Presentation: ‘Why won’t they treat me if I use drugs?” – the need for change

Dr. Ed Ogden, Addiction Medicine Specialist, Swinburne University, GV Health,  Austin Health and Hamilton Centre

In this presentation, Dr Ed Ogden discusses the barriers to treatment for people with co-occurring ADHD and substance use.

Slides: ADHD and Drug Use, Ed Ogden

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Presentation: Navigating the Service System – a lived experience perspective

Mel Spencer OAM, CEO Different Journeys

In this presentation, Mel Spencer discusses her experiences navigating Victoria’s service system as a mother and carer of autistic children and as an autistic person.  Her experiences led her to start Different Journeys, a not-for-profit dedicated to helping neurodivergent people access the appropriate support they need.

Slides: Navigating the Service System_Mel Spencer

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Presentation: Working with People with ADHD and SUD

Dr Dianne Grocott, MBBSS FRANCP Psychiatrist, Reflect Health

Slides: Working with people with ADHD & SUD_Dianne Grocott

In this video, Dr Dianne Grocott invites us to “get on the hoses” and be a voice for change when working with clients with ADHD.

Resources Dianne mentions in her talk:

The Disruptors – Full movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIoKSf4GDZQ

Reflect Health resource library: https://reflecthealth.com.au/service/adhd/
The library has been fashioned as different floors, each with a library of specific information.

 

To access the video, click on ENROL NOW to change to “I’m going”

The WATCH VIDEO button will appear; click to access the video.

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CHCSS00093 Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Skillset

Turning Point (RTO 6948) has been contracted by the Department of Health (DH Victoria) to deliver competency training and assessment opportunities to the Victorian AOD workforce.
This training targets employees currently in the AOD sector and employed in DH-funded AOD Services. Turning Point staff delivering the AOD competencies have clinical experience and meet the training and assessment requirements outlined in the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF).

Selection Criteria:

To enrol in the CHCSS00093 AOD Skill Set you must work in a publically funded organisation in the Victorian AOD sector.

Who is not eligible?

  • Students on placement or internships, workers from other community sectors such as Family Violence, Homelessness and Mental Health and AOD workers outside of Victoria.
  • People who have partially completed the skillset

Please ensure you have clearance to attend from your line manager before enrolling.

Do not enrol if you cannot guarantee you can complete this course.  If you change your mind, cancel your registration immediately to make room for someone else.

 

Enrolment Process

  • Enrolment is by Expression of Interest (EOI) only and includes all four units of competency.  Applicants must be currently employed in Victorian DH-funded services to be eligible to apply for this training. This is an expression of interest only, and you must be available to attend all mandatory virtual classes advertised for all units of competency. These four (4) units of competency are part of the AOD Skill Set
  • You will be notified via email if you have been successful in securing a place and you will be required to accept your offer by a due date, as demand for this skill set is high and there are limited places
  • To begin the EOI process click ENROL NOW at the bottom of this page and then on the BEGIN EOI button.  You must complete the EOI to be considered for this course.  Enrolment in Elevate only does not guarantee your place

 

Course outline

 

CHCAOD001 Work in an alcohol and other drug context

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish and work within the current context, philosophy and values of the AOD sector.

This unit applies to workers who work with clients affected by alcohol and other drugs.

 

Online and virtual classes:

Online Learning Management System (LMS): opens Monday 29 January 2024 – Friday 22 March 2024.

Mandatory virtual classes from 9.30am – 1:00pm on the 8, 15, 29 February 2024

 

CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for and conduct assessments of AOD clients to determine eligibility, service requirements and referral needs. This includes knowledge of factors affecting assessment for a range of different client groups, including different genders, youth, older people, mandated and voluntary clients, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

This unit applies to people who assess clients with AOD issues using established organisation or jurisdictional AOD assessment tools.

 

Online and virtual classes:

Online LMS: opens  Monday 22 April 2024 –  Friday 21 June 2024

Mandatory virtual classes 9.30am – 1:00pm on the 2, 9, 16 May 2024

 

CHCAOD009 Develop and review individual alcohol and other drug treatment plans

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with clients to establish treatment goals and to develop and evaluate individual treatment plans to meet those goals.

The purpose of the training is to enable participants to develop treatment plans with and for clients with AOD issues on the basis of an existing assessment and within established organisation guidelines.

 

Online and virtual classes:

Online LMS: opens Monday, 15 July 2024 – Friday 6 September 2024.

Mandatory virtual classes 9.30am – 1.00pm on the 25 July & 8 and 22 August 2024.

 

CHCAOD006 Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drug issues

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to confirm, conduct and monitor evidence-based intervention strategies to address alcohol and other drug issues. This unit includes applying standard processes and procedures to effectively manage tasks and contingencies required in the context of the work role.

The purpose of the training is to enable participants to develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to prepare clients for interventions and deliver those interventions under supervision within the scope of an established individual treatment plan.

 

Online and virtual classes:

Online LMS: opens Monday 7 October 2024 – Friday 29 November 2024.

Mandatory virtual classes 9.30am – 1:00pm on the 16, 23 October and 6 November 2024.

All units of competency are assessed, and you will be required to complete assessment tasks.

 

ACECHO – AOD Collaborative ECHO

The AOD Collaborative ECHO (ACECHO) partnership involves VAADA, Turning Point, and Goulburn Valley Health. This dedicated ECHO for Victorian AOD state-funded services aims to enhance the capabilities of AOD workers in addressing substance use issues among their clients. The primary objective of these sessions is to foster a community of AOD workers with varying levels of expertise, united by the shared goal of improving the well-being, and achieving positive outcomes, for individuals with problematic substance use.

Conducted under the guidance of Turning Point, each session commences with a presentation delivered by a Turning Point expert or a related professional, focusing on a specific topic. This is followed by an in-depth case consultation, during which attendees have the opportunity to ask questions or offer recommendations based on a case study presented by one of the participants.

 

ACECHO Timetable 2024 (February – July)

22nd May, 2024

Substance use and the Liver – wins, losses and getting from A to B to C
Presenter – Adam Pastor

Join Adam Pastor as he navigates the landscape of liver health in individuals grappling with substance use disorders, with a focus on alcohol and opioids. This presentation will provide insights into the latest developments in Hepatitis C, alcohol-related liver disease, screening tests for liver disease complications, and more. Explore the nuanced intersections of substance use and liver health, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the challenges, successes, and the journey from A to B to C.

Adam graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2003 and was attracted to training in Addiction Medicine through its mix of pharmacology, impact on human physiology, mental health and public health. He has a particular interest in the interplay between chronic medical conditions and substance use, as well as medications used to assist in the management of alcohol and other substance use disorders. Adam has spent considerable time in the Northern Territory and is a former Director of NT Drug and Alcohol Services and current Deputy Director of Addiction Medicine at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne.

 

Launch zoom meeting

 

Submit a Case Presentation to ACECHO

Case presentations by participating healthcare providers are the cornerstone of the ECHO model. Presentations are always followed by an open Q & A discussion of the case and recommendations by the hub team. To submit a case study, click on Go to Form.

Go to Form

 

ACECHO – AOD Collaborative ECHO

The AOD Collaborative ECHO (ACECHO) partnership involves VAADA, Turning Point, and Goulburn Valley Health. This dedicated ECHO for Victorian AOD state-funded services aims to enhance the capabilities of AOD workers in addressing substance use issues among their clients. The primary objective of these sessions is to foster a community of AOD workers with varying levels of expertise, united by the shared goal of improving the well-being, and achieving positive outcomes, for individuals with problematic substance use.

Conducted under the guidance of Turning Point, each session commences with a presentation delivered by a Turning Point expert or a related professional, focusing on a specific topic. This is followed by an in-depth case consultation, during which attendees have the opportunity to ask questions or offer recommendations based on a case study presented by one of the participants.

 

ACECHO Timetable 2024 (February – July)

 

28 February 2024

Nitrous Oxide, Laughing Gas, not the best medicine
Presenter Dr Ferghal Armstrong, FRACGP, FAChAM, FASLM

An essential session for AOD workers, this presentation tackles nitrous oxide use, dependence, and its medical consequences. With a focus on the increasing prevalence, especially among young individuals, the goal is to equip workers with insights into the potential serious effects of nitrous oxide use.

Dr Ferghal Armstrong graduated from the Queen’s University Belfast in 1999. He trained and practised as a GP in Wales, UK, and then emigrated to Australia in 2014. He founded and managed Blackfish Medical Clinic, a GP practice in Koo Wee Rup in 2016. He completed training in Addiction Medicine in 2020 and now works full-time at Turning Point as an Addiction Medicine Specialist.

 

Launch zoom meeting

 

Submit a Case Presentation to ACECHO

Case presentations by participating healthcare providers are the cornerstone of the ECHO model. Presentations are always followed by an open Q & A discussion of the case and recommendations by the hub team. To submit a case study, click Go to Form.

Go to Form

 

ACECHO – AOD Collaborative ECHO

The AOD Collaborative ECHO (ACECHO) partnership involves VAADA, Turning Point, and Goulburn Valley Health. This dedicated ECHO for Victorian AOD state-funded services aims to enhance the capabilities of AOD workers in addressing substance use issues among their clients. The primary objective of these sessions is to foster a community of AOD workers with varying levels of expertise, united by the shared goal of improving the well-being, and achieving positive outcomes, for individuals with problematic substance use.

Conducted under the guidance of Turning Point, each session commences with a presentation delivered by a Turning Point expert or a related professional, focusing on a specific topic. This is followed by an in-depth case consultation, during which attendees have the opportunity to ask questions or offer recommendations based on a case study presented by one of the participants.

 

ACECHO Timetable 2024 (February – July)

 

27th March 2024

The Green Shoots of Recovery: Lifestyle Medicine and AOD
Presenter: Ferghal Armstrong

Embark on exploring the six pillars of lifestyle medicine and their impact on mental health and AOD. Uncover the intricate connections between the feet, fork, fingers, sleep, socialisation, and stress management as we delve into their pivotal roles in recovery and resilience. Join us in understanding how these lifestyle choices can be transformative green shoots, nurturing a path to holistic well-being and sustainable healing.

Dr Ferghal Armstrong graduated from the Queen’s University Belfast in 1999. He trained and practised as a GP in Wales, UK, and then emigrated to Australia in 2014. He founded and managed Blackfish Medical Clinic, a GP practice in Koo Wee Rup in 2016. He completed training in Addiction Medicine in 2020 and now works fulltime at Turning Point as an Addiction Medicine Specialist.

Launch zoom meeting

 

Submit a case presentation to ACECHO

Case presentations by participating healthcare providers are the cornerstone of the ECHO model. Presentations are always followed by an open Q & A discussion of the case and recommendations by the hub team. To submit a case study, click on Go to Form.

Go to Form

 

ACECHO – AOD Collaborative ECHO

The AOD Collaborative ECHO (ACECHO) partnership involves VAADA, Turning Point, and Goulburn Valley Health. This dedicated ECHO for Victorian AOD state-funded services aims to enhance the capabilities of AOD workers in addressing substance use issues among their clients. The primary objective of these sessions is to foster a community of AOD workers with varying levels of expertise, united by the shared goal of improving the well-being, and achieving positive outcomes, for individuals with problematic substance use.

Conducted under the guidance of Turning Point, each session commences with a presentation delivered by a Turning Point expert or a related professional, focusing on a specific topic. This is followed by an in-depth case consultation, during which attendees have the opportunity to ask questions or offer recommendations based on a case study presented by one of the participants.

ACECHO Timetable 2024 (February – July)

 

24th April, 2024

Opioid Pharmacotherapy – What’s New
Presenter: Jon Cook

Hear about the latest in the opioid pharmacotherapy system overseas and at home in Victoria.

Jon Cook is an Addiction Medicine Specialist and has served as the Head of Addiction Medicine at Western Health for six years. With a background in community health and youth AOD services, Jon brings valuable expertise to the intersection of medicine and community well-being.

 

Launch zoom meeting

 

Submit a Case Presentation to ACECHO

Case presentations by participating healthcare providers are the cornerstone of the ECHO model. Presentations are always followed by an open Q & A discussion of the case and recommendations by the hub team. To submit a case study, click Go to Form.

Go to Form

 

1-day Trans and Gender Diverse Inclusive Practice in AOD Services

This training will explore working with trans and gender-diverse folks in an AOD service context and will provide opportunities for participants to:

  • Raise their awareness of important language, terminology and lived experiences of people with a trans or gender-diverse identity
  • Understand current research regarding the health and wellbeing of trans and gender-diverse people, including those with intersectional identities
  • Explore the ways in which the AOD comprehensive assessment may provide opportunities to ask clients about their experiences in relation to gender identity, and the impact of stigma, discrimination and transphobia on presenting issues and needs
  • Apply learning to AOD practice using case examples and group discussions
  • Develop strategies to build safe and inclusive services and practices

Eligibility Criteria

This training has been funded for workers employed in a Victorian State-funded Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) service, including those who are new to the AOD sector or recently employed under the COVID-19 Workforce Initiative and Peer workers.

Who is not eligible?

Students on placement or internships, workers from other community sectors such as Family Violence, Homelessness and Mental Health and AOD workers outside of Victoria.

Please ensure you have clearance to attend from your line manager. If you cannot attend, even if you find out the day before, please cancel your registration and make your spot available to someone else on the waitlist.

Neurodiversity and Substance Use – Symposium

There is a growing body of research that suggests that neurodivergent people may be at an increased risk of developing problematic substance use. This is likely due to the increased burden on neurodivergent people trying to function in a world not designed for them.

This event is for AOD workers who are interested in learning more about the intersection of neurodiversity and substance use, and how to support neurodivergent people to achieve their goals.

This symposium will focus on two areas; ADHD and Autism and feature a series of keynote presentations and interactive workshops. We have invited leading experts, including people with lived experience, to share their insights and experiences. We encourage all attendees to actively participate in the discussions and ask questions.

Details

Date: Thursday, 21st September,

Time: 9:30 AM – 4:30PM

Address:  Catholic Leadership Centre, 576 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne

Booking: via Eventbrite

See Program

See Venue Floorplan

Speakers

Dr Eddie Mullen MB BCh BAO, FRANZCP, AFRACMA,

Dr Eddie Mullen is a youth psychiatrist and has been at Orygen Specialist Program in Melbourne, Victoria for over 9 years. He is the Co-Lead of the Orygen Youth Addiction and Dual Diagnosis Stream as well as working with the Orygen Substance Use Research Group as a Principal Investigator on several studies looking into novel treatments for cannabis, methamphetamine and tobacco misuse in young people.

Dr Mullen has a strong interest in understanding developmental perspectives of substance use from early adolescence into adulthood and how this can inform our approach to screening, assessment and offering evidence based treatment as well as the intersection of youth, neurodivergence and addiction. He also works at Turning Point as an Addiction Fellow in Training.

Dr Dianne Grocott MBBS FRANZCP

Dr Grocott is a psychiatrist with 30 years experience in public and private practice, who has specialised in ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and Addiction Psychiatry. In 2015 she co-founded the Victorian Adult ADHD Interest Group (VAADHDIG), a multidisciplinary group of clinicians who share expertise and resources to improve the lives of their patients with ADHD. VAADHDIG members are developing an accredited GP Training Course on ADHD and are collaborating in the design of best practice models for ADHD assessment and holistic management.

Mel Spencer OAM, Chief Executive Officer of Different Journeys 

Mel Spencer OAM is a fierce Autistic advocate. As a parent to 3 Autistic teenagers and identifying as Autistic herself (Mel realised this as a result of her own children being diagnosed ), she is committed to ensuring that the world is more accommodating and accepting of the Autism community, which includes supporting both the Autistic individual and their family, including parents and carers. She is very passionate about making a difference and finding creative ways to overcome the challenges and obstacles that present along the way.
Her background is 18 years with the Victoria Police Force, predominantly in the area of investigations and support of victims of sexual, physical and domestic violence. She has completed a Certificate IV in Disability and Small Business Management. She has, for the past two years been the proud recipient of the State Government Women In Boards Leadership program, which connected her with the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In 2020 she was inducted into Victorian Women’s Honour roll that supports outstanding achievements by women.
Mel is the co-founder and current Chief Executive Officer of Different Journeys which she started with Merrin Ayton to ensure that her children had the opportunity to connect with a wider world than their bedrooms. Her vision for Different Journeys is to provide opportunities for our Autistic community to find meaningful ways to connect and empower both themselves and their families, ensuring they have every opportunity that is afforded to them so they can lead a fulfilling life.

Professor Edward Ogden PSM

Professor Edward Ogden PSM is the Principal Research Fellow, Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences at Swinburne University of Technology, a staff specialist in addiction medicine at Austin Health in Melbourne and the Addiction Medicine Specialist at Goulburn Valley Health.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, a Fellow of the Chapter of Addiction Medicine of the Royal Australian College of Physicians and a Fellow of the Faculty of Clinical Forensic Medicine of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. He was awarded the Public Service Medal for services to Forensic Medicine on Australia Day 2005.

His research interests focus on the role of alcohol and drugs in traffic safety, and the development of treatments for alcohol and drug abuse. He is working with academic and clinical colleagues to form a centre for ADHD research with particular interest in ADHD and Substance Use Disorder.

Tim Ridgeway ADHD Coach and AOD Clincian

Tim is an ADHD and Recovery Coach, who operates ‘ADDAPTIVE COACHING’, a specialised coaching service that supports clients who have co-morbid ADHD and Recovery needs. He has designed psychoeducation programs being utilised in rehabilitations, as well as working with a local institution ‘The Cottage’ as a facilitator. An experienced therapeutic clinician with a lived experience facing the challenges of ADHD, addiction, homelessness, justice interaction and mental health. With professional experience as a practitioner working independently, in addition to residential and community rehabilitation experience. He specialises in working with Substance Use Disorder and Co-Morbid ADHD. Tim has worked for some of the local leaders in AOD Treatment: GV Health, Odyssey House Victoria and The Cottage Shepparton. He has qualifications and experience in Community Services, AOD. As well as being ICF Coaching and Mentor Coach trained.

Aaron Gilhooley, General Manager, The Cottage Shepparton

Aaron Gilhooley is the General Manager of The Cottage—a privately funded, not-for-profit organisation located in the heart of Shepparton. Recognising a vital need in the community, The Cottage was established to provide a life-skills residential facility. It operates on the therapeutic community model, offering a holistic and participative group-based approach to address long-term mental health challenges, personality disorders, neurodiversity, and addiction.