3/21/2024
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Eastern

The Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) are pleased to announce the Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series, which offers presentations focused on supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) and mental health needs. The selected presenters share their expertise on best and promising practices as well as provide general knowledge. Session topics, which focus on increasing capacity to serve individuals with dual diagnosis in the community, are chosen based on identified needs and with input from the field of professional stakeholders.
 

• The invited audience of all professional stakeholders, including direct and clinical supporters for individuals with ID/A are encouraged to attend.
• Registration is required and at no charge to attendees.
• Three (3) hours of training credit and a certificate of achievement is provided.

 
Many human services professionals enter into the field with high hopes of making a positive difference in the world. However, if professionals are not careful, it's easy to find themselves burned out. This challenge is particularly true for human service professionals supporting people with complex behavioral health needs and significant disabilities. A better understanding of systems of oppression, genuine human value, and self-awareness are essential to combat the challenges of this work. This session explores lessons learned over more than two decades of human service and social justice work. Participants will learn strategies to be productive advocates for individuals supported and a better ally for all marginalized people by exploring three key areas:
 

• UNDERSTANDING SYSTEMIC OPPRESSION Systemic oppression is a driving force in everyday life. In order to support others, human service professionals must understand these systems and address the consequences of these systems.
• ACCURATELY VALUING THE PEOPLE YOU SUPPORT To be effective and to avoid developing resentment for people they are paid to serve, human service professionals must learn to value individuals receiving services within the appropriate cultural contexts and avoid devaluing people based on personal value systems.
• DEVELOPING SELF ANALYSIS & AWARENESS Human service systems are structured to ensure that human service professionals have power and privilege not afforded to service recipients. Professionals must learn to recognize this power and disarm the harm associated with it.

 
Presenter:

• Syard Evans, Ph.D. - Chief Medical Officer at Arkansas Support Network:  Dr. Syard (pronounced Say-erd) Evans is the CEO at Arkansas Support Network, a nonprofit organization that provides community-based supports to individuals with disabilities. She has a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Education and Research from the University of Arkansas. Dr. Evans has a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and Counselor Education from the University of Arkansas. Dr. Evans received an international Award of Excellence from the Council on Quality and Leadership, CQL, in 2022. She is the President of the Arkansas Waiver Association, a member of the Arkansas Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, a graduate of the National Leadership Consortium and Advanced Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities, and a member of the Walton College Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s Advisory Board at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Evans has been a featured speaker at TEDx Fayetteville and Siloam Springs Q Commons. She was a member of the 2018 Arkansas Business’ Class of 40 Under 40 and is a frequent speaker at national and international events.

 
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3/21/2024

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