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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
This training will assist participants in building their knowledge and confidence to engage LGBTIQ+ community members in their AOD practice and will provide opportunities for participants to:
- Individually analyse your own assumptions and values and reflect on the implications in your delivery of health care to LGBTI+ communities
- Understand the importance and use of respectful and appropriate language
- Identify and understand the unique vulnerabilities that LGBTI+ communities face
- Improve your confidence in comprehensively meeting the needs of LGBTI+ consumers
- Develop improved skills around intake and assessment
- Understand the complexity and risk of methamphetamine use for men who have sex with men (MSM) and aim to improve treatment outcomes for this community
- Understand the broader AOD issues for LGBTI+ communities
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.
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.
Youth workers have a key role in the early intervention of mental health issues and assisting clients to develop skills to improve their mental wellbeing. In this session, you will increase your knowledge of our client group’s most prevalent health issue and develop practical strategies that both you and your centre/program can implement to improve the mental health outcomes of young people.
This half-day session is designed for non-clinical youth and AOD workers.
Want practical, no-jargon training on how to:
- Identify mental health issues
- Assist clients to link in with the care they need
- Support them on their journey
Then this is for you!
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 waiting list.
This is an interactive conversation about trauma and harm reduction when supporting Aboriginal clients. These sessions allow for a safe space to ask any questions about working with Aboriginal clients who are experiencing trauma while following the principles of harm reduction.
By attending this session, we hope you can walk away with a better understanding on the impacts of intergenerational trauma, engaging with Aboriginal clients in a culturally safe way, and the importance of harm reduction.
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 waiting list.
This is an interactive conversation about trauma and harm reduction when supporting Aboriginal clients. These sessions allow for a safe space to ask any questions about working with Aboriginal clients who are experiencing trauma while following the principles of harm reduction.
By attending this session, we hope you can walk away with a better understanding on the impacts of intergenerational trauma, engaging with Aboriginal clients in a culturally safe way, and the importance of harm reduction.
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 waiting list.
Description
The aim of the Doing Difference Differently Reflective Practice sessions is to provide a safe, supported, reflective space to dive deeper into implementing intersectionality in practice, using peer learning models and case studies.
Practitioners will be invited to:
- Explore and navigate case studies/practice issues/incidents together fusing an intersectional lens and utilising tools provided in the training (e.g. Power Matrix, Peer Support Model).
- Raise questions arising from training modules for further discussion and learning.
- Develop critical thinking/analysis through cases/video/stimulus materials provided by facilitators if time permits.
Prerequisite to this course
Students are required to complete the Doing Difference Differently self-paced learning unit.
To access the learning unit, go to Self-Paced E-Learning and click on Doing Difference Differently E-Learn. Enrol in the unit by clicking on ENROL NOW and change it to I’m Going). Go to your dashboard and access the unit from MY COURSES.
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 waiting list.
Description
The aim of the Doing Difference Differently Reflective Practice sessions is to provide a safe, supported, reflective space to dive deeper into implementing intersectionality in practice, using peer learning models and case studies.
Practitioners will be invited to:
- Explore and navigate case studies/practice issues/incidents together fusing an intersectional lens and utilising tools provided in the training (e.g. Power Matrix, Peer Support Model).
- Raise questions arising from training modules for further discussion and learning.
- Develop critical thinking/analysis through cases/video/stimulus materials provided by facilitators if time permits.
Prerequisite to this course
Students are required to complete the Doing Difference Differently self-paced learning unit.
To access the learning unit, go to Self-Paced E-Learning and click on Doing Difference Differently E-Learn. Enrol in the unit by clicking on ENROL NOW and change it to I’m Going). Go to your dashboard and access the unit from MY COURSES.
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 waiting list.
