Free Three-Part Series: Emerging Issues in Harm Reduction: Family and Community Work

Bridging Bonds: Supporting Families and Loved Ones of Individuals Who Use Substances - Part 1 (1.5 CEUs)

Tuesday, June 4 @ 12:00 - 1:30pm EST

Speakers: Tanagra M. Melgarejo, MSW, and Joe Pereira, LICSW, CAS

Sponsored by RIZE Massachusetts & the National Harm Reduction Coalition

Virtual on Zoom

This workshop is designed to provide participants with critical knowledge to effectively work with families and loved ones of individuals struggling with substance use disorders (SUDs). Recognizing the pivotal role that family members and close friends play in the lives of people who use substances, this workshop aims to equip professionals with keys insights and strategies needed to help family members/loved ones create a supportive and constructive environment. Participants will be given an overview of the dynamics of substance use, effective communication techniques, and specific interventions to help families navigate challenges associated with their loved one's substance use.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain insights into the impact of substance use on individuals and their families.
• Explore techniques for fostering a safe space for sharing concerns and experiences among families and loved ones and individuals who use substances.
• Provide tools for families/loved ones to enhance resilience in persons who are using substances

Fees: FREE for NASW members and non-members

Please note: This webinar’s Zoom Meeting link and course evaluation form details will be shared a day before the webinar.

Register for part 2 here: https://www.naswma.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1809044&group=

Register for part 3 here: https://www.naswma.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1809049&group=

Speakers:

Tanagra M. Melgarejo, MSW was born and raised in Puerto Rico and is the proud daughter of Mexican  and Cuban immigrants. She has over 20 years of experience in the fields of organizational and  program development, evaluation, technical assistance, community organizing, and direct service  with underserved/over-surveilled/stigmatized folks, particularly within Latinx communities. She currently works as the National Learning and Engagement Strategist for the National Harm Reduction Coalition. Her commitment and passion for harm reduction started out in Holyoke, Massachusetts in the  1990’s while she worked as Popular Education Director for a local HIV prevention program. Before  moving to Oakland, she was working in Puerto Rico with women who are survivors of gender  based violence, focusing her work and activism around economic/human rights of women. She holds an MSW from the University of Puerto Rico and was a lecturer for social work students at  the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras campus and the University of Turabo.  Finally, Tanagra identifies as an intersectional feminist who believes in decolonization as the way towards liberation. 

Joe Pereira, LICSW, CAS is a licensed clinical social worker and addictions specialist who has been practicing for over 30 years.  Joe was a co-founder of Outlook Associates of New England, a practice started to assist persons with anger control problems. He is currently in private practice in Arlington, MA offering individual and group therapy as well as training and consultation with a focus on anger management to adults and adolescents.  Joe has given numerous trainings locally as well as nationally and internationally on the treatment of anger management problems as well as workplace conflict, chemical addictions and stress management.  He was interviewed by The Wall Street Journal on the topic of working with people with anger control issues and has made an appearance on the Boston local news show “Chronicle” discussing”the topic of road rage.  He also was involved with the Massachusetts Medical Society on developing a program for disruptive physicians. Joe has been a lecturer at the Boston University Graduate School of Social Work since 2013.