Women and Chemical Dependency

Registration Open

Brown University Distance Learning Program is offering a credited, on-line course on boundary issues and dual relationships.

This 4-session course will examine the unique issues for women in chemical dependency treatment. Through the use of websites, readings and interactive assignments, participants will develop a greater understanding regarding the needs of chemically dependent women. Treatment for chemically dependent women needs to have specialized services which includes an understanding of domestic violence, self-esteem and health related concerns such as pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. This course will give participants an understanding of these issues and what their role is in providing comprehensive services to Women.

Participants are urged to get the TIPS and TAPS series from the National Clearinghouse on Alcohol and Drug Information. They are provided free of charge. The following books will be used during the course:

• TIP 2: Pregnant, Substance-Using Women
• TIP 25: Substance Abuse Treatment and Domestic Violence
• TIP 36: Substance Abuse Treatment for Persons With Child Abuse And Neglect Issues.
• TIP 37: Substance Abuse Treatment for Persons with HIV/AIDS

Although links to the required reading will be provided during the course, participants can get free copies (and free shipping) of these books through the National Clearinghouse or view them online at:

http://www.kap.samhsa.gov/products/manuals/tips/numerical.htm

Instructor

Susanne Smoller L-RCSW, CASAC, CPP, ACSW , is an independent organizational consultant specializing in substance abuse and HIV/AIDS. Susanne has worked in a variety of substance abuse settings with positions ranging from line worker to program director. Susanne also has experience as a Case Manager and Crime Victim Advocate. Susanne has also been a consultant on research grants regarding Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual teens; bridging substance abuse treatment research to practice; and New York State Expanded Syringe Access Demonstration Program (ESAP). Susanne started her own consulting practice in 2001 and became a Qualified Myers Briggs Type Indicator Practitioner. As an independent consultant, Susanne has been a strong advocate for syringe disposal and needle exchange in Long Island, NY. She has also expanded her work with HIV+ consumers, providing workshops on treatment information and risk reduction. Susanne also provides technical assistance consulting for federal grantees across the country on a variety of issues, including program sustainability and staff training needs. Susanne is currently an instructor at Molloy College’s Chemical Dependency Certificate Program. Susanne was named Social Worker of the year in 1998 by the local division of the National Association of Social Workers and in 2006, Nassau County PTA Volunteer of the Year.

Course Objectives

• To provide a fundamental understanding of the unique issues for women in chemical dependency treatment.
• To provide the individual with a basic understanding of domestic violence issues and how they impact in chemical dependency treatment for women.
• To provide the participant with an understanding of how health related concerns plays a major in working with women.

Course Requirements

This is a four-week course requirements are:

• Required on-line reading (one hour per week)
• Completion of pre and post test
• Completion of weekly homework assignments (one hour per week)
• Participation in the weekly course forum
• Completion of an on-line course evaluation

*Please note that there are no real time events associated with this course. Lessons will be posted on the class home page on Tuesday and responses are due the following Monday. With the exception of the first weeks lesson which will be posted Monday with the responses due the following Monday. Assignments can be accessed at the participant’s convenience.

The total cost of this course is $60.00 the course payment is due by the start date of the course. A full refund is available up until the posting of the second lesson, after which there will be no refunds.

Accredation

This four-week course, has been approved by the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) for 8 educational credits. It is being provided by the Brown Distance Learning program, which is accredited as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider (#000151). This course meets the qualifications for 8 hours of continuing education credit for MFCC’s and/or LCSW’s as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (PCE#1917). This course is approved by the Connecticut Certification Board (CCB) for eight Category 1 continuing education for Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC’s). The CCB is an IC&RC affiliate. The New York State OASAS does accept distance learning CEUs provided by institutions of higher learning for individuals pursuing or renewing a CASAC, CPP or CPS. Certificates will be mailed within two weeks to participants in the program for its duration who submit all required materials.

Please contact your local certification board to verify reciprocity or acceptance of Brown Distance Learning contact hours.

To participate, you must have:

• An E-mail address and the capacity to retrieve and send E-mail;
• Access to World Wide Web (the following programs provide WWW access: Netscape, Apple CyberDog, and Microsoft Explorer)
• Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher is the preferred browser for Brown DLP online courses
• The ability to navigate the World Wide Web
• A basic understanding of how to use a computer and send and receive email

PLEASE NOTE NETWORK AND COMPUTER TECHNICAL SUPPORT WILL NOT BE PROVIDED.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: The course start date or when the course limit is reached.

To register for this course please log into your account or create your account then log into your account and click the Enroll in a New Course link at the bottom of your account page. On the Enrollment page select the course you wish to register for using the pull down menu and click on the enroll button.  Having enrolled into the course you will be prompted for payment. You may make your payment online or by regular mail. To view payment information please use the payment policies.

For a list of current Brown University Distance Learning courses, please go to the following site:

https://www.browndlp.org/. Please Bookmark this site for future references. Course announcements will be made via the Brown University Online Course Announcement Listserve 6-8 weeks prior to the start of each course. If you would like to be subscribed to this list, please contact Monte Bryant, Program Administrator, at Monte Bryant, or (401) 863-6606.