Reducing Stigma in Communications Related to Parents/Caregivers of System Involved Youth who use Opioids

Megan Lipsett

Training Description

Parental substance use has been identified as one of the conditions for removal for approximately 39% of children entering out-of-home foster care (SAMSHA, 2019) - and foster youth have disproportionately high levels of variables that are known to intensify their own substance use (i.e. experiences with trauma and maltreatment, mental illness, and exposure to parental alcohol and drug use) (Braciszewski & Stout, 2012). Despite established efficacy of evidence-based substance misuse prevention and harm reduction programs, only 18% of those who struggle with a Substance Use Disorder receive treatment - in part due to concerns about social and structural stigma. Substance-related stigma directly impacts psychological wellbeing and indirectly impacts treatment outcomes and overall health disparities (Hatzenbuehler, Phelan, & Link, 2013), and foster youth are disproportionately negatively affected. This training will explore practical approaches to reducing stigma towards parents of foster youth who use opioids and their children, including: 1) understanding the need for contextualized theoretical frameworks, 2) addressing personal biases, 3) learning about stigma-reducing policies, 4) using de-stigmatized terminology, 5) engaging in community-based and person-centered practices, 6) participating in interdisciplinary collaborations, and 7) examining the research related to substance-related stigma (Lipsett et al., 2022).

Learning Objectives

● Examine personal biases related to parents/caregivers who use substances and their children.

● Explore de-stigmatized terminology.

● Investigate theoretical frameworks that provide context regarding the social and structural determinants of substance use (e.g. adverse childhood experiences, socioeconomic status, disparities in healthcare delivery, discrimination, racism, and social exclusion).

● Learn about the evidence-based impacts of substance-related stigma on psychological well-being and outcomes for system involved youth.

Agenda

1:30-1:50pm  Overview and Introductions

1:50-2:15pm  Presentation:

        ● Impact of substance-related stigma on well-being and treatment outcomes among parents who use substance and their children.

       ● Contextualized theoretical frameworks

2:15-3:00pm  Didactic Activities:Addressing personal biases, using de-stigmatized terminology

3:00-3:15pm  BREAK (CE Hours will not be offered for this time)

3:15-3:25pm  Presentation: Stigma within science communication and policy

3:25- 4:00pm  Didactic Activities: Stigma reduction: interdisciplinary collaboration, community-based and person-        centered practices.

Meet Our Trainer

Megan Lipsett is a doctoral candidate in Social Health Psychology, conducting research in the Social Affective Neuroscience Lab. Megan also holds an MA in Integrative Health Studies from CIIS and is an assistant Professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) and the founder of COPIA Health. As a practitioner, Megan has worked with clients who have experienced complex trauma and uses a mindfulness-based approach to supporting resilience. As a research psychologist, she examines how our perceptions impact physiology (such as inflammatory biomarkers and cortisol), social connection, and long-term health behaviors underlying noncommunicable diseases. With an interest in factors that promote resilience to adversity, she focuses on translational work that informs how research on health mindsets can inform behavioral interventions and public policy. She has done program development and facilitation for diverse organizations, including integrative medicine centers, transitional women's homes, social worker training centers, environmental awareness groups, benefit corporations, and health and wellness centers.

This course meets the qualifications for (2.25) BBS CE Hours for LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences & is provided by Fred Finch Youth Center, CAMFT Provider #045295.