinator: Brenda Gross

FEATURE STORY 26 Hope and Support for Families Living With Dementia

FEATURES

18 Staying Alive: Supervised Consumption in Alberta 22 Electronic Benefits – Autonomy and Restrictions 24 The Right to Food: Seeking Solutions to Hunger 26 Hope and Support for Families Living With Dementia 30 Committed to a Calling: Richard Gregory AROUND OUR PROVINCE 4 Around Our Province THE BIG PICTURE 8 A Message from the President 9

A Message from the Executive Director & Registrar

SOCIAL JUSTICE WORKS 10 Advancing Social Justice through Social Policy Partnerships

FEATURE STORY 30 Committed to a Calling: Richard Gregory

INDIGENOUS VOICES 11 Supporting Wise Indigenous Practice IN THE NEWS 12 Welcome to New RSWs & RCSWs ETHICS IN ACTION 13 Reflecting Upon Risks and Supports to Competence THE VOICES OF PRIVATE PRACTICE 14 Created for Private Practitioners BY Private Practitioners RESEARCH & LEARNING IN ALBERTA’S COMMUNITIES 16 Social Work’s Big Move DIPLOMA DIALOGUES 17 Allies and Advocates FOR YOUR INFORMATION 34 The Advocate Editorial Policy 35 For Your Information

Printing on Titan Dull text. 10% post consumer waste. Titan participates in a certified forest program.

Executive Assistant / Administrative Team Lead: Noreen Majek Administrative Support Professionals: Tracy Houben Carlena Johnson Jennifer Vasquez Toni Harrison Emily Rypstra (Associate) Jessica Atamanenko Kathleen Lidbetter Registration/Online Service Support Analyst: Laurie Nelson ACSW Council: President: Ajay Pandhi, MSW, RSW Vice President: Maxine Salopree, BSW, RSW Treasurer: Carla Bertsch, MSW, RSW Secretary: Dayirai Kapfunde, MSW, RSW Members at Large: Marg Brown, MSW, RSW Wilda Listener, MSW, RSW Bobbi Michaud, MSW, RSW Baiju Vareed, MSW Equiv, RSW Connie Hesjedal, MSW, RSW Indigenous Social Work Committee Representative: Derek Chewka, MSW, RSW Public Members: Bukola Oladunni Salami Trevor Liskowich Laura Delfs Charmaine Coutinho Editorial Board: Cindy Haugen, BSW, RSW & Samuel Mammen, MSW Equiv, RSW (Co-Chairs) Michelle Humeny, RSW Darnel Forro, MSW, RSW Tasha Novick, MSW, RSW Sherri Tanchak, MSW, RSW Andrea Newberry-Koroluk, PhD, RSW Cardinal Fomradas, MSW, RSW Islam Deyab, BSW Equiv, RSW Bukola Oladunni Salami, Public Member Editorial services provided by Bird Communications Advertising space is available. To place an ad, contact activitiesadmin@acsw.ab.ca. The ACSW reserves the right to reject any submissions and advertising. Winter 2019 Issue Ad Deadline: September 15, 2019 Canadian subscriptions are $26/year (outside Canada: $26 US/year). Please immediately update your member profile with any address changes. ISSN 0847 - 2890 PM NO. 40050109 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO 550 10707 100 AVE NW, EDMONTON AB T5J 3M1 The opinions and interpretations expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), its editorial board, or contractors. The aforementioned make no guarantee or warranty, either expressed or implied, about the accuracy or links contained in the Advocate, and are not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages that could arise. All material ©2019 by the ACSW or by author. ACSW retains copyright when no author is listed. Reprint or copying (including digital or online reproduction in any form) of any Advocate material requires written consent of the ACSW.

THE ADVOCATE

AROUND OUR PROVINCE BY CHARITY LUI, MSW, RSW

Daphne Hellman

Council members and staff at Blue Quills

Sharon Steinhauer

Conference Sponsorship

social work, I have frequently sought out opportunities for further education and information sharing in this area. The National Organization of Forensic Social Work based out of the USA has been holding an annual conference for 36 years. My hope is to be able to build a broader community of forensic social workers here in Alberta. Having received the sponsorship award from CASW/BMS allowed me to attend this conference to present on police and social work

partnerships here in Calgary. Thank

The Canadian Association of Social Workers and BMS, the broker for the CASW liability insurance program, offer sponsorship funds to members to participate in national or international conferences. This year, Calgary social worker Daphne Hellman, MSW, RSW, received this sponsorship. See the CASW website for sponsorship application details. “As I work in the area of forensic

you, CASW!” News from Blue Quills Members of ACSW Council and staff had the opportunity to attend the Indigenous Thought Conference at the former Blue Quills Indian Residential School. The conference included a pipe ceremony, round dance and an opportunity for a tour of the residential school, in addition to Indigenous-based learning.

Congratulations to Debra Lynne Carnat, MSW, RSW, for her Alberta Health Services President’s Excellence Award for Lifetime Achievement. In Debra’s values-driven social work practice, she and her teams have persistently led, shaped and guided the delivery of domestic violence protocols throughout AHS. In her current role as a social worker in Psychosocial Oncology, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Debra has consistently made meaningful differences in individuals’ lives through her counselling skills. Debra’s vast social work experience includes 18 years as a child abuse therapist, social action and advocacy coordinator and manager of social work at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, clinical leader for social work in home care, palliative social worker in home care, and therapist in psychiatric outpatient services. Debra has been a leader in promoting social justice, mentoring mindfulness, and being an amazing social work colleague. Thank you for your heartfelt contributions throughout a lifelong career. Submitted by June Yee, MSW, RSW

FALL 2019

Ajay Pandhi and Maxine Salopree

Sharon Steinhauer, MSW, RSW, long-time coordinator of the Social Work diploma program at the University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak, formerly Blue Quills College, will be retiring. A celebration was held during the Indigenous Thought Conference this spring. Family members, friends and colleagues applauded her powerful influence. She was acknowledged for her Indigenous, community- based approach both in her personal and professional life. Meetings and Conferences The Canadian Association of Social Workers Federation hosted their annual meeting in Saskatoon. Ajay Pandhi, MSW, RSW, President of ACSW; Maxine Salopree, BSW, RSW, Vice-President of ACSW; and Suzanne MacKinnon, MSW, RCSW, ACSW Associate Registrar, attended. Members of Calgary Social Workers for Social Justice and Heather Johnson, SW Dip, RSW, ACSW Social Worker – Membership Activities, attended the Basic Income Calgary: Make it B.I.G. Public Forum in Calgary. The conference keynote speaker was Dr. Evelyn Forget, one of Canada’s leading researchers on basic income. Her slides and the live streamed video is available on the O’Brien

Melanie Buryska, Dr. Michele Harvey-Blankenship and Carmen Deehan

ACSW Professional Development Edmonton Area Coordinators hosted their Professional Development Day on May 30th. Dr. Michele Harvey-Blankenship, MD,PhD, FRCPC, and Nimir Raval, MSW Equiv, RSW, presented on ‘Strategies for Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and Enhancing Resiliency’. Over 60 participants attended. Batya Chivers, MSW, RSW, and Patricia, a member of Youth Speak Out (an organization where youth share about their experiences in the child welfare system) were featured as panelists. Sharon Stopforth, MSW, RSW and Johnathan Kuipers, MSW, RSW, members of the ACSW Private Practice Committee, presented a workshop on ‘Starting a Private Practice’ in Calgary. Participants were introduced to practical information on everything from marketing to insurance and documentation. ACSW Gerontology Network North Interest Group hosted Sarah Ramsey, MSW, RSW, from the City of Edmonton on May 1st. She gave a presentation on the Seniors Protection Partnership (made up of the City of Edmonton, Sage Seniors Association, Catholic Social Services, Covenant Health, and Edmonton Police Service). The Partnership works towards preventing and responding to elder abuse through a community framework model. Sharon Stopforth and Johnathan Kuipers

THE ADVOCATE

AROUND OUR PROVINCE

Institute for Public Health section of the University of Calgary’s website. In May, Andre Tinio, BSW, RSW, ACSW Social Worker – Membership Activities, attended the 10th annual Central Alberta Social Work Conference. The conference theme was ‘Managing Complex Needs in a Complex World.’ The Thursday evening event showcased Bull Skit Comedy, a local improv group. Kenneth Doucet, MSW, RSW, Rachel Clare, MSW, RSW, and Michelle Buchan from the Red Deer Police and Crisis Team (PACT) presented to participants the following day.

Pride rally at Alberta Legislature

Pride Month

Central Alberta Social Work Conference Planning Committee

June is the month marked to celebrate the LGBTQ2S+ communities. Alberta Health Services hosted a Pride event at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton on the 12th of June. Social workers celebrated the day with cake and affirmed their commitment towards LGBTQ2S+ inclusivity. ACSW staff, social workers, friends and family gathered to have pizza hosted by the ACSW Social Action Social Justice Edmonton group before joining a rally at the Legislature grounds. The group discussed important LGBTQ2S+ issues and celebrated their support of the 50th anniversary of Stonewall.

Celebrating at Royal Alex Hospital

Area Coordinators Simone Morrison, Dana Muir and Andre Tinio

CHARITY LUI is the Membership Activities Team Lead. You can contact her at Charity@acsw.ab.ca regarding submissions for the Advocate.

FALL 2019

Gathering at ACSW

GSA rally in Edmonton

2019 Student Bursary Starting August 30th until November 1st, 2019, applications are open for the ACSW Student Bursary. All ACSW student members and registered social workers are eligible. For more details, see the Student page on acsw.ab.ca.

National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day. The Enoch Cree Nation hosted a traditional powwow, attended by approximately 5000 people. This is the year of Indigenous languages, and many activities at the event focused on the Cree language. Members of the ACSW Indigenous Social Work Committee and Heather Johnson participated in the event.

‘TIS IS THE SEASON TO

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day The United Nations designated June 15th as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The day was marked in Edmonton at the Central Lions Seniors Recreation Centre and was hosted by the Seniors Protection Partnership. Andre Tinio attended the event.

CELEBRATE AND SAVE THE DATE! The ACSW invite you and yours to join with us as we celebrate the joyful season and the past year. EDMONTON HOLIDAY SOCIAL NOVEMBER 28, 2019 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM SANTA MARIA GORETTI CENTRE CALGARY HOLIDAY SOCIAL DETAILS COMING SOON! IF YOU’D LIKE TO HOST A HOLIDAY EVENT IN YOUR COMMUNITY,

Michele Markham and Michael Hoyt

Contact Charity at charity@acsw.ab.ca.

THE ADVOCATE

THE BIG PICTURE

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT GREETINGS — I continue to be honoured to meet many of you in my capacity as Council President. I am impressed by the solid social work taking place in Alberta.

AJAY HARTENFELD PANDHI is the President of the ACSW Council. He is also the President of Pandhi Counselling and Mediation Services and works for AHS as a therapist at the Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre. You can contact Ajay at acswpresident@acsw.ab.ca.

In June, Council Vice-President Maxine Salopree, Associate Registrar Suzanne MacKinnon and I attended the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) annual general meeting. I have concluded my term as Vice-President of the CASW Board and in doing so, completed my work on the Code of Ethics Review Sub-Committee, where efforts continue to update the code using an Indigenous lens. Maxine Salopree will now serve as the ACSW representative on the CASW Board. My involvement with CASW continues through my national advocacy work on prison justice as the representative on the National Associations Active in Criminal Justice. Much work still needs to be done in prisons to support the incorporation of social work-guided therapeutic practice. Social workers need to be supported to do what they know best in an environment where security takes precedence over sound therapeutic practice. We need to work with governments to ensure adequate funding is dedicated to supporting those in the criminal justice system, so they can transition into healthy future lives. Justice must also include social justice. I delivered a webinar for CASW on social work in criminal justice in August. See the CASW website for details at www.casw-acts.ca. Throughout the summer, ACSW Executive Director Lynn Labrecque King and I have continued to reach out to new ministers in the Alberta government to discuss professional regulation of social work and the invaluable contributions of social workers. In June, I spoke at the University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills’ graduation ceremony. ACSW offers congratulations to these graduates, and all new social workers. At ACSW, I continue to work closely with the Executive, various legislative committees and member interest groups, ensuring our work is informed by our knowledge keepers —respected social workers who have had a significant impact on the development of ACSW. Also of note, the Executive Committee and Council agreed to create a sub-committee dedicated to communication and advocacy efforts. Thank you to the members who participate on a committee or member interest group. Your time and input is valuable! Social work is an honoured path. We have the privilege of carrying the light when the world is in darkness. We know that what often appears to be ‘failure’ is the result of systemic injustices. Our work must be at both the micro and macro level, with an eye to the social, economic and political contexts within which we live. As social workers, we are never outside the communities we support, but wholly part of them. Finally, it is equally important to fill our cup so that others including ourselves can drink from it. When it’s time to work, we must give 100% - and the same when it’s time to relax. On that note, I hope that all of you have had some downtime this summer and that your cup keeps filling with everything life has to offer. Ajay Hartenfeld Pandhi, MSW, RSW

FALL 2019

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & REGISTRAR AN OPEN LETTER TO WELCOME NEW GRADUATES

LYNN LABRECQUE KING is the Executive Director and Registrar for ACSW. Contact her at LynnLK@acsw.ab.ca to share your thoughts on this or any other topic.

Each spring, the ACSW prepares a letter of congratulations for new graduates that is distributed through agreement with schools of social work in our province. New grads, have you received yours? By September, dozens of new practitioners are entering the field in locations throughout the province. We know the excitement and hope that comes with the experience of launching into a new social work career. We know that strong networks and good supervision are key to supporting the ongoing development of our practice. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to welcome our newest members! Dear Graduate, You did it! You have completed all your assignments, finished all your practicum hours and passed all your courses. On behalf of the Alberta College of Social Workers, may we extend our warmest congratulations! Ours is a profession that is a rich and eclectic community of practice with values embedded in human rights, equality and social justice. We are united by our Code of Ethics, grounded by our Standards of Practice and unwavering in our advocacy for a fair and just society. As you graduate and prepare for the next steps of your professional journey, please look to us, the professional body for social work in Alberta, to provide you with the information you need about requirements for practicing as a social worker in our province. We look forward to welcoming you into the professional social work practice community. Our best wishes. There are eleven accredited social work education programs in Alberta. Together, these generate well over 200 new professionals entering the field per year. Each program also represents a group of students annually who will need a qualified supervisor willing to provide mentorship on their education journey. Experienced practitioners: Here is a call to action for us. Consider providing supervision for a student in practicum. Many social workers have told me that mentoring a student is the way that they choose to contribute to a strong profession. As the Registrar, I can attest to the importance of this commitment by individuals who make the choice to prepare for and fully engage in mentoring a student in practicum. Not only does this help meet the requirements of our legislation, and offer accountability to those we serve, it also makes a huge difference in supporting a new professional in work that often carries a challenging learning curve. Stepping up with this decision may be one of your most rewarding this year. A student will thank you. Your profession will thank you! Lynn Labrecque King, MSW, RSW THE ADVOCATE

SOCIAL JUSTICE WORKS

Advancing Social Justice through Social Policy Partnerships BY JODY-LEE FARRAH, MSW, RSW

A CORE UNDERPINNING of social work practice is to engage in advocacy on societal issues that impact human rights, social justice and equality. While committed to the pursuit of social justice, a distinguishing factor of social work is the profession’s focus on relationships between individuals, families, communities and the societal norms and expectations that shape these relationships (Canadian Association of Social Workers Social Work Scope of Practice, 2008). Reflecting on these two cornerstones of social work, social justice and relationships, ACSW’s approach to advancing social justice through strategic partnerships is a natural fit. ACSW has established collaborative relationships with several advocacy organizations in an effort to be well-informed on the issues that impassion social workers and impact the profession. These social policy partnerships inform ACSW on policies, programs and initiatives of interest to social workers while providing support through memberships, official representation or participation in activities, events and advocacy. 10

FALL 2019

To understand how social justice is advanced through partnerships, it’s important to learn about the partnering organizations, what they do and how to get involved. Here’s a look at a few of ACSW’s social policy partnerships: Public Interest Alberta – Founded in 2004, Public Interest Alberta exists to foster an understanding of the importance of public spaces, services and institutions in Albertan’s lives. They believe the primary responsibility of provincial government is to advance the collective interests of Alberta citizens. This entails a commitment to equity, accessibility and democracy in our society. Current action areas include: child care and early learning; democracy, education, environment, human services, poverty, and seniors. To learn more about them and their campaigns, visit www.pialberta.org. Parkland Institute – Parkland Institute is an Alberta-wide, nonpartisan research centre at the University of Alberta. They study economic, sociological, cultural and political issues facing Albertans and Canadians, using the perspective of

political economy. Parkland examines power and wealth differentials, social and class-based conflicts, and ways in which public policy and public choice shape and are shaped by these factors. Parkland’s research focus includes: revitalizing democracy and the role of government; building a just and sustainable economy; and improving quality of life. To learn more about them and their research, visit www. parklandinstitute.ca. Friends of Medicare – A nonprofit, non-partisan provincial coalition of individuals, groups, and organizations whose goal is to raise public awareness on issues related to Medicare in Alberta and Canada. Friends of Medicare aim to promote the primary objective of Canadian health care policy – to protect, promote and restore the physical and mental well-being of Canadians and facilitate access to health services without financial or other barriers. Current action areas include: privatization, primary health care, home care, long term care, rural health care, pharmacare and mental health. To learn more about them and their advocacy, visit www. friendsofmedicare.org. Advocating for progressive social policies that preserve the dignity of Alberta’s citizens and advancing social justice can be achieved through collaboration. In your pursuit of social justice, consider joining others in your community in advocacy and action.

JODY-LEE FARRAH is the Associate Director, Professional Practice & Advocacy, at the Alberta College of Social Workers.

INDIGENOUS VOICES

Supporting Wise Indigenous Practice BY DEREK CHEWKA, MSW, RSW

THE INDIGENOUS SOCIAL WORK Committee is excited to share ‘Honouring Sacred Relationships: Wise Practices in Indigenous Social Work’ – a framework to help guide Indigenous social work practice. We would like to thank those who contributed their ancestral wisdom, lived experience and voice into the development of this resource. We believe it is one way to strengthen social work practice with Indigenous children, youth, families, communities, Settlements and Nations across the province. We also honour those who have previously carried the vision of this document. The complexity of this project could not have been explored without the support of the Honourable Richard Feehan, former Minister of Indigenous Relations, and staff members from Alberta Indigenous Relations who provided leadership in our collective efforts. In April, the Committee unveiled the finished framework at the annual ACSW conference in Calgary and in May, we celebrated it in ceremony during the Indigenous Thought Conference at University nuhelot’įnethaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills.

The Indigenous Social Work Practice Framework is best understood as a reflection of the Indigenous Worldview which describes the connection and relationship to our Creator, plants, animals, the cosmos and all humankind. We have developed the acronym SPECIAL to help remember the themes that emerged from the collection of knowledge and experiences gathered to develop the framework.

SPIRITUALITY

PROTOCOL

ETHICAL SPACE

CIRCLE, CEREMONY AND CULTURE

As next steps in this project, the Indigenous Social Work Committee, with the support of the Alberta College of Social Workers and Council, will begin a rollout of this framework to our membership across Alberta. We want to honour those who provided knowledge and will start with bringing those people back for a circle to share what their knowledge produced. In doing so, we hope to reach the four directions of the province. It is our intent to share the knowledge in a variety of ways, such as sharing circles, workshops, conferences, and through technology and social media. The framework is a living document and it will change and evolve as we gain new knowledge. If you feel we have missed something, please contact us. ‘Honouring Sacred Relationships: Wise Practices in Indigenous Social Work’ is available on the ACSW website at acsw.ab.ca; click the About Us tab and then choose Indigenous Social Work Committee, Indigenous Social Work Practice Framework. To learn more about the Indigenous Social Work Committee or the practice framework, please contact Heather Johnson, SW Dip, RSW, ACSW Staff Liaison for the Indigenous Social Work Committee at heatherj@acsw.ab.ca.

IDENTITY

ALLY

LIFE-LONG LEARNING DEREK CHEWKA is the chair of the ACSW Indigenous Social Work Committee.

THE ADVOCATE

IN THE NEWS

Welcome to New RSWs & RCSWs 8,514

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP AS OF JULY 8, 2019 Mireille Aboughaouche

Amber Rose Ell

Camille Deidre Kim

Brandee Agnes Norman

Adam Patrick Smith

Tess Olivia Addison

Sabrina Fabriss

Kailee Kirkland

Leila Norton

Tara Patricia Sobey

Dare Oluwadamilare Adebayo

Claire Ko-Ching Fan

Lesley Dawn Knull

Sibussisiwe Nunu

Tara Leigh Spring Chief

Nathaniel Ajebit

Pamella Stacy-Ann Ferguson

Jordan Stanley Kochan

Collins Nwabunike

Priscilla Rachel St Pierre

Antoinette Alemania

Kelsey Rae Kondro

Amber Dea Fleming

Chinelo Patricia Nwankwo

Julia Stewart

Fatema Ali

Christina Rachel Foreman

Melissa Marie Alice Kortzman

Ufuoma Odebala-Fregene

Georgette Michelle Strand

Nadia Alsoubani

Ryan Jared Forest

Kristen Ann La Grange

Bunkola Ojelade-Wright

Denis Sushkin

Caleb Anacker

Charis Fossen

Breanna Nicole Sutton

Rebecca Sue Anderson

Sarah Freeman

Cassandre Marie LaFlamme

Anthony Chizitelu Okonkwo

Claudia Anu Atukwoh

Brittny Gagnon

Michael Kenneth Laidlaw

Anne-Marie Omobolanle Oladosu

Larissa Szlavik

Ravneet Bajwa

Brittany Geerlinks

Rosalyn Lee

Katie Elaine Oslie

Brandy Leigh Basisty

Breanne Kory Gerhardt

Erin Christina Leveque

Tut Padhal

Danielle Beaton

Kirstin Louise Gilham

Ashli Lindholm

Jaspreet Parmar

Mariam Beawerwala

Kudzanai Diana Goboza

Brenden Lindsey

Michelle Pearcy

Diane Belec

Sydney Caroline Gorman

Dayra Leonor Bello

Casey Victoria Grunig

Leah Berelowitz Brandy Lea Berry

Mannuela Tesfaldet Habtemariam

Jenna Ann Berry

Tamara Leanne Hambleton

Candace Rose Bishop

Christine Natalia Georgina Harris

Marshal Karukayil Mathew

Tamara Lynn Harvey

Leticia May

Tasha Anne Hay

Athanasia MbahFongkimeh

Darla Christeen Bosvik Hanna Brechka Kyle William Bullock

Charlene Lorincz Deborah Elizabeth Lynam Jaclyn MacArthur Marissa Leah Majek Ashley Nicole Masding Jolene Leanne Maxwell

Juliet Burgess

Rkaelyn Stefan Helmig

Adrienne Michelle Bursey-Harris

Samantha Henry

Danielle Maureen Bussiere

Kenneth McLean

Trevor Buttery

Ashley Cheryl Anne Hlewka

Daniel Neil Cameron

Jessica Kathleen Holmes

Claire Cecile McMillan

Mackenzie Faye Cameron

Kayla Melissa Holroyd

Allison Marie Campbell

Haley Lyn Hykawy

Morilynn Rose McRann-McLean

Austen Kwok-Yen Chan

Rebecca Inthof

Bellah Michelle Charles

Ogie Phillip Iyamu

Michelle Laura Chimenti

Melanie James

Dorothy Chung

Cassandra Eve Janovsky

Kirstyn Clare

Alyssa Rae Johnson

Colby A. Clifford

Taylor Anne Johnson

Sheila Espejo Colis

Rachelle Johnston

Charlotte Cowen

Paul David Jones

Kelly Culbert

Alyson Herbst

April Lynn McCorquindale Amanda McLaughlin Elizabeth McLeod

Aleeza Meghji Christopher Dale Melenberg Tabitha Joy Melnychuk Stephanie Messer Ronald James Mildenberger

Megan Katherine Pelham Stephany Ann Pellen David Emanuel Perez Ruth Deirdre Phillips Tracy Anne Pliszka Sarah Pocklington Jennifer Popp Hollie Proulx Michelle Rose Quewezance Dawn Lynn Rae Hazel Hijiri Rainnie Rupa Ray Alyssa Marie Reimer Corrina Jane Rice Jennifer Mary Robson Gabriel Aramis Rodil Yolande Tchatchwa Sadate Sontia Mark Scheffelmair Danielle Schuler Shelby Schultz Michelle Rene Scott

Nafisa Abdirahman Moallim

Cheryl Ann Semeniuk

Isabelle Keller

Bridget Sham

Renee Kristine Dangerfield

Rohit Kharel

Evelyn Mogoko

Lee Anne Shinski

Stefan de Villiers

Garima Khatri

Jasmine Naidu

Trisha April Shorson

Lana Rae Demchuk

Mike Kikabi

Ako Ngu

Geoffrey Brian Skov

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Jonalyn Faith Tamayo Deithra Alexa Tayloo Melissa Maria Taylor Besrat Andemichael Tesfamariam Ashley Susan Thomas Brooke Adrianna Thomas Paige Marie Thomas Eve Gabrielle Trelawny William Robert Tucker Maressa Jayne Tulipano Rena Lisa Turner Jillian Dawn Utley Ariel Ruth Veldhuisen Gautam Verma Bobbi von Gunten Emily Rose Wadden Catherine M. Whitford Keltie Christina Winters Hannah Maria Wirkkunen Stephanie Lynne Witherspoon Geesoo Yoon Aizhangul Zhumasheva

Shawna Louise Schmidt

Meghan Mitchell

Meagan Lisa Synnott

247 TOTAL REGISTERED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS AS OF MAY 31, 2019 Donna Laderoute

ETHICS IN ACTION

Reflecting Upon Risks and Supports to Competence BY BRUCE LLEWELLYN, MSW, RSW

In a summary statement, Dr. Glover Takahashi states “by understanding the potential risks and supports to competence, individual practioners, as well as the systems in which they work, can partner with credentialing organizations and regulatory authorities to monitor and mitigate risks while enabling and facilitating supports.” Have you taken time to reflect upon

EVERY TWO YEARS, the Continuing Competence Interest Group (CCIG) from the Alberta Federation of Regulated Health Professionals (AFRHP) hosts a conference on competence. Three guest speakers were invited to attend this year’s conference in Edmonton. One of the guest speakers was Dr. Susan Glover Takahashi. Dr. Glover Takahashi and her co-researchers screened 3,572 articles on competence. It is the largest known scoping review of the risks and supports to clinical competence of physicians, pharmacists, physical therapists and occupational therapists. Most of the articles (86%) focused on physicians. Although the research did not specifically include social workers, Dr. Glover Takahashi presented research findings that are worthwhile for all health professionals to reflect upon. The research articles were examined for supports and risks to competence. The supports identified factors that help maintain competence. Risks were factors that would be detrimental to maintaining competence. There were more articles that discussed supports to competence (79.5%) than articles that discussed risks to competence (44%). These statistics reflect that a number of articles discussed both risks and supports.

A total of eleven supports were identified. The top three supports, discussed in more than 35% of articles, were:

the supports that may currently be

1. Continuing education participation

Have you reflected upon what, if

2. Educational information / program features

continuing competence and what

3. Personal support and feedback (from peers and employers)

present within your practice and what you might consider doing to enhance or expand upon the supports in place? any, risks you may encounter to your action you might be able to take to mitigate these risks? The presentation and review of the

Twelve risks were identified in the research literature. The top three risks, discussed in more than 15% of the articles were:

research gave me food for thought.

1. Transitions in practice

this article to all of our membership. It

2. Being an international graduate 3. Lack of clinical experience / exposure Dr. Glover Takahashi made an interesting observation. She commented that there is likely a discrepancy between where the category appears in the research literature versus the importance of the category in the life of a professional. Wellness appeared in eighth place and previous disciplinary action appeared in twelfth place. Both of these risks have a far greater implication for competence upon a professional than what is reflected within the research literature.

Whether you are new to the profession of social work or have been in practice for many years, I would recommend would be worthwhile spending time in thoughtful self-reflection. The full article can be found by searching for ‘Epidemiology of competence: A scoping review to understand the risks and supports to competence of four health professions’ at bmjopen.bmj.com.

BRUCE LLEWELLYN is one of the Managers of Regulatory Practice and Complaints Directors for the Alberta College of Social Workers.

THE ADVOCATE

THE VOICES OF PRIVATE PRACTICE

THE PRIVATE PRACTICE ROSTER

Created for Private Practitioners BY Private Practitioners BY TERESA WINFIELD, MSW, RCSW

AS A CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER in private practice, I’m often looking for new and effective ways of marketing and visible platforms on which to do it. There aren’t many platforms that are aimed exclusively at our profession and seek to market our unique qualifications and talents. However, as private practitioners, social workers have long thrown their hats in the ring of the private practice world, and established that their unique ‘Person in Environment’ and ‘Ecological Perspective’ approaches can meet the needs of many clients. The need for a platform to look for potential referral options to assist a client, spouse or family is needed. Where there are numbers, there is strength and that is why such a unique platform could provide a list of readily available advocates for private practice social workers in Alberta. Why look further than your own Alberta College of Social Workers for such a resource? Get to know the Private Practice Roster and what it can do for you when it comes to accessing information and getting the word out about your social work skills. Over the last several years, membership on the Roster has largely meant having 14

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a place on a platform that includes social workers but is also accessible to the general public. Its potential seems largely untapped. Its history was quite a bit more expansive, covering territories in the areas of networking and advocacy for the profession. In her 2015 interview, Audrey Ferber, MSW, RSW, a social worker and contributor to the

Considering all of the tools that we have at our fingertips, this social worker wonders what the future will bring when it comes to the Roster and how it can best support the profession. origination of the Private Practice Roster and the Private Practice Committee, spoke of its history: The Private Practice Committee was the first in our profession in Alberta to push for and then require a certain number of continuing education credits per

year. In addition, the Committee was the first to require an annual minimum number of hours of consultation and/ or supervision…for those social workers who had been accepted to the Private Practice Roster. Members had to meet these requirements annually in order to remain on the Roster… Back in the 1970s, it was still very rare for social workers to enter private practice. The profession held itself back by not believing private practitioners could uphold the ethics of social work and be in private practice. At one ACSW Annual Conference, a Canadian dean of social work called social workers in private practice mercenaries. This was a prevailing attitude of the time. In addition, social workers generally were incredulous that a social worker could actually make a living in private practice. This is the historic lack of confidence in our own profession that social workers have and perhaps still need to overcome. Today…it is no longer surprising that a social worker can make a living through private practice, and we are generally accepted as full-fledged social workers keeping to social work ethics and standards. My crystal ball is a little blurry, but it seems to me that private

practice will continue to grow as an avenue of work for those in the middle of their careers and those retiring.Private practice allows creativity for the social worker.

of private practitioners in Alberta.

In the past, at times of economic uncertainty, social workers were laid off and the most secure employment was, in fact, private practice. The mid-1990s in this province was particularly difficult and many social workers had essentially one option: private practice. We are again at a time of economic downturn, recession and uncertainty. This, I believe, will result in conservative funding at best and leave many social workers looking at supplementing their incomes through private practice. (Excerpted from the Advocate, Winter 2015)

future will bring when it comes

While the requirements to get on the Roster have changed (an active registration and good standing as a social worker with ACSW), it is no less important to the support

Considering all of the tools that we have at our fingertips, this social worker wonders what the to the Roster and how it can best support the profession. Many of the issues pointed out by Audrey Ferber continue to require attention. Perhaps another look at her crystal

PR IVATE PR ACTICE R OSTER

BENEFITS OF JOINING THE PRIVATE PRACTICE ROSTER • A source of information about practitioners

ball would allow current and future

• Potential networking opportunities

private practitioners to know what

• A group of professionals with shared values

lies ahead in a field that is most certainly here to stay.

• Opportunities to advocate for the profession • A unique platform focused on social workers

TERESA WINFIELD is a social worker in private practice with seventeen years of experience. She specializes in working with youth who have demonstrated sexually concerning behaviours and the families who care for them.

Find Alberta social workers in private practice at www.acsw.ab.ca, click ‘Find a Social Worker’, then the Private Practice Roster.

THE ADVOCATE

RESEARCH & LEARNING IN ALBERTA'S COMMUNITIES

SOCIAL WORK’S BIG MOVE BY DON MCSWINEY

The new home of the Faculty of Social Work

This summer, the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work moved its Calgary campus to a spectacular new location on campus.

social work skill instruction. The new complex will also provide new student study space and community-building shared spaces for meeting and socializing.

FACULTY AND STAFF OF the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work had a summer of boxes, packing tape and memory sharing as the faculty moved from its home of 26 years to the third and fourth floors of the new MacKimmie Tower.

Of course, moving is never easy, and while the space will provide a vibrant new home for social work, the next few years will bring some challenges for students, faculty and staff. Every new class of social work students is given a wooden key, handmade by the Calgary Drop-In Centre Woodshop. The keys are engraved with a social work value. For the class of 2021, the social work value they’ll be asked to hold close is “community”.

If you attended school at the UCalgary campus, you might remember the building as the old “Library Tower”; however, while the general shape of the new MacKimmie Tower resembles the old library, little else is the same. To save an enormous amount of money while reducing waste and environmental impact, the architects used the tower’s existing concrete structure. (It’s estimated this approach saved more than 3,300 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent of global warming potential.) From the outside, the building looks sleek, modern and airy thanks to the new superstructure and unique double-skin glass façade. This design creates an insulating air envelope around the building that responds to changing weather conditions. The façade is part of a design approach that will make the redeveloped MacKimmie Tower one of the most energy-efficient buildings on a Canadian post-secondary campus. In fact, the goal is for the tower to be net carbon neutral. Solar panels on the roof and façade produce carbon-free renewable energy to offset the annual carbon emissions associated with building operations. The old “Library Block”, attached to the MacKimmie Tower, is also being redeveloped and will eventually provide the faculty with state-of-the-art classrooms, including new observational classrooms to enhance clinical 16

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“Our Associate Dean of Teaching and Learning, Dr. Jessica Ayala, suggested that this should be the theme for the next year or so,” explains the Dean of the Faculty of Social Work, Dr. Jackie Sieppert. “We’ll have some growing pains over the next few years and our classes will likely be located across campus. We’ll all have to work together to keep the value of ‘community’ strong in our faculty. However, I’m confident that as social workers and future social workers, we’ll come through this challenge stronger than we were before.” This is the third location of the Calgary Faculty of Social Work. The Faculty of Social Welfare was originally housed in the old Arts building (now Administration) before moving to the 11th floor of the Social Sciences Tower until 1993. The new address of the Calgary faculty location is 434 University Court NW, Calgary, AB, Canada, T2N 1N4.

DONALD MCSWINEY is the manager of Communications and Marketing in the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Social Work.

DIPLOMA DIALOGUES

ALLIES AND ADVOCATES BY CARMEN PLANTE, MSW, RSW

THE PAST FEW YEARS, we have watched and experienced an increasing level of marginalization and polarization in our communities – less tolerance, more violence, and increasing oppression of groups who live differently. Social work has always been concerned with peoples’ rights, access to opportunities and social justice. Two key groundings of our social work curriculum at Red Deer College are allyship and advocacy. These concepts are woven through the courses as students investigate oppression and develop their understanding of antioppressive practice and social change. Media stories, along with personal and practicum experiences, present learning opportunities daily where both students and faculty bring their questions and knowledge into the discussion. March 15th of this year, we awoke to news of the devastating attack on two Muslim mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Despite the geographic distance, the impact of these acts of violence were felt in our classrooms by our students – Muslim and non-Muslim alike. Many second-year students identified a need to do something – to respond, to identify as allies with the local Muslim community, recognizing that acts of violence such as these are happening around the world and could also happen here. In beginning their journey towards allyship, they learned, from a colleague, about the hijab and her experience of wearing it. Students and faculty learned how to wrap a hijab and many wore it throughout the day as a show of solidarity, not only for our college community but for the many Muslim communities around the world. Later in March, social work students, faculty and the Social Work Student Society were involved with the larger community organizing, hosting and participating in a public conversation, “What it means to be an LGBTQ+ Ally” at the Margaret Parsons Theatre at Red Deer College. Six people who strongly identify as allies, (five in-person and a taped

interviewee,) spoke to their experience of being an ally for the LGBTQ+ community. The discussion, initially intended to run for two hours in the evening, extended to 3 hours engaging an in-person audience of 90 people and an additional 936 via two online live-streaming platforms. Questions and comments were shared and discussed, exploring topics of hate and violence, how to build relationships with the community, when to speak and what to speak about. The purpose of the event was to encourage people who may identify as allies to become more open and comfortable in their support of the LGBTQ+ community. The response from those who participated was overwhelmingly positive. As social workers, we often work without knowing what the long-term impact of our work or relationships will be; being an educator is much the same. While we can see ‘aha moments’ of learning in the classroom, we can only trust that ideas, beliefs, skills, and passions will unfold more deeply for our students over time, strengthening and guiding their practice. It is gratifying to watch as social work graduates emerge in the community advocating for individuals and for justice: allying with international communities helping to build schools for children; organizing demonstrations for rights and space; speaking passionately to City Council as an ally for those most marginalized; and initiating support groups where there were none. But perhaps one of the most inspiring and enjoyable outcomes has been having graduates invite faculty to join their endeavors and joining our commitment to allyship and advocacy to theirs.

CARMEN PLANTE is an instructor in the Social Work program at Red Deer College in Red Deer, Alberta. THE ADVOCATE

FEATURE STORY

STAYING ALIVE: SUPERVISED CONSUMPTION IN ALBERTA BY SHAWNA DIRKSEN

HE PURSUIT OF SOCIAL JUSTICE is at the very core of what a social worker does. Advocating for everyone—especially society’s most vulnerable—is a black-and-white matter within the social work profession. However, in the face of a rising opioid crisis in Alberta, exactly how social workers can help people stay as safe and healthy as possible remains a grey area for some.

as “policies, programs and practices that aim to reduce risks and harm associated with the use of psychoactive substances.” Because abstinence simply isn’t realistic for some, a harm reduction approach “meets people where they are and identifies the goals they wish to achieve based on their individual needs and circumstances.”

Brenna Gavel, BSW, RSW, is an inner city social worker “I think there’s a lot of focus on eliminating highwith Boyle Street Community Services, an agency that risk behaviour like drug use, but if we put more focus supports people experiencing homelessness or poverty on working with [people who use in Edmonton. Working within the substances], and finding ways to organization’s mental wellness reduce their immediate harms and program, Gavel connects clients, negative outcomes, we would see many of whom use substances, to It’s about building the better rates of change,” says Johnathon the resources they feel are important Fortune, assistant executive director to their mental wellness—things relationship. Without with Northreach Society, a harm like medical care, detox treatment, the relationship piece, reduction agency in Grande Prairie, income support, housing or even and a fourth-year student in the I don’t think supervised funeral services. Bachelor of Social Work program at consumption services would “Harm reduction shifts the lens from the University of Calgary. viewing substance use as a moral work as well as they do. Along with a growing number of failing and repositions it as a health community organizations and government programs, approach. It recognizes people engage in substance use Northreach Society takes a harm reduction approach for multiple reasons and it doesn’t judge those people for to helping clients who use substances versus a more their reasons. It’s a very client-centred approach.” traditional abstinence-based approach. According to AHS, opioid use is on the rise in Alberta. “If we look to the past, we know that things like alcohol In 2017, 733 Albertans died of drug overdoses (with 562 prohibition, abstinence-only sex education and the DARE of those overdoses involving fentanyl), compared to 343 program around ‘Just say no’ don’t always work,” says deaths in 2016. In response to this growing epidemic, Fortune. “We need something new.” AHS began providing supervised consumption services across the province in 2018. Alberta Health Services (AHS) describes harm reduction 18

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“[Supervised consumption sites] provide a safe, clean and monitored space for people to use drugs,” explains Gavel. “These sites play a key role in Alberta’s [harm reduction] strategy because they have nurses and harm reduction workers on staff who can decrease the adverse outcomes from substance use. They aren’t a silver-bullet service, but they fit naturally into the Province’s plan because of how effective they are.” Fortune echoes Gavel’s sentiment. “The purpose of supervised consumption sites is to keep people alive. They are a place where we can connect with individuals who need services the most. The goal is to meet people where they’re at as we are building relationships with them. I think a lot of people don’t know this side of it. There’s a lot more happening in safe consumptions sites than people using drugs and leaving.” Nurses or EMTs are onsite to take care of the medical aspects in case of an overdose, and social workers are there to help with the education piece and to connect clients to outside sources that address their long-term needs. Amanda Gear, BSW, RSW, is the harm reduction team lead at Northreach Society. Gear and her team

help mitigate the risks of substance use for their clients through education. “We recognize the reality that people are going to use substances, even if we tell them not to, so we teach them how to protect themselves,” explains Gear. “We recognize that using illicit substances can never be 100 per cent safe, but we are going to reduce transmission rates [of disease], we are going to teach them not to use alone, we are going to ask them to use a supervised consumption service where there are medical staff.” Gear and her team also help clients navigate the healthcare system, reducing the barriers they face when accessing care. “Our healthcare system is hard to navigate for the average person. It’s difficult. But, if you are someone who uses substances or has mental health issues or even memory issues, you have even more barriers. Plus, there’s stigma involved,” says Gear. “We do things as simple as helping our clients set up appointments or we accompany them to appointments and help walk them through the whole process.” Gear points out that, while helping clients stay safe and connected is imperative, the most important thing her

Ashley MacKenzie at ARCHES Lethbridge THE ADVOCATE

Photo by Jes Beck

FEATURE STORY

Brenna Gavel

Johnathon Fortune

Amanda Gear

team does is build positive relationships with clients. “We have the conversations, we find out where that person is at. Is detox something they think about? Is that person housed? What about their finances? It’s about building the relationship. Without the relationship piece, I don’t think supervised consumption services would work as well as they do.” For some substance users, the relationships they’ve built while using supervised consumption services have meant the difference between repeating detrimental behaviour and turning their life around. Ashley McKenzie, MSW, RSW, is a justice services program coordinator with ARCHES, an outreach and support organization in Lethbridge.

McKenzie says earning clients’ trust is the key to success in supervised consumption sites. One client who stands out in McKenzie’s mind is a fellow who came to ARCHES when he was very deep in his addiction. “He was a good guy, but was always ending up in bad situations.” McKenzie recalls he was also a hard guy to nail down. “I’d set an appointment with him, and he’d come in three days later. He had been to treatment several times, but always struggled with the structure, having to be up at a certain

FALL 2019

time each day and following a schedule.” It wasn’t until McKenzie talked to this client about a new grassroots pilot program introduced through the court system that things turned around. “Once I told him he’d been accepted [into the program], he got a day labour job, even though he hasn’t worked in 15 years. He comes in to see me daily and has broken off a relationship with a woman who was a bad influence,” says McKenzie. “All he needed was one person believing in him.” Although not every case is a success story, there’s no question that supervised consumption sites in Alberta are effective. Northreach Society opened its mobile supervised consumption site in March and between March 11 and May 31, it has prevented 36 EMS calls, reversed 40 overdoses, and referred 24 people for detox treatment, 23 people for housing support and nine people for income support.

Social workers are advocates for change and have been meeting people where they’re at for many years

“Justice issues go hand-in-hand with the population we work with,” says McKenzie. “Our clients’ issues are complex, and the justice system doesn’t work for them. They re-offend constantly. It’s the life of a homeless person who needs to steal to stay alive or to feed their addiction.”

Ashley McKenzie

Since opening in March 2018 (and up to the end of June), Boyle Street Community Services has received 60,168 visits, has served 1,600 unique individuals and has reversed 659 overdoses. Between February 28, 2018 and May 28, 2019, ARCHES staff responded to 2,246 medical emergencies in its supervised consumption site. On average, ARCHES receives 673 visits per day and sees about 1,300 unique visitors per month. With results like these, why isn’t a harm reduction approach to substance use more prevalent in Alberta? There are many misconceptions that go along with

NORTHREACH SOCIETY - GRANDE PRAIRIE MARCH 11 - MAY 31, 2019:

36 EMS CALLS PREVENTED 40 OVERDOSES REVERSED 24 PEOPLE REFERRED FOR DETOX TREATMENT 23 PEOPLE REFERRED FOR HOUSING 9 PEOPLE REFERRED FOR INCOME SUPPORT BOYLE STREET COMMUNITY SERVICES - EDMONTON MARCH 2018 - JUNE 2019:

60,168 VISITS 1,600 UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS SERVED 659 OVERDOSES REVERSED ARCHES - LETHBRIDGE

FEBRUARY 28, 2018 - MAY 28, 2019:

2,246 MEDICAL EMERGENCIES RESPONDED TO 673 VISITS PER DAY ON AVERAGE 1,300 UNIQUE VISITORS PER MONTH (APPROXIMATELY)

LOCATIONS

SUPERVISED CONSUMPTION SITES IN ALBERTA Calgary Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre Edmonton Royal Alexandra Hospital Boyle Street Community Services Boyle McCauley Health Centre George Spady Centre Lethbridge ARCHES Grande Prairie Northreach Society – mobile supervised consumption services

WEBSITES

supervised consumption sites, like they encourage drug use or supply drugs to people. “We do not supply drugs, clients bring their own, and leave with what they did not use. If there are any substances left behind, we have a protocol where we have to lock them in a safe, fill out a federal form, and call the RCMP for pickup,” says Fortune. As effective as supervised consumption sites are, they can be a difficult setting to work in. “It’s probably not going to be comfortable to see a client access services while they’re using drugs,” says Fortune. “Social workers are advocates for change and have been meeting people where they’re at for many years. However, a shift needs to happen where we meet people where they’re at when it comes to drugs and addiction.”

RESOURCES Drugsafe.ca, an AHS website with information on reducing harm from drugs and alcohol. Towardtheheart.com, information on harm reduction from the BC Centre for Disease Control Harm Reduction Services. topalbertadoctors.org/ phc-opioid-response/, a primary health response to the opioid crisis.

McKenzie agrees that some social workers may shy away from this kind of practice. “On my first shift in the [supervised consumption site], I wiped fentanyl off counters. I was exposed to drugs I knew little about. Now I’ve seen crystal meth, I’ve seen heroin. I know what they smell like. It can be intimidating, but I’ve also been moved to tears by the calibre of people who do this work.” “It’s incredibly tough work, but it’s incredibly rewarding work,” says McKenzie. “I would tell someone who may be afraid of it, or who may be against it, to learn more about it. It’s so much more than you think it is.”

SHAWNA DIRKSEN is a freelance writer based in Edmonton. She loves skiing in the winter and running outdoors in the summer, and can often be found on a spin bike in between.

THE ADVOCATE

FEATURE STORY

Electronic Benefits – Autonomy and Restrictions BY CARDINAL FOMRADAS, MSW, RSW

WHILE DOING MY MSW at the University of Windsor, I had many occasions to visit the city of Detroit, Michigan. Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and literally across the street from Detroit. In fact, Windsor Transit had a bus that would take passengers across the border into downtown Detroit.

from debit and gift cards. In all states, the cards do not allow for purchases of alcohol and cigarettes (among other restrictions.) As well, EBT cards can only be used in grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies. They can not be used in department stores, restaurants, coffee shops or liquor stores.

EBT raises some interesting questions. A core social work value is that of the individual’s right to self-determination. EBT has paternalistic elements as it dictates where EBT card holders can shop and what they can purchase. On the surface, many people might support alcohol and cigarette purchase I noticed a sign in most grocery store restrictions. However, alcohol and windows that said, “EBT is Accepted cigarettes are legal products, aren’t Here.” I saw these same signs in the The Michigan Department they? Yet EBT card holders are being windows of some convenience stores of Social Services provides told by their state government that and pharmacies as well. Being the they can’t buy them. As well, not all curious individual that I am, I did some qualified recipients with alcohol and cigarette purchases are research and discovered what EBT is. an EBT card. This card addiction-based. Say a family holding EBT is an abbreviation for the term cards would like to buy a bottle of contains their monthly EBT Electronic Benefit Transfer. The wine for Christmas dinner. Due to EBT Michigan Department of Social budgeted amount to cover restrictions, they can’t. EBT cards also Services provides qualified recipients food purchases and fill can’t be used in restaurants or coffee with an EBT card. This card contains shops, which causes social limitations prescriptions. their monthly budgeted amount for card holders. They can’t go out for to cover food purchases and fill coffee, they can’t go for dinner at a restaurant, etc. prescriptions. An EBT card functions much like a debit EBT can stigmatize individuals. When an individual makes or gift card and can be used for basic food purchases a purchase using an EBT card, the store clerk knows that at grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies. this individual is receiving income support. One can make (The benefits delivered are from the Supplemental the case that EBT is a violation of personal privacy as it Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known illuminates a client’s financial status very publicly. In a as food stamps.) rural area with a limited number of shops, EBT can cause It is not just the Michigan Department of Health and a client’s financial situation to be public knowledge. In a Human Services that uses EBT cards. All 50 US states as way, EBT cards ‘out’ clients who receive welfare. well as Washington, DC and Puerto Rico utilize EBT cards It is very easy to imagine that clients might feel selffor the provision of social service benefits. conscious when using an EBT card. These cards can EBT cards have some features that make them different cause internal stigmatization and feelings of shame During my time in Windsor, I was a frequent ‘border hopper’. Like many Windsorites, my friends and I did our grocery shopping ‘across the street’ in Detroit as the price of groceries was shockingly lower than on the Canadian side of the border.

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and inadequacy as the client knows that using this card identifies them as receiving welfare.

for the potential (or perceived) misuse of both benefits and taxpayer money.

So how is income support delivered in Alberta? In Alberta, clients receiving benefits get an actual cheque from social services. Their cheques are either deposited electronically in their bank accounts or they receive a paper cheque to cash. The client then uses the money to make purchases anywhere they want. There is no stigmatization as store clerks do not know that a client is receiving income support.

In this article, I have compared and contrasted how income support is delivered in Canada and the USA. EBT has positive and negative features, as does giving clients an actual cheque. Some would favour the limitations caused by EBT and others would challenge them. It will be interesting to see if EBT ever makes its way to Canada.

In Alberta, clients are not limited as to where they can shop or what they can purchase. Clients receiving income support in Alberta may use that money to purchase alcohol and tobacco products and many do. I have personally witnessed many clients spend their monthly benefits in one day on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;vicesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; such as alcohol, cigarettes, drugs or prostitutes. Self-determination and autonomy do allow

CARDINAL FOMRADAS has a BSW from Dalhousie University, an MSW from the University of Windsor and is a social worker with Alberta Health Services. Cardinal is one of the few social workers in the province who is also a Designated Capacity Assessor. THE ADVOCATE

FEATURE STORY

Root Causes: Seeking Solutions to Hunger BY PAULA CORNELL, BSW, RSW

HOW YOU DEFINE A PROBLEM WILL IMPACT IF YOU SOLVE IT

be helpful in the short term, especially after a crisis when

By and large, we assume that hunger is an outcome of not having enough to eat. If people are hungry, the logical solution is simply to give them food. Consider the prevalence of charitable food banks and soup kitchens as the main way to address hunger. In a charitable system, providing assistance to those in need is offered as a choice to those with wealth and power. Assuming that those with wealth and power are willing, this relationship can

important in emergencies, has proven ineffectual in

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peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs are immediate and acute. Charity, while cases of longer-term need, in large part because it fails to recognize the structural causes of hunger. Low minimum wages, government policies that fail to protect the most vulnerable, and the reliance on charitable benevolence by individuals as central responses to poverty and hunger, have left over 4 million Canadians suffering from food insecurity (Food Banks Canada, 2016; Right to Food, 2017).

Despite the persistence of hunger, the charity model has become a panacea for food insecurity. Moreover, counter to its stated objective, the charity reproduces the very inequalities that prompt food security—inequalities that we, as social workers, are committed to redressing. Part of this follows from the ways in which charity offers the appearance of action. Indeed, the presence of food banks (regardless of how under resourced they are) reinforces the widely-held believe that something is being done. In turn, the state is absolved of its responsibility to afford equitable access to basic rights, like food, for all citizens and residents. This is an invitation to re-examine our interventions. In contrast to the charity model, the development approach to hunger requires that we take the long view and that we work toward redressing the root causes of hunger, as opposed to just its symptoms. Part of this is recognizing that the charity model fosters a dependency which is experienced as shame, powerlessness, and voicelessness (World Bank, 2006). Rather than limiting people’s ability to participate with agency in their own lives, the development model ensures that people have the ability and resources to make informed decisions about their own needs. Moving Beyond Charity to Development

Author Photo by Jes Beck

Development inspires us to move from being ‘me-first’ consumers, with an attitude of ‘hard-done-by’ taxpayers, to socially responsible citizens, with expectations that our government has public obligations to address the rights of those unable to access an adequate standard of living in our current system (Riches, 2011). Development happens when we adopt the attitude that paying taxes actually expands our quality of life and collective opportunities, rather than limits them (Heberlein, 2016). Our code of ethics compels us to seek social justice and dignity. As social workers, we cannot continue to support a system incapable of creating the change needed to ensure the right to food for all Canadians. The current system obscures the structural causes of food insecurity, and even more problematically, it does so in a way that gets government off the hook. There is growing awareness and research to support the idea that charity is not an adequate solution. As of June 2019, Canada announced its first ever food policy including the creation of a Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council. Details can be found at Canada.ca, by searching Food Policy for Canada.

Taking Action SEEKING SOLUTIONS Food Secure Canada, an alliance DIG DEEPER AT of individuals and organizations Food Secure Canada: working for change foodsecurecanada.org. in food policy, Community Food Centres Canada: suggests some cfccanada.ca/en/Home simple actions we can all take. Canada’s Food Policy: Ensuring that food www.canada.ca/en/campaign/ is eaten as close as food-policy.html possible to where it is produced, supporting food providers to shift toward ecological production, demanding the government enact a federal policy on poverty elimination and prevention, join the Eat Think Vote Campaign in October 2019, supporting Indigenous leadership tackling food insecurity among Indigenous populations, creating a nationally funded Children and Food Strategy, and ensuring the public including the most marginalized - are involved in making decisions about food in Canada.

Many of us hold the privilege of choosing to avoid involvement in politics because it’s too difficult. We cannot continue to act this way. Write a letter to your elected officials municipally, provincially, and federally. Get informed, and vote for leaders that are committed to policy that promotes the right to food. Have conversations about food security and government responsibility. Avoid wasting food. Keep learning. We must use our individual and collective voice as social workers to advocate for change, and end food insecurity in Canada. Together, we must focus our collective efforts on creating systemic change through the development of policy that protects the right to food for all. References available on request at: activitiesadmin@acsw.ab.ca.

PAULA CORNELL is an instructor of Community Support Work at NorQuest College. She is currently working on her MSW through Dalhousie University and is passionate about all things food. This piece of writing was the product of an independent study course on food policy. THE ADVOCATE

FEATURE STORY

Hope and Support for Families Living With Dementia BY BARBARA BEATTIE, BSW, RSW

IN MEMORY OF INGE TASHE. Think about the last time you forgot something at the store. Now imagine not knowing how to prepare a meal, or even knowing if you’ve eaten. Visualize getting lost in an unfamiliar city. Now visualize not being able to find the home you’ve lived in Inge Tashe for 20, 30 or 40 years – or being lost within your own home. Consider forgetting the name or face of someone you’ve met before. Now consider that the name or face is that of a family member – or your own. Imagine that things disappear – you can’t find your wallet, your purse or the money you’re sure you took out of the bank. Imagine believing that someone is stealing from you, but no one takes you seriously. The Alzheimer Society of Canada, 2016 statistics: •

Over 564,000 Canadians are living with dementia.

•

Over 40,000 are Albertans.

•

More than 25,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in Canada.

•

Women over age 65 make up over 65% of the diagnosed cases.

•

Over the age of 85, the risk of developing dementia doubles.

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•

Over 16,000 Canadians under the age of 65 are living with dementia. (My mother was diagnosed at age 58.)

•

3 out of 4 Canadians know someone living with dementia.

So what is dementia, exactly? How is it different from Alzheimer’s Disease? “Dementia” is an umbrella term that encompasses many different diagnoses. Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common. Other forms of dementia include vascular dementia, Lewy body, frontotemporal and other rarer types. While some of the initial presenting symptoms may differ in each type of dementia, they are all progressive, degenerative and incurable. Often some of the first noticeable signs of dementia are short-term memory loss, word finding challenges and perhaps confusion in day–to-day situations. My mom would repeat stories, ask questions numerous times, began making errors in cooking and baking, and forget or make up words. She also substituted words or concepts; for example, she talked about taking the car to the laundromat. As the illness progresses, further shortterm memory loss is seen, long-term memory is affected, and reasoning and communication are impaired. Individuals with dementia may take longer to answer questions, as it takes longer for the brain to process information. It is important for family, professionals and others who interact with someone living with dementia to be patient and give them time to process. An individual living with dementia may respond in a way that doesn’t seem to make sense. This is a function of dementia and is a result of information in the brain being harder to access. My mother, for example, would offer

unusual responses to short-term memory questions, like saying she had lasagna for breakfast. When my mom responded with what we thought was a “nonsense” answer, my family would try to correct her in the belief that it was helpful and would reorient her. In truth, it confused and distressed her when we corrected or argued with her, as she was reporting what she truly believed was accurate information – information her brain had given her. The Alzheimer Society could have taught us not to argue or correct when things are minor or unimportant (not health or safety-related), but to embrace her reality with something like “Oh, that sounds delicious!” and then move on.

It is important for family, professionals and others who interact with someone living with dementia to be patient and give them time to process

As short-term memory becomes more affected, family often finds it difficult to connect with the person with dementia. This was my experience; I tried to talk to my mom about things I had always shared– my life, my kids, their latest soccer games. My mother could not participate in these conversations and I was at a loss as to how to visit with her. The Alzheimer Society could have taught me to use Mom’s long-term memory to engage with her. People living with dementia will let others know “when” they are in their minds by their interests, topics of conversation and priorities. In my case, Mom had been an elementary school teacher in the early 1960s and she spoke of children and students. I could have spoken with her about that — planning for her class, the family she boarded with, methods of teaching, etc. Had I known, we may have had quite different, and more enjoyable, visits. Another change we saw in Mom was her ability to do day-to-day tasks. She could get partway through making coffee or getting dressed, for example, but then would become confused. As a family, we assumed this meant she couldn’t do these tasks anymore and we rushed to take over.

2016 STATISTICS OVER 564,000 CANADIANS ARE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA OVER 40,000 ARE ALBERTANS MORE THAN 25,000 NEW CASES ARE DIAGNOSED ANNUALLY IN CANADA WOMEN OVER AGE 65 MAKE UP OVER 65% OF THE DIAGNOSED CASES OVER THE AGE OF 85, THE RISK OF DEVELOPING DEMENTIA DOUBLES OVER 16,000 CANADIANS UNDER THE AGE OF 65 ARE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA 3 OUT OF 4 CANADIANS KNOW SOMEONE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA

In reality, these “simple” daily activities are more complex than we realize and involve more steps than we are conscious of. For example, we need to know how to get the coffee from the canister into the machine. How do we scoop it? How much? Where does the coffee go, again? Someone living with dementia may get “stuck” on a step, but this does not mean they have completely lost the ability to do this task. If my family had been connected to the Alzheimer Society, we could have known to offer my mom a cue or a prompt when she got stuck, rather than assume she could no longer manage. With our lack of knowledge, we took away some of Mom’s independence prematurely. Communication difficulties can become more apparent as the disease progresses. We noticed that Mom was uncomfortable in busy, crowded settings. We didn’t THE ADVOCATE

FEATURE STORY

FALL 2019

understand why and talked about how “Mom doesn’t want to do anything anymore.” Again, education could have helped us realize that Mom may have found these situations overwhelming due to the amount of noise and stimulation, what the Alzheimer Society calls “cross communication”. She needed some accommodation to not feel overwhelmed. When we tried to include Mom in decisions, like what she wanted to do or eat, for example, she would generally reply with some variation of “I don’t know” or “It doesn’t matter.” This led us to believe that she didn’t have opinions and preferences. The Alzheimer Society could have taught us that she did still have opinions, and the importance of eliciting them with easier questions. Openended questions, like “What would you like for supper?” can be difficult for someone with dementia , while a close-ended The Alzheimer Society question that still offers choice, could have taught us that like “Do you want fish or pasta for supper?” may increase the she did still have opinions, chances of success and allow for the expression of opinions and and the importance of preferences.

eliciting them with easier questions.

I don’t know why we didn’t connect to the Alzheimer Society during my mom’s journey with dementia. My father was a teacher too, and he and Mom spoke openly about her disease, hoping that others could benefit from their experience. Despite this openness, he was proud and private, and reluctant to seek support. During Mom’s illness, we were scared, overwhelmed, frustrated and sad. Being connected to the Alzheimer Society would not have eliminated these feelings, but it could have increased our understanding, given us different ways to cope, and helped us see the challenges from a different perspective and find ways to enhance Mom’s quality of life. When the opportunity arose to work with the Alzheimer Society, it seemed a way to honour my parents’ intent to help others on this journey.

LOCATIONS

THE ALZHEIMER SOCIETY HAS LOCATIONS ACROSS CANADA including Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Yellowknife and Calgary. Each office offers education and support for care partners and people living with dementia, as well as for professionals and the community. Families can be connected to the Alzheimer Society through the First Link Referral Program. Professionals (social workers, doctors, home care staff or other allied health workers) can refer a family to the Alzheimer Society, with their consent. This allows local staff to reach out to the contact (often a spouse or adult child) and connect them with education and resources. This referral program takes the onus off the family and allows the Alzheimer Society to initiate contact. To make a First Link referral in Edmonton and northern Alberta, see the referral form at: www.alzheimer.ca/en/ab. In Calgary and area, the form is at www.alzheimercalgary.ca. For more information on the Alzheimer Society or to discuss a presentation for your workplace, please contact your local office.

BARB BEATTIE is a social worker in Edmonton. She enjoys reading, writing and has worked with the Alzheimer Society for 2 1/2 years.

THE ADVOCATE

COMMITTED TO A CALLING

“SOCIAL WORK ISN’T JUST a job you do from 8 to 4 every day,” Richard Gregory says. “I believe social work should be part of our identity. It should be who you are as a person.” Social work was a true calling for Richard Gregory, MSc, RSW. He just finished his seventh term on the Alberta College of Social Workers’ Council and celebrated his 33rd anniversary in the social work profession. He has been a registered social worker for 27 years. Over the past three decades, Gregory has worked in many different areas of social work. He was employed in the child welfare and young offender systems, with youth and families in crisis at a runaway and homeless shelter, and with families of children with special needs. He has been a social work educator for over 20 years and is currently the Chair of Health and Human Services at Medicine Hat College. Gregory first considered a career in social work back in high school, after a guidance counsellor suggested it. “Social work really resonated with me,” he says, recalling that conversation. “It stuck with me as an opportunity to help people who are experiencing difficulties.”

BY MEL PRIESTLEY

RICHARD GREGORY

MSc, RSW

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But it took some time before Gregory committed himself to the profession. Though he was interested in pursuing either education or social work right after high school, instead he got a diploma in Agriculture to fulfill his family’s expectation that he would take over their fourth-generation farm in Saskatchewan. At age 27, after realizing that wasn’t his right path, Gregory moved to Calgary and enrolled in the Social Work program at Mount Royal College. After graduating, Gregory briefly took a job in the criminal justice system, working with young offenders at the newly created Bow River Young Offenders Centre. He thought it would be his dream job but quickly realized it wasn’t a good fit. “I didn’t like working within the criminal justice system,” he explains. “The Young Offenders Act was very new at that point in time and … there was a lot of animosity between the Correctional Officers, who had moved from the adult system and just wanted to deal with the youth the same way they had dealt with the adults, and the Youth Workers, who were there to try to make a change. The change we were able to make was so limited by the system we worked in.”

At Blarny Castle in Ireland

Gregory remained a casual worker with the Centre for a few years, but also branched out into other areas of social work practice that made better use of his skills. He has also served seven terms on the ACSW Council, as Member at Large, Treasurer, Vice President and most recently, as President for three terms. Gregory feels that his experience on Council enhanced and strengthened his practice. “I loved serving on Council and I think it’s a really nice way of giving back to my profession,” Gregory says. “I initially got involved because I wasn’t happy with some of the directions the Council was moving in. Some of the early years were challenging because some [Council members] had very differing ideas about where the Alberta College of Social Workers should go in terms of membership and the direction of the College. “It evolved from there and I’ve been so grateful to work with the amazing Council members, public members, volunteers and staff,” he continues.

In Zambia with Chief Yeta of the Lozi people

“I’m very proud of the work that we’ve done and some of the changes that have happened.”

money goes; for example, seeing how much it costs to deal with even one single complaint.”

One of the highlights of his time on the ACSW Council was in 2014, when Gregory did a tour of 13 different communities across Alberta and met with social workers in various practice areas. “We asked questions about our mission statement, values, what direction they wanted to see the ACSW take, their challenges, their issues with ACSW,” he says. “It was a fabulous opportunity to meet with social workers across the province.”

Lifelong learning is a passion for Gregory. He worked as a sessional instruction in the Social Work program at Mount Royal while he lived in Calgary. He moved to Medicine Hat when he became Coordinator and instructor in the Social Work diploma program at Medicine Hat College, then four years ago moved into his current position as Department Chair, Health and Human Services.

Gregory encourages others to run for Council, especially those who want to understand the Council’s role on a deeper level. “It gives people a really good understanding about the organization and how it operates,” he says. “Oftentimes, as Council members, we get asked the question, ‘Where do my fees go; what do you do with my money?’ We can explain that, but it’s very different when you’re sitting at the Council table and you’re reviewing budgets, looking at where the

Gregory has often been asked for advice to give new social workers. “One thing I tell students all the time – and this is not just for new grads but for everybody – is know what you don’t know,” he says. “Where social workers in the past have gotten into trouble is when they don’t know something and they try to fake it.” He encourages all social workers to reach out to the ACSW if they encounter situations that they aren’t sure how to handle. The ACSW has registered social workers on staff, he explains, THE ADVOCATE

CASW Distinguished Service award

Lynn Labrecque King, Jody-Lee Farrah, Richard Gregory, Derek Chewka, Connie Hesjedal

who can walk individuals through issues within the context of the Code of Ethics and ethical practice. “Ask for help,” he says. “One of the challenges that we have in social work is that so many social workers are supervised by non-social workers. It’s so important to reach out to other social workers to be able to look at things through the social work lens.” In addition to his work on the ACSW council, Gregory has also done extensive volunteer work in his community. Some of his past volunteer commitments include nine years with AIDS Calgary, eight years with Calgary Lesbian and Gay Political Action Guild, president of the board for the HIV Network in Medicine Hat, chairperson of the Social Development Advisory Board with the City of Medicine Hat, Human Rights Advisor at Medicine Hat College and secretary for the Canadian Association for the Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment in Higher Education. 32

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With a Zambian child

With author Noor Ebrahim in Cape Town

Gregory thinks that it’s very important for social workers to be actively involved in social issues – whichever one they find most inspiring. “The social work role is more important now than it has ever been before,” he says. “It’s really important that social workers advocate and provide a voice for people who aren’t heard due to various forms of oppression, whether it be gender, race, sexual orientation, citizenship or anything else. “It’s important for social workers to get political,” he continues. “We’re seeing more and more social workers who are getting politically active and running for office and getting appointed to public boards and committees. Those are good places for social workers. We need to have influence at those tables.” Gregory is serving one more term on the ACSW council as Past President, which is an advisory, non-voting

position. He’s not ready to retire yet, though he says that even when he moves on from his day job, he’ll never really leave the social work profession – he’ll just shift to something different, like many of his retired colleagues. “Our group of retired social workers are doing fabulous work in the province because they’ve stayed engaged,” Gregory says. “They’re organizing around social issues and are very vocal. “I don’t know if social workers ever retire,” he continues. “It’s a way of life.”

MEL PRIESTLEY is an Edmonton-based freelance journalist who writes about local news and culture as well as food and wine. She’s a member of the Edmonton Food Council, an avid gardener and an amateur beekeeper.

With the Banda family, Zambia

Richard and social work colleagues

Richard and Bob Wanner

With the ACSW Council

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THE ADVOCATE EDITORIAL POLICY The Advocate is the official publication of the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) and is published quarterly for members of ACSW and other interested parties. The Advocate Editorial Board encourages submissions from all social work practice areas and perspectives, including: social work research, theory, practice, and education; professional affairs; social issues; the work of the College; member activities; continuing education and job opportunities; reviews of books, journals, and other media of interest to social workers. Articles of up to 1000 words and letters of up to 500 words will be considered, but publication is not guaranteed. Writing from social workers who are ACSW members will be given preference. Copy may be edited to fit the space available or for legal or other reasons. Please contact the ACSW office for full submission guidelines. PUBLICATION SCHEDULE AND DEADLINES Spring issue: Summer issue: Fall issue: Winter issue:

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FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The Advocate’s For Your Information section gives preference to Alberta-based educational opportunities and non-profit events for social workers. Send your submissions to Carlena Johnson at activitiesadmin@acsw.ab.ca.

2020 Alberta College of Social Workers Conference Connect. Explore. Grow. March 26 – 28, 2020 Edmonton DoubleTree by Hilton www.acsw.ab.ca, click Social Workers tab, then Annual Conference 2019 YEG First Responders Military Personnel Mental Wellness Suicide Awareness Conference September 26, 2019 Edmonton Helping first responders across professions build resiliency and healthy workplaces through awareness and education. www.legacyplacesociety.com/conferences/ Early Onset Dementia Alberta Foundation 6th Building Dementia Awareness Conference October 3 – 5, 2019 Edmonton Education for professionals, people with dementia, care partners and others interested in learning more about dementia. www.eodaf.com

on Elder Abuse, in collaboration with the Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council. www.diverse-voices.com Alberta 2019: Forces of Change Parkland Institute Fall Conference 2019 November 15 - 17, 2019 Edmonton The conference will take a deep dive into our history, economy, and social conflicts to better understand Alberta’s past, present, and future within Canada, North America, and the world. www.parklandconference.ca

November 21 – 22, 2019 Rocky Mountain House Discussions and learning opportunities regarding gender-based violence in rural Alberta. www.eventbrite.ca/e/family-violencea-rural-perspective-conference-tickets59330353685?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 2020 World Social Work Conference The Global Social Work Agenda: The Next Ten Years Calgary

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