All Webinars

BI 101 is an accessible introduction into the world of basic income and what its implementation could mean for youth across what is colonially known as Canada and beyond. Our series is designed to provide accessible insights and spark discussions on this important topic.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand key concepts related to basic income, the history and context of basic income pilots in Canada, and the evidence from Manitoba and Ontario basic income experiments.
• Explore the connections between basic income advocacy and core social work values. 
• Consider the impacts of basic income in a variety of social work contexts.

Relationships Matter for Youth 'Aging Out' of Care is a collaborative photovoice project led by Dr. Melanie Doucet alongside eight former youth in care between the ages of 19 and 29 from the Greater Vancouver area. Using images captured by the young co-researchers and their accompanying captions, the project takes a closer look at meaningful supportive relationships in the lives of young people in and from care, and how those relationships can be developed and nurtured over time.

This webinar is intended to help professionals learn about and engage with:

• The realities and challenges youth ‘aging out’ of care face, and the importance of supportive long-term relationships.
• A Photovoice and Participatory Action Research (PAR) study.
• Key relationship-related themes emerging from the photography.
• Concrete recommendations for improving child welfare policies and practices.

In this webinar, participants will be introduced to the theoretical model of experiential learning of which reflection is at its core. Reflection tools and creative activity ideas will be shared along with illustrations of how these activities have been successfully implemented with individuals and groups to help process and debrief learning with the simple questions of what? so what and now what? Some examples include feedback and evaluation, leadership, teambuilding and end of life reflection.

The first few years of life are full of many important developmental milestones in terms of brain pathways, attachment, coping mechanisms and in general learning how to relate to others and to stress. Those who experience trauma in their early years often develop survival mechanisms that are less than helpful in adulthood. Childhood experiences are powerful determinants of who we become as adults. This virtual session will focus on the connection between Addiction and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES). It will provide education on how to implement an ACES informed framework practice in health care. The session will provide an introduction to understanding the dynamics of which addiction has with individuals who have experienced adverse childhood events and trauma and how both are interconnected.  

Topics include:

• Understanding the link between ACES, addiction and trauma
• Understanding what Trauma Informed Care is
• Recognize addiction and connection to trauma
• How to support the individuals we work with in a safe and healthy framework

Value 4: Valuing Human Relationships

This webinar provides a deeper look at the significance of the helping relationship in social work practice. The webinar discusses the importance that the helping relationship is grounded in respect, empathy, compassion and non judgement. The webinar promotes that the helping relationship is the conduit for supporting change for individuals, families, groups, and communities. The webinar discusses the importance of working in partnership with all service users and recognizes that relationships are complex, requiring an awareness of ‘self’ and the personal well-being of the social worker.

Valeur 4 : Valoriser les relations humaines

Ce webinaire fournit un aperçu détaillé de la relation d’aide en travail social. Il met en avant la nécessité que cette relation soit basée sur le respect, l’empathie, la compassion et la réserve. Le webinaire insiste sur le fait que la relation d’aide est cruciale pour favoriser le changement chez les individus, les familles, les groupes et les communautés. Il souligne également l’importance de travailler en partenariat avec tous les utilisateurs des services. Le webinaire reconnaît que ces relations sont complexes, nécessitant une prise de conscience et un souci du bien-être personnel de la travailleuse sociale ou du travailleur social.

Value 3: Pursuing Truth and Reconciliation

This webinar discusses the principles of Truth and Reconciliation and examines how reconciliation is a reciprocal learning process based on respectful engagement in relationships. The webinar discusses social work profession’s acknowledgement of the history with Indigenous Peoples and authentic commitment to meaningful change in social work practice through respecting the rights and diversity of Indigenous people. The webinar discusses the responsibilities to advocate for systemic changes, and to respect local traditional values, customs, beliefs. The importance of respecting the knowledge of Elders and other Knowledge Keepers when practicing in Indigenous communities is highlighted.

Valeur 3 : Établir la vérité et la réconciliation

Ce webinaire se focalise sur les principes de vérité et réconciliation. Il examine comment la réconciliation s’appuie sur un apprentissage réciproque et un engagement respectueux dans les relations. Le webinaire reconnaît l’histoire du travail social auprès des peuples autochtones et s’engage à apporter un changement significatif dans cette pratique. Il respecte les droits et la diversité des peuples autochtones. Le webinaire aborde également la responsabilité de promouvoir des changements systémiques. Il souligne l’importance de respecter les valeurs traditionnelles, les coutumes et les croyances locales. Un accent particulier est mis sur la valeur de la connaissance des aînés et des gardiens du savoir en travaillant avec les communautés autochtones.

Affecting over 350,000 individuals in Ontario alone, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is challenging to identify and treat effectively. A highly heterogenous mental health concern, research indicates those presenting with OCD often do not receive the evidence-based best practice treatment and go 17 years between symptom onset and treatment.

As the largest mental health profession in Canada, social workers are uniquely positioned to intervene with those living with OCD. Through an educational lens, this webinar will provide clinicians with the knowledge to identify OCD symptoms and educate the client on evidence-based treatment.

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
1. Identify clinical presentations of OCD in adult populations
2. Describe what obsessions and compulsions are and how the OCD cycle is maintained
3. Understand how Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) works to ameliorate symptoms of OCD.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) was initially designed to treat Borderline Personality Disorder and suicidal behaviours, though emerging research has demonstrated significant outcomes in treating other mental health issues including major depressive disorder, substance use disorders, eating disorders, ADHD, and PTSD. This introductory webinar will delve into the integral parts of DBT, including cognitive-behavioural interventions, dialectics of acceptance and change, and the coping skills taught throughout the treatment – all of which aim to help clients build a ‘life worth living’. You will learn the model for understanding emotion dysregulation, as well as the diagnoses and symptoms that can improve from this treatment modality. You will explore the differences between adherent DBT and DBT-informed approaches to delivering the treatment.

Participants will explore the core principles and theoretical underpinnings of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

Participants will understand the incorporation of the four categories of DBT skills, including Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. Participants will learn the different modes of treatment and the differences between adherent DBT treatment delivery and delivering standalone components of the DBT model.

This webinar will acquaint social workers with knowledge and tools to support parents with disabilities across various sectors. In this session, we examine the principles of disability justice and explore strategies for fostering inclusive and empowering environments for parents with disabilities. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges faced by parents with disabilities and learn best practices for providing culturally competent and inclusive care. Whether you are a seasoned social worker or new to the profession, this webinar offers resources and perspectives to enhance your practice and promote inclusive and equitable services for all families. Join us as we work towards a more just and inclusive society for parents across Canada. 

Disasters are a social work issue, and practitioners, researchers, students, and academics should not think otherwise. We live in an increasingly fragile world, and much of this fragility can be laid at the door of an indifferent humanity whose relationship with Mother Earth has been one of exploitation which has often left poor and marginalised people in both the Global South and the Global North behind.

Join The Honourable Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard and Dr. Lena Dominelli for a spirited conversation that will challenge social workers and social work educators to rise above indifference and restore healthy relationships between peoples, plants, animals, and our beautiful planet.

Senator Bernard and Dr. Dominelli will draw upon green social work perspectives and argue for transdisciplinary approaches to be used to address disaster challenges which are part of the climate crisis.

For those who wish to intervene by adopting a duty of care for our physical environment and all it contains, examples will be shared on how to do this. Canada’s First Nations and Inuit peoples, for example, have much to offer in this regard if we listen to their teachings and enact them. We can follow the teachings of indigenous peoples and their guidance to act as custodians of the Earth and leave it as sustainable in perpetuity.