Round Table Series

January 8, 2021 | 12 PM CST 

Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Learn about the effects of COVID-19 on students and their families
• Learn about resources available to MPS students and school staff
• Learn ways to support the social/emotional needs of students and their families

Overview

COVID-19 has created unique challenges for students, parents, and educators all over the world. How do these challenges affect the students and parents in our community?  What resources are available to students, parents, and school employees? How can the mental health community help? This training is designed to increase awareness of the social-emotional challenges of students and their families, enhance knowledge of resources that are available through MPS and its community partners, and provide tips for supporting students and parents during a global pandemic.   

February 12, 2021 | 12 PM CST

Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Examine your personal ethical base of personal motives and actions when caring for others
• Determine how your ethical base may be challenged with a crisis situation

Overview

In the last four years of teaching Ethics at UAB Medical School, Dr. Stephen McWhorter has discovered in a fresh and realistic manner the need we all have to examine our motives and actions we take as they relate to the care of others. The case study which is the basis for our continuing education discussion is Memorial Hospital, New Orleans at the time of Hurricane Katrina. The challenges of that disaster and the actions of caregivers very much challenges how we effectively care for those in need.  

March 12, 2021 | 12 PM CST 

Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Understand some of the characteristics of people experiencing homelessness
• Describe at least three health challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness
• Become familiar with data related to homelessness and healthcare
• List at least three resources needed in the community to meet health care needs of people experiencing homelessness

Overview

This session will provide information on the characteristics of people experiencing homelessness, the health challenges they face, some of the data related to homelessness and health care, and resources that are needed in the community to meet the health care needs of people experiencing homelessness. 

April 9, 2021 | 12 PM CST

Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Relate emotional distress of residents, families and staff during isolation and loss
• Discuss staffing concerns and modifications within long-term care settings
• Consider strategies that could support the needs of residents, families, and staff

Overview

The novel coronavirus experience in 2020 led to unprecedented situations across all healthcare settings.  This presentation will include some of the issues faced in Alabama long-term care settings during 2020, lessons learned, and provide opportunity for discussion of implications for the future.  

May 14, 2021 | 12 PM CST 

Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation the participants should be able to:

• Explain the importance of family engagement. 
• Understand that successful family engagement is built on cultural sensitivity, understanding of family relationships, and a flexible idea of what constitutes a family. 
• Promote the concept of collaboration between clients, families, and providers to achieve the best level of recovery possible. 
• Explore the programs and services available from NAMI as well as other resources for families and caregivers. 
• Articulate the comprehensive focus of NAMI.
• Identify areas in own practice where involvement with NAMI could be an asset.

Overview

This presentation will provide a comprehensive focus of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), which is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, support, and research, and is steadfast in its commitment to raising awareness and building a community of hope for all of those in need. NAMI is helpful when family and significant others are hesitant to identify feelings about mental illness with those they love. This session will explore ways that they can be supported as well as help them become advocates for mental illness.   

Natasha Sippial, LICSW is a Montgomery native and a graduate of Sidney Lanier High School. She earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Alabama State University (1997).  After completing her undergraduate studies, she later earned a Master of Social Work degree from The University of Alabama (2000) with a concentration in mental health services.  She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with more than 23 years of professional experience with children, youth, and families.  She is currently employed with Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) as the Social Work Coordinator where she have served students in grades K-12 and their families for more than 15 years. 

Stephen McWhorter is an Episcopal Priest who has served for over 53 years.  He was educated at West Virginia University and The Episcopal Theological School at Harvard University. He completed his doctorate in clinical psychology from The University of Southampton in 1984. He served as a college chaplain, parish priest and now as a supply priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. Stephen is also on the adjunct faculty of the University of Alabama Medical School in Birmingham where he is a member of a team teaching Medical Ethics to mostly third year medical students. His interests are in hospice care and end of life care.  

Cynthia Bisbee, a licensed psychologist in Alabama, received master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Psychology from Auburn University.  She is currently engaged in health and mental health consulting, training, and grant writing, including housing consultation for the Alabama Department of Mental Health through NAMI-AL and program consulting for The Wellness Coalition.  She worked as a psychologist, unit coordinator, and patient education program director at Bryce Hospital; Executive Director of Jefferson-Blount-St. Clair Mental Health Authority: Clinical Director of Montgomery Area Mental Health Authority: Psychiatry faculty and Administrative Director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham mental health center; Adjunct Counselor Education faculty at Auburn University Montgomery and Alabama State University: and Executive Director of The Wellness Coalition.  She is a founding board member/past president of the Mid-Alabama Coalition for the Homeless and a board member of Mental Health America in Montgomery (MHA-M). She is the author of a manual on psychiatric consumer and family education titled Teaching Patients and Families about Mental Illness: A Practical Program Guide, and most recently has co-edited a book titled Psychedelic Prophets: The Letters of Aldous Huxley and Humphry Osmond, published by McGill Queens University in Toronto, Canada. 

Arlene Morris served as a nurse educator for the majority of her career.  Her favorite practice area involves care of older adults across all settings of care, and she received certifications in both gerontology and end-of-life care. She has endeavored to advocate for both nurses and quality nursing care.  

Kelly Emerson joined NAMI Alabama as the Executive Director in January 2018. She has 20 years of experience in development, advocacy, and goverment and non-profit administration. She has devoted the bulk of her career to the intersection between the fields of behavioral health and the criminal justice system. Kelly worked in the probate court system in Elmore County and served as the state level liasion for the Alabama's treatment courts (Mental Health Courts, Veterans Courts, and Drug Courts) for 7 years at the Administrative Office of Courts. Additionally, Kelly has experience in grant writing and administration as both a grantee and a grantor. Kelly spent the majority of her childhood in Montgomery, AL. She received her undergraduate degree from Auburn University in Sociology and Criminology. Kelly currently lives in Wetumpka, AL with her husband, three stepdaughters, and three dogs.